Ever Rest

'I almost regret this is not a true story, because I believed every word.' Amazon reviewer

'Highly captivating, highly unusual... one of the best novels to come out of Britain this year.' Garry Craig Powell, author, Stoning The Devil

'An excellent novel... memorable, sad, joyful' - Foreword Reviews

Twenty years ago, Hugo and Ash were on top of the world. As the acclaimed rock band Ashbirds they were poised for superstardom. Then Ash went missing, lost in a mountaineering accident, and the lives of Hugo and everyone around him were changed forever. Irrepressible, infuriating, mesmerizing Ash left a hole they could never hope to fill.

Two decades on, Ash’s fiancée Elza is still struggling to move on when her private grief has been outshone by the glare of publicity. The loss of such a rock icon is a worldwide tragedy. Hugo is now a recluse in Nepal, shunning his old life. Robert, an ambitious session player, feels himself both blessed and cursed by his brief time with Ashbirds, unable to achieve recognition in his own right.

While the Ashbirds legend burns brighter than ever, Elza, Hugo and Robert are as stranded as if they were the ones lost in the ice. How far must they go to come back to life?

A lyrical, page-turning novel in the tradition of Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano, Ever Rest asks how we carry on after catastrophic loss. It will also strike a chord with fans of Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones for its people bonded by an unforgettable time; fans of Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto, for music as a primal and romantic force; and Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air for the deadly and irresistible wildernesses that surround our comfortable world.

‘Beautifully written story of loss, grief, fame and acceptance in a unique setting.’ Charlotte Walker, LoveReadingUK ambassador

‘So real and heart-wrenching, I expected to see stories on the news about the characters.’ Amie McCracken, author, Leaning Into The Abyss

‘A critique of press intrusion, tinsel gods and exploitation… wonderfully emotive, with style and substance.’ Andy Fletcher

‘I was blown away… and transfixed.’ David Bodanis, NYT bestselling author, The Secret House

‘A wonderful tension akin to Daphne du Maurier. You sink in and emerge in a state of wonder.’ Martha Engber, author, Winter Light

‘Human, fascinating, raw, real… 5 stars from start to finish.’ Brigita Orel, award winning author, The Pirate Tree

‘The chill of the mountain, the throb of rock music… totally engrossing. Masterful.’ Steve Zettler, author, Careless Love

‘A perfectly crafted novel of music, mountaineering and mourning – gripping, authentic, recommended.’ Squeak2017