It's here! Browse the 2024 Penguin Christmas gift guide
The New Mrs Clifton

The New Mrs Clifton

Summary

Discover the gorgeously addictive story of love and betrayal in the compelling bestseller from Elizabeth Buchan

'A gripping, immensely satisfying novel with a twist in the tale'
Red

'Wrapped in the roots of the sycamore was a skeleton; the remains of a woman, between twenty-five and thirty. She had carried a child . . .'

At the close of the Second World War, Intelligence Officer Gus Clifton returns to London.

On his arm is Krista, the German wife he married secretly in Berlin.

For his two sisters, this broken woman is nothing more than the enemy. For Nella, Gus's loyal fiancée, it is a terrible betrayal. As the three women wonder what hold Krista has over decent, honourable Gus, they begin to ask themselves:

How far will they have to go to permanently get her out of their home, their future, their England?


PRAISE FOR THE NEW MRS CLIFTON


'Buchan brilliantly captures the blighted atmosphere of blitzed London'
Daily Mail

'The tension is palpable and the atmosphere claustrophobic. Buchan vividly conveys the mood of a post-war London brought to its knees. A powerful and emotional read'
Sunday Express

'I loved this story of post-war adjustment which sets up a mystery on the first page'
Cathy Rentzenbrink, Stylist

'So so good. Great writing, great story. I could not put it down'
Marian Keyes

Reviews

  • At the close of the Second World War, Intelligence Officer Gus Clifton returns to London. On his arm is Krista, the German wife he married secretly in Berlin. For his sisters, this broken woman is nothing more than the enemy . . .
    from the publisher's description

About the author

Elizabeth Buchan

Elizabeth Buchan's previous novels include the prizewinning Consider the Lily, the New York Times bestseller Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman, and her most recent book The New Mrs Clifton, which was a Waterstones Paperback of the Year in 2017. Elizabeth's short stories have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in a range of magazines. Elizabeth reviews for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail and is a patron of the Guildford Book Festival and co-founder of the Clapham Book Festival. She has chaired the Betty Trask and Desmond Elliott literary prizes, has been a judge for the Costa Novel Award, and she sits on the authors' committee for the Reading Agency. She lives in London.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more