Corazon - Softcover

Denby, Joolz

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006514146 ISBN 13: 9780006514145

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2002

Synopsis

A chilling novel of betrayal and sacrifice from the acclaimed author of Stone Baby – shortlisted for Best First Crime Novel of the Year

When her marriage falls apart, Alma turns to the two people she can always depend on: the Ems. Only Millie and Maz know the real Alma – get past the piercings and the attitude and she’s lonely, desperate for love and nursing old wounds. But this time Al needs more than the Ems can offer and she has to run from the painful memories Bradford holds.

At her parents' villa in Spain a chance encounter with members of the mysterious CDS Foundation changes Al's life forever. Condemned by the locals as a cult, the Foundation seems to offer her a spiritual haven at first: the students are bright, open and accepting, the atmosphere a million miles from the heartache and betrayal of her old life.

But under the surface lurks a sinister reality. What do the Foundation leaders expect from their students? What really goes on at their Gatherings? And what price will Al have to pay for witnessing the horrific truth?

About this title

Review:

‘A really imaginative and original book’ Jane Jakeman, Independent

‘Denby confronts the worst of human nature with a righteous fury, to show the victimisation of vulnerable people and that the scars of mental anguish are far more lasting than anything physical. She is an outstanding, big-hearted champion of the down trodden and dispossessed, writing the finest and most original take on crime fiction around’ Tina Jackson, Big Issue

Praise for Stone Baby:
‘Stone Baby uses the ingredients of the serial killer novel without any of the slick exploitative thrills of much of the genre to reveal the harm that ripples out from the damaged and damaging mind of a psychopath. It is an extraordinary achievement’
Natasha Cooper, Express on Sunday

‘The book proceeds to its dramatic conclusion with a terrible inevitability... but Denby never loses control of her sensitive material, refusing to sensationalise, and remaining compassionate throughout... It’s hard to imagine how anyone can read this book and remain unmoved’ Val McDermid, Glasgow Herald

‘A story of raw and often uncomfortable power... An unusual and remarkable debut’ Andrew Taylor, Crime Time

‘Denby unsparingly writes her characters into the abyss to show that the cost of murder is limitless, that the worst stories never end. In doing so, her tough, tender, edgy novel is characterized by savage compassion’ Big Issue

From the Back Cover:

When her marriage falls apart, Alma turns to the two people she can always depend on: the Ems. To the outside world she's strong and single-minded, but Millie and Maz know better – get past the piercings and the attitude and the real Alma's lonely, desperate for love and nursing old wounds. This time though, Al needs more than her friends can offer and she has to run from the painful memories Bradford holds.

At her parents' villa in Spain a chance encounter with members of the mysterious CDS Foundation changes Al's life forever. Condemned by the locals as a cult, the Foundation seems to offer her a spiritual haven at first: the students are bright, open and accepting, the atmosphere a million miles from the heartache and betrayal of her old life.

But under the surface lurks a sinister reality. What do the Foundation leaders expect from their students? What really goes on at their Gatherings? And what price will Al have to pay for witnessing the horrific truth?

Praise for 'Stone Baby':

”This remarkabe novel is as gripping as any I’ve read... 'Stone Baby' uses the ingredients of the serial killer novel without any of the slick expoitative thrills of much of the genre to reveal the harm that ripples out from the damaged and damaging mind of a psychopath. It is an extraordinary achievement”
NATASHA COOPER, 'Sunday Express'

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0006514146
• ISBN 13: 9780006514145
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 272