Things Don’t Break On Their Own

Get in the xigxag app
Already purchased

Click to open directly in the xigxag app.

This book is not purchasable in your country. Please select another book. Pre-order Buy Now £{{ price }} Send as a gift
How does xigxag pricing work?

Listen to a sample

What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

She could be anyone. She could be you.

Nobody ever found out what happened to Laika Martenwood, the girl who vanished without a trace on her way to school one morning. But for her sister Willa, life shattered into tiny pieces that day, and she has never been able to put them back together again.

Willa sees Laika everywhere: on buses, at parties, in busy streets. It’s been twenty-five years, and the only thing that has kept her going is her belief that her sister is alive, somewhere.

But when a dinner party conversation about childhood memories spirals out of control, a shattering revelation from one of the guests forces Willa to rethink everything she thought she knew about her past. And, out of the debris of that explosive evening, the truth of what really happened begins to emerge. Piece by piece.

'This is the one: the next must-read, must-discuss novel' A.J. FINN
'A terrific debut from a promising talent' KARIN SLAUGHTER
'I will be thinking about it for years ... I loved it' GILLIAN McALLISTER

©2024 Sarah Easter Collins (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critics Review

A captivating, haunting, and twisty story that explores the nature of loss and trauma, and the tricks that our memories play on us. A terrific debut from a promising talent
Karin Slaughter, New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author
This is the One: the next must-read, must-recommend, must-discuss, must-re-read novel. A miraculous literary thriller, shocking, daring, moving, haunting, infinitely rewarding—as though Kate Atkinson and Ruth Rendell had joined forces. This, I hope, is the future of suspense writing
A.J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
I will be thinking about [this book] for years ... I loved it ... There were such echoes of Meg Mason ... It’s a beautiful debut, thoughtful, quirky, rich in character. A clever thriller told through the lens of memory ... It deserves to be huge
Gillian McAllister, author of WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME
I couldn't stop reading ... An enthralling mystery about the enduring love between sisters and the power of female friendship ... Unmissable
Emilia Hart, author of WEYWARD
Cleverly crafted and deeply moving, this beautiful book is a genuine page-turner. It was original, it was gripping, it was shocking, and I loved it
Alice Feeney, New York Times bestselling author of ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
So so so good. A bruising, brilliant and beautiful mystery. An elegant, twisting story of loss and longing, of the ache of the unknown and the drowning weight of past trauma. A very special debut
Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of WE BEGIN AT THE END
Family secrets, female friendships and a finely crafted plot ... A compelling read
Claire Fuller, author of UNSETTLED GROUND
A poignant, engrossing novel filled with characters I can't stop thinking about. Not just an absorbing mystery, but a heartfelt exploration of memory and family. I enjoyed it so much I didn't want it to end!
Amy Tintera, author of LISTEN FOR THE LIE
Everyone will be amazed at this stunning debut. A book that captivates heart and mind, it is powerful, thought-provoking, terrifying and exquisitely written. I loved every page.
Hazel Prior, author of AWAY WITH THE PENGUINS
A beautifully-wrought story of shattered lives and the bond of true love that mends them. About light and dark; love and not hate, but something more damaging: fear. Exquisite, poetic, intricate and page-turning. Sarah is a ferocious new talent. Simply stunning'
Veronica Henry, author of The Secret Beach

About xigxag

Experience the best audiobooks with xigxag, an innovative and user-friendly audiobook platform designed for seamless discovery, purchase, and enjoyment of your favorite titles. Our flexible pricing model offers bestselling audiobooks for less, providing affordable prices and the best audiobook deals without requiring a subscription. Perfect for gifting, xigxag also features convenient audiobook gift cards and in-app audiobook gifting options.

 

Beyond the listening experience, xigxag stands as an exciting alternative to big tech, embodying a strong commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. As the only B Corp certified UK audiobook service, we ensure a guilt-free listening experience from a leader in audiobook innovation.

 

Effortlessly search audiobooks, access honest audiobook reviews that evaluate both the content and narration, and easily discover hidden gems. Whether you prefer to download or stream top audiobook titles, xigxag provides the best possible listening experience anytime, anywhere, on the UK’s best independent audiobook app. Discover the future of audiobooks today.