It’s not because Bel’s mother was murdered.
It’s not because her father is a politician.
Bel writes to a Death Row prisoner as an easy way out of an assignment . . . but now he’s written back.
Bel finds herself falling for the boy with ragged hair, shackles and a terrible past. But is she setting herself up for more loss?
And will loving him mean losing the people who mean the most to her at home?
Longlisted for the 2019, Sisters in Crime Davitt Award, best young adult crime novel
A 2019 CBCA Notable book, Older Readers Shortlisted for the Vogel Prize
Lawrence’s characters give the book power and urgency.
WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN
This is an impressive debut novel, a real coming of age story. Lawrence has created authentic, likeable characters who engage the reader, and drive the book.
MAGPIES MAGAZINE
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First published by Penguin Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd, in 2020
Copyright © Hayley Lawrence, 2020
The moral right of the author has been asserted.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, published, performed in public or communicated to the public in any form or by any means without prior written permission from Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd or its authorised licensees.
Design by Marina Messiha © Penguin Random House Australia Pty Ltd
Illustrations by Marina Messiha and Shutterstock/NatSweet
Author photograph by Chad Lawrence
ISBN 9781760147549
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