mns  2004-12-18 16:51  books   

"The drone of engines kept him rooted to the spot as the German plane headed straight for the Irish mountains. They were lost there, my father, one of my sisters and the pilot, when the plane plunged directly into the hillside..."

The children who survive that terrible night try to leave the past behind, but it will not let them go. As Amelia and Mattie search for a place to call home, they accidentally uncover the cruellest secret of all...

The story moves from 1940s Ireland through post-war England to golden Malta on a seemingly endless search for peace and happiness.

Released in hardback on 7th March 2005, and three months later on 6th June, in paperback. Edited by Flora Rees and published by Review.

Full details are available from my agent Caroline Montgomery. You can also check out Amazon.co.uk's page for Searching for Home.

Oakhill bought the audio rights and Searching for Home was released in April 2007 on CD and audio tape (read by me!) and can be borrowed from libraries. Ask in your library for it and hopefully you will get it.

They said:

This book is beautifully written, achingly poignant, dark-edged but tempered with humour. Irish Independent.

Stanley lures you in with a big event, then drags you through the dark recesses of memory, usually through a child’s eyes, until you emerge blinking and perhaps laughing at the other end. Daily Ireland.

Stanley effectively develops the theme of displacement in a well-written novel that will grip the reader to the very last page. Ireland on Sunday.

This novel by Mary Stanley is one of the best books I had read this year. Stanley explores the sense of isolation and loneliness in a subtle, yet effective way. A fantastic book by a fantastic author. The Irish World, London.

Once you start reading this, you won’t want to stop. Belfast News.

A poignant and perceptive novel. Eastbourne & District Advertiser.

Mary Stanley’s new novel is a beautifully observant tale about survival, self-discovery and falling in love. Ireland Book Review.

The Radio Advertisement for Searching for Home is available for download from this link.