‘Letters to Hillary’ is a thriller of life unravelling

LONDON:

A violent, mysterious murder jump starts the newly released book –‘ Letters to Hillary’ from author Kathy Owen. Two bloodied bodies lie on the floor, but who lives and who dies remains unclear in this complex psychological thriller – built around stories of obsession and the soundtrack of lives unravelling.

The stories pivot around the life of a former journalist and actress whose world falls apart as past traumas resurface to haunt her. Tensions swell when a sensational TV broadcast report the discovery of a gruesome crime scene. The details that emerge send shock waves through the journalist’s inner circle. The narrative meanders through the lead character’s shadowy past; a bunch of intimate letters – the life she carefully edited and the dangerous truths that lay buried.

This composite novel is a construct of darkly lit encounters developed into a story of stand-alone tales. ‘ Letters to Hillary’ will shock, haunt, intrigue and splinter opinion. The music-driven structure heightens suspense, while visual elements - artwork created by the author –deepen the atmosphere without overpowering the narrative.

EMOTIONAL RESONANCE

The book is a literary mosaic, where each chapter and story functions as a self-contained narrative while contributing to a larger, cumulative arc. Every chapter takes its title from a song, giving the book a distinctive rhythm and emotional resonance as the story unfolds.

“I wanted ‘ Letters to Hillary’ to feel immersive. The music provides a heartbeat, and the visuals deepen the mood. The story always leads”, says author Kathy Owen.

Why readers will care: Psychological suspense with a musical architecture: each chapter shaped by a song title that informs tone, pacing, and emotional undercurrent. Hand-crafted visual atmosphere: The book features original paintings, watercolours, drawings, and photographic images created by the author — some rendered by hand, others digitally manipulated — all designed to underscore mood without distracting from the narrative.

‘ Letters to Hillary’ will be a treat for readers of Paula Hawkins ( The Girl on the Train), Gillian Flynn ( Gone Girl), Charlotte Perkins Gilman ( The Yellow Wallpaper), Sandra Cisneros (T he House on Mango Street), and Raymond Carver ( Where I’m Calling From). Kathy Owen is a writer of Jamaican origin, with a background in television, radio, theatre, and screen. Alongside teaching languages, writing gradually became her primary creative focus. Drawing on personal conversations and an overactive imagination, she developed ‘ Letters to Hillary’ from material that had lived on her computer for over 20 years.

While this is her latest novel, she was previously published in short fiction. Currently filming a role in the UK, she divides her time between London and Spain.