“A compelling, compassionate and authentic work of fiction.”

Reflecting on their past lives in Iraq, full of family secrets, violence and division, the siblings are keen to set their own agenda for the future of the artworks. However, with such contrasting ideas, the uncovering of memories and secrets from the past threatens to expose and taint the legacy that’s been so carefully protected. Offering an intimate insight into the family dynamic, the focus of the narrative shifts between the sisters, their mother Bridget and her grandson Nizar, a war correspondent attempting to process his memories with the recent break up of his relationship.

Inspired by Haddad’s great-uncle, this is a nostalgic and poignant portrayal covering themes such as war, displacement and grief. The scope of the novel is wide, but the author manages to craft such a captivating and engaging story, transporting the reader with such visceral scenes. A compelling, compassionate and authentic work of fiction, offering a bright light of hope despite the turbulence and trauma of the past, this is a must-read for 2026.