Fear of Falling

A moment's madness, a lifetime of regret. Lydia and Bel have been best friends for years, from wild teenage days all the way through to motherhood. Bel becomes pregnant by accident and has a fraught relationship with daughter Freya, while Lydia and love-of-her-life Mac, after failed fertility treatment, choose to adopt. Gorgeous toddler Chloe challenges them more than either of them had ever expected. and as a teenager her behaviour escalates increasingly out of control, pushing their marriage, and Lydia and Bel's relationship, to breaking point. A modern tragedy. A harrowing and heart-breaking story of the splinters that can tear mothers and daughters, husbands and wives - and friends - apart. 'This harrowing story will move you to tears' My Weekly. 'Harrowing and humane. A real knockout' Ian Rankin. 'It's always exciting to see a writer get better and better and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that' Val McDermid. 'Remarkable depth. The most grown-up writer in British crime fiction' Telegraph. 'Complex and satisfying' Sunday Times. 'Powerful, humane and moving' Ann Cleeves.