The Replacement

Melanie Golding took the MA in Creative Writing program at Bath Spa University, and has recently completed work on a PhD which examines the use of folklore in contemporary thrillers. In recent years she has won and been shortlisted in several local and national short story competitions, which have been chosen to be recorded as podcasts by the Leicester-based festival Story City, and to be performed at both the regular Stroud Short Stories event and their special `best of¿ event at Cheltenham Literature Festival.

Melanie has had a varied working life, including working as a teacher in prisons, young offender¿s units and residential schools for children with special educational needs. Her first novel, Little Darlings, became an ebook bestseller and has been optioned for screen by Free Range Films, the team behind the adaptation of My Cousin Rachel.

PRAISE FOR THE REPLACEMENT

'A modern spin on a folk tale where the improbable can happen ... deftly spun ... the twists are lovely; dark and deep'
The Times

'Golding folds together a folklore-inspired plot with the modern twists and tension of a police procedural novel to create a bitingly unnerving story' Adele Parks, Platinum

'Sewing together the many threads of the case, there is the added folklore that seeps into an atmospheric, mysterious and horror-struck storyline. Powerful imagery and captivating characters, this a grabbing book' Magic Radio Book Club

'The most original book you'll read this year ... equal parts detective novel, psychological thriller and family drama. Full of twists, turns and atmosphere, make sure you don't accidentally stay up all night devouring it' Crime Monthly

'A psychological thriller with a difference' Heat

'Creepy and atmospheric, the author weaves a magical thread of folklore into this outstanding thriller' My Weekly

'Chillingly brilliant' Bella

PRAISE FOR MELANIE GOLDING

'Chilling story, beautiful prose. Little Darlings is stunning' Clare Mackintosh, number one Sunday Times bestseller

'Rich and satisfying, this is part who-done-it, part fairy tale, part psychological thriller. It delivers on all fronts and will continue to rattle you, long after you have put it down' Felicity Everett, author of The People at Number 9

'Deep. Dark. Utterly addictive. I read this extraordinary book in one, breathless gulp...Be warned - you can't unread this story. It will haunt you' Teresa Driscoll, author of I Am Watching You

'A story that is in turn enthralling, creepy and downright sinister, Melanie Golding turns fairy tales on their heads...A brilliant, heart-pounding read' Lisa Hall, author of Between You and Me