A moment's madness, a lifetime of regret.

Lydia and Bel have been best friends for years, from wild teenage days all the way through to motherhood. Bel becomes pregnant by accident and has a fraught relationship with daughter Freya, while Lydia and love-of-her-life Mac, after failed fertility treatment, choose to adopt. Gorgeous toddler Chloe challenges them more than either of them had ever expected . . . and as a teenager her behaviour escalates increasingly out of control, pushing their marriage, and Lydia and Bel's relationship, to breaking point.

A modern tragedy. A harrowing and heart-breaking story of the splinters that can tear mothers and daughters, husbands and wives - and friends - apart.

'This harrowing story will move you to tears' My Weekly

'Harrowing and humane. A real knockout' Ian Rankin

'It's always exciting to see a writer get better and better and Cath Staincliffe is doing just that' Val McDermid

'Remarkable depth . . . The most grown-up writer in British crime fiction' Telegraph

'Complex and satisfying' Sunday Times

'Powerful, humane and moving' Ann Cleeves