What makes a setting feel so vivid it becomes a character? With Paula Hawkins

About this episode

<p>Which novels are truly unputdownable and what should you read on a dark winter's night? We’re joined by best-selling author, <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/222972/paula-hawkins" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>Paula Hawkins</em></a>, who discusses art, love and remote islands in her latest thriller, <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/463398/the-blue-hour-by-hawkins-paula/9781804995334" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>The Blue Hour</em></a>. She also helps us tackle your listener questions with a stack of gripping recommendations to guide you to your next great read. </p><br><p>Explore all the books mentioned on this episode:<a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/what-makes-a-setting-feel-so-vivid-it-becomes-a-character-ask-penguin/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> Click here</a></p><br><p>Paula Hawkins worked as a journalist for fifteen years before writing her first novel. Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, she moved to London in 1989. Her first thriller&nbsp;<em>The Girl on the Train</em>&nbsp;became a global phenomenon, selling over 23 million copies. Published in over fifty languages, it was a No.1 bestseller around the world and a box-office-hit film starring Emily Blunt.</p><br><p>Paula's subsequent thrillers have all been instant&nbsp;<em>Sunday Times</em>&nbsp;bestsellers. In 2021&nbsp;<em>A Slow Fire Burning</em>&nbsp;was nominated for Thriller of the Year at the British Book Awards, and in 2025&nbsp;<em>The Blue Hour&nbsp;</em>was voted the&nbsp;<em>Good Housekeeping</em>&nbsp;Good Books winner.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>