The Finest Type of English Womanhood

A strong, dark and original story, told by an engrossing new voice in English fiction

Miranda Seymour

Brilliantly melds a factual post-war murder into a dark fictional tale

Telegraph

This fictional account of a true story gives a darkly shocking version of the events surrounding this tragic case.

Good Book Guide

The writing is strong and though the sections featuring Gay's earlier life lose momentum, the story picks up pace when the girls' paths become entwined and the conclusion is compelling and thrillingly macabre.

Telegraph

A highly accomplished debut, this is a chilling portrait of racial tension, social immorality, betrayal and love, and also an atmospheric examination of the end of innocence.

The Lady Magazine

Those who survive do dreadful things. This is the nub of their experiences and also, hints the author of our own.

The Sunday Times

... examines the extraordinary lengths people will go to when driven by love.

Easy Living

Rachel Heath's dark compelling debut novel tells the tale of two very different girls; both are misfits trying to find a story in which they can star.

Daily Mail

The interweaving of the lives of Gay and Laura is skilfully handled, the plot ever-thickening as the two move towards that fatal voyage back to Britain.

Independent

This author is good at sex, writing well about female sensuality.

Independent

Rachel Heath is excellent on the atmosphere of post-war Britain and the lure of South Africa.

Independent

The closest thing I can compare it to is The Secret History by Donna Tart.

Independent

[A] gripping tale...

Red

Rachel Heath explores the dangers of intimacy, the secrets behind ordinary existences, the fruitlessness of the search for a home, and, ultimately, the grim inevitability of disaster. A promising debut from a startling new voice.

Waterstone's Books Quarterly

Heath's reckless, innocent Laura, caught in the upheaval and cruelty of an unjust system that mingled bloodshed with the tennis club and the bitchy tea party, is unforgettable

MSLEXIA

The strength of this book is its evocation of powerful sexuality and its capturing the flavour of South Africa 50 years ago.

MSLEXIA

Heath combines imaginative, fast paced story telling with an unerring sense of period, place and mood... an exceptionally well-written, suspenseful novel.

Guardian

Excellent ... There is a compulsion and persuasive assurance in the writing

Sunday Times

An exceptionally well-written, suspenseful novel ... with an unerring sense of period, place and mood

Guardian

A dark, compelling debut ... Heath skilfully recreates the trajectory of Gibson's life, but it's Trelling's equally damaged character ... which provides the vital emotional charge

Daily Mail

Excellent on the atmosphere of post-war Britain and the lure of South Africa... compellingly told, reminiscent of early Doris Lessing ... the twists keep the reader glued to the novel.

Independent

...thrillingly macabre.

Daily Telegraph