The Wives of Halcyon
Three women controlled by one man – their charismatic husband Elijah, leader of their cult who dictates every aspect of life in the remote Scottish settlement of Halcyon.
But cracks have begun to form in the community's idyllic facade, and Elijah's increasingly erratic behaviour begins to test the loyalty of the women who love him, especially when he reveals his intention to take a fourth wife, sixteen-year-old Mim. Deceived and isolated by the husband they share, Aoife, Ruth, and Deborah must set years of animosity aside and come together as danger mounts within their isolated community.
A powerful story of coercive control, motherhood and extraordinary women, The Wives of Halcyon asks questions about how we perceive faith and family.
'A brilliant and completely addictive read' – Ruth Hogan
'[A] dazzling debut' – Good Housekeeping
'A powerful read' – Prima
'A gripping page-turner which celebrates the strength and resilience of women' – Carole Hailey
'An astonishing and extraordinary debut' – Charlie Carroll
'A fascinating story' – Ilona Bannister
'An extraordinary debut novel' Anne Cater 'A stunningly written, powerful tale of power and control, and what happens when people lose themselves in the face of cohersion' – Jessica Ryn
'I loved this fierce and perceptive book' – Janet Ellis
'Masterfully crafted narrative about strength, solidarity and faith' – Ruby Sloane, @xrubyreadsx
'An enthralling tale of female strength. One of the best books I've read this year' – Matina Tzoumerka, @breathing_pages
'Uniquely compelling and profound' – Poppy Smith, @poppysreads
'Absolutely gripping, with unforgettable characters I'm still thinking about... This novel took my breath away' – Seth Insua
'A needle sharp contemporary fable that consumed me. It is unflinching. It is brutal. It is tender. And it lingers long after the covers close' – Lucy Rose
'A MUST-read for every book club! With strong female leads and an unputdownable story... an incredible debut that will have you hooked from start to finish' – The London Girls Book Club, @londongirlsbookclub_
Born in the north-east of England, Eirinie Lapidaki began writing her debut novel, The Wives of Halcyon, while working as a bookseller at Waterstones, and early chapters won a Northern Writers Award from New Writing North. Eirinie is currently working on her next novel, about the wellness industry and its impact on womens bodies, inspired by her battle with the chronic condition adenomyosis.