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The Mystery of Mercy Close
The Mystery of Mercy Close
May 14, 2025 8:29 AM

Author:Marian Keyes

The Mystery of Mercy Close

Discover the seriously funny, stunningly written novel about one woman's attempts to put her past behind her, from the author of 2023 No. 1 bestseller AGAIN RACHEL

'A brilliant, unusual, brave book . Confirms Keyes's place as one of our finest writers' JOJO MOYES

_________

Meet Helen Walsh.

Wasp-tongued private investigator Helen doesn't believe in love, fear or hot drinks.

But when a missing persons case takes her into the dark, glamorous world of her dodgy ex, Jay Parker, she is drawn away from Artie Devlin, her distinctly unglamorous detective boyfriend.

This isn't good news for Helen.

For Jay's fame-hungry world is one of smoke and mirrors, and Helen is no longer sure what she's doing, or quite why she's doing it...

To save herself from the brink, she'll have to start believing in something - and fast.

But will it be fear? Or love?

Love the Walsh sisters? Don't miss out on the eagerly awaited sequel to Rachel's Holiday: AGAIN, RACHEL . . .

_________

'Zips along with engaging characters, fabulous plotting and spot-on dialogue. Marian Keyes: what a genius' Daily Mail

'Gut-bustingly funny' Independent on Sunday

FAMOUS FANS AND WHY THEY LOVE MARIAN KEYES

'Marian's writing is the truth. With big laughs' Dawn French

'A giant of Irish writing' Naoise Dolan

'Will make you laugh and make you cry, but will also reveal the truth of who you really are' Louise O'Neill

'Keyes weaves the joy and pain of life in a unique and magical way' Cathy Rentzenbrink

'One of the most honest writers writing today' Pandora Sykes

'Compassionate, tender, incisive writing' Lucy Foley

'Her talent for tackling serious issues with such humanity and wit is balm for the soul' Nigella Lawson

'Marian Keyes is a brilliant writer. No one is better at making terrifically funny jokes while telling such important, perceptive and agonizing stories of the heart. She is a genius' Sali Hughes

'Irresistible, profound. Keyes's comic gift is always evident' Independent

'Joyful. Keyes' clever way with words and extraordinary wit. People stared at me as I laughed to myself' C.L. Taylor

'A born storyteller' Independent on Sunday

Reviews

The Mystery of Mercy Close is the tale of strong and sassy but vulnerable, private detective Helen Walsh who is looking for a missing person - but can she find him before she loses herself?

'I have a habit of taking instant dislikes to people. Simply because it saves time . . .'

—— from the publisher's description

When it comes to writing page-turners that put a smile on your face and make you think, Keyes is in a class of her own

—— Daily Express

Zips along with engaging characters, fabulous plotting and spot-on dialogue. Marian Keyes: what a genius

—— Daily Mail

A high-stakes, high-concept love story from a bold new talent . . . All of the obvious "out of this world" comments apply.

—— Matt Haig, author of The Humans

Think Gravity meets The Versions of Us

—— Red

A tense fight for survival with an unexpected ending ****

—— Sun

An edge-of-your-seat tale.

—— Vogue

Gripping from the very first page Hold Back the Stars is a rare combination of thrilling action, deep emotional depth and intelligent ideas. The most unique love story I've read in years.

—— Rowan Coleman, author of The Memory Book

Just the ticket if you’re looking to get lost in a breathless love story

—— Grazia

A unique take on the usual dystopian fiction . . . a worthwhile read which will keep you up past bed time

—— SciFi Now

This is a stirring, unique and beautifully crafted story on the complexities of first love that will stay with you long after reading. This is going to be huge.

—— Image

Dazzling . . . a truly stellar debut, full of wonder and heart. I'm sure it's going to be a mega hit.

—— Emma Jane Unsworth, author of Animals

A beautiful, moving, truly original tale. I loved this book for taking me by surprise.

—— Renee Knight, author of Disclaimer

Terrific . . . A beautiful story

—— Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season

Gorgeous, brilliant, heartbreaking . . . A love story to remember.

—— Debbie Howells, author of The Bones of You

A tense, crisp, edge-of-your-seat love story and a completely unexpected ending, I was gripped from the first line to the last. Hold Back The Stars is out of this world. I loved it.

—— Anna McPartlin, author of The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes

Playfully serious, imaginatively assured, Hold Back the Stars packs real emotional punch.

—— Laline Paull, author of The Bees

Beguiling and heartbreaking.

—— Richard Skinner

Terrific . . . A beautiful story.

—— Samantha Shannon, author of The Bone Season

What a wonderful book.

—— Claire Douglas, author of The Sisters

A stand-out read, I'll be recommending it to everyone.

—— James Oswald, author of Natural Causes

insanely brilliant

—— Gillian McAllister

pacy, thrilling and very original. The plot is fabulous

—— Askews Newsletter

A page-turning psychological thriller with a difference, this is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat.

—— Irish Examiner

An extremely good short novel about a teenage boy from Dublin… This is really very good indeed.

—— William Leith , Evening Standard

Their love affair, across divisions of class and age, is brilliantly, painfully told. Although Montpelier Parade is – amazingly – Geary’s debut novel, he already knows how to play with the reader’s feelings like a pro. He’s one to watch.

—— James Marriott , The Times

It’s written throughout in the second person, a device that sounds tricksy and ought to jar, but Geary’s deft way with words makes it work. Staggeringly good.

—— Simon Shaw , Mail on Sunday

Wow, for a debut book, this blew me away. It is a beautiful, lyrical, almost poetic story of first love, the passion and heartbreak of loss and finding out who you are… The writing just made me sigh (in a good way) and I cannot wait to read Karl’s next book. As this is only a slim book, it will haunt the reader, and for me, it will always have a place in my heart. It is a book to treasure and to tell your friends and family about. It’s one to keep and one to reread, just because.

—— Angie Rhodes , Nudge

It’s a sensitively told love story and an evocative picture of rainy, gritty 1980s Dublin. Geary is a writer to keep an eye on.

—— James Marriott , The Times

Geary’s use of the second person is unfaltering and brilliantly sustained, it creates an intimacy and intensity that is utterly absorbing.

—— Claire Allfree , Daily Mail

A quietly moving story of two lost souls in 1980s Dublin.

—— Sarah Gilmartin , Irish Times

The Summer of Impossible Things is that rare thing: a deftly crafted, utterly compelling story written entirely from the heart. Hauntingly beautiful, heart-rending and unique, this is an instant classic. I sobbed my heart out and adored it!

—— Miranda Dickinson

GORGEOUS. It's so moving and romantic and I want to re-read it immediately

—— Louise O'Neill

Definitely more Time Traveller’s Wife than Dr Who

—— Good Housekeeping

Packs an emotional punch that's second to none - and the author's hallmark. Rowan Coleman picks you up, spins you around and dances you to the very edge of love. Glorious

—— Sarah Hilary

Powerfully moving, vivid, glowing with love and humanity... I loved every word

—— Rosie Walsh

The Summer of Impossible Things is utterly beautiful and engrossing - and Coleman is a brilliant storyteller

—— Eve Chase

I fell into the pages of this beautiful book, vivid, emotional, and so very evocative, it was an utter joy from first page to last

—— Amanda Jennings

THE SUMMER OF IMPOSSIBLE THINGS is truly a thing of great beauty.'

—— Paul Burston

The pages turn themselves in this perfect summer read. Rowan Coleman has written a time-bending mystery with a huge heart. I loved it

—— Paul McVeigh

The Summer of Impossible Things is captivating, thought-provoking and beautifully written. Rowan Coleman has written a book to savour, and characters to care about. I loved it.

—— Hazel Gaynor

A romantic holiday read with substance…a timeless love story…heart-wrenching

—— Liz Earle Magazine

You're going to love, The Summer of Impossible Things...A rollercoaster ride back and forward through time...enthralling

—— My Weekly

A wonderful story

—— Prima

magical and fresh...totally unexpected

—— Saga Magazine

A sparkling novel of hope and sacrifice’

—— Glasgow Herald

Magical, heart-warming and time-bending story.

—— Mslexia
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