Scenes From a Tragedy
by Carole Hailey
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Pub Date 6 Mar 2025 | Archive Date 9 Mar 2025
Atlantic Books | Corvus Books
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Description
'COMPULSIVE AS HELL' ABIGAIL DEAN
'MASTERFUL' JANICE HALLETT
'EXTRAORDINARY' JENNIE GODFREY
If you hurt me, I'll hurt you. Not right away of course, because where's the fun in that?
When an empty passenger plane crashes in the Lake District, Carly Atherton's hopes of getting back together with the man she loves vanish - Luke Emery was one of the two pilots on board.
Investigating the story behind the doomed flight might just be the chance disgraced journalist Carly needs to rescue her career, as well as giving her the answers about Luke's death that she desperately wants.
But when she contacts the family of the other pilot, Daniel Taylor, she finds the two women he was closest to - his devoted sister and his loving wife - have very different memories to share.
As Carly delves into the dynamics of a seemingly ordinary family, she uncovers a far darker story than she could possibly have imagined. A story she risks becoming part of even as she tries to piece together the truth.
Because the bonds that shape us can also tear us apart. And sometimes there are monsters living among us, hiding in plain sight...
Advance Praise
'Has the humour and terror of Killing Eve and the whipsmart structure of Penance ... and it's compulsive as hell' Abigail Dean, bestselling author of Girl A
'Everyone should read Scenes From a Tragedy by the masterful Carole Hailey. A captivating read from start to finish - I devoured it in two sittings - it's a brilliantly vivid, meticulously researched, flawlessly written, forensic dive into the devastation a psychopath can wreak on those around them. If you like fiction with a true crime vibe, this is it. Might just be my book of the year. Absolutely phenomenal' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Examiner
'Extraordinary ... a "whydunnit" full of psychological insight, richly and compellingly told' Jennie Godfrey, bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things
'Incredible ... I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. A fast-paced literary thriller with vivid characters and a beguiling mystery at its heart. I don't think I've ever hated a character more than I hated the villain in this book! This novel delivered on so many levels' L J Shepherd, author of The Trials of Lila Dalton
'Superb ... Cleverly plotted, stylishly told, the story burns with menace. Izzy Taylor is a brilliant creation: egocentric, manipulative, terrifying, like the psychopathic love child of Amy Dunne and Tom Ripley. This is a dark, compelling thriller; I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. And the ending is so creepy it gave me shivers. Look out for this twisted treat!' Elizabeth Delo, author of Becoming Liz Taylor
'A gripping read, perfect for fans of Penance by Eliza Clark or Butter by Asako Yuzuki. A masterful portrait of psychopathy, this book will have you hooked to the last page' Cailean Steed, author of Home
'A glorious exploration of the psychopath in our midst. Fun and frightening in equal measure' Rachel North, author of Happily Never After
'Compulsive, dark and cleverly plotted, Scenes From A Tragedy is a thrilling combination of intriguing mystery, deep family secrets and compelling psychological study, anchored by a fascinating central character. I was gripped from start to finish' Sophie Keetch, author of Morgan is My Name
'A deliciously warped thriller that reveals how slippery the truth can become in the hands of an unrepentant psychopath. It succeeds brilliantly as both a propulsive mystery and a masterclass in amorality, and I found myself utterly unable to stop hurtling towards its twisted end' Jane Flett, author of Freakslaw
'Pulls the reader into the maelstrom of emotion, loyalties and pathology that roil in the narrative and doesn't let go until the end. It's original, compelling and unsettling. Highly recommended' Alis Hawkins, author of A Bitter Remedy
Praise for The Silence Project:
'Engrossing and original' Bernardine Evaristo
'Utterly compelling' Glamour
'Gripping and immersive' Nell Hudson
Available Editions
EDITION | Hardcover |
ISBN | 9781805461531 |
PRICE | £17.99 (GBP) |
PAGES | 480 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Oh my goodness. Surely this is going to be one of THE books of 2025. So different, dark, humorous and original. From a very simple premise, investigation of a plane crash, emerges the most remarkable tale of a disturbed and disturbing psychopath. Individuals like this are hiding in plain sight. On the surface they’re ordinary people leading relatively normal lives. But scratch that surface a little and their dark intent to harm soon becomes apparent. Carole Hailey has delivered a masterpiece in exposing just how a psychopathic mind may work. I loved the narrative style with different viewpoints and investigative material introduced as documents. It allows small details to emerge but by bit and adds to the page turning tension. And to mix that with humour, some laugh out loud moments, is pure genius. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant; refreshingly different and I devoured it in a couple of evenings.
I couldn't put this down - what a compelling story. Narrated by Carly, an investigative journalist, who is also grieving the loss of her ex-boyfriend after an unexplained plane crash. The initial sense of unease builds to an unbearable level of tension, I was squirming on the sofa - wanting aspects of the story to finish but also not wanting them to as it is such a good read. This book deserves to be a big hit in 2025.
An interesting take on the investigative journalist- this one desperate for the truth behind her on-off partners death but disguised as an interest in the environmental impact of flying empty planes to maintain runway slots because otherwise no-one will talk to her.
The book is told from Carly's perspective but utilises professional reports and interview notes to good effect to help back up the technical aspects of the crash and the more in-depth psychology of the characters.
Grace is particularly strongly written, her grief and anger practically oozes off the pages and it was very easy to hate Izzy from page one!