The Impossible Thing

From the Sunday Times bestselling and Booker-longlisted author of Snap, and winner of the CWA Crime Novel of the Year, comes 'An exciting contemporary whodunnit' (Times Literary Supplement)

'Extraordinary. There's a deceptive simplicity to The Impossible Thing that packs a real punch.' ANN CLEEVES

'A funny, moving and beautifully written tale' The Guardian

‘Pure joy.’ VAL MCDERMID

‘A perfect crime caper' Woman & Home

*****

A gripping, funny and moving whodunnit about a hungry young girl, and a crime that remained unsolved for one hundred years. Until now.

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

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

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

‘A captivating novel from one of the UK’s most talented storytellers. I loved every page of this unique mystery.’ CLARE MACKINTOSH, bestselling author of I Let You GO

‘One of the most enjoyable novels I've read in ages’ PAULA HAWKINS, bestselling author of The Girl on the Train