Little Comfort

Harvard librarian Hester Thursby, the heroine of Hill's well-crafted, extremely promising debut and series launch, runs a side business locating lost people. She's hired by Lila Blaine to find her brother, Sam, who ran away from their home in New Hampshire 12 years earlier, when he was 14, with his friend Gabe DiPursio. Lila says she wants to sell a piece of lakefront property called Little Comfort and split the proceeds with Sam. Hester soon discovers that Sam is now living in Boston under an alias and has insinuated himself into the life of wealthy socialite Wendy Richards, while Gabe is supporting them both as a freelance programmer. When someone at a party recognizes Sam, Sam decides it's time to tie up loose ends and move on. Meanwhile, Hester has befriended lonely Gabe, who has built a homey domestic fantasy around her, but Sam views Hester as an obstacle and expects Gabe to help get her out of the way. An increasingly tense plot and striking characters-in particular, compassionate, conflicted, loving Hester-make this a standout. -Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"Fast-paced and riveting . . . takes off from the opening pages and never lets up. Don't miss this
can't-put-down debut."
-Carla Neggers, New York Times bestselling author

"In his compelling debut, Edwin Hill spins layer upon layer of intrigue as Hester Thursby, in the business of finding people who don't want to be found, takes on a job that turns out to be far more surprising and dangerous than she bargained for. This smart, complex, and suspenseful New England thriller will keep you turning pages far into the night."
-Jessica Treadway, author of Lacy Eye and How Will I Know You?

"Compellingly plotted and compulsively readable, Little Comfort will leave you a little uncomfortable in the best of ways. Hester Thursby, its powerhouse protagonist, is tough, intriguingly flawed and complex. Edwin Hill's first effort is certain to be among the year's best debuts."
-John Keyse-Walker, author of Beach, Breeze, Bloodshed

"A chilling mix of envy, deceit, and murder. Everyone is lying about something in this tense, stylish debut novel. . . . [It] will have you frantically turning pages until the final, breathless climax."
-Joanna Schaffhausen, author of The Vanishing Season

"Little Comfort isn't just the arrival of a fantastic new book, but also marks the emergence of a spectacular writer to watch. This story had me hooked from the first chapter, and my nails bitten to the nub before I was halfway through. Watch out! Little Comfort delivers just what the title promises."
-Bracken MacLeod, author of Stranded and 13 Views of the Suicide Woods

"Spectacular . . . this book is deftly crafted and its terrifying conclusion stayed with me long after I finished reading. Don't miss this one!"
-Maggie Barbieri, author of Once Upon a Lie

"A dark but compassionate psychological-thriller debut with great appeal for fans of Ruth Ware and Cornelia Read."
-Booklist"

Harvard librarian Hester Thursby, the heroine of Hill's well-crafted, extremely promising debut and series launch, runs a side business locating lost people. She's hired by Lila Blaine to find her brother, Sam, who ran away from their home in New Hampshire 12 years earlier, when he was 14, with his friend Gabe DiPursio. Lila says she wants to sell a piece of lakefront property called Little Comfort and split the proceeds with Sam. Hester soon discovers that Sam is now living in Boston under an alias and has insinuated himself into the life of wealthy socialite Wendy Richards, while Gabe is supporting them both as a freelance programmer. When someone at a party recognizes Sam, Sam decides it's time to tie up loose ends and move on. Meanwhile, Hester has befriended lonely Gabe, who has built a homey domestic fantasy around her, but Sam views Hester as an obstacle and expects Gabe to help get her out of the way. An increasingly tense plot and striking characters-in particular, compassionate, conflicted, loving Hester-make this a standout. -Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW

"Fast-paced and riveting . . . takes off from the opening pages and never lets up. Don't miss this
can't-put-down debut."
-Carla Neggers, New York Times bestselling author

"In his compelling debut, Edwin Hill spins layer upon layer of intrigue as Hester Thursby, in the business of finding people who don't want to be found, takes on a job that turns out to be far more surprising and dangerous than she bargained for. This smart, complex, and suspenseful New England thriller will keep you turning pages far into the night."
-Jessica Treadway, author of Lacy Eye and How Will I Know You?

"Compellingly plotted and compulsively readable, Little Comfort will leave you a little uncomfortable in the best of ways. Hester Thursby, its powerhouse protagonist, is tough, intriguingly flawed and complex. Edwin Hill's first effort is certain to be among the year's best debuts."
-John Keyse-Walker, author of Beach, Breeze, Bloodshed

"A chilling mix of envy, deceit, and murder. Everyone is lying about something in this tense, stylish debut novel. . . . [It] will have you frantically turning pages until the final, breathless climax."
-Joanna Schaffhausen, author of The Vanishing Season

"Little Comfort isn't just the arrival of a fantastic new book, but also marks the emergence of a spectacular writer to watch. This story had me hooked from the first chapter, and my nails bitten to the nub before I was halfway through. Watch out! Little Comfort delivers just what the title promises."
-Bracken MacLeod, author of Stranded and 13 Views of the Suicide Woods

"Spectacular . . . this book is deftly crafted and its terrifying conclusion stayed with me long after I finished reading. Don't miss this one!"
-Maggie Barbieri, author of Once Upon a Lie

"A dark but compassionate psychological-thriller debut with great appeal for fans of Ruth Ware and Cornelia Read."
-Booklist"