Here’s what they had to say . . .

The uncommon but convincing narrative technique, adroit twists, and memorable characters combine to provide a wise and poignant portrait of a family confronted with malice and heart-breaking decisions.

We couldn’t be more thrilled – congratulations Rosamund!

Sister 

The Awards were announced at an invitation-only cocktail party, hosted by The Strand on July 11 2012, in New York City.

Rosamund said: “Strand Magazine has such an impressive history and I am honoured that Sister was chosen for this award. It means a great deal to be selected by judges who understand and love books and from such an impressive list of fellow novelists.”

The Strand Critics Award for Best Novel was awarded jointly to Joseph Finder and George Pelecanos, and Joseph Wambaugh and John Sandford were presented Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Later, as a struggling writer, borrowing books was the only way to feed a voracious reading habit. So it’s wonderful now – and a little unreal – when my books are borrowed from libraries. Many libraries have chosen ‘Sister’ or ‘Afterwards’ as their book club choice which has made me tremendously proud. I’d like to particularly thank the following libraries and librarians for their support both in the UK and in the USA, either by their staff picking and reviewing the books, or for making Sister or Afterwards a book club choice.

Thank you.

Special thanks to…

On stage with . . .

In conjunction with Grazia Magazine, Rosamund was in conversation with Orange Prize co-founder & novelist Kate Mosse. As one of the judges of the Grazia/Orange First Chapter Competition she discussed her creative inspiration and her experiences as the bestselling author of Sister & Afterwards.

With Felicity Blunt, Rosamund's agent at Curtis Brown

They were then joined by agent Felicity Blunt of Curtis Brown & Candida Lacey, MD of independent publisher Myriad Editions, for an interactive 'Writer's Clinic' in a session on how to get your first novel published.

Talking to novelist Kate Mosse, co-founder of the Orange Prize

The event was recorded for the Orange Prize for Fiction website. To find out more visit www.orangeprize.co.uk or follow
@grazia_live on Twitter.

Rosamund will be appearing on the judging panel to help select the winning first chapter, along with Lauren Laverne, Kate Mosse, Hattie Brett, Scarlett Russell and Victoria Harper.

Rosamund will also be taking part in an exclusive event, 'How to get your first novel published' on 28 May at London’s Southbank Centre (www.southbankcentre.co.uk) where she will be joined by fellow best-selling author Kate Mosse, Lauren Laverne and leading literary agents and editors.

For more information and to read the opening chapter, please visit the Grazia website.

• ‘Superb’

  – Publishers Weekly

• 'Stellar'

  – Booklist

• 'Riveting'

  – Library Journal,

• ‘Wickedly Good’

  – The Seattle Times

An Amazon editor's choice for April

"A bold, impossible-to-categorize, and riveting blend of psychological suspense, literary thriller and the paranormal…How Lupton pulls this off, making it believable even to this skeptical reviewer, is a wonder.Like the author's remarkable debut, "Sister," a major subtext here is the all-powerful tug of family bonds. "Afterwards" proves that Lupton isn't just good — she's wickedly good." The Seattle  Times

“Superb… The uncommon but convincing narrative technique, adroit twists, and memorable characters combine to provide a wise and poignant portrait of a family confronted with malice and heartbreaking decisions’ Publishers Weekly, USA, starred and boxed review

"…a taut and sinewy narrative…masterful pacing and a highly charged atmosphere…a stellar sophomore effort.' Booklist starred review

'A wonderful mix of smart thriller with tear-provoking literature.. Lupton has written a riveting story that will resonate with readers long after they have turned the last page' Library Journal USA, starred review"An intricately plotted combination of thriller, speculative fiction and mother-daughter celebration..the rich emotional topography is the most spell-binding feature in 'Afterwards' –  Shelf Awareness

"Afterwards"  by Briton Rosamund Lupton, is a bold, impossible-to-categorize, and riveting blend of psychological suspense, literary thriller and the paranormal.

Grace and her daughter Jenny have been caught in an arson fire at Jenny's school. They're both in hospital, unconscious and gravely injured, but their spirits are somehow able to move, trailing family members and physicians around the hospital's halls.

(How Lupton pulls this off, making it believable even to this skeptical reviewer, is a wonder.)

Like the author's remarkable debut, "Sister," a major subtext here is the all-powerful tug of family bonds….

"Afterwards" proves that Lupton isn't just good — she's wickedly good.