The Herd

THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER 
 
'It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.' Jodi Picoult 
 
'A knock-out twist' Gillian McAllister 
 
'Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant.' Clare Mackintosh 
 
**** 
 
Two best friends 
 
Elizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They're the best of friends, and godmothers to each other's daughters - because they both trust that the safety of their children is their top priority. 
 
One little secret 
 
Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined. 
 
Every parent's worst nightmare . . . 
 
**** 
 
'Compelling and nuanced. A hugely impressive page-turner' Ashley Audrain 
 
'Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story' Susan Lewis 
 
'Insightful, compassionate and nuanced. The Herd is so good.' Louise O'Neill 
 
'A genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters.' Sharon Horgan, co-creator of CATASTROPHE 
 
 
Here's what readers are saying about The Herd: 
'A timely and dramatic novel showing both sides of an ongoing debate. Loved this read!' ***** 
'Such a genuine tale with such high stakes emotion and sensitivity' ***** 
'A fantastic, thought-provoking and gripping book which would make a cracking book club read' ***** 
'A complex, layered, wholly character-driven look at a complicated and controversial subject' ***** 
 
 
Richard and Judy Book Club Pick, Autumn 2022

It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue

Jodi Picoult, NYT bestselling author of WISH YOU WERE HERE

Controversial, addictive and clever, and the characters are so multi-layered and complex they are wholly believable.

Wow! What an incredible book, and so timely. I was riveted! Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story.

Will have book clubs across the country in hot debate! Brilliant.

Smart, empathetic and with a knock-out twist.

A must-read about how our individual choices can directly affect those around us.

I loved this book. It put me through the emotional wringer. A genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters who left me in tears but also full of hope

A timely novel, we were completely gripped

THE HERD is a tense and provocative exploration of parental friendship tangled in one of the most controversial topics of our time. Compelling and nuanced, this hugely impressive page-turner will have readers desperate to discuss: what would they do?'

Ashley Audrain, bestselling author of THE PUSH

Insightful, compassionate and nuanced. The Herd is so good.

Gripping, thought-provoking, moving and oh-so-topical, The Herd tackles the most divisive parenting issue of our age with skill and compassion. Fans of Jodi Picoult will DEVOUR it.

Had me so gripped I raced through it in two days. A story about parenting decisions, betrayal and friendships - guaranteed to spark lively conversations with everyone who reads it.

I absolutely loved The Herd. Timely, thought-provoking and compulsively readable.

The Herd is a wonderful book, skilfully written, compassionate and balanced. It grips from the start and doesn't let go, sending us on a journey that's both timely and controversial, through masterful storytelling, brilliantly drawn characters and huge swathes of emotion.

The Herd is an absorbing novel with superb characterisation and packed with emotion. Two families find themselves at odds over whether to vaccinate their children and so unfolds the devastating effects those individual choices have on family and friendship. I was utterly gripped from start to finish.

Beautiful writing, a smart (and timely) premise, real and flawed characters with messy lives, and an unexpected, brilliant twist. I loved it.

A story of friendship, fear and modern family life, The Herd is an astonishingly prescient thriller about the damage that can result from parenting anxieties. This is a story that will get under your skin and live on in your mind long after you have finished reading the last page.

This emotional roller-coaster asks huge moral questions without preaching.

Two best friends 
 
Elizabeth and Bryony are polar opposites but their unexpected friendship has always worked. They're the best of friends, and godmothers to each other's daughters - because they trust that the safety of their children is both of their top priority. 
 
One little secret 
 
Little do they know that they differ radically over one very important issue. And when Bryony, afraid of being judged, tells what is supposed to be a harmless white lie before a child's birthday party, the consequences are more catastrophic than either of them could ever have imagined. 
 
Every parent's worst nightmare . . .

Emily Edwards

Just who, the novel asks, is the villain here? A great premise and plot with lots of emotion.

Loved this. It's about two residents in a small town whose past catches up with them, causing major upset to both their families and the wider local community. It's about gossip and judgement and forgiveness, and is brilliantly done.

Addictive, thought-provoking, compassionate and cleverly told, Private Lives explores contrasting attitudes to controversial ethical dilemmas, raising the question of how far people have the right to know the personal secrets of those in authority. A highly compelling and complex read that will spark rich and lively debate.

Fast-paced with fantastic dialogue, we loved this.

Calling it a perfect book club read (which it is) doesn't do justice to the compulsive urge it invokes to message all your girlfriends and ask them what they would do in the same circumstances! Edwards presents all sides of a complex situation with balance and compassion, wrapped up in a compelling story with beautifully taut prose.

This brilliantly written novel will really get you thinking.

It is hard to imagine a more timely novel. A fascinating exploration of all sides of a particularly knotty, politicized issue.

I loved this book. It put me through the emotional wringer. A genuine rollercoaster that asks big moral questions with beautifully drawn characters who left me in tears but also full of hope.

A timely novel, we were completely gripped.

THE HERD is a tense and provocative exploration of parental friendship tangled in one of the most controversial topics of our time. Compelling and nuanced, this hugely impressive page-turner will have readers desperate to discuss: what would they do?

Wow! What an incredible book, and so timely. I was riveted! Really beautifully written, compassionately told and incredibly thought provoking. A truly immersive telling of both sides of a story.

Insightful, compassionate and nuanced. The Herd is so good.

Gripping, thought-provoking, moving and oh-so-topical, The Herd tackles the most divisive parenting issue of our age with skill and compassion. Fans of Jodi Picoult will DEVOUR it

In the sleepy seaside sleepy town of Waverly, Rosie and Seb Kent are happily married. Now that Seb has achieved his dream of becoming headmaster of the local school, their lives couldn't be any better. 
 
Then Abi arrives. 
 
Abi, a young, single mother, has come to Waverly for a fresh start. She plans to reinvent herself and give her children a new life. 
 
Then she sees Seb. 
 
As their complicated hidden past threatens to destroy them both, they try their hardest to keep it contained. But in a small town, secrets don’t stay hidden for long and soon, what should be their private business becomes a very public scandal. How far will everyone – them, their families and the whole community – go to protect everything they hold dearest?

Emily Edwards

Praise for Private Lives

Just who, the novel asks, is the villain here? A great premise and plot with lots of emotion.

Loved this. It's about two residents in a small town whose past catches up with them, causing major upset to both their families and the wider local community. It's about gossip and judgement and forgiveness, and is ...

Addictive, thought-provoking, compassionate and cleverly told, Private Lives explores contrasting attitudes to controversial ethical dilemmas, raising the question of how far people have the right to k ...

Just who, the novel asks, is the villain here? A great premise and plot with lots of emotion.

Loved this. It's about two residents in a small town whose past catches up with them, causing major upset to both their families and the wider local community. It's about gossip and judgement and forgiveness, and is ...

Addictive, thought-provoking, compassionate and cleverly told, Private Lives explores contrasting attitudes to controversial ethical dilemmas, raising the question of how far people have the right to k ...

Just who, the novel asks, is the villain here? A great premise and plot with lots of emotion.

Loved this. It's about two residents in a small town whose past catches up with them, causing major upset to both their families and the wider local community. It's about gossip and judgement and forgiveness, and is ...

Addictive, thought-provoking, compassionate and cleverly told, Private Lives explores contrasting attitudes to controversial ethical dilemmas, raising the question of how far people have the right to k ...

Books by Emily Edwards

Follow penguin

Follow ladybird

Follow puffin

Sign up to the Penguin newsletter