Avon Books Week Day Two: All She Ever Wished For by Claudia Carroll

The Second day of my Avon Books Week has the lovely Claudia Caroll sharing her Top Three Reads of 2016! Do let her know your top reads! There's also a chance to win a copy of her latest book, All She Ever Wished for at the bottom of this post. 

Claudia Caroll's Top Three Reads of 2016

If it’s one thing that all authors seem to have in common, it’s that we’re the most avid gang of readers you could ever meet. And Christmas is coming, so I thought I’d compile a little list of the books that I adored throughout 2016, just in case you were looking for inspiration as a stocking-filler for a loved one!
Some of these books made me giggle, some made me bawl, but all touched me more than I can say and stayed with me long after I’d finished the last page. It’s magical when that happens, isn’t it?  So what I’d love to know is…..what are your ‘top reads’ of 2016?!! Please do let me know, you’ll find me on Twitter @carrollclaudia
So I had huge difficulty is culling my list down, but here’s a few highlights I’d love to share with you.
1. The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon.
Do yourself a favour; stop reading this right now and just go out and buy a copy of this magical book. Set during the heat wave of 1976, this is a hysterically funny, poignant and joyously well told story about two school kids bored out of their heads on their summer holidays, who decide to investigate when one of their neighbours disappears into thin air. Dark secrets come to light and it seems that just about everyone on their road has something to hide. Trust me; this really is a book that deserves to win awards by the trolley load. For those of you like myself, who are old enough to remember, you’ll almost feel the heat of 1976 coming back to you. 
2. The Day I Lost You, by Fionnuala Kearney.
It’s any parent’s worse nightmare; losing a child in tragic circumstances and Jess can barely admit to herself that her beloved daughter Anna isn’t coming back. But Anna’s disappearance leaves a mystery behind and a secret that reverberates throughout the life of everyone she’s loved and left. A beautifully constructed novel about loss, grief, family, forgiveness but it’s especially about love – in all its guises – maternal, sibling, lovers’, unconditional love and the love of friends. Trust me, you’ll end up ignoring your phone and swearing off social media till you finish, from an author that just keeps getting better and better.
3. The Widow, by Fiona Barton. 
It’s been hailed as this year’s ‘Girl on the Train,’ but for me, this book is even better. A twisty-turny psychological thriller centering around Jean, a woman who’s husband has not only been accused of pedophilia, but also of murdering a two-year-old girl. Jean is innocent, yet somehow tarred by association as press intrusion and constant public vilification make her life unbearable.  Inspired by the Harold Shipman case, (whose wife claimed she knew absolutely nothing,) this really is a stay-up-all-night-to-finish-it book.
And there’s so many books that are groaning on my TBR pile right now! This Christmas, I’m particularly looking forward to Lyrebird by the always amazing Cecelia Ahern, The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton and Three Sisters Three Queens by Phillippa Gregory. Cosy wintry nights by the fire with a good book? Bliss, if you ask me.

Now there's a chance to win a copy of Claudia's latest book All She Ever Wished For. Simply enter via rafflecopter below. (UK Only, Ends 29.11.16)

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