A swallow flutters its wings into a dimly lit attic as Adele Foyle stumbles across the secret diary of the mother she has never met, and a shocking account of a crime committed over twenty-five years ago.

With her mother's words etched in her mind and in the pages tucked into her jacket pocket, Adele delays joining her fiancé for a new life abroad and returns to Reedstown, the last place her mother, Marianne, was seen alive. She has one purpose: to find those who carried out the devastating attack on her mother.

Born into a Mother and Baby home run by Gloria Thornton, Adele needs to first unlock the disturbing chain of events that led to her own birth if she is to understand what happened to her mother.

But news of Adele's arrival and the diary spread like wildfire amongst the small close-knit community. Old memories are stirring up fresh wounds.

No-one wants the truth to be told. The diary is just a story, they say. Yet as Adele begins to unravel the layers of deceit, the tissue paper lies begin to fragment and her own relationship starts to break down.

Her mother was telling the truth. Adele just has to prove it, even if it puts her own life in terrible danger.

A heart-stopping, intense and emotionally engrossing read that will keep you compulsively turning the pages late into the night. If you read one book this year, make it The Thorn Girl.

Read what everyone is saying about The Thorn Girl:

'This is a compelling and gripping read that I didn't want to put down. I devoured this book in one sitting. Laura Elliott pulled me in from the very start. I highly recommend.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Amazing book! Kept me on the edge of my seat. Tons of suspense and twists and turns. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong. Can't wait to read more from this author.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This book is one of my favorites of the year. I finished it in two days. I could not put this book down. This book keeps you guessing and keeps you so hooked on the story... Stop whatever you are doing and pick up a copy of this book. You will not be disappointed.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A powerful emotional rollercoaster.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'This is brilliantly written, you feel as if you were in the room with her mother...a really, really wonderful book that I will be thinking about for quite a while.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A really powerful story... handled superbly. A sterling read and one I won't forget.' Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐