Mike and Verity play a game they call The Crave. Verity stands alone in a nightclub until a man makes a move on her. She plays along until she gives Mike their signal, a tug on the necklace she always wears of an eagle. He charges over and ‘rescues’ her.
Except now they’re playing their ultimate crave. Mike went to work in America for two years, accumulating money for the lavish future they both want. While he was there he had a drunken one-night stand which he admitted to Verity, who ended their relationship. He understands that she had to do this, but he’s back in London now, designing the house she’s always dreamed of. His first piece of post is an invitation to Verity’s wedding. It’s fine though, he knows the rules of the game, he knows what’s expected of him. He’ll rescue Verity at any cost.
Told only through Mike’s voice, this novel is concerned with how we like to talk about women, but so rarely listen to what they say. We only hear Verity’s words in the trial at the end of the book. And only then do we realise that not everything Mike has been telling us is the truth. But also Verity is far from a perfect victim and we like our female victims to be perfect.
What’s your verdict?
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Optioned by Fifth Season and in the late stages of planning.