The Gifted Son

Book excerpt: A Sydney family's picture-perfect life is upended in an unputdownable new novel from the bestselling author of The Mothers. What if the worst day of your life turns out to be the making of you? Lillian heard her daughter's footsteps hurry up the passage. She ran her fingers underneath her eyes, ready to greet her son. But when Kate appeared in the doorway her face was white. 'Mum,' Kate said. 'You'd better come. It's the police.' With two bright children, a beautiful home and a husband she's always depended on, Lillian Hogarth considers herself blessed. Until, on her son Jamie's final day of high school, he fails to come home. Hospitalised by a coward's punch, Jamie has been the victim of a muck-up day celebration that went too far. Lillian's support is unflinching, even as her world begins to crumble. A son whose fate hangs in the balance, a teenage witness who refuses to name the one who threw the punch, and a husband who's hiding a secret that could destroy their marriage . . . Is this the end of the Hogarth family's good luck? Or will Jamie's determination—and Lillian's love—be the making of them? Praise for The Mothers: 'The Mothers beautifully captures the desperation for a baby and the emotional roller-coaster of IVF . . . In the style of Jodi Picoult, it's impossible to choose sides. These characters and their heart-wrenching dilemma will follow you off the page and have you asking what would you do? An intriguing, thought-provoking novel.' - Petronella McGovern, bestselling author of Six Minutes 'Engagingly and unflinchingly told, Gannon's new novel, The Mothers, is the story of every parent's worst nightmare. It is that novel that makes you muse on the most difficult of questions What makes a mother? And can you ever un-become one? Like all my favourite books, The Mothers is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and it leaves you with a lot to think about after you turn the final page. I sobbed my way through this wonderful book.' - Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of The Younger Wife 'Talk about a page-turner! We dare you to try putting this gripping family drama down. The ending is both heartbreaking and heartwarming.' - NW Magazine 'Poignant and provocative [The Mothers] is an emotional exploration of themes such as infertility, marriage, family and motherhood. With empathy and respect, the author skilfully explores sides of the situation.' - Book'd Out