Frances Hardinge spent a large part of her childhood in a huge old house that inspired her to write strange stories from an early age. She read English at Oxford University, then got a job at a software company. However, a few years later a persistent friend finally managed to bully Frances into sending a few chapters of FLY BY NIGHT, her first children's novel, to a publisher. Macmillan made her an immediate offer. The book went on to publish to huge critical acclaim and win the Branford Boase First Novel Award. Cuckoo Song is Frances's sixth novel. Emilia Fox is best known for her role as Dr Nikki Alexander in BBC’s Silent Witness. She started her career in acclaimed BBC adaptations such as Pride and Prejudice and ITV's Rebecca, and has since worked across theatre, film and television. More recently, Emilie starred as the title role in the 2022 AcornTV drama, Signora Volpe. Also a frequent audiobook narrator, Emilia’s reading of Destination Unknown by Agatha Christie was a 2005 Audie Award Finalist.
'Thematically rich, stylistically impressive, absolutely unforgettable.' -- Kirkus Reviews 'Hardinge’s characteristically rich writing is on full display –alternately excoriating, haunting, and darkly funny.' -- Publishers Weekly 'There is an effortless beauty to Hardinge’s writing, which ranges from frank to profound ... Readers of historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy will all be captivated by this wonderfully crafted novel and the many secrets hidden within its pages.' -- Booklist