The Lover

“A tense and intelligent psychological thriller that confirms Laura Wilson’s seat at the high table of British crime writing.” —The Guardian

Winner of the Prix du Polar Européen (France)

It’s the fall of 1940, and London is being destroyed by the Blitz. Every night, its citizens cram into shelters, basements, subway stations—anything to avoid the bombs. And every morning, they awake to scenes of fresh devastation. But some of those citizens don’t wake up. In many cases, it’s the bombs that are to blame. But for a handful of the dead, there seems to have been a more immediate cause. The victims were all prostitutes, like the victims of another, notorious serial killer. Jack the Ripper may be long gone, but it’s clear that someone is following in his footsteps . . .

“Wilson’s period thriller offers a compelling setup inspired by the true, if little-known, rampage of the Blackout Ripper, who slaughtered prostitutes during the London Blitz of 1940 . . . she easily maintains suspense, even as she peels back the layers of the murderer’s twisted psyche.” —Publishers Weekly

“Ms. Wilson draws out the suspense exquisitely, and these three characters come alive on the page . . . An atmospheric and, at times, gruesome tale, The Lover delivers on its promise of being a chilling and intense read.” —Irish Examiner

“Simply superb: not only the best thing she has written to date, but certainly one of the best crime novels of the year.” —Birmingham Post

“Wilson is one of those crime writers who break every boundary in the genre; she steps wholeheartedly into the ranks of genuine literary writing . . .” —Sunday Herald