You wake on a beautiful, secluded beach. The sun bakes down, a shimmering ocean stretches into the horizon. It’s as far from home as you could imagine.
Yet this is no ordinary escape.
Next to the wreck of a plane, a stranger circles the camp fire. Somewhere, a baby cries. Someone sharpens a knife in the shadows, scoring a list of the dead onto the bark of a tree.
Day by day, the island’s wildness creeps under everyone’s skin, tensions and lies whispering on the breeze.
A secret beach.
An island with no name.
What a place for your last holiday…
MAR 2021: APPLE THRILLER OF THE MONTH
Apple have selected The Castaways as their Thriller of the Month for March 2021.
FEB 2021: THE CASTAWAYS PUBLICATION
The Castaways publishes UK-wide next month. With an early eBook release launching on 1 March, followed by the hardback on 18 March.
JAN 2021: STRAWBERRY PUBLISHING BUYS THE CASTAWAYS
Norwegian publishing house, Strawberry, buys The Castaways in a pre-empt. “This is exactly the kind of story I have been looking for and waiting for,” says Jorid from Strawberry.
Dec 2020: THE CASTAWAYS PROOFS
Proofs have landed for The Castaways, a “totally addictive, clever and atmospheric” psychological thriller, which publishes in March 2021. Marie Claire are “tipping it as one of 2021’s best reads.”
Nov 2020: LUCY SIGNS TWO BOOK DEAL IN UK
HarperCollins has snapped-up The Hen Weekend, a “killer” new thriller by Lucy Clarke, in a two-book deal.
Feb 2020: YOU LET ME IN to be published in Croatia
Croatian publishers Mozaik Knijga have bought the rights to publish YOU LET ME IN, which is due for release later this year.
June: YOU LET ME IN released in Germany
Lucy's fifth novel, DAS HAUS AN DEN KLIPPEN, will be published by Piper on 4 June 2019.
March: Fern Picks Book Club choice
YOU LET ME IN has been selected to be part of Fern Picks Book Club in Tesco.
February: YOU LET ME IN released in paperback
Lucy’s bestselling psychological thriller, YOU LET ME IN, will be released in paperback on 7 February 2019.
November: TV rights sold
Lucy’s third novel, THE BLUE/NO ESCAPE, set on a yacht in the Philippines, has been optioned for TV by the brilliant production company, New Pictures. More news soon!
October: First Monday Crime panellist
Lucy was invited to speak at First Monday Crime, along with a host of other thriller panellists, including Lisa Jewell.
September: YOU LET ME IN published in UK
The hardback edition of YOU LET ME IN is published on 6 September by HarperCollins.
August: HarperCollins buy Lucy's sixth novel
HarperFiction Publishing Director, Kim Young, has bought Lucy's sixth novel. Lucy is thrilled to be working with Kim on her next psychological thriller.
July: Norway buy Lucy’s fifth novel
Norwegian publishers V&B have fallen in love with Lucy’s latest novel, YOU LET ME IN, and plan to publish it in 2019.
June: Fantastic early reviews of YOU LET ME IN
‘The very definition of a page-turner.’ Clare Mackintosh
‘Clever, tense, twisty, brilliant.’ C L Taylor
‘Wonderfully atmospheric.’ Sabine Durrant
‘A gripping read that kept me guessing.’ Cass Green
‘A tour de force; page-turning, layered, clever. I loved it.’ Gillian McAllister
May: Czech Republic launch book 4
Grada launch Lucy’s fourth novel, complete with a stunningly, eerie cover.
March: YOU LET ME IN to be published in hardback
Lucy’s fifth novel, YOU LET ME IN, ‘a gripping psychological thriller’, is set to be published in hardback by HarperCollins on 6 September 2018
February: Bulgaria to publish LAST SEEN
Bulgarian publishers, Ergon, have bought the rights to publish Lucy Clarke’s fourth novel, LAST SEEN, which will be due for release in 2018.
October: Germany buys Lucy’s fifth novel
PiperVerlag, Lucy’s German publishers, have bought the rights to translate and publish her fifth novel, which will be released in 2019.
September: Christchurch Library author talk
Lucy will be talking about her latest novel, LAST SEEN, at Christchurch Library in Dorset, on 21 September at 7pm.
June: THE BLUE gets a makeover
The UK edition of Lucy’s third novel, THE BLUE, has been retitled to NO ESCAPE to position it more firmly in the psychological suspense market.
June: Book 5 deal with HarperCollins
Lucy is delighted to have signed contracts with HarperCollins, who will be publishing her fifth novel in 2018.
May: LAST SEEN publishes in UK
Publication day is here! LAST SEEN is available as an eBook on 19 May 2017. The paperback edition will be published on 29 June 2017.
April: Facebook Live writing masterclasses
Lucy has launched a series of live writing masterclasses taking place every Friday at 12 noon on www.facebook.com/lucyclarkeauthor
March: Lucy spends World Book Day at Canford School
Lucy visited Canford School in Dorset to celebrate World Book Day with their Year 10 students.
February: Proof copies of LAST SEEN are ready!
Early proofs of Lucy’s fourth novel, LAST SEEN, have been sent out to bloggers, authors, and the press. Early reactions are FAB! The book will be published by HarperCollinsUK on 29 June 2017.
November: Norway buys Lucy’s fourth novel
Norwegian publishers, Apropos Forlag, bought the rights to publish Lucy’s fourth novel, which will be released in 2017.
October: Russia buys Lucy’s fourth novel
Russian publishers, AST, bought the rights to publish Lucy’s fourth novel, which will be released in 2017.
September: A new addition to the family!
On 21 September, Lucy gave birth to a baby girl, Darcy Wren Cox, who is currently rocking her world :)
August: Delivered final draft of Book 4 to UK publishers
Lucy Clarke handed in the final draft of her fourth novel to HarperCollins UK, who are due to publish the book in summer 2017.
July: US release paperback of The Blue
Touchstone have released the US paperback edition of The Blue, which People magazine have called ’an atmospheric thriller.‘
June: The Blue released in Germany
PiperVerlag have released Lucy Clarke’s third novel, titled Das Haus, Das in den Wellen Verschwand.
May: Appearance at Wimborne Lit Fest
Lucy Clarke will be in conversation with best-selling author, Lisa Jewell, at this year’s Wimborne Literary Festival. Wednesday 18 May, 11.30-12.30pm. Tickets available from Gulliver’s Bookshop: 01202 882677.
April: Onderstroom released in Netherlands
Lucy’s third novel is to be published in the Netherlands by Ambo Anthos.
February: Drafting Book 4
Lucy is working on the first draft of her fourth novel. The currently untitled book will be released by HarperCollins in spring 2017.
November: The Blue released in Norway
Finished copies of the Norwegian edition of The Blue are just in. What a beautiful hardback cover!
September: The Blue in Good Housekeeping
The Blue was included in Good Housekeeping’s round up of the best late summer reads, described as a ‘gripping holiday read. ’
August: THE BLUE publishes in the US
THE BLUE is released in the US in a beautiful hardback edition, by Simon & Schuster. Kirkus Reviews say, ‘Unpredictable plot twists keep coming until the final page.’
July: UK publication of THE BLUE
Lucy Clarke’s third novel, THE BLUE, is released in the UK on 30 July 2015, by HarperCollins. Cosmopolitan chose this ’gripping thriller‘ as their August 2015 Book of the Month.
June: PiperVerlag confirmed to publish THE BLUE
PiperVerlag, Lucy’s German publishers, have bought the rights to publish her third novel, THE BLUE. The book will be due for release in 2016.
May: Cover reveal!
The UK cover for Lucy’s third novel, THE BLUE, has been released by HarperCollins.
April: Germany releases Book 2
PiperVerlag released Lucy Clarke’s second novel, retitled as ‘The Summer When It Started To Snow’.
March: Literary Luncheon
Lucy Clarke attended the Bournemouth Literary Luncheon club as their guest speaker.
Photo by James Bowden
February: THE BLUE to be published in Canada
Simon & Schuster Canada have just bought the rights to publish Lucy Clarke’s third novel, THE BLUE. The title will be due for release in summer 2015, alongside the US edition.
January: THE BLUE to be published in the US
Over in the US, Touchstone/Simon & Schuster have bought the rights to publish Lucy’s third novel, THE BLUE. Lucy’s US editor, Sally Kim, said, ‘This manuscript blew us away.’
December: A SINGLE BREATH to be published in Czech Republic
Grada Publishing in the Czech Republic have bought the rights to publish Lucy Clarke’s second novel, A SINGLE BREATH. The title will be due for release in 2015.
November: Book 3 handed in!
Lucy Clarke has submitted the final draft of her third novel to her UK publishers, HarperCollins. The novel - currently titled THE BLUE - will be due for release in the UK in July 2015.
October: A SINGLE BREATH to be published in Norway
Wonderful publishers Apropos have bought the rights to publish Lucy Clarke’s second novel, A SINGLE BREATH. The title will be released in Norway in 2015.
September: A Single Breath released in Holland
A Single Breath – retitled as Ademhalen for the Dutch market, is to be released across Holland on 9 September 2014.
August: Book deal in Estonia
Lucy Clarke has accepted an offer from Eest Raamat publishers, who will be publishing A Single Breath across Estonia in 2015.
July: Author talk at Tuckton Library
Lucy Clarke was invited to speak to a collection of Reading Groups at her local library, in Tuckton, Dorset. In her one-hour talk, Lucy discussed the process of writing a novel and where the inspiration behind her books comes from.
June: Booked to speak at the Larmer Tree Festival
Lucy Clarke will be speaking at the Larmer Tree Festival in Wiltshire, on Friday 18th July. You can catch her on the Lostwood Stage between 3-4pm. Book your festival tickets now: http://larmertreefestival.co.uk
May: The Sea Sisters released in France
Here is the beautiful cover of Lucy Clarke’s debut novel, The Sea Sisters, which was released in France by Presses de la Cite on 22 May 2014.
April: A Single Breath launches in the US
Touchstone/Simon & Schuster publishes A Single Breath in the US on 8 April 2014.
March: A Single Breath released across the UK
On 27 March, HarperCollins published Lucy Clarke’s second novel, A Single Breath. Fantastic 5* reviews already flooding in, with the Sunday Mirror describing it as ‘A perfectly paced combination of romance and mystery’, and the Sun on Sunday saying, ‘Tense but beautiful, you'll be addicted’.
March: Book Signing - A Single Breath
Lucy Clarke will be signing copies of her second novel, A Single Breath, at The Boathouse in Christchurch, Dorset, on 27 March 2014 at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome!
February: The Sea Sisters launches in Brazil
Brazilian publishers, Rocco, release The Sea Sisters this month, with a beautiful interpretation of the book jacket.
January: Proof copies of A Single Breath arrive
Hot off the press, beautiful UK proof copies of A Single Breath have landed. The novel is due for release in the UK on 27 March 2014.
November: New two-book deal with HarperCollins UK
HarperCollins UK have signed Lucy Clarke to write a further two novels, which will be due for release in 2015 and 2016.
October: Lucy Clarke to speak at Christchurch Library, Dorset
On November 12th, Lucy Clarke will be visiting Christchurch Library in Dorset to talk about her debut novel, The Sea Sisters, and how she became published.
September: Lucy Clarke to speak at Appledore Book Festival, Devon
On October 4th Lucy Clarke will be part of the ‘New Voices’ panel at the Appledore Book Festival in Devon. She’ll be sharing the stage with debut novelists, M.L.Stedman and Gavin Extence. www.appledorebookfestival.co.uk.
August: The Sea Sisters in Russia
Russian publishers AST have bought the rights to publish THE SEA SISTERS across Russia.
August: Cover star for The Simple Things
Lucy Clarke is this month’s cover star for the August issue of ‘The Simple Things’ magazine.
July: Second book deal in the US and Canada
Simon & Schuster have bought Lucy Clarke’s second novel. It is due to be released in April 2014 across the US and Canada as a trade paperback.
June: The Sea Sisters in Norway
Norwegian Publishers Apropos have bought the rights to release THE SEA SISTERS in Norway.
June: Cover girl for Writers' Forum magazine
Lucy Clarke features on the cover of this month's Writers' Forum magazine. In the interview, Lucy talks about the joys of becoming a full-time novelist and the freedom of the writer's lifestyle.
May: Richard & Judy Summer Book Club choice
The Sea Sisters has been chosen as a Richard and Judy 2013 Summer Book Club pick. Judy describes it as 'The perfect summer read.' See the Richard & Judy website for more details richardandjudy.whsmith.co.uk
May: The Sea Sisters released in the UK
Lucy Clarke’s debut novel has been released in the UK to rave reviews. Cosmopolitan says, "A thrilling and perceptive debut that explores the complex relationship between sisters and loss at its rawest. Trust us, you won’t be able to put it down."
May: Waterstone’s book signing
Lucy Clarke will be signing copies of The Sea Sisters on Saturday 11 May between 12-2pm at Waterstone’s in Castlepoint, Bournemouth. Come on down and join her!
April: German book club edition
A beautiful, bespoke cover of Die Landkarte der Liebe (the German version of The Sea Sisters), has been produced for Bertelsmann Book Club.
March: Swimming At Night out now!
This week saw the launch of Swimming At Night across the US and Canada. New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Unger says,
“A tender and intricate meditation on sisterhood and family, Swimming at Night is an accomplished debut. With a deft hand, Lucy Clarke weaves a deep and compelling story that is as much about what binds us together as it is about what tears us apart. Perfectly capturing the impossibly complicated love of siblings, this is a rich and moving story that lingers long after the book is closed.”
March: Nachtzwemmen launched in Holland
The Sea Sisters has been launched in Holland by AW Bruna, under the title 'Nachtzwemmen.' After an auction, AW Bruna bought the rights to the novel, along with Lucy Clarke’s second novel, which will be due for release in 2014.
February: Italian edition released
The translated version of The Sea Sisters, 'Le sorelle dell'oceano', has just been released across Italy by fantastic publishers, Neri Pozza.
November: Novel now out in Germany
The German edition of the novel, DIE LANDKARTE DER LIEBE, was released on 8 October 2012 by Piper. Fantastic reader reviews are already coming in to Amazon.de and The Lübeck News have described the book as 'intelligently written and a great read'.
October: Eight countries and counting…
Lucy Clarke’s debut novel has so far been sold in eight countries: UK, US, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Holland and Brazil. Germany will be the first to release the novel in Autumn 2012, with the UK, US and Canada following in Spring 2013.