CUCKOO IN THE NEST
by Fran Hill
It’s the heatwave summer of 1976 and 14-year-old would be poet Jackie Chadwick is newly fostered by the Walls. She desperately needs stability, but their insecure, jealous teenage daughter isn't happy about the cuckoo in the nest and sets about ousting her.
When her attempts to do so lead to near-tragedy – and the Walls’ veneer of middle-class respectability begins to crumble – everyone in the household is forced to reassess what really matters.
Funny and poignant, Cuckoo in the Nest is inspired by Fran Hill’s own experience of being fostered. A glorious coming of age story set in the summer of 1976.
'A warm and wonderful story' Adele Parks
'Fresh, authentic and darkly funny. I absolutely loved it' Ruth Hogan, bestselling author of The Keeper of Lost Things
'Vivid, funny, nostalgic and utterly charming – I loved every word of this moving story. An absolute joy and and an original new voice in fiction. I can't wait to read more from Fran Hill' Veronica Henry
'Laugh out loud funny, yet heartbreakingly sad - I loved it.' Frances Quinn
'Cuckoo in the Nest totally evokes a seventies childhood.' Joanna Nadin
'This made my soul sing! Witty, poignant and full of heart. I adored Jackie Chadwick & although my heart broke several times, her sharp mind and insightful humour had me in stitches.' Jessica Ryn, author of The Extraordinary Hope of Dawn Brightside and The Imperfect Art of Caring
'Poignant and uplifting' Jane Bettany
'An original voice, and a wonderful book for readers to discover.’ Gaby Koppel
‘It’s so difficult to do funny and moving but Fran Hill nails it… I enjoyed every word of it.’ Trevor Wood
'A heartbreaking and yet funny novel written with honesty and yet real empathy.’ Anna Domingo
ISBN (Paperback): 9781915643919
ISBN (Ebook): 9781915643926
Published: 26th April 2023
Price: £8.99 (Paperback) £4.99 (Ebook) Extent: 288 pages
Format: 198x129mm
Markets: World
Translation: Yes
Fran Hill is a 60-year-old self- employed English teacher and writer with two previous books, a memoir and a self-published novella. This is her first full- length work of fiction. She has written extensively for the Times Educational Supplement and lives in Warwickshire. Cuckoo in the Nest is based on Fran’s own experience of being fostered.
Twitter: @franhill123