Why She Left

‘OMG!!! JUST WOW!!! AN ABSOLUTE PAGE TURNER!!… Absolutely addictive, I just could not put it down… everything you could want in psychological domestic fiction. I thought I knew what was going on until BOOM!!! I was completely thrown sideways.’ Bookworm86, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fifteen years ago, her daughter vanished. Now, she’s back.

Ruth has spent every day of the last fifteen years grieving for her daughter Isobel who left the family home as a teenager and completely disappeared. Walking around the school to which she has given her life, every child she sees reminds her of her daughter’s bright future and of a happy family destroyed in an instant.

So when Ruth opens the door to find Isobel and a grandson she never knew existed, she feels a rush of joy. Isobel tells her that they need a safe place to stay whilst she gets back on her feet. Having lost her daughter once, Ruth is determined to keep her family together and enrols her grandson at the school, in the hope that they stay for good.

But as mother and daughter begin to heal the wounds of the past, a violent attack brings old secrets to the surface once more. It is clear that someone is prepared to destroy everything Ruth holds dear. Can Isobel confront her darkest secret before it is too late?

An absolutely unputdownable and emotional page-turner about devastating family secrets and the ties that bind. Perfect for fans of Liane Moriarty, Jodi Picoult and Imogen Clark.

Readers love Why She Left:

‘I’m famished and sleepless from staying awake through the night to read it! Leah Mercer is a fantastic storyteller… There are several layers to this story and I completely enjoyed the alternative chapters of the mother and daughter… Very addictive and compelling, I swallowed the book whole over a night.’ @swatz2809

‘This story had me glued to my chair! You will not believe the twists and turns as you devour the pages! It has secrets, fear, strength, mystery and suspense!… Do yourself a favor and put aside a day to read this novel. It is so good!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A stunning read–heartbreaking and gripping in equal measure, this family drama had everything I needed… I was hooked from the very first page… I love it when a book evokes such strong emotions…Highly recommended by me!’ Mychestnutreadingtree, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I was immediately sucked into the story… The secrets just keep spilling out and will shock and startle you. Very well written and it kept me hooked the entire time! Highly recommend!’ @lindzanne1_bookworm, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book kept me on my toes the entire read… Just when you start “getting” one subplot the author says WHAM look over here! I couldn’t put it down because I had to find out what happened.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Sucks you in so well you think you are in the story… I adored this story, I adored the characters… The ended was unpredictable and pulled on my heart strings. This is a suspenseful, gripping novel that still invokes emotions from the reader. So well done!’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A fabulous triumph… one of those books that kept me guessing and waiting with bated breath till the very end!… This book will keep you up all night and stay with you long after.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Threw me off balance and kept me feverishly turning the pages… An engaging, compelling, suspenseful book with the right mix of mystery and pace to hold my attention right through to the end. Would I recommend this book? In a heartbeat!’ John’s Bookshelf, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐