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Ali lives in Oxfordshire with her husband and their two children. She decided she wanted to be a writer pretty much as soon as she learned the word, and attempted her first novel when she was at primary school. Ali studied English at University College, Oxford in the early 90s, then worked in educational publishing before doing a diploma in journalism at Cardiff University. She moved to London to work as a journalist and landed a job as a reporter at The Stage.
Ali began writing fiction in earnest after starting a family and moving to Abingdon. She also work part-time in publishing locally. Her son is autistic, and was diagnosed in 2011. The following year her novel Stop the Clock was published by Transworld, followed by After I Left You in 2014.

A portrait of the author Ali Mercer

A photograph of three young sisters. A forgotten pearl necklace that sends her tumbling through time…

Present day: single mother Elsa Dean is shocked when she inherits a sprawling three-storey house from her estranged uncle. Elsa hasn’t seen the golden stone façade in over a decade. Then an antique pearl necklace and a black and white photograph hidden behind a secret door in the attic sweeps her back into the past. Elsa sees her aunts, the three Merriwell sisters, each make their own terrible choice that will change their family forever…

1959: When sixteen-year-old Edie Merriwell finds herself pregnant just as her beloved mother dies suddenly, she has no-one to turn to. All she has left is her mother’s last gift: a tiny seed pearl on a delicate silver chain. She never takes it off. Her sisters could never understand. And her father is courting a new wife suspiciously quickly. Within a year, gossip about the Merriwell family will reach fever pitch, and none of the sisters will ever live in the beautiful house again.

History repeats itself at this house of pearls and lies. What really happened to Edie and her baby? Elsa has been keeping her own secrets too. Will she be brave enough to confront her tangled history and lay the ghosts of the house to rest for good?

An utterly gripping and heartbreaking tale of betrayal and a family secret that echoes down the generations. Perfect for fans of Louise Douglas, Eve Chase and Rachel Burton.

What readers are saying about The House of Pearls:

‘An absolute pleasure, from beginning to end!… kept me guessing, I was hooked and had to keep reading (just one more chapter!)sofantastic… you’re missing out if you don’t pick this one up!’ eBook Nerd Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Completelycaptivating and I did not want it to end.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Beautiful… emotional and compelling… kept me turning the pageswonderfulheartbreaking and captivating.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Wraps you in its atmosphere from the very first page… wonderfully compelling… heartbreaking and filled with tension… powerful… lingers long after the final page.’ Goodreads reviewer

‘A moving, heartfelt, and utterly absorbing masterpiece… completelyswept me awaygorgeoussounforgettablewonderfuldeeply moving… packed with secrets… compelling.’ Iamaishafaisalkhan, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What readers are saying about Ali Mercer:

‘Powerful, heartbreakingTotally captivating… Kept me hooked until the end. I was not prepared for such an emotional rollercoaster… I just wanted to jump into the bookBroke my heart in a million placesBeautiful, have tissues on hand… Gut-wrenching.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Absolutely gripping and emotionalHad more family drama than a prime-time soap opera!!I was yelling at my e-reader… Ali Mercer is an incredible storyteller!… This instantly hooks you.’ Heidi Lynn’s Book Reviews, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘An absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking book. I was gripped from the start.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh my goodness… A brilliant read and brilliant, brilliant storytelling, I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t stop reading… Excellent.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WonderfulI stayed up till 3 a.m. to finish it!… Twists you don’t expect.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heartbreaking and heart-warming… filled with emotion and secrets… A captivating story that kept me hooked until the end.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Gosh, this one pulls at the heartstrings! There were so many things that touched me in this book… My heart broke… had me tearing up at the end… I loved it.’ Suze Reviews

Absolutely fantastic… Will make you smile, yell out in frustration and gasp in disbelief… SpectacularA must-read.’ Goodreads reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Just beautiful. A stunning, astounding story that will stay with me. Written with heart. Wow. A book to savour. Just wonderful.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Heart-warming and heartbreaking all in one swoopMade me cry and made my heart pause in places.’ The Fiction Cafe Book Club