The Stranger’s Companion

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What to expect

'Inspired by real events, and making use of a variety of narrative techniques, The Stranger's Companion is a compelling and unusual novel' The Times, A Top 10 Historical Fiction Book of 2024

'A mesmerising historical mystery . . . based on a fascinating real case. Delectable' Anna Mazzola, author of The Book of Secrets

October 1933

With a population of five hundred souls, isolated Sark has a reputation for being 'the island where nothing ever happens'. Until, one day, the neatly folded clothes of an unknown man and woman are discovered abandoned at a coastal beauty spot. As the search for the missing couple catches the attention of first the local and then national newspapers, Sark finds itself front-page news.

When young islander Phyllis Carey returns to Sark from England she throws herself into solving the mystery. As Phyll digs through swirls of gossip, ghost stories and dark rumours in search of the truth, she crosses paths with Everard Hyde, a surprise visitor from her past. As press coverage builds to fever pitch, long-suppressed secrets from Phyll's and Everard's shared, shadowy history begin to surface.

The Stranger's Companion is a beguiling historical mystery inspired by a real-life crime, which remains unsolved to this day.

'A compelling mixture of mystery, community secrets revealed and ghosts from the past disturbing the present' Sunday Times

'A fascinating mystery [and] truly transporting read' Woman's Weekly

'Such a wonderful, distinctive cast of characters . . . I thoroughly enjoyed the wit and spark of the writing' Zoë Somerville, author of The Marsh House

©2024 Mary Horlock (P)2024 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critics Review

Inspired by real events, and making use of a variety of narrative techniques, The Stranger's Companion is a compelling and unusual novel
The Times, Books of the Year: Top 10 Historical Fiction Books 2024
Based on true events comes a fascinating mystery set on the dark island of Sark . . . A truly transporting read
Woman's Weekly
Drawing on a true story, and employing a variety of inventive narrative techniques, Mary Horlock's second novel, after her 2012 debut, The Book of Lies, provides a compelling mixture of mystery, community secrets revealed and ghosts from the past disturbing the present
Sunday Times
A mesmerising historical mystery and tale of suppressed secrets set amid the raw beauty of 1920s and 30s Sark. A brilliantly evoked novel based on a fascinating real case. Delectable
Anna Mazzola, author of THE BOOK OF SECRETS
A stunning setting, a compelling mystery and such a wonderful, distinctive cast of characters. The narrative voice is brilliantly original and I thoroughly enjoyed the wit and spark of the writing. I absolutely loved it
Zoë Somerville, author of THE MARSH HOUSE
An atmospheric, haunting story full of evocative, swirling myths. It's a gloriously gripping read that transports you to another place and time
Liz Fenwick, author of THE SECRET SHORE
A highly original, intense and captivating read that brings Sark to life on the page
Jenny O’Brien, author of ROSES FOR THE DEAD
This is astonishingly good. Told in first person plural (you don't find out who 'we' are until the very end) it begins in 1933 with the discovery of two sets of clothes on the cliffs of Little Sark, and ostensibly pieces together the truth of the missing bodies as it follows the islanders, but of course it is the islanders themselves who are riven with secrets. Dark and very very funny
Jo Nadin, author of THE QUEEN OF BLOODY EVERYTHING
Daphne du Maurier meets The Trouble with Goats and Sheep - an enthralling, intriguing mystery, with wonderful characterisation and a rich, distinctive narrative voice. I loved it
Katie Lumsden, author of THE SECRETS OF HARTWOOD HALL
Mary Horlock captures the intense beauty of 1930s Sark. Her writing is both fresh and lyrical, and the mystery at the heart of the novel is compelling. A perfect read for lovers of evocative, Golden Age crime fiction
Natalie Marlow, author of THE RED HOLLOW
A sparkling, inventive and entertaining work
Marina Warner, author of INVENTORY OF A LIFE MISLAID
Mary Horlock is a very special kind of storyteller, one who can interleave mystery with a deep sense of place and history to create a captivating narrative
Lisa Appignanesi, author of EVERYDAY MADNESS
I absolutely loved The Stranger's Companion - it's perfect for fellow fans of Celia Fremlin. Mary has a unique and distinctive way of capturing a sense of place and I became so invested in her wonderfully eclectic cast of characters. Brilliant!
Jessie Elland, author of THE LADIE UPSTAIRS

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