Speak of the Devil

This captivating debut literary thriller entwines the searing stories of several women who suffered at the hands of the same man. This cautionary tale satisfies in its culmination of long-overdue justice for spurned women

Library Journal

The action kicks off in a seriously dramatic setting . . .

Bookseller

A devilishly immersive read - Rose Wilding is a wonderful new talent

Kamila Shamsie, author of HOME FIRE

A very accomplished debut. It centres the survivors of abuse in the story, rather than the perpetrator, showing the awful ripple effects of violence and misogyny but also providing a level of hope, especially given that the story starts with the villain's head on a platter. I loved it

Harriet Tyce, author of BLOOD ORANGE

With beautiful, gripping writing and depth, Speak of the Devil is a mesmerising, moving story that is impossible to look away from. Superb!

Gytha Lodge author of LITTLE SISTER

Harrowing and haunting, Rose Wilding's assured debut is full of nuanced, complex, beautifully flawed characters, whose stories are powerful and moving throughout. Speak of the Devil is completely compelling, smart and sharp and it kept me reading through the night

Sara Nisha Adams, author of THE READING LIST

This novel is the epitome of gripping. An epic revenge tale set in one of my favourite cities. I couldn't put it down

Louise Hare, author of THIS LOVELY CITY

Rose Wilding has written a powerful, feminist thriller about a group of women who not only bond over their ties to the same toxic man, but find power in that shared experience. Crafted with unflinching empathy, Speak of the Devil is twisted in the best way

Clémence Michallon, author of THE QUIET TENANT

In Speak of the Devil, Rose Wilding takes an axe to toxic masculinity. It's a powerful, accomplished and important debut from a writer who has not only found her own voice but given one to others who have previously been silenced

Trevor Wood, author of DEAD END STREET

One of the most assured and compelling debuts I've read in a long while. Rose Wilding's evocation of the Newcastle setting and pitch-perfect ear for dialogue make every one of her characters live and breathe . . . a clever, multi-layered story

Kate Rhodes, author of THE BRUTAL TIDE

Utterly unputdownable, absorbing, dark and at times ineffably beautiful, Speak of the Devil is the masterful work of a born writer. Rose Wilding's propulsive and assured debut is the sort of rare gem that, once you turn the final page, makes you think 'this. this is why I read'. With unforgettable, complex characters and a sympathetic, painterly eye for detail that makes them and the landscapes they inhabit leap from the page, Wilding conjures their stories to life in all their knotty, vibrant glory. The result is not to be missed

Lauren Brown, author of HANDS: AN ANXIOUS MIND UNPICKED

A story with a fiercely feminist heart that begins with a murder, and then unfurls slowly to tell a story of seven women scorned. Unique, and with lots of moments that stopped me in my tracks

Katie Bishop, author of THE GIRLS OF SUMMER

Truly outstanding

C. J. Skuse, author of SWEETPEA

Speak of the Devil is a smart and totally compelling tale of revenge - with brilliantly complex characters. It hooked me from the opening page and kept me guessing right up to the end

Emily Koch, author of KEEP HIM CLOSE

Speak of the Devil is a hugely assured debut novel; dark, compelling with a channelled, righteous anger. A fantastic thriller, and Rose Wilding is a genuine find who writes with an authentic, original Northern, working class queer voice. I'm really excited to see what she does next

Martyn Waites, author of THE OLD RELIGION

Speak of the Devil has an epic hook and the execution is flawless. With incredible characterisation and beautiful prose, plus all that rage simmering below the surface. Bravo!

Laura Pearson, author of I WANTED YOU TO KNOW

Absolutely, barnstormingly brilliant. Beyond gripping, with wonderful characters you know and care about, feel rage for and with. Perfectly paced and plotted, I loved every dark, clever, powerful page

Cressida McLaughlin, author of THE HOUSE OF BIRDS AND BUTTERFLIES