The Impossible Thing

Belinda Bauer author

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Transworld Publishers Ltd

Published:27th Feb '25

Should be back in stock very soon

This hardback is available in other editions too:

The Impossible Thing cover

From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Snap, and two-time winner of the CWA Crime Novel of the Year...


Loved by readers... discover this gripping, entertaining crime caper about a hungry young girl, an impossible discovery, and a crime that remained unsolved for one hundred years.

Until now.

*****
‘A unique crime novel that is both moving and funny . . . highly recommend’ 5-STAR reader review
‘A perfect crime caper' Woman & Home

'[The] most ingenious of crime writers . . . A funny, moving and beautifully written tale' The Guardian
*****
*SPECIAL HARDBACK LIMITED EDITION – AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST*

It was the most daring crime of the century . . .

1926. On the towering cliffs of Yorkshire, men are lowered on ropes to steal the eggs of the sea birds who nest there. The most beautiful are sold for large sums. But when small and hungry Celie Sheppard finds an 'impossible' red egg, it will forever alter the course of her life - and the lives of others.

One hundred years later in a remote cottage in Wales, Patrick Fort discovers his friend, Nick, and his mother tied up and robbed. The only thing missing: a carved case containing an incredible scarlet egg. Doggedly attempting to retrieve it, Patrick and Nick discover the cruel world of egg trafficking, and soon find themselves on the trail of a priceless collection of eggs lost to history. Until now.

A taut, wonderfully imagined novel brimming with skulduggery at every turn, The Impossible Thing is a blazing testament to Belinda Bauer’s status as one of our greatest living crime writers.

Praise for The Impossible Thing

‘Enthralling, hilarious, mysterious… I thoroughly enjoyed this book’ 5-STAR reader review

‘The gift of The Impossible Thing is the pure joy of reading’ VAL MCDERMID, bestselling author of the Karen Pirie crime series

'Comic, thrilling and ultimately moving' The Scottish Mail on Sunday

'Extraordinary. There's a deceptive simplicity to The Impossible Thing that packs a real punch' ANN CLEEVES, bestselling author of the Vera Stanhope detective series

'Solid gold. . . This could be her best ever' LEE CHILD, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series
read more...

This highly imaginative and gloriously written novel is packed with memorable characters, most of them misfits. This is literary crime writing at its best. * Literary Review *
Extraordinary * Sunday Express *
Belinda Bauer is a genius - she can turn any idea into a solid gold, suspenseful, immersive and intriguing story. This could be her best ever. * LEE CHILD *
A unique blend of crime and history. * Gazette & Herald *
Comic, thrilling and ultimately moving. * The Scottish Mail on Sunday *
Fans of Bauer know to expect something original from this most ingenious of crime writers. . . a funny, moving and beautifully written tale of misfits and oological obsession. * The Guardian *
Intriguing . . . A perfect crime caper. * Woman & Home *
Bauer (Exit) tugs at the heartstrings in this extraordinary literary mystery that unfolds across intersecting timelines . . . It’s another winner from an impressively versatile writer. * Publishers Weekly (starred review)  *
Suspenseful, charming . . . [Bauer] is a sympathetic, playful writer, and she populates her book with as colorful an array of characters as you could hope for . . . Very exciting. * New York Times *
An extraordinary novel. Belinda Bauer writes so beautifully. There's a deceptive simplicity toThe Impossible Thing that packs a real punch, and the characters and their stories have really stayed with me. Highly recommended! * ANN CLEEVES, Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author *

ISBN: 9781787630970

Dimensions: 242mm x 164mm x 30mm

Weight: 538g

336 pages