Home

(Paperback)

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'Absorbing, moving, and alarmingly believable, Home is an unforgettable story about identity, family, and the terrifying dynamics of a cult' Carole Johnstone, author of Mirrorland 'Home is a white-hot gem of a book; brilliantly researched, so gripping and propulsive youll want to consume it in one go, but also glowingly, humanly real' Kirstin Innes, author of Scabby Queen Someone has broken into Zoes flat. A man she thought shed never have to see again. They call him the Hand of God. He knows about her job in the cafe, her life in Dublin, her ex-girlfriend, even the knife shes hidden under the mattress. She thought shed left him far behind, along with the cult of the Children and their isolated compound Home but now hes found her, and Zoe realises she must go back with him if she's to rescue the sister who helped her escape originally. But returning to Home means going back to the enforced worship and strict gender roles Zoe has long since moved beyond. Back to the abuse and indoctrination shes fought desperately to overcome... Going back will make her question everything she believed about her past and risk her hard-won freedom. Can she break free a second time 'An absolute triumph.... I found myself holding my breath, hoping for the best for her, while expecting the worst. Highly recommended' Laura Shepperson, author of forthcoming debut THE HEROINES

Reviews

Such a good read -- Val McDermid
Really entertaining and pacy and fun to read, while still playing in that serious emotional territory -- Sara Taylor, author of THE SHORE and THE LAURAS
Home by Cailean Steed is an absolute triumph, an accomplished and confident debut that is not afraid to examine the dark side of cultish manipulation, while not losing sight of the heart of the story, the vulnerability of those taken advantage of. No-one is more vulnerable than Zoe, the escapee who was born into the cult. I found myself holding my breath, hoping for the best for her, while expecting the worst. Highly recommended -- Laura Shepperson, author of forthcoming debut PHAEDRA
A daring debut ... Intoxicating, powerful and very visceral. Stunning prose, very dark but also filled with hope and love centred around identity and the struggle to find a sense of belonging. I was desperate for a happy ending -- Caron McKinlay, author of THE STORYTELLERS
Absorbing, moving, and alarmingly believable, Home is an unforgettable story about identity, family, and the terrifying dynamics of a cult -- Carole Johnstone, author of MIRRORLAND
A totally original debut that I couldnt stop thinking about and talking about while I read. Believable characters with distinct and unforgettable voices that drew me in and kept me reading far too late into the night. A thought-provoking, moving and clever novel that will stay with me -- Emma Christie, author of THE SILENT DAUGHTER and FIND HER FIRST
I don't remember the last time I rooted for a character more than I did for Zoe. The novel is original, captivating and packs a punch. The world of HOME is so well built, the reader is there with Zoe the whole time, and feeling the same frustrations and obligations Zoe does. Such a great read -- Hannah King, author of SHE AND I
Home is a white-hot gem of a book; brilliantly researched, so gripping and propulsive youll want to consume it in one go, but also glowingly, humanly real - a gorgeous work of empathy and psychological verisimilitude. Cailean Steed is destined for great things -- Kirstin Innes, author of SCABBY QUEEN
A thought-provoking exploration of power, cult mentality and identity. A propulsive and compelling debut -- Rachelle Atalla, author of THE PHARMACIST
Tense, dark and intriguing, HOME hooked me from the first page. I was on the edge of my seat, rooting for Zoe all the way through. A compelling debut -- Mahi Cheshire, author of DEADLY CURE

Author Bio

Cailean Steed is a writer, teacher and aspiring dog owner who lives in Helensburgh with their husband and son. They have also resided in Aberdeen and Dublin, and hope one day to live somewhere with less rain. Caileans work has been published by New Writing Scotland, Boudicca Press and Barren Magazine. Home is their first novel. Their mother would like them to write something more cheerful.