I simply slung my rucksack on my shoulder and climbed into the car - and into the life - of perfect strangers.
It was meant to be Caitlin's perfect summer, but betrayed by her best friend and her boyfriend, she finds herself hitchhiking home alone, heartbroken, and penniless.
When a smiling family pulls up on the roadside to help her on her way, she's relieved - they seem so friendly, safe. And when they offer her a warm bed in their isolated house for the night, she's grateful not to have to travel back alone in the dark. In any case, she's in no rush to get home, where a grave secret is lying in wait to blow her family apart.
One night soon turns into two, and then three. The increasingly spellbinding couple wants her to stay, and why shouldn't she? Their children need a tutor, and the longer she can avoid home, the better. But then an older member of the household warns her to leave immediately. And when her phone suddenly goes missing, when she realises that this perfect family is a perfect lie, it might not be so easy for her to leave...
Read what everyone is saying about STAY: 'Wow what a book... I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to others.' NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Claustrophobic and creepy, STAY is a beautifully-written lockdown thriller that will really get under your skin' Mark Edwards, bestselling author of Keep Her Secret
'Engrossing... Relentless... A gripping and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers guessing until the final pages. Jane Bailey skilfully crafts a tale of suspense and betrayal, exploring themes of trust, survival, and the lengths one will go to protect themselves. This is a captivating read for fans of psychological thrillers craving a twisty and suspenseful narrative.' readwithmills, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I started reading Jane Bailey's STAY quite late at night, and that was my first mistake, because I couldn't put it down! Such a unique and suspenseful piece of drama, masterfully done. Congratulations!' Melanie Golding, #1 bestselling author of Little Darlings
'Beautifully written' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Claustrophobic, creepy, heart-in-mouth perilous and - as with any Bailey novel - some superbly drawn child characters.' Caroline Sanderson, editor at The Bookseller
'Brilliant' Portable Magic
'Page-turner' Compulsive Readers
About the Author
Jane Bailey was born and brought up in Gloucestershire, where she now lives. She has written seven novels, including Lark Song , What Was Rescued and Tommy Glover's Sketch of Heaven , and has been shortlisted for the Dillons Fiction prize and the RNA award. She has edited four anthologies of work by young people as Writer-in-Residence for Cheltenham Festivals, First Story and Gloucestershire Hospitals Education Service.
Description:
I simply slung my rucksack on my shoulder and climbed into the car - and into the life - of perfect strangers.
It was meant to be Caitlin's perfect summer, but betrayed by her best friend and her boyfriend, she finds herself hitchhiking home alone, heartbroken, and penniless.
When a smiling family pulls up on the roadside to help her on her way, she's relieved - they seem so friendly, safe. And when they offer her a warm bed in their isolated house for the night, she's grateful not to have to travel back alone in the dark. In any case, she's in no rush to get home, where a grave secret is lying in wait to blow her family apart.
One night soon turns into two, and then three. The increasingly spellbinding couple wants her to stay, and why shouldn't she? Their children need a tutor, and the longer she can avoid home, the better. But then an older member of the household warns her to leave immediately. And when her phone suddenly goes missing, when she realises that this perfect family is a perfect lie, it might not be so easy for her to leave...
Read what everyone is saying about STAY:
'Wow what a book... I could not put it down. Would definitely recommend to others.'
NetGalley Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Claustrophobic and creepy, STAY is a beautifully-written lockdown thriller that will really get under your skin' Mark Edwards, bestselling author of Keep Her Secret
'Engrossing... Relentless... A gripping and atmospheric thriller that will keep readers guessing until the final pages. Jane Bailey skilfully crafts a tale of suspense and betrayal, exploring themes of trust, survival, and the lengths one will go to protect themselves. This is a captivating read for fans of psychological thrillers craving a twisty and suspenseful narrative.' readwithmills, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I started reading Jane Bailey's STAY quite late at night, and that was my first mistake, because I couldn't put it down! Such a unique and suspenseful piece of drama, masterfully done. Congratulations!' Melanie Golding, #1 bestselling author of Little Darlings
'Beautifully written' Goodreads Reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Claustrophobic, creepy, heart-in-mouth perilous and - as with any Bailey novel - some superbly drawn child characters.' Caroline Sanderson, editor at The Bookseller
'Brilliant' Portable Magic
'Page-turner' Compulsive Readers
About the Author
Jane Bailey was born and brought up in Gloucestershire, where she now lives. She has written seven novels, including Lark Song , What Was Rescued and Tommy Glover's Sketch of Heaven , and has been shortlisted for the Dillons Fiction prize and the RNA award. She has edited four anthologies of work by young people as Writer-in-Residence for Cheltenham Festivals, First Story and Gloucestershire Hospitals Education Service.