About the Author

Paul Torday burst on to the literary scene in 2007 with his first novel, SALMON FISHING IN THE YEMEN, an immediate international bestseller which has been translated into 28 languages and has been made into a film starring Ewan McGregor, Kristin Scott Thomas and Emily Blunt. His subsequent novels, THE IRRESISTIBLE INHERITANCE OF WILBERFORCE, THE GIRL ON THE LANDING, THE HOPELESS LIFE OF CHARLIE SUMMERS, MORE THAN YOU CAN SAY, THE LEGACY OF HARTLEPOOL HALL and LIGHT SHINING IN THE FOREST, were all published to great critical acclaim. He was married with two sons by a previous marriage, had two stepsons, and lived close to the River North Tyne. He died at home in December 2013.Piers Torday was born in Northumberland and is the eldest son of Paul Torday. He has worked in live theatre, comedy and TV and is the bestselling author of three children's books, The Last Wild, which was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Award and nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal, The Dark Wild, which won the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2014, and The Wild Beyond. He lives in London.

Reviews

A delightful Gothic fantasy... Witty and well-crafted - completed with panache - THE GUARDIANCompelling blend of morality and satire - SUNDAY MIRRORTHE DEATH OF AN OWL makes the journey from well-crafted and urbane political novel to spooky melodrama with elegance. A pleasure to read - DAILY EXPRESSPiers has taken up the story so perfectly that you can't see the join. - THE TIMES