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 IssuePraise 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 the Author Joolz Denby is Britain’s foremost woman spoken-word artist. For the last twenty years she has travelled all over the world giving readings, performances, lectures and seminars. She has published three collections of poetry and stories and has appeared regularly on both television and radio.
Trustpilot
1 week ago
1 month ago
