The Dawning

by Megan Taylor

It is New Year's Eve, a time for fresh beginnings - but for each member of the fragmenting Haywood family, this night could mark the end.

With mother Stella battling depression and father Philip determined to escape, eleven year old Zachary and his teenage sister Nicola have nowhere to turn when confronted by their own worst fears.

Set against a backdrop of wintry beauty on the edge of a Peak Districe town, 'The Dawning' explores the danger that can arise even at the heart of a family, over the course of one dark night.

Set in Derbyshire, UK.

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 23, 2010

About the author

I was born in Greenwich in South London in 1973. I have always loved to write.

My first novel, a dark coming of age story, ‘How We Were Lost’, was placed second in the 2006 Yeovil Prize (the Betty Bollingbroke-Kent award) and went on to be published by Flame Books (www.flamebooks.com) in June 2007.

I currently live in Nottingham with my young family, where I’m working towards a Creative Writing MA online with Manchester Metropolitan University, and completing my second novel ‘Before the Light’.

Set against a backdrop of wintry beauty ‘Before the Light’ is a literary thriller following a single family over a single life-changing night.

Although they're very different stories, both 'How We Were Lost' and ‘Before the Light’ reflect my continued fascination with the shadows and secrets of people’s inner worlds and the isolation that can exist even within the closest relationships.

Reviews

[sisterimapoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had this on the shelf for a couple of years, aiming to read it over New Year - and I did. And it worked a treat. A strange looking little book - that punches above it's weight. Taylor kept grace and control throughout, never overplaying any scene or individual. Never losing pace, but never neglecting personal connection to her characters. She switched between them with care and skill, never leaving me feeling I was in the wrong place at the wrong time - unlike her characters. And I genuinely didn't know where we might end up until we got there!

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story about a family on New Years Eve, Mum, Dad, teenage son & daughter & baby. Each chapter from the point of view of a different member of the family, all the usual hopes & fears & worries & traumas & problems of family life! One of those stories where you can see where its going, you can guess what's going to happen & you really hope it won't but of course there's nothing you can do to stop it.

[Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

The November book for the Broadway Book Club.