Showing results by author "Kate Hamer" in All Categories

Beth is desperate to return to normality. After a years-long ordeal, her daughter is finally home and safe. But Carmel has questions she can't ignore about the cult that kidnapped her, and about the preacher who gave her another girl's name. Digging into her past, Carmel uncovers secrets which suggest that she wasn't the only lost girl—and which puts her in danger all over again. While her mother struggles to salvage the safety they've only just found, Carmel tries to come to terms with who she has become. One question, a mystery at the heart of her disappearance as a child, haunts her:

When Beth Wakeford takes her eight year-old daughter, Carmel, to a local children's festival, they become separated. Unable to accept the possibility that her daughter might be gone for good, Beth embarks on a mission to find her. Meanwhile Carmel begins an extraordinary and terrifying journey of her own, with a man who believes she is a saviour.

'The World of Shadow' introduces The Doll Funeral and delves further into one of the characters in the book - Shadow. Shadow flits through The Doll Funeral; he has a close but often tempestuous relationship with the hero, Ruby. In the short story, we rewind back and see a snapshot of his life, find out more about his connection with Ruby and experience the life, pain and love of this boy who has such a profound influence on the course of the book.

'My name is Ruby. I live with Barbara and Mick. They're not my real parents, but they tell me what to do and what to say. I'm supposed to say that my bruises and black eye came from falling down the stairs. But there are things I won't say. I won't tell them I'm going to hunt for my real parents. I'm going to be with my real family. And I'm not going to let Mick stop me.'

Phoebe stands on Pulteney Bridge, the shock of mangled metal and blood-stained walls flashes through her mind as she tries to cover her face, so she won't be recognised. It wouldn't do to be spotted looking like this. She feels sick. Phoebe thought murder and murder happened. At home, Phoebe arranges the scissors and knives, so they point toward her mother's room. She is exhausted, making sure there's no trace of herself - not a single hair, not even her scent - left anywhere in the house.

The Digital Download is a Kate Hamer Ltd production. This weekly podcast will give you the lowdown on all the latest news in digital from changes to Social Media platforms to the things you need to know about Google search. Kate saves you time by distilling the week's news into 30 minutes. A must listen for marketeers and business people who want to keep up to date.