SNAP DECISIONS CAN BE FATAL . . .

On a stifling summer’s day, eleven-year-old Jack and his two sisters sit in their broken-down car, waiting for their mother to come back and rescue them. Jack’s in charge, she’d said. I won’t be long.

But she doesn’t come back. She never comes back. And life as the children know it is changed for ever.

Three years later, mum-to-be Catherine wakes to find a knife beside her bed, and a note that says: I could have killed you.

Meanwhile Jack is still in charge – of his sisters, of supporting them all, of making sure nobody knows they’re alone in the house, and – quite suddenly – of finding out the truth about what happened to his mother.

But the truth can be a dangerous thing…

Sunday Times Bestseller

Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2018

Winner of the Crime/Thriller Specsavers National Book Award 2018

Longlisted for the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award 2019

‘The most out-and-proud genre novel ever to make the list of the Man Booker prize. Bauer’s writing is inspired. She has a unique vision of the world and knows how to bring it to life, something rare enough to merit any number of prizes.’ Jake Kerridge, The Daily Telegraph (Books of the Year)

‘Intelligent and original’ The Guardian (Books of the year – Crime & Thriller)

‘With her deeply quirky take, Belinda Bauer is totally unlike contemporaries, and all her crime novels have a very distinct identity. Readers never know what to expect with each new novel, except that it will be highly accomplished.’ Life & Arts, Financial Times (Summer Books of 2018)

‘Belinda Bauer’s rogues’ gallery of insidious villains marks her out as one of the great purveyors of the modern crime thriller. In her latest offering, SNAP, she entwines emotions with the skill of a noose-maker. Bauer ensures the tension balances on a knife edge. Literally.’ Daily Express

‘Belinda Bauer’s fiction teems with life… she is also an ingenious creator, never afraid to improve on reality. She is on absolutely cracking form in her latest novel. Kate Atkinson used to be the undisputed master of this sort of mixture of the serious, the exciting and the anarchic, but Bauer is now firmly in her class.’ The Daily Telegraph

‘British novelist Belinda Bauer is at her considerable best when writing about children, and the opening of her latest book, SNAP, is one of the most vividly unnerving I have read. Bauer weaves strands together with razor sharp observation and wry humour.’ Laura Wilson, The Guardian (Books of the month)

‘Belinda Bauer’s plots are never anything less than original and unsettling and her latest outing is no exception.’ The Sunday Times

‘Belinda Bauer’s novels are original, disconcerting and gripping.’ The Times

‘Edgy, original and beautifully written, this suspenseful story is dazzlingly good.’ The Sunday Mirror

‘The children steal the show in Belinda Bauer’s unnerving suspense novel, Snap.’ New York Times Books Review

‘Belinda Bauer’s new book Snap is heart-stopping’ Stylist Magazine

‘Bauer deftly interweaves a West Country cold-case murder, a teenage master burglar, some ill-assorted coppers and a pregnant wife, knowing exactly when the turn the dial to humour, pathos or something darker. Intelligent entertainment that keeps you guessing.’ The Sunday Times Crime Club (star pick)

‘What links Catherine and Jack is revealed over the course of the novel, which is tense and suspenseful, but Bauer also explores the effect of a terrible crime on a young boy and his siblings. As with BLACKLANDS, Bauer’s child protagonist is utterly convincing.’ The Bookseller (Book of the Month)

‘A spine-chilling, tension packed gripper.’ Woman and Home

‘Is there a current writer in the genre who can be guaranteed never to repeat themselves – and who comes up with an original premise for each new book? Yes there is — and it is the highly individual Belinda Bauer. SNAP, her latest novel, continues this pleasing trajectory.’ Crime Time

‘Belinda Bauer is one of the very few really original crime writers of our time… the plot is neat and clever, but it is not the stories, the style or the characters alone – though all are good – that set Bauer’s work apart. It is an undefinable extra ingredient that makes some books stand out from the crowd. This is one of them.’ Jessica Mann, Literary Review

‘Bauer secures her place as a star in the British psychological-suspense firmament with this tightly written tale […] Bauer’s characters (including DCI John Marvel, who has appeared in some of her previous novels) are richly drawn and her plotting is impeccable. Even the most bizarre circumstances and red herrings make perfect sense. Readers who miss Ruth Rendell are sure to become fast Bauer fans.’ Booklist starred review

‘The title may be succinct, but the story itself is anything but. Belinda Bauer weaves a compelling and highly intricate novel. SNAP follows the human-impact of murder rather than the gory details, with knife-sharp balance between harrowing and humorous.’ Rebecca Wilcock

‘SNAP is the best kind of psychological thriller – it gives you chills, it makes you think, and it touches your heart. I loved it!’ Sarah Pinborough, author of #1 bestseller Behind Her Eyes

‘Not only is this the best thing [Belinda]’s written, it’s one of the best crime novels I have read in a very long time. It’s just spot on. I always knew she was good but this moves her into a different league. If this doesn’t win a slew of awards, I know nothing about crime fiction.’ Val McDermid

‘Bauer is one of those writers adored by critics and prize judges. If there is any justice SNAP will propel Bauer to the top of the bestseller list.’ N.J. Cooper, bookoxygen

‘Original, pacy and thoroughly entertaining. Belinda Bauer’s Snap is a cracking read.’ Clare Mackintosh

‘How in the world did Belinda Bauer create this 14-year-old Robin Hood of a cat burglar who stole my heart? I absolutely loved this utterly satisfying read. My ‘gotta know’ knotted with overwhelming sympathy for the victimized and Snap gripped me to the last page.’ Randy Susan Meyers

‘No one writes crime novels like Belinda Bauer, with such a rare blend of darkness, humour and heart. She’s a crime writing genius.’ CL Taylor

‘I can’t begin to describe how much I love Belinda Bauer’s work. Every book is better than the last and this one was truly extraordinary. While on the surface a psychological thriller, it really is so much more. Bauer writes her characters with such nuanced perfection that the reader experiences numerous reactions to them all. I don’t want to give any spoilers away but I will be recommending this book to everyone, whether they like thrillers or not.’ Linda Quinn, Fairfield Public Library

‘[…] it’s been longer than I care to remember since I last read a book that was difficult to put down, and this is very welcome in breaking that mould. […] Bauer is very skilled at creating fictional people that seem utterly real and who the reader can engage with.’ Amazon 5* review (Vine Voice Top 500 reviewer)

‘SNAP is dark and haunting, but also emotional, original, and gripping. I was completely absorbed into the characters’ lives and their tragic and moving stories. Once again, Belinda Bauer wrote a terrific must-read!’ Book After Book

‘Snap by Belinda Bauer is a gripping, masterfully written novel about a teenage boy’s hunt for his mother’s killer… I was so utterly charmed by Jack and DCI Marvel that I’m hoping they’ll make future appearances in the rest of Ms. Bauer’s books, which I am already eagerly looking forward to reading.’ Criminal element

‘A crime thriller centred on children is a rare thing. And that’s exactly what makes Belinda Bauer’s Snap a must-read.’ Lauren Sharkey, Bustle

‘Snap is beautifully paced and well written; Bauer weaves her story around wonderful characters, ramping up the tension and intrigue with each chapter.’ Dot Scribbles

‘…this book is so much more than your average thriller.’ Tanya Burr

‘The way [Belinda Bauer] writes about the children in this book is heartbreakingly poignant, plus it is beautifully written and has great suspense.’ Pamela Power, Sunday Times South Africa – Books of the year 2018