Words Fail Me

A must-read for anyone who was moved by Adolescence-enthralling, intense, and unforgettable.

'A dark and startling tale of righteous vengeance' ValMcDermid

'Fascinating, complex, timely and filled with compassion' Ian Rankin

When Jane - smart, funny, fortyish - says she's a schoolcounsellor, people assume it's all about exam stress. If only.

Her teenage clients include Vaishali, who hates the perfectcurves that draw the attention of adult men; Fraser, who cares devotedly forhis mother but hurts his girlfriend by confusing real life with porn; andGeorge, a trans boy who suffers from acute anxiety.

Harbouring terrible secrets from her own youth, Janestruggles to contain the anger these stories arouse in her. It's only when shestarts counselling her colleague Kass, a survivor of childhood sexual abusewhose trauma is resurfacing, that her thoughts turn to revenge...

Moving, entertaining and revelatory, Words Fail Me not onlyshines a light on adolescent agonies, it's also a gripping page-turner with acompelling mystery at its core - and a hair-raising climax