Copycat [Hardcover]

Gillian White writes truly scaring novels, one of which, The Sleeper, has recently been seen on BBC television. Jennie and Martha become close friends, though they are as different as chalk from cheese. Jennie is always worried and finds motherhood a huge effort. Only Martha delights her; and she tolerates this obsession even going on holiday together as families. As time passes the roles seem to reverse and Jennie becomes independent and successful while Martha's life crumbles. Then horror finally strikes. A truly chilling and hugely compelling tale; Gillian White at her very best.

A chilling story of the jealousy which ends in tragedy. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Dear God, how I wish I' d never met her... . Sometimes I wished she was dead.
Jennie and Martha became friends when Jennie moved in next door. At least, Jennie thought they were friends. Jennie admired everything about Martha -- her house, her gorgeous husband, her bohemian clothes, even her children's exotic names. Martha seemed to take to motherhood so effortlessly and confidently, while for Jennie it was such an effort. Martha tolerated Jennie, took her on holiday, helped her with the children -- but all the time she was wondering how much longer she could stand living next door.
As time went on, the roles seemed to reverse. As Jennie became more confident, more successful, Martha's life seemed a bit of a mess. At times they seemed less like friends, more like sworn enemies. Their relationship became bitter, twisted -- a relationship which only one of them could survive.

Dear God, how I wish I'd never met her... Sometimes I wished she was dead.

Jennie and Martha became friends when Jennie moved in next door to Martha. At least, Jennie thought they were friends. Jennie admired everything about Martha - her house, her gorgeous husband, her bohemian clothes and exotic children's names. And Martha seemed to take to motherhood so effortlessly and confidently, while for Jennie it was all such a struggle. Martha tolerated Jennie, took her on holiday, helped her with the children - but all the time she was wondering how much longer she could stand living next door to her.

As time went on, the roles seemed to reverse. As Jennie became more confident, more successful, Martha's life was falling apart. At times they seemed less like friends, more like sworn enemies. Their relationship became bitter, twisted - a relationship which only one of them could survive . . .

With insidious and unnerving accuracy, Gillian White once more shows us the horrors that can lurk within the most ordinary of families.

'A novelist of the highest quality' - Sunday Independent

Gillian White, a former journalist who comes from Liverpool, lives in Totnes, Devon, with her journalist husband and their two dogs. She has written twelve novels, several of which have been successfully adapted for television, and The Sleeper has recently been shown on BBC television with an all-star cast.