CRIME writer Kia Abdullah will be signing copies of her new novel, Truth Be Told, at Castle Hill Bookshop, Richmond, next month.

Ms Abdullah will be signing copies of her latest novel, Truth be Told, between 11am and noon, on Saturday, September 5.

Ms Abdullah relocated to Richmond from London in September 2018 and has since developed an avid local readership. Earlier this year, she spoke at the Richmond Rotary Club and was due to speak at the Richmond Walking & Book Festival in September, which was sadly cancelled due to Covid-19.

Not to be defeated, Castle Hill Bookshop have invited her to launch her new novel with a signing at the shop. Truth Be Told is a courtroom drama that follows the case of a 17-year-old boy who is assaulted at his boarding school after a night of drunken revelry. The novel examines consent, shame and the pressure on young men to act hyper-masculine.

Her last novel, Take It Back, was named one of the best thrillers of the year by The Guardian and The Telegraph and was selected for an industry-first audio serialisation by HarperCollins and The Pigeonhole, an app that connects readers across the world.

She said: “Carol, Liz, Stuart and Wendy were deeply supportive when Take It Back came out last year, so I’m delighted to be launching Truth Be Told at Castle Hill Bookshop. These are extraordinary times but I’m really looking forward to meeting some local readers.”

She also stressed the importance of supporting local bookshops. “What’s lovely about Richmond is that you come to know your local booksellers. In London, it was easy to just order off Amazon but here, it’s a pleasure to buy locally. This is important not just in Richmond but across the country if we want our independent shops to thrive.”

Meet Kia Abdullah and get your copy signed from 11am to 12pm on Saturday, September 5 at Castle Hill Bookshop, 1B Castle Hill, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4QP.