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What to expect

Bloomsbury presents Home by Cailean Steed, read by Paula Masterton.

'Such a good read' Val McDermid

'Absorbing, moving, and alarmingly believable' Carole Johnstone, author of Mirrorland

'Home is a white-hot gem of a book; brilliantly researched, so gripping and propulsive you’ll want to consume it in one go' Kirstin Innes, author of Scabby Queen

Someone has broken into Zoe’s flat. A man she thought she’d never have to see again.
They call him the Hand of God.

He knows about her job in the cafe, her life in Dublin, her ex-girlfriend, even the knife she’s hidden under the mattress.

She thought she’d left him far behind, along with the cult of the Children and their isolated compound Home – but now he’s found her, and Zoe realises she must go back with him if she's to rescue the sister who helped her escape originally. But returning to Home means going back to the enforced worship and strict gender roles Zoe has long since moved beyond. Back to the abuse and indoctrination she’s fought desperately to overcome...

Going back will make her question everything she believed about her past – and risk her hard-won freedom.

Can she break free a second time?


'An absolute triumph.... I found myself holding my breath, hoping for the best for her, while expecting the worst. Highly recommended' Laura Shepperson, author of forthcoming debut THE HEROINES

Critics Review

Such a good read
Val McDermid
Highly engrossing
Heat
Really entertaining and pacy and fun to read, while still playing in that serious emotional territory
Sara Taylor, author of THE SHORE and THE LAURAS
Home by Cailean Steed is an absolute triumph, an accomplished and confident debut that is not afraid to examine the dark side of cultish manipulation, while not losing sight of the heart of the story, the vulnerability of those taken advantage of. No-one is more vulnerable than Zoe, the escapee who was born into the cult. I found myself holding my breath, hoping for the best for her, while expecting the worst. Highly recommended
Laura Shepperson, author of forthcoming debut PHAEDRA
A daring debut ... Intoxicating, powerful and very visceral. Stunning prose, very dark but also filled with hope and love centred around identity and the struggle to find a sense of belonging. I was desperate for a happy ending
Caron McKinlay, author of THE STORYTELLERS
Absorbing, moving, and alarmingly believable, Home is an unforgettable story about identity, family, and the terrifying dynamics of a cult
Carole Johnstone, author of MIRRORLAND
A totally original debut that I couldn’t stop thinking about and talking about while I read. Believable characters with distinct and unforgettable voices that drew me in and kept me reading far too late into the night. A thought-provoking, moving and clever novel that will stay with me
Emma Christie, author of THE SILENT DAUGHTER and FIND HER FIRST
I don't remember the last time I rooted for a character more than I did for Zoe. The novel is original, captivating and packs a punch. The world of HOME is so well built, the reader is there with Zoe the whole time, and feeling the same frustrations and obligations Zoe does. Such a great read
Hannah King, author of SHE AND I
Home is a white-hot gem of a book; brilliantly researched, so gripping and propulsive you’ll want to consume it in one go, but also glowingly, humanly real - a gorgeous work of empathy and psychological verisimilitude. Cailean Steed is destined for great things
Kirstin Innes, author of SCABBY QUEEN
A thought-provoking exploration of power, cult mentality and identity. A propulsive and compelling debut
Rachelle Atalla, author of THE PHARMACIST
Tense, dark and intriguing, HOME hooked me from the first page. I was on the edge of my seat, rooting for Zoe all the way through. A compelling debut
Mahi Cheshire, author of DEADLY CURE
This book has got it all. Queer representation, breakneck pacing, and an intricate, thrilling storyline. There's so much to this story, layer upon layer of insightful, arresting prose, and I suspect the characters will stay with me for a while.
Some reviewers have complained about the dual POV, but I just love it when two strands come together at once. The ending was incredibly satisfying and every thread was tied up perfectly
Vikki Patis, author of Return to Blackwater House
A thought-provoking depiction of cult life … A very original debut … One to watch
Irish Independent
Masterfully written … both enthralling and disturbing in equal turns
The Scots Magazine
Page turner, well written and interesting
Scotland on Sunday
While Cults are far from new, they currently hold a particular interest for writers and filmmakers… Steed has done their research and the cult aspects of the novel ring true
New Zealand Listener
An alarmingly compelling story about searching for and finding the truth
Good Reading Magazine

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