Corruption and glamour run side by side in this beautifully written and deeply moving story of how a young girl gets caught up in a situation which gets seriously out of control. Leaving home for the bright lights of New York, all Kit Corrigan wants is to be on the stage. She can act, sing, dance and she’s willing to do any of them if it gets her a role. But life in the theatre is hard and when her old boy-friend’s father offers her an apartment, she accepts. Soon Kit finds that there are strings attached; rashly she does a few favours for her benefactor and, as his crimes get bigger, she soon finds her life is spiralling out of control. Through a series of flashbacks interspersed with stories of the present, Kit tells her own story with a mixture of surprise and dismay as secrets from her past unfold.

Synopsis

When Kit Corrigan arrives in New York City, she doesn't have much. She's fled from her family in Rhode Island, and has broken off her tempestuous relationship with her army sweetheart, Billy. The city doesn't welcome her with open arms. Kit gets a bit part as a chorus girl in a Broadway show, but she knows that's not going to last very long.

Reviews

Critical acclaim for Judy's first novel, What I Saw and How I Lied:

‘An atmospheric, coming-of-age novel set in post-war Florida, dealing with first love, anti-semitism and adultery’ - The Bookseller

‘A stylish, addictive brew’ - Publishers Weekly

'An extraordinary story...gripping' Wall Street Journal

'What I saw and How I Lied is an addictive read unlike any other.  Evie's character undergoes such a journey that the reader can truly feel her struggles.' TeensReadToo.com

‘Blundell has crafted a suspenseful, historical mystery that not only subtly explores issues of post World Warr two racism, sexism and socio-economic class, but also realistically captures the headiness of first love and the crushing realisation that adults are not all powerful.’ - Booklist
 

About the Author

Judy Blundell was awarded the prestigious National Book Award for her novel What I Saw and how I Lied, which was fantastically received by readers and reviewers in the US when it was first published in 2009.  It's now available in six foreign language editions.  This is her first novel under her real name of Judy Blundell and her first novel for teens. Under the pen name Jude Watson, she is the author of several New York Times bestselling and award-winning series and media tie-in novels.  She has written more than 100 books over 20 years, under various pen names.   Judy Blundell once dreamed of a girl sitting in a deserted lobby in Florida, and this image turned into the character of Evie in What I saw and How I Lied.  She used many original source materials for research including a collection of newspapers her mother saved from December 1941 until the end of the war.   Author photo © Paul Llewellyn More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation