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Parents Left Behind
A boy walks into his Edinburgh college and begins shooting.
The story opens on two of the parents we will follow, each describing the day before it happen... READ MORE
An astonishing read
The action takes place in Edinburgh – a city renowned for its art, beauty and history. In this debut novel however, Edinburgh is on the map for a mass shoo... READ MORE
Compelling
Explosive thriller that deals with the aftermath of a school shooting. The story focuses mainly on three women that are affected and brings an interesting ... READ MORE
Synopsis
Selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015-2020
WINNER OF THE MCILVANNEY DEBUT PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE MCILVANNEY PRIZE SCOTTISH CRIME BOOK OF THE YEAR
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CWA GOLD DAGGER AND CWA JOHN CREASEY (NEW BLOOD) AWARDS
'(a) meticulous and compelling novel about the aftermath of a major crime and its effect on the affected families and investigating officers both.' Ian Rankin
***
In the aftermath of a tragedy, the world needs an explanation.
In Edinburgh, after the Three Rivers College shooting, some things are clear.
They know who. They know when.
No one can say why.
For three women the lack of answers is unbearable: DI Helen Birch, the detective charged with solving the case. Ishbel, the mother of the first victim, struggling to cope with her grief. And Moira, mother of the killer, who needs to understand what happened to her son.
But as people search for someone to blame, the truth seems to vanish...
From a prizewinning poet, ALL THE HIDDEN TRUTHS is a searing, compelling and powerful debut.
'As scarily plausible as it is utterly captivating, this is an absorbing and unforgettable debut.' Heat
'Raw, powerful, compassionate and deeply moving, with page-turning tension to the end. A stunning debut.' Karen Robinson, Sunday Times Crime Club
'You'll be gripped by the unexpected truths that emerge. Compelling.' Marie Claire
Publisher information
- Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
- ISBN: 9781473673045
- Number of pages: 384
- Dimensions: 192 x 129 x 26 mm
- Weight: 275g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allThe fallout from senseless murder!
What a debut! A clever beginning highlighting the unsatisfactory day Moira has before her life changes for ever; the argument Ishbel has with Abigail; a ne... READ MORE
Aftermath of mass shooting
This debut is a great read, it uses a variety of styles throughout from webpage excerpts to interviews as they would be in police reports rather than just ... READ MORE
Well worth reading
4.5* The story of the aftermath of a lone killer who murders thirteen young women and injures one man in a shooting at an Edinburgh college. Yes this is a ... READ MORE
Captivating and engrossing
I found this beautifully written novel about the aftermath of a school shooting captivating and engrossing.
The focus is not so much on the horrendous crim... READ MORE
Heart Rending
An amazing book. The effect on the lives of families following a College shooting by one of its pupils. The sleazy reporter who 'magically' finds hidden ... READ MORE
Bold, brave & brilliant
This novel is set in the aftermath of a college shooting in Edinburgh and the narrative is between three different voices; the mother of the shooter, the m... READ MORE
Secrets and lies..
‘What sense can there be in any of this?’
Centred on the aftermath of a mass shooting at an Edinburgh college, when 20-year-old Ryan Summers kills 13 fema... READ MORE
A stunning debut
I’m stunned that this is a debut. I’m not at all surprised that it has been nominated for, and won, prizes. I loved everything about this book, the writing... READ MORE
Excellent read
All the Hidden Truths is set in Edinburgh and tells the story of a fictional college shooting where thirteen women are murdered by a lone gunman, Ryan Summ... READ MORE
The Aftermath of a Tragedy.
This is a story told through the eyes of three women, following a shooting in a college in Edinburgh. The three women are the shooters mother, the mother o... READ MORE
Gripping and compelling
I was sent a copy of All the Hidden Truths by Claire Askew to read and review by NetGalley.
Totally gripping and compelling, this novel is a real page turn... READ MORE
Gripping Thriller and a Superb Read!
What a stunning read! To see a major incident from multi points of view is different - and captivating!
DI Helen Birch, newly promoted, is on her way to w... READ MORE
Interesting premise
I thought this was an interesting book which tried to view the horror of a school shooting from a number of different perspectives : mother of the perpetra... READ MORE
An amazing, heartbreaking novel!
It seems wrong to enjoy a book of this nature, but I did. Completely. It was touching, poignant and provided points of view from various people impacted by... READ MORE
Terrific read!
All the Hidden Truths is the story of a shooting in an Edinburgh College. One morning Ryan Summers goes into the college where he is studying engineering. ... READ MORE
Brilliant read
All the Hidden Truths is set in Edinburgh and tells the story of a fictional college shooting where thirteen women are murdered by a lone gunman, Ryan Summ... READ MORE
Brave fictional weaving together of victims of a mass shooting...
Gives the reader real pause for thought.
In all the headlines and tweets and snatches of opinion coming from everywhere these days, this is a very well-... READ MORE
A striking debut
Claire Askew has written a superb and emotional crime novel which focuses on the journey through grief of three different women and where it leads them. Th... READ MORE
Deeply heartfelt & disturbing book
When a mass school shooting rocks Edinburgh to its core the women at its centre struggle to come to terms with the involvement of their loved ones. Will th... READ MORE
Unusual and eloquent
I thought this was an incredibly difficult subject to cover in a book, but Claire Askew dealt with it very sensitively. It's certainly a twist when you, an... READ MORE
A new perspective on the psychological crime thriller
A behind the headlines story that explores what happens after the tragic mass shooting until all 'The Hidden Truths' are revealed. Told from an exclusively... READ MORE
The Hidden Truths by Claire Askew
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
All the Hidden Truths was written by Claire Askew, it was her de... READ MORE
Well worth the read
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this was a debut novel.
It follows three points of view following a shooting at a college. It was enjoyable to s... READ MORE
A brilliant, punchy read
To my knowledge I don't think I have ever read a novel by Claire Askew, this definitely won't be my last. Her writing style is punchy, engrossing and natur... READ MORE
Heartbreaking but well worth the read.
A school shooting leaves everyone asking questions about why it happened. They Who and when are known but what about the why. Three women each with a diffe... READ MORE