The Dictator's Wife: Behind her smile lies a secret. The most darkly gripping debut novel of 2022

Read the electrifying debut literary thriller that everyone is talking about. As seen on BBC2 Between the Covers Book Club. 'A remarkable new talent' ANTHONY HOROWITZ 'A gripping and moving debut' HARLAN COBEN 'A gripping, intelligent, utterly-of-the-moment thriller' EMMA STONEX 'Compelling, atmospheric. It's BRILLIANT' MARIAN KEYES 'This book is magnificent' CHARLOTTE PHILBY 'Atmospheric, claustrophobic and so elegantly written' ELLERY LLOYD 'The ending left me breathless' LARA PRESCOTT 'Demands to be devoured in one sitting' GLAMOUR _________ Who do you believe? Young London lawyer Laura flies to her parents' homeland for the most important defence case of her life. On trial is Marija Popa, the widow of a murdered dictator, who created fear and division in his impoverished Eastern Bloc country, hiding untold riches for himself and his family. For Laura, the case is an opportunity to make sense of her blighted childhood and her broken relationship with her mother, who will not speak about her old life under the regime. But Laura is distracted by the enigmatic Marija, who claims she knew nothing of her husband's dark affairs. As Laura is led deeper into her investigation of the past, she realises that to uncover the truth, she must draw closer to the dictator's wife. But does danger lie there? __________ 'A captivating story of women's power, love and secrets. As timely and profound as it is unforgettable' LARA PRESCOTT, New York Times bestselling author 'A fascinating exploration of absolute power, female agency and the complexities of complicity ' ELLERY LLOYD, New York Times bestselling author 'Richly imagined' THE TIMES 'You won't find many better literary debuts than this' NEW EUROPEAN 'Sumptuously written... One of the most compelling literary debuts of the year' GLAMOUR 'Spellbinding' JANE SHEMLIT 'Darkly compelling' STYLIST 'One of the most original debuts I have read' DAISY GOODWIN 'A darkly atmospheric, rich, compulsive and page-turning read' KATE HAMER 'An unconventional legal thriller and absorbing debut that is as satisfyingly complex in both its plotting and moral conclusions' EXPRESS 'Excellent. Horrifying and immersive with strong characterisation and atmosphere' HARRIET TYCE 'Engrossing, evocative, chillingly claustrophobic. Wonderfully written' KAREN HAMILTON 'Richly and imaginatively crafted' IRISH INDEPENDENT 'A thrilling novel' OLIVIA VINALL 'A masterful portrait of a self-made woman who is both devil and angel. Like the real-life dictator's wives that inspired her, she's unforgettable' ANIKA SCOTT 'I know you would like to hate me. History is written by the victors, and these are always men...' The wife of a toppled dictator stands trial for her husband's crimes. The world will finally know the truth. But whose? A darkly gripping and timely story, The Dictator's Wife will keep you turning the pages long into the night... WOMAN I learned early in life how to survive. A skill that became vital in my position. WIFE I was given no power, yet I was expected to hold my own with the most powerful man in the country. MOTHER OF THE NATION My people were my children. I stood between him and them. I am not the person they say I am. I am not my husband. I am innocent. Do you believe me? Visceral and thought provoking, powerful and emotional, haunting and heartbreaking, The Dictator's Wife will hold you in its grip until its gut-wrenching conclusion. A dictator's wife, overthrown and awaiting trial, pleads her case to a young female lawyer, while also drawing her into a tangled web of lies and dark, dangerous secrets.