The Book Game: A gripping debut novel about ambition, competition, regret and desire

'Glitters with secret agendas, hidden lies and sun-soaked desires' Emma Stonex 'Whip-smart and made me laugh out loud. Magnificent' Joanna Cannon 'Thorny and sexy' Beth Morrey 'Pulsing with heat and intrigue' Marianne Levy What if your perfect life was a charade? It is August, and eight old friends have gathered at a country house for a writers' retreat. By day, there is reading beside the pool or writing in the shady corners of the estate. In the evenings – drinks, dinner outdoors, games, midnight swimming. But as temperatures rise in the stifling last days of summer, tensions do too. Old jealousies, new temptations and bitter rivalries bubble to the surface. By the end of the week, friendships – and lives – will have changed forever. Astute, witty and page-turning, The Book Game is a novel about ambition, competition, regret and desire; about paths not taken and last chances suddenly seized; about the games people play. It asks what it means, in all senses, to be in the middle of life. Frances Wise's The Book Game is a top-tier psychological fiction that delves into the complexities of marriage, divorce, and the stories we tell ourselves. Set in a rural town, this latest literary work is a testament to Wise's storytelling prowess. For fans of Anna Hope (Expectation), and Megan Hunter (The End We Start From). HarperCollins 2025