The hoarder - Jess Kidd

Maud Drennan - underpaid carer and unintentional psychic - is the latest in a long line of dogsbodies for the ancient, belligerent Cathal Flood. Yet despite her best efforts, Maud is drawn into the mysteries concealed in his filthy, once-grand home. She realises that something is changing: Cathal, and the junk-filled rooms, are opening up to her.

With only her agoraphobic landlady and a troop of sarcastic ghostly saints to help, Maud must uncover what lies beneath Cathal's decades-old hostility, and the strange activities of the house itself. And if someone has hidden a secret there, how far will they go to ensure it remains buried?

Note to readers: In the US, this book is published under the title Mr Flood's Last Resort

Jess Kidd was brought up in London as part of a large family from County Mayo and has been praised for her original fictional voice. Her first novel, Himself, was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards in 2016 and she was winner of the Costa Short Story Award in the same year. In 2017, Himself was shortlisted for the Authors' Club Best First Novel Award and longlisted for the CWA John Creasey (New Blood) Dagger. Her second novel, The Hoarder, a tale of a lonely care worker and her cranky client set in West London, was described as 'a lyrical gothic detective saga' (Guardian) and 'a brilliantly imaginative tale of secrets and lies, grief and guilt' (Daily Express). Both books were BBC Radio 2 Book Club picks.

Jess returns to London for her third novel - her first novel-length foray into Victorian times. A magic realist detective story prompted by the grave-defying romance that haunted her until she wrote it down.

@JessKiddHerself | jesskidd.com

This dark but comical tale of haunting and hoarding ensnares . . . [Kidd's] imagination is vivid . . . Brilliant
The Times

A lyrical gothic detective saga . . . Wonderfully enigmatic and complex . . . [Kidd] is a writer with a poet's skill of balancing clarity and inventive flair
Guardian - ANDREW MICHAEL HURLEY

A brilliantly imaginative tale of secrets and lies, grief and guilt . . . Kidd's writing is gorgeous, the story is enthralling and emotions are sorrowfully raw and vivid in this funny, dark and original literary mystery
Sunday Express, S Magazine

Excellent . . . The observations are sharp and humorous . . . with pages of inventive and colourful description . . . The Hoarder is a strong follow-up from a very talented writer who seems to be honing her skills
Sunday Times

An arresting talent . . . Executed with irresistible panache, Kidd's novel is as full to the brim with the fantastic as Cathal's Gothic lair is with junk . . . A galloping yarn that entertains even as it disturbs
Daily Mail

Superb . . . Kidd writes brilliantly . . . A rather impressive second novel, whose imaginative prowess marks its author as one to watch
Irish Times - JOHN BOYNE

Eerie, engrossing . . . The strong story and compelling characters shine through . . . utterly grips
Observer - Anita Sethi

Engaging and beautifully judged . . . delivered with a lightness of touch and a sensibility that brings all the characters to life fully and believably . . . Excellent
The Big Issue - Doug Johnstone

Riveting . . .
Kidd's intelligent plotting and structure caper to a satisfying resolution: this is a twisting, fully original slice of literary horror, and one not to be missed
Financial Times

Funny and profoundly moving, The Hoarder is a magically entertaining read . . . Jess Kidd has a gift for creating characters you'll love with a few cleverly chosen words
Good Housekeeping