Witness

Witness is a heart-pounding thriller set in Manchester by bestselling author Mandasue Heller. Teenager Holly Evans and her mother, Josie, are living a hand-to-mouth existence, moving constantly from one squalid dump to the next. When they move into an illegally sub-let council flat, Holly feels settled for the first time in her life. However, she is forbidden to go out or open the front door when her mum is at work. Holly has a falling out with her best friend and suddenly finds herself becoming increasingly isolated and alone in the world. But she is about to make a new friend in Suzie, the glamorous woman who lives directly across the road, who Holly witnesses being beaten up by her violent boyfriend.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 400 pages
Publication date: 18 February 2021
Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Witness, a gripping thriller penned by the acclaimed bestselling author Mandasue Heller, takes readers on a suspenseful journey set in the heart of Manchester. Holly Evans, a teenager, and her overprotective mother, Josie, lead a precarious existence, constantly shifting from one dilapidated dwelling to another. Their fortunes take a turn when they secure an illegal sub-let council flat in Manchester, offering Holly a sense of stability for the first time in her life. However, her newfound comfort is tempered by strict rules imposed by her mother, including a prohibition on venturing outside or opening the front door when Josie is at work.

Hidden secrets lurk behind their closed doors, and Holly's world is about to undergo a seismic shift. A falling out with her best friend leaves her feeling increasingly isolated and alone. But just when hope seems lost, Holly forms an unexpected friendship with Suzie, a glamorous woman who lives directly across the road. Suzie's life is marred by the violence of her abusive boyfriend, and Holly witnesses a harrowing scene of her being beaten up.

As Holly and Josie continue to elude their pursuers, they realize that they cannot outrun their past indefinitely. The person or entity they have been running from is closing in on them, and nothing will ever be the same again. The stakes have risen, and silence is no longer an option.

Heller's writing is raw and unflinching, painting a vivid portrait of Manchester's underworld that rivals the gritty realism of Martina Cole's East End. The city becomes a character in its own right, with its streets, alleyways, and hidden corners contributing to the tension and suspense of the story.

Witness is a gripping tale of survival, resilience, and the lengths people will go to protect the ones they love. It explores the complexities of human relationships, the power of friendship, and the consequences of secrets kept hidden for too long. With its heart-pounding pace, intricate plot, and unforgettable characters, this novel is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thrilling suspense stories.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 197 x 130 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529024289