Reading a novel about violent domestic abuse is not my idea of fun, but doing my job you often have to read a lot of books you wouldn’t normally bother with. And so it was that I read ‘What Have I Done’ by Amanda Prowse. She tells the story of an apparently normal family with some very dark secrets. In the end, the main character, headmaster’s wife Kathyrn Brooker, stabs her husband to death after enduring years of the very worst kind of abuse – both mental and physical. The book tells of her tortuous relationship with her children, and her life after she gets out of prison. It is an absolutely gripping read, and the characterisation is done superbly.
I first interviewed Amanda after she wrote her first novel, ‘Poppy Day’. She published it through the British Legion and donated all proceeds to the charity. Her husband is a major in the British army. But when she said she was writing another book I urged her to publish it properly, so I introduced her to top literary agent Caroline Michel. The two hit it off and Caroline then secured her a multi book deal with the fiction publisher Head of Zeus. In some ways I kick myself. i could tell she was a major talent and did wonder about whether I should sign her up for Biteback, as our first novelist. But in my heart of hearts I knew I would be using her. We don’t do fiction and it is very different to publishing non-fiction. So I probably missed out on someone who is going to be a best selling writer. But I did the right thing.
If ‘What Have I Done’ is anything to go by it won’t be long before Amanda enters the bestseller charts. She has already built up a very big, loyal following. She has a great ability to tell a story and take the reader along with her. She doesn’t write above her audience. She writes with it.
If your interest is pricked, click HERE to hear me interview Amanda about ‘What Have I Done’. Scroll in 24 mins 30 secs.
Buy the book HERE
