This week’s Friday Read is the riveting psychological thriller, The Girl In the Photo by Sam Carrington. Let’s take a look at the cover and find out a bit more about the book first then we’ll get chatting to Sam.
Blurb:
Her child is missing. And she’d do anything to find her…
Every Friday Mercy Hamilton goes to the same supermarket. She doesn’t go to buy groceries, instead, she shows a fading photo of a little girl to anyone who’ll look – begging for help to find her daughter.
One Friday, Erica Fielding comes across Mercy, and touched by her story, Erica agrees to help.
As Erica is drawn deeper and deeper into Mercy’s life, she discovers there is no record of Mercy’s daughter. In fact, there’s no record of a child at all.
But who is the girl in the photo if not Mercy’s missing daughter? And what danger will Erica find herself in by pursuing the truth?
The pulse pounding psychological thriller that will leave you totally breathless. Perfect for fans of Gone Girl, Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena.
Buying links:
Amazon:
Ebook: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Photo-utterly-gripping-thriller-ebook/dp/B09VRYM1L5
Paperback: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Girl-Photo-utterly-gripping-thriller/dp/000843641X
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-girl-in-the-photo/sam-carrington/9780008436414
Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-girl-in-the-photo-sam-carrington/6711246?ean=9780008436414
Welcome to my blog, Sam. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I’ve always enjoyed making up stories but didn’t ever consider that I could be a writer. I loved reading books, but it never crossed my mind that a girl from a council house could aspire to be an author. When I was at school I was encouraged to go into nursing as a career and that’s what I did. Forward-wind a number of years and when I was on maternity leave with my second child I saw an advert for a writing course and started it. I didn’t finish it, though! Then life continued and it wasn’t until I was in my late thirties that I wrote a short story and sent it to a magazine. I was utterly thrilled when they published it. Then I started a new job working in a prison and didn’t write anything further. When I was forty, my dad died and I hit a low point, leaving my full-time employment with a view to begin writing seriously. I finished my first novel in 2014, started another which was longlisted for the CWA Debut Dagger in 2015, gained agent representation that year and my debut novel was published by Avon, HarperCollins in 2016. It was a real whirlwind!
Wow, that’s brilliant! What are you writing at the moment?
My latest Sam Carrington novel, THE GIRL IN THE PHOTO is about to be published (20th July) and now I will be concentrating on my next Alice Hunter book. I can’t share much yet, but I’ve started writing it and I can tell you it’s going to be dark, packed with deception, lies, and a woman battling to bring her police officer ex-husband to justice.
Finally, what advice would you give to other writers?
BELIEVE. In yourself, your writing, and your dream of becoming published. Read a lot, learn from the authors you most admire, get involved with book chat on social media and attend writing festivals and book events – network! The most popular piece of advice though, and it’s true, is to just sit down and write. Keep writing, keep learning. Join writing groups and find like-minded people who you can trust to read your work and give honest feedback. Don’t submit to agents or publishers too early. If you can, have your book professionally edited. Make sure your submission package is as polished as is possible to give yourself the best chance at success, because it is a tough industry! And, enjoy every moment and celebrate every success, however small.
Thanks so much for dropping by and talking to us, Sam. I hope your book flies!
Meet Sam
Sam Carrington lives in Devon with her husband, two border terriers and a cat. She has three adult children and two grandchildren. She worked for the NHS for fifteen years, during which time she qualified as a nurse. Following the completion of a psychology degree she went to work for the prison service as an Offending Behaviour Programme Facilitator. Her experiences within this field inspired her writing. She left the service to spend time with her family and to follow her dream of being a novelist.
Author Contact Links
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samcarringtonauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sam_carrington1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samcarringtonauthor/
Website: www.samcarringtonauthor.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-King/e/B0034P6W7I
Website: https://karenkingauthor.com/