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The Pact
- Author
- Lisa Walker
- Narrator
- Olivia Dowd
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 29 January 2026
- Run Time
- 11 hours 13 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
What to expect
'Beautiful scenery, well-plotted secrets and a pace that is conducive to losing your entire day' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Clever and twisty' Jackie Kabler
They all share a secret. But only one knows the truth. Who will be the first to break?
Tess enters the prestigious and exclusive Ravensthorpe Writing College with dreams of literary greatness, but soon discovers that ambition comes at a cost.
Drawn into a tight-knit group with fellow writers Ethan, Theo, and Jaz, Tess’s world is upended when their charismatic tutor is found dead. Believing someone in their circle is responsible, Tess flees the elite literary world and abandons the future she once craved.
Three years later, an enigmatic invitation to walk the Camino de Santiago offers Tess a chance to uncover the truth. Reunited with her former friends, including Ethan, now a literary star, Tess realises the past isn’t finished with her. Someone knows what really happened that night, and they’ll do anything to keep it buried.
Readers love The Pact:'Couldn't put it down. Mystery was excellent and kept me guessing 'till the last moment'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I loved this intriguingly unique and dark tale. It has everything I need as a reader' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A dark and twisty story of the consequences of toxic ambition that will keep you guessing until the very end' Kayte Nunn
'Written with an effervescent, irreverent humour, this mystery thriller is also rich in twists and shocks' Morning Star
'This quirky and unpredictable suspense is as twisty as Spain's Camino de Santiago!' Allie Reynolds
'The path to Santiago is never straight — and neither is the truth in this gripping, twist-filled murder mystery' Donna M Cameron
'Pacy, twisty and layered revenge tale' Joanna Barnard
Critics Review
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Praise for The Pact:'Clever and twisty' Jackie Kabler
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'Written with an effervescent, irreverent humour, this mystery thriller is also rich in twists and shocks' Morning Star
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'A dark and twisty story of the consequences of toxic ambition that will keep you guessing until the very end' Kayte Nunn
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'This quirky and unpredictable suspense is as twisty as Spain's Camino de Santiago!' Allie Reynolds
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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'The path to Santiago is never straight — and neither is the truth in this gripping, twist-filled murder mystery' Donna M Cameron
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'Pacy, twisty and layered revenge tale' Joanna BarnardPraise for Lisa Walker:'Authentic and enriched by hard-won psychological insights' The Sydney Morning Herald
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'Engaging, action-packed, fast-paced' Books and Publishing
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'Strong, authentic female characters. A ripper read' The Big Issue
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'Multifaceted, fresh and entertaining'The Adelaide Advertiser
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'Clever sleuthing, lively characters, vibrant setting and snappy pace' Sisters in Crime
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'Spiced with quirky humour' TheHerald Sun
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Lisa Walker
- Narrator
- Olivia Dowd
- Duration
- 11 hours 13 minutes
- Release Date
- 29 January 2026
- ISBN
- 9780008772499
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Crime and / or mystery fiction, Psychological thriller, Narrative theme: identity / belonging, Narrative theme: coming of age, Narrative theme: sense of place
Synopsis
An unmissable psychological dark academia thriller: Saltburn meets Lucy Clarke's The Hike 'Beautiful scenery, well-plotted secrets and a pace that is conducive to losing your entire day' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Clever and twisty' Jackie Kabler They all share a secret. But only one knows the truth. Who will be the first to break? Tess enters the prestigious and exclusive Ravensthorpe Writing College with dreams of literary greatness, but soon discovers that ambition comes at a cost. Drawn into a tight-knit group with fellow writers Ethan, Theo, and Jaz, Tess’s world is upended when their charismatic tutor is found dead. Believing someone in their circle is responsible, Tess flees the elite literary world and abandons the future she once craved. Three years later, an enigmatic invitation to walk the Camino de Santiago offers Tess a chance to uncover the truth. Reunited with her former friends, including Ethan, now a literary star, Tess realises the past isn’t finished with her. Someone knows what really happened that night, and they’ll do anything to keep it buried. Readers love The Pact: 'Couldn't put it down. Mystery was excellent and kept me guessing 'till the last moment'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'I loved this intriguingly unique and dark tale. It has everything I need as a reader' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'A dark and twisty story of the consequences of toxic ambition that will keep you guessing until the very end' Kayte Nunn 'Written with an effervescent, irreverent humour, this mystery thriller is also rich in twists and shocks' Morning Star 'This quirky and unpredictable suspense is as twisty as Spain's Camino de Santiago!' Allie Reynolds 'The path to Santiago is never straight — and neither is the truth in this gripping, twist-filled murder mystery' Donna M Cameron 'Pacy, twisty and layered revenge tale' Joanna Barnard
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