The Drowning of Arthur Braxton

The bestselling modern fairytale, with a new introduction from Luke Cutforth

‘I loved it … so good!’ CARRIE HOPE FLETCHER

Arthur Braxton has had enough. His mum has left, his dad is broken and he’s the laughing stock of his high school.

But things are about to change. When Arthur runs away and shelters in an old abandoned bathhouse, he sees a naked woman swimming in the pool. From this point on, his sad little life will never be the same.

Reviews

‘Magical, weird, wonderful, dark unique Northern brilliance’ MATT HAIG

'…there was so much about this book to love; the decrepit seaside setting, the terrible weather, the gritty realism, the magic, the freshness, the strangeness, and the way the story and the characters haunted me afterwards. I felt safe throughout this novel – I knew I was in good hands; with each change of voice and structure I remained confident in Smailes’ ability to lead things to a satisfying conclusion. And that's exactly what she did’ CARYS BRAY

‘This thoroughly modern retelling is everything a fairy tale should be: strange, beautiful and wholly unexpected’ TANYA BYRNE

‘This beautifully told and sometimes disturbing tale will intrigue as it reaches its dramatic conclusion’ Bella

‘I cannot compare this to anything I’ve ever read. You will fall in love with this book’ EMMA BLACKERY

‘Someone should make this into a film’ LUKEISNOTSEXY

About the author

CAROLINE SMAILES worked as a lecturer for several years before turning her hand to fiction. She lives in Liverpool with her husband and their children. She can be found at www.carolinesmailes.co.uk and twitter.com/Caroline_S