The Richard and Judy Bestseller. ‘Outstandingly good. Part-thriller, part-love story, I guarantee you will not be able to put it down’ SunThey were identical in every wayUntil the unthinkable tore them apartIsolte and Viola are twins. Inseparable as children, they’ve grown into very different adults: Isolte, a successful features writer for a fashion magazine with a photographer boyfriend and a flat in London, and Viola, desperately unhappy and struggling with a lifelong eating disorder.What happened all those years ago to set the twins on such different paths to adulthood? As both women start to unravel the escalating tragedies of a half-remembered summer, terrifying secrets from the past come rushing back – and threaten to overwhelm their adult lives…***Pre-order Saskia Sarginson’s heart-rending new novel, The Bench, now – a tragic love story spanning three decades***‘Convincing and compelling . . . building tension that resonates even after the novel ends’ Stylist‘This book got its hooks into us and wouldn’t let go. Hypnotic, with real emotional punch’ Star ‘Gripping’ Marie Claire‘Stunning in its insight and beautifully written’ Judy Finnigan‘Touching and extremely readable’ Sunday Mirror

Piatkus’ super lead debut for 2013. Huge run of deluxe bound proofs for trade and publicity. Early reader reviews and word of mouth buzz building. Major online social media and nationwide publicity campaign. Dedicated author website and Facebook to come.About the Author

Saskia Sarginson was awarded a distinction in her MA in Creative Writing at Royal Holloway after a BA in English Literature from Cambridge University and a BA in Fashion Design & Communications. Before becoming a full-time author, Saskia’s writing experience included being a health and beauty editor on women’s magazines, a ghost writer for the BBC and Harper Collins and copy-writing and script editing.Saskia lives in south London with her partner and four children.

ReviewsSarginson’s debut is a timeless and riveting piece that echoes the mystique and beauty of the lush, English countryside . . . bewitching * RT Book Reviews *The haunting tale is skilfully infused with trauma and tragedy – and sinister suspense. [A] stirring debut * Independant.ie *This debut novel by Saskia Sarginson reveals a stunning writer with deep insight into people, their thoughts and behaviour. It is a beautifully crafted and compelling story that won’t disappoint * NZ Women’s Weekly *Intense… dark * Daily Mail *An excellent debut and you are sure to have a hard time putting it down * Candis *Timeless and riveting * RT Book Reviews *Thumpingly good * Good Housekeeping *A Perfect R & J read. Highly compulsive * Bookseller *Clever, and full of suspense — Richard MadeleyEverybody has an opinion about twins and the bond between them. Well, this novel has two sets of twins and will make you curious to know more. The competition, the struggle for power but also the loyalty between them are extraordinary . . . This novel reads like a modern fairy tale, I loved it * Pages & Pages, Sydney *An absorbing account of unbreakable and uncanny bonds * Heat *Beautifully written with characters you’ll learn to love * Dymocks Rouse Hill, Sydney *Book InformationISBN 9780749958695Author Saskia SarginsonFormat PaperbackPage Count 368Imprint Piatkus BooksPublisher Little, Brown Book GroupWeight(grams) 250gDimensions(mm) 197mm * 130mm * 23mm