Books published by Hachette Books Ireland

Meet Horace Winter and fall in love with life again in this bestselling novel - perfect reading for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'Horace Winter is a character who will linger long after you've finished this highly original, moving, funny and elegant book' Irish Independent'A journey that is both tender and sad, but a joy to witness. A moving and truly absorbing read' Image'A quirky, tender and compulsive read. Horace Winter will win your heart' Irish ExaminerHorace Winter doesn't have friends. Ever since the long-ago day when the Very Bad Thing happened, he prefers to spend his time studying butterflies - less intimidating, less likely to disappoint.The last thing he wants is to retire from his job at the bank, but he has no choice - and now faces an endless number of empty days where he has nowhere to go and no one to need him.Then he receives some surprising news. And he meets Amanda, and Max, and discovers a mysterious letter his father never posted. Suddenly he finds his previously unexceptional life filled with important things to do. Before he'd thought he had too much time. Now he may be looking at not enough. But can he find the courage he's sought for so long to finally start living?

A compelling and thought-provoking new novel from the author of bestseller The Privileged

'Grown up, intelligent fiction - she just gets better and better' Cathy Kelly'One of the smartest writers of popular fiction around' Irish IndependentWhen handsome American Daniel O'Connell arrives in Ballyanna to research an old cable station for a documentary he is making, he's hoping that a stay in a sleepy Irish seaside town will help him and his traumatised son move on from a terrible accident. But Daniel soon finds that summer in Ballyanna is anything but quiet ...Meanwhile Annie Sullivan, daughter of the local hotel owner, has moved back home to mend her broken heart, telling everyone that she's there to figure out her next career move.But as a secret threatens Annie's dysfunctional family, Daniel's past is about to catch up with him. Will the two be able to grasp the new future that lies ahead before summer ends?

The warmth of Maeve Binchy with the elegance of Maggie O'Farrell - an unforgettable story.

'Roisin Meaney is a skilful storyteller' Sheila O'Flanagan'Utterly irresistible' Irish IndependentWhen a heatwave coincides with rehearsals for an end-of-summer concert, temperatures soar - so too do the small town scandals ...It turns out that some members of the choir have secrets they are desperate to keep hidden.Christopher, the handsome and talented director, is embroiled in a steamy affair with someone who is strictly off-limits; Molly has become obsessed with a young boy whom she's convinced is her grandson; while Emily has just fallen in love - with the wrong man.As opening night approaches, it becomes clear that there are some tough decisions to be made. But until the curtain falls, you never know what might happen on The Street Where You Live.'A real treat ... Meaney wraps her readers in the company and comfort of strangers' Sunday Independent

It seemed like any other day, until she spotted it: a white envelope, addressed to her in unfamiliar handwriting. Sandra is afraid to read what's inside, knowing that its contents will expose the secrets she's kept buried for years - and memories of the time when her son was taken from her.She must now face her past. But as Sandra comes to terms with the actions of her parents all those years ago, she begins to understand that, in order to heal, she must look to the future. But will her son be able to do the same?Out of Focus is a powerful story about family, legacy and hope.

In a small town high in the Austrian mountains, Karl and Max are friends on the edge of adulthood.Karl dreams of being a teacher and calling Hallstatt home for the rest of his life. Max, desperate to escape the poisonous influence of his mother, is increasingly tormented with jealousy over his friend's bond with the brilliant and passionate Elsa.Then, a tragedy in the local salt-mines changes their lives forever.As they leave their childhoods behind, Karl and Max walk very different paths. One trying to survive the horrors of war on the Russian front; the other in an unrelenting quest for power within the Catholic Church.When they meet again many years later, they must face the memories that have haunted them since that fateful day in the mines. And confront the darkness that divided them.The Betrayed is an epic story of friendship, love, loss and the power of destiny.

An inspiring book of down-to-earth spirituality for anyone searching for a sense of peace in today's world

A warm, illuminating memoir full of wit and wisdom that doubles up as a life guide for millennials - by Irish YouTuber Melanie Murphy

'Harding writes like an angel' Sunday TimesTalking to Strangers, from the No.1 bestselling author of Staring at Lakes, Hanging with the Elephant and On Tuesdays I'm a Buddhist is a book about love, about the stories we share with others, and the stories we leave behind us.Too much wine and a casual browse of an airline website - this is how Michael Harding found himself in a strange flat in Bucharest in early January, which set the tone for the rest of that year.After an intense stint in a high-profile production of The Field, Harding returned to the tranquil hills above Lough Allen and started to plan some dramatic changes to his little cottage. Surely an extension would give him a renewed sense of purpose in life as he approached old age.But as the walls of his home crumbled, so too did his mental health, and he fell, once again, into depression -- that great darkness where life feels like nothing more than a waste of time.And yet, it is in that great darkness that we discover what really makes us human.'Michael Harding is no ordinary man or memoirist ... a book that champions the kindness (or at least company) of strangers as essential for that elusive state known as happiness' RT Guide

Three years ago, when Cavan footballer Alan O'Mara was twenty-two, he spoke out about his battle with depression which led him to contemplate suicide. Only the thought of his parents and the pain that they would experience in his death prevented him from taking his own life. Now, in The Best is Yet to Come, he tells his story.From the role the GAA played in his life, to the decision he made to share his journey, this is an account of an ordinary young man, a GAA star, who found a way to move past the dark thoughts that beset his mind during his worst days, and who discovered that the only way out of the darkness is to ask for help.'In summoning his courage and becoming the first active inter-county player to speak of his experiences with depression, Alan O'Mara gives a much needed voice to an aspect of human experience that has been cloaked in silence and stigma. This book, which is needed now more than ever, gives a rare glimpse into the complex inner world of depression and will give hope to those suffering in silence, guidance to those seeking solutions and inspiration for families and friends supporting loved ones.' Conor Cusack

'I was torn. My best friend needed me. But little did I know then what the consequences of helping her would be...'In 2015, Gail O'Rorke stood trial on three counts of assisting in the suicide of her friend Bernadette Forde, who had taken her life in 2011 in the late stages of Multiple Sclerosis. Facing the possibility of fourteen years in prison for a crime she didn't commit, Gail was also grieving for the friend she'd lost.Here in Crime or Compassion? she takes us on the journey behind the events that led to her arrest: from her remarkable early years - growing up with an abusive father and her escape to a better life - to her enduring friendship with Bernadette and the highs and lows of caring for someone you love, to the moment she was arrested by Garda officers, signalling three of the worst years of her life.This is a story of friendship and selflessness, of the rules of a society sometimes at odds with the nature of personal suffering, and a gripping insight into the inner world of the courtroom: the characters, the colour, and the emotions that accompany standing in the dock, facing a jury of your peers.

'A thoughtful, engrossing read. Warm and insightful. Roisin Meaney is a skillful storyteller' - Sheila O'Flanagan, author of The Missing Wife, on The Reunion.It's their twenty-year school reunion but the Plunkett sisters have their own reasons for not wanting to attend ... Caroline, now a successful knitwear designer, spends her time flying between her business in England and her lover in Italy. As far as she's concerned, her school days, and what happened to her the year she left, should stay in the past.Eleanor, meanwhile, is unrecognisable from the fun-loving girl she was in school. With a son who is barely speaking to her, and a husband keeping a secret from her, revisiting the past is the last thing on her mind.But when an unexpected letter arrives for Caroline in the weeks before the reunion, memories are stirred.Will the sisters find the courage to return to the town where they grew up and face what they've been running from all these years?The Reunion is a moving story about secrets, sisters and finding a way to open your heart.

For Laura, feelings are things you learn. Revenge, though, is pure instinct.

Grace is beginning to wonder if a recent tragedy might be more than what it seems - but will anyone believe her? In her heart, Grace knows the reliable, good-looking Gavin isn't right for her. Then she meets Danny. Unpredictable and spontaneous, he turns her world upside down. All of a sudden, Grace is seeing life differently and doing things she never thought she'd do.But tragedy strikes when Danny dies in a motorbike accident, shattering Grace's world. As she struggles to come to terms with her loss, she becomes more and more convinced that she's being followed - sighting a motorbike exactly like Danny's everywhere she goes. As more and more sinister things begin to happen, Grace voices her suspicions - that his death was not an accident - but no one seems willing to believe her. Was Danny hiding something from her? And what kind of danger is she in now?

The House on Seaview Road is a story about first love, growing up and about the enduring bonds of sisterhood. Perfect reading for fans of Joanna Trollope and Maggie O'Farrell.Marie Stephenson has decided that it's her last summer in Seaview - just a few months left before she can break free of her suburban home, go out into the world and make her mark. If only it weren't for the promise she made to her dying mother. This promise, to look after her younger sister, is one she has always kept, even though Marie sometimes feels that the cosseted Grainne doesn't deserve it.But then the sudden appearance of intense, rebellious Con on Seaview Beach one afternoon changes everything.As her innocence comes to a sudden and shocking end, Marie must make some choices about her future.But will she find the courage to become the woman she was meant to be?

In Rooms, award-winning architect Declan O'Donnell shows us how we can release our inner designer to create a home that works for the way we live.

A feel-good tale of magic, sparkle and new beginnings from Roisin Meaney, author of The People Next Door, The Anniversary and The Birthday Party.It's three days before Christmas ...Tilly boards a plane on the other side of the world. She's determined to reach Roone, a small island off the west coast of Ireland, in time for Christmas Day. Tilly carries a troubling secret and Laura, a woman she's never met, might be the only one who can help her.Except that Laura has no idea that Tilly exists. And with five children, a mother-in-law stranded on the island and a husband with whom she's barely on speaking terms, an unexpected Christmas guest is the last thing she needs . . .A storm is heading for the island, but will peace be restored before the snow melts?

'The day after my 35th birthday, I had a near death experience, caused by a sudden brain haemorrhage. Ironically, this brush with death became the conduit for the most powerful healing in my life. I connected to an eternal light which, I came to realise, is available to us all should we choose it. My wish for you in reading this book is to feel this loving light, peace and joy in your life now. The question is: how brightly do you wish to shine?'Roisin FitzpatrickIn this ground-breaking book, Roisin Fitzpatrick takes the reader on the remarkable journey of her near death experience, and shares how we can all integrate the light and love of the afterlife into our daily existence.In doing so, she lends fresh insight into our ancient Irish myths and stone monuments, connecting our past, present and future to this powerful eternal light.Taking Heaven Lightly is a book to be cherished by all those who wish to embrace and enjoy a meaningful life.'A brilliant book with an unforgettable message' Dr Chrisine Ranck, co-author of the bestselling Ignite the Genius Within

Six million years ago, the evolving human brain existed only to instruct our bodies to move. In Mindful Walking, psychologist Hugh O'Donovan takes us back to this very basic connection between the brain and the body, and looks at how, by focussing on the simple act of moving, we can achieve better emotional and physical health.Uniting this concept of mindfulness in movement along with the three paths of change for a better life - walking, talking and meditation - this book shows us how we can better manage the distractions that clog our path to happiness, while also improving our physical well-being.Including simple exercises on how to incorporate mindful walking into our everyday lives, Mindful Walking is for seasoned walkers, city amblers or people learning how to walk again after illness.Take your first steps on the journey to physical health and mental happiness.

On a January morning, Beth and Steve bring three-day-old Ismae home from the hospital. A little girl to complete their suburban family.Except Beth knows that Ismae is different. And that, as she gets older and stronger, her difference will become more obvious.As the future Beth imagined grows even more out of reach, the walls of their vast house close in on her, isolating her from Steve.Then she makes a terrible discovery ...Will Ismae's difference break her family apart? Or will Beth be able to see that it's the one thing that can save her?'Little Ismae is an unforgettable character ... readers will be glad they've met her'BELINDA McKEON 'A novel about one woman's quest for an authentic life. When extraordinary new baby Ismae turns Beth's world inside out, she begins to understand the fierce power of mother-love and,through her daughter, learns to know and trust herself. A moving, convincing story of courage and burgeoning hope' NUALA O'CONNOR, AUTHOR OF MISS EMILY

Will and Donna are perfect for each other.If only they could meet...Moving and romantic, A Love Like This is the perfect read for anyone who believes in destiny.William and Donna, born on the same day in Dublin, have almost met many times - on their tenth birthday, when Donna spotted Will carrying a colourful bunch of balloons; the day Will, a law student, visited the bakery where Donna worked; and an introduction by mutual friends that never came to pass. Over the years, they have kept just missing each other.Then, on a sunny day at a caf in Auckland, they finally meet. And, in that moment, thousands of miles away from home, they're exactly where they're supposed to be.But a terrible disaster strikes, and they are separated - left with the memory of the brief time they had together, and dreams of what might have been.Perhaps all is not lost however, and fate will bring them together once more ...

Jack Kyle was the rugby giant of his time, but he was also so much more than a sporting legend.Whilst he was winning a Grand Slam and touring with the Lions, Jack Kyle was also studying to be a doctor. When he retired from playing rugby - as the world's most-capped player - his sense of adventure and medical ambition led him to settle in Chingola, Zambia, where he spent the next thirty-four years of his life. For many years, he was the only medically trained surgeon in the town and so faced many challenges, not least the appearance of and devastation caused by AIDS.Written as a series of conversations with his daughter, Justine, Conversations with My Father reveals Jack Kyle as a supremely gifted rugby player, a dedicated surgeon and a gentle family man.

Reading Roisin Meaney's novels is like 'sitting down with a good friend over a cup of tea' (Irish Mail on Sunday)It's Una Darling's seventeenth birthday, but nobody feels much like celebrating. It's been exactly a year since the tragic death of her father Finn, and the people he left behind have been doing their best to get on with things. But it hasn't been easy.Daphne is tired of sadness, of mourning the long life she and her husband were meant to share, but doesn't quite know how to get past it. And she can't seem to get through to her stepdaughter -- they barely speak anymore, so Daphne knows nothing of the unexpected solace Una has found, or of the risk she's about to take.When Una fails to appear for a birthday tea with her family, Daphne suddenly realises how large the distance between them has grown. Will she be given the chance to make things right?Roisin Meaney's new novel The Anniversary is now available for pre-order.

'If you are hungry for truth and beauty, read this book' Roisin Ingle, The Irish Times'A demonstration of a will to live that is breathtaking ... a work of documentary poetry ... an extraordinary read' The Herald'An unforgettable read about what it means to be alive' Woman's Way'The world "e;inspirational"e; is over-used, but if ever a book deserved this epithet, this is it' Sunday Independent'Sparsely and beautifully written .. the human spirit and will to live shines out of these pages' Irish IndependentA No.1 bestseller, It's Not Yet Dark is an unforgettable book about relationships and family, about what connects and separates us as people and, ultimately, about what it means to be alive.In 2008, Simon Fitzmaurice was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (mnd). He was given four years to live. In 2010, in a state of lung-function collapse, Simon knew with crystal clarity that now was not his time to die. Against all prevailing medical opinion, he chose to ventilate in order to stay alive.Here, the young filmmaker, a husband and father of five small children draws us deeply into his inner world. Written using an eye-gaze computer and told in simply expressed and beautifully stark prose, the result is an astonishing journey into a life which, though brutally compromised, is lived more fully and in the moment than most, revealing at its core the power of love its most potent.

'We will never achieve true happiness if we continue to search for it outside the very source of love, which we know is God himself.'In Calm the Soul: A Book of Simple Wisdom and Prayer, The Poor Clares, an enclosed order of nuns based in Nuns' Island, Galway, draw on the fruit of their monastic lives and suggest simple practices to help nourish our souls and find a sense of calm in today's world.With practical advice in preparing for prayer, The Poor Clares look at ways we can slowly build up the amount of time spent in prayer and meditation in our daily lives, to achieve a sense of peace and well-being. They combine reflections on familiar prayers, such as the Our Father and Hail Mary, with meditations on Scripture, and prayers for specific needs such as depression, self-esteem and sickness.An inspiring book of simple spirituality which offers faith and hope to anyone seeking solace in today's world.

Karen Riney is a young woman desperate to put bad memories behind her and get back on her feet when she hits upon an idea to make fast money. In the depths of a recession, there's no business like the grow house business. But getting her venture off the ground requires some assistance.Enter Paschal Nix, a Dublin crime lord with a fearsome reputation. Nix provides more than money for the deal by throwing in the services of out-of-work builder Kevin Wyman, who is up to his ears in hoc to Nix and grappling with serious personal problems. He also dispatches hitman-for-hire Dara Burns to keep an eye on the investment, a man who's fiercely guarding his back in a world where life is cheap.All have their eyes on one prize: a quick killing. But as Karen Riney soon learns, when you're in over your head, there's no such thing as easy money. The Deal is a gripping, blind-siding tale of greed, revenge and the price of survival.