The startling new novel from the Women's Prize longlisted author of Careless and Girls.

Susie Christmas Buchanan is nineteen, exhausted and soon to be ejected from the care system, now she's come of age. Most alarmingly of all, Susie is being haunted by a witch.

Sometime Susie can't see her, but she can always tell she's there. She can feel her. Hear her. The soft clicking noise of her ancient knuckles. Her soft breath.

There are two types of kids growing up in care: the 'good' ones, and the 'bad' ones. And after what Susie did at the Home, she knows she's a bad one. Rotten to her core.

But as Susie falls in love for the first time, she wonders whether maybe, just maybe, she might find a way to rid herself of the witch once and for all.

Surely she can't be that wicked. Surely it won't happen again...



Perfect for fans of TV series I May Destroy You and Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason.


Praise for Kirsty Capes

'A memorable portrayal of a family and damaged relationships. Richly rewarding, stand-out fiction'
BERNARDINE EVARISTO

'Every word has the touch of a genius' BENJAMIN ZEPHANIAH

'Expect to see this on every sun lounger this summer!' THE SHIFT

'A pin-sharp, propulsive story' KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE

'Daisy Jones and the Six fans will love this!' GRAZIA

'I was bereft when I finished. A contender for my books of the year list' PRIMA

'Bold, brilliant, shocking and shattering' CHRIS WHITAKER