A writer only begins a book; a reader finishes it - Samuel Johnson
STICKS AND STONES
Imogen's husband is a controlling bully. His ex-wife and his new mistress might have different perspectives but Imogen knows the truth.
When he issues her with an impossible ultimatum, Imogen does something unthinkable, and locks her husband in the cellar.
How far will she go to protect her son and punish the man who threatens to take him from her?
And what if she's not the only one out for revenge?
A twist-filled, edge-of-your seat psychological thriller that fans of Cara Hunter, Lisa Jewell and Adele Parks will devour.
Sticks and Stones
01
Inspiration behind Sticks and Stones
When I started writing Sticks and Stones, coercive control had only just been recognised as against the law and I knew I wanted to explore themes of domestic abuse. I had also just finished reading Jane Eyre and I wondered what would have happened if, instead of Mr Rochester locking his first wife in the attic, the wife locked him in the cellar. And then the idea for Sticks and Stones was born - it's no mistake that the abusive husband is called Rochester. I was lucky enough to get a place on a Curtis Brown Creative writing course which encouraged me to forge on with it.
03
The Exes' Revenge
In America and Canada the title is The Exes' Revenge. Most countries came up with different titles - In France it's 'The Perfect Husband'. In Hungary it's 'The Three Exes'. It's confused some people who think I have another book out but I promise it's the same book so don't order two!
02
Response to Sticks and Stones/ The Exes' Revenge
'(It) reads like a darker Big Little Lies with all the female rage of Sharp Objects.' --Bustle
'Hell hath no fury like THREE women scorned.' --PopSugar
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'Jo Jakeman's assured debut is a revenge thriller...a cracking pace, plenty of twists and some well-judged dark humor.--The Guardian
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'...a thriller for the #MeToo era. It's a fast-paced game of cats-and-mouse....This is a modern revenge tale with a beating heart."--Julia Heaberlin
04
Awards
Sticks and Stones (though it wasn't called this back then) was shortlisted for 'Best Opening Chapter' and 'Friday Night Live' at York Festival of Writing in 2016. Despite recovering from surgery I dragged myself to York and won Friday Night Live.
The book was also shortlisted for Best Revenge Thriller at the Dead Good reader awards in 2019.