In My House’ by Alex Hourston

Published by Faber & Faber,
21 May 2015.
ISBN: 978-0-571-31666-3

In My House is Alex's first novel, and was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize 2013. It’s full of fantastic observations, and a brilliant debut.

Maggie lives a life of careful and safe routines. But all that changes when, waiting in line at Gatwick airport toilets, a woman mouths ‘help’ to her via their mirrored reflection. Maggie becomes an unexpected heroin, saving Anja from human traffickers.

They become unlikely friends and the story introduces you into Maggie’s deep thoughts and social relationships. As their lives unfold, a shocking secret slowly surfaces from Maggie’s past. You will be drawn into Maggie’s world as it takes shape, guessing what really happened until the very end.

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Reviewer: Nicky Cooper Brown

Alex Houston.

After fifteen years writing strategy for advertising agencies, Alex took a break to go back to university and her first love, books. She completed a Masters in English and started a PhD, but put it aside when the idea for this novel surfaced.
Alex lives outside Brighton with her family.

Nicky Cooper Brown came late to this game we call writing. Growing up, up North, she was always praised for her talents with her hands, rather than her mind, she harboured an artistic flair often drawing and painting into the night. It wasn't until she moved south to the Beautiful picturesque New Forest that she took pen to paper so to speak. Now Nicky enjoys writing short stories and articles and has a funny and light hearted style, but when it comes to her novels she displays a darker side and a taste for psychological thrillers.