I am a London-based author, journalist and broadcaster. My debut novel The Most Difficult Thing is published by HarperCollins’ Borough Press and available to buy now. It was selected as the editor’s pick on Radio 4’s Open Book, and tipped as the debut novel to watch out for in the Observer’s New Voices feature 2019. The book has been reviewed and featured in the Sunday Times, FT, Guardian, Observer, Telegraph, ipaper, BBC Loose Ends, The One Show, Open Book, Press Association, Red, Prima, Marie Claire, Women’s Weekly, and Cosmopolitan. You can read about it in this piece in The Observer. And this interview in The Telegraph, which also appeared on the front page of The Week.
Reviews:
‘Brilliant… A fast-paced thriller. It’s colourful, it’s deep, the characters are fascinating. A perfect summer read.” BBC Radio 4’s Open Book
‘Philby manages to marry a quasi-spy novel and a psychological thriller with real aplomb.’ John Dugdale, The Sunday Times
‘Everyone has an agenda in this intriguing exploration of deceit and duplicity, as Philby rachets up the paranoia to Highsmithian levels.’ Laura Wilson, The Guardian
‘A stylish thriller and one that deserves to grace sun loungers across Europe this summer.’ Sarah Hughes, the ipaper
‘Philby pulls it off, and shows herself a writer of promise.’ Adam LeBor, The Financial Times
‘I devoured this beautifully written, intricately wrought and unique blend of spy thriller and domestic suspense: The Most Difficult Thing is The Night Manager set in a woman’s world. The twists keep coming, right down to that chilling last line.’ Erin Kelly, author of He Said/She Said
‘Spying has been her inheritance and this brilliant beautifully crafted debut novel uses it to the full – and so much more besides.’ Jon Snow, Channel 4 News
‘The Most Difficult Thing is an enigmatic and slippery beast, a cool new generation of spy novel. Just as the characters play cat and mouse with one another, so does the author with her readers – it’s a guessing game right to the end and I turned the last page with my heart pounding.’ Louise Candlish, author of Our House
Background:
After eight years at The Independent as a reporter, editor and columnist, I’ve written and recorded for The Guardian, Sunday Times, New Statesman, i paper, Marie Claire, BBC’s The One Show, Woman’s Hour, Loose Ends, Note to Self podcast, the World Service, Channel 4. Following a major undercover investigation into the scandal around ‘sex for tuition fees’, I was shortlisted for the 2013 Cudlipp prize at the Press Awards.
In 2014, I launched Motherland.net – an online magazine ‘for women who happen to be mums’. I have also worked as a freelance consultant for creative agencies including Winkreative, and brands such as Danone and Gap Kids.
This blog is both a portfolio of my own work, and a platform for guest writers, offering an insight into the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. Do get in touch if you’d like to be featured! philbycharlotte@gmail.com
