Available Formats
A Sharp Scratch
By (Author) Heather Darwent
Penguin Books Ltd
Viking
29th June 2025
29th May 2025
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
Modern and contemporary fiction: general and literary
Narrative theme: Health and illness
Narrative theme: Sense of place
823.92
Hardback
320
Width 156mm, Height 240mm, Spine 40mm
750g
From the bestselling author comes an atmospheric psychological suspense about what it means to be chronically unwell in a society obsessed with wellness. We can fix you. It's a promise that Betsy has heard far too many times. From the child psychologist, from her husband, and from the wellness trends that scream at her from her screen. So far, it's been a lie. But this time, she believes it. Because Betsy has been offered a place at Carn - a luxurious, unorthodox retreat, where healing really is possible. At Carn, she discovers that her imperfections make her unique, not weak. She isn't broken, just special. All Betsy has to do is follow the rules . . .
Darwent has a great career as a thriller writer ahead of her * Sunday Times *
Intoxicatingly dark . . . this twisted thriller about toxic friendships makes for compulsive reading -- Heat on The Things We Do To Our Friends
Seamlessly blends Gone Girl and Promising Young Woman. Smart, sophisticated, seductive -- S J Watson on The Things We Do To Our Friends
Satisfyingly dark, cleverly plotted and pleasingly Donna Tarttish -- Emma Flint on The Things We Do To Our Friends
Heather Darwent is based just outside of Edinburgh, the setting for her bestselling debut The Things We Do To Our Friends. When she's not writing, you'll find her reading chaotic non-fiction about Silicon Valley and swimming in the sea. A Sharp Scratch is her second novel.