Based on a True Story cover art

Based on a True Story

The gripping new suspense novel from the bestselling author of 'Anatomy of a Scandal', guaranteed to keep you up all night...

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About this listen

 ALL FAMILIES HAVE SECRETS. BUT IT'S THE LIES THAT CAN KILL.

The compelling new novel about power, money and lies from the author of Anatomy of a Scandal.

‘A timely and compelling study of family guilt. Sarah Vaughan's finest novel yet' MICK HERRON

‘Vaughan’s novels are not just screenplay drafts: her cool, careful prose is a pleasure to read' TELEGRAPH

‘Expertly plotted and crackling with tension, this is dysfunctional family psychodrama at its unputdownable best’ GUARDIAN

‘This is talented Vaughan's sixth novel and cements her place as one of our finest thriller writers' DAILY MAIL

‘The gap between public image and private life is the theme of this clever novel…Intriguing’ THE TIMES

‘Sarah Vaughan doesn’t miss a beat in this intricate family thriller … As the jeopardy builds, so does the brilliant characterisation' SAINSBURYS MAGAZINE

‘Shades of King Lear in this gripping tale of three daughters coming together to celebrate the 70th birthday of their mother … A notably, well-written, thoughtful thriller, strong on family dynamics’ MAIL ON SUNDAY

‘Twists, rivalries, and buried truths make this a gripping, suspenseful read’ WOMAN'S WEEKLY

‘Sarah Vaughan does much more than explore the greed and resentment that so often surround very successful writers; she offers good advice to those with literary aspirations' LITERARY REVIEW

‘Vaughan elegantly toys with readers’ expectations as she parcels out details about Eleanor's family and relationships and explores themes of class, power, and the magpie-like nature of authorship…a canny, suspenseful tale' PUBLISHERS WEEKLY

‘Wholly absorbing and utterly addictive…One of my favourite books of the year’ ANDREA MARA

‘From the author of international bestseller Anatomy of a Scandal comes a gripping read about a much-loved storyteller whose perfect life starts to unravel when family secrets finally come to life' MY WEEKLY

‘Packed with twists and oozing with menace, this sharp-edged tale is a taut triumph' CRIME MONTHLY

'Glorious Cornish clifftops, a glittering party and a swirling vortex of family secrets ... Sarah Vaughan lobs an explosive cocktail into Golden Age Crime to create something wholly new and deeply satisfying. I drank it up' SARAH HILARY, Sharp Glass

'This is a compelling story, with deep roots, which asks us to think about the stories we tell not just publicly, but also privately, to make up a life. It manages that rare trick of being both addictive and thoughtful' ARAMINTA HALL, One of the Good Guys

‘Gripping’ CLOSER

‘A flawlessly constructed thriller, perfectly paced and filled with smart reveals!’ LUCY CLARKE, The Castaways

‘A rich, intoxicating brew, I loved it’ LOUISE CANDLISH, Our House

‘The ultimate literary thriller!’ VERONICA HENRY, The Beach Hut

'I was transported to the novel’s Cornish clifftop setting and was totally drawn into the mystery and the dysfunctional Kingman family from the very first page’ JULIET STEVENSON

A lavish 70th birthday party. A body found on a storm-lashed beach. And a secret that someone is dying to tell...

Famed children’s author Dame Eleanor Kingman has summoned her family and friends to her exquisite manor house on the cliffs. They're celebrating her birthday – and her latest number one bestseller in her series of books based on a mother fox and her cubs.

But the night before the party, Eleanor receives an email: an email that threatens to expose the lie she’s kept up for over half a century.

Someone knows her secret. Is it her estranged literary agent? Is it her ex-husband, to whom she no longer speaks? Is it the nanny she fired all those years ago, who always did have a knack for storytelling? Or is it one of her three daughters, all of whom have a stake in the publishing empire she has built...

With a TV crew arriving to film a documentary of her life, Eleanor needs to find out who sent the email – and preserve her multimillion-pound career.

But when push comes to shove, and it's time to tell the truth – will anyone actually believe her? Domestic Thrillers Friendship Genre Fiction Psychological Thriller & Suspense
All stars
Most relevant
I was beyond excited to see this book had arrived and couldn’t wait to download it and start listening. But… after hours and hours of listening to boring characters with a story that wouldn’t get to a point I have given up with 5 hrs to go. The story and characters were so boring that I kept having to go back and find my place on the listen long 😳.
Perhaps the story only really starts now but after giving it hours and hours and hours to get going, I now don’t care.
Anatomy of a Scandal was outstanding and I recommended it to so many people. I will not be recommending this book. I’m sorry to Sarah and your team. I feel the editorial panel should have helped out on this one.

So boring I had to give up

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