‘A brave and unflinching novel… It ultimately speaks to the power and triumph of the human spirit’ Bernardine Evaristo, winner of The Booker Prize

‘Defiant… direct… conveyed with skill and emotional force’ The Guardian

‘Brave, raw and strikingly original’ Daily Mail

An astonishing and unique novel inspired by the author’s own story.

Vivian is a cosmopolitan Taiwanese-American tourist who often escapes her busy life in London through adventure and travel. Johnny is a 15-year-old Irish teenager, living a neglected life on the margins of society.

On a bright spring afternoon in West Belfast, their paths collide during a horrifying act of violence.

In the aftermath, each is forced to confront the chain of events that led to the attack.

Inspired by true events, this is a story of the dark chapters and chance encounters that can irrevocably determine the shape of our lives.

STYLIST Top 10 debut of 2017

Winner of the The Guardian’s Not The Booker Prize 2017

Nominated for The Edgar Award — Best First Novel 2018

Shortlisted for The Author’s Club Best First Novel Award 2018

‘I highly recommend Dark Chapter’ Joyce Carol Oates

‘Complex and rewarding… an important book’ Stylist

‘An important and moving book about rape and the long process of recovery’ Cathy Rentzenbrink

‘Takes an unflinching look at the reality of sexual violence’ Kate Rhodes

‘An explosive and timely story’ Marti Leimbach

‘Stunning’ Erin Kelly