The Lie Tree (Costa Book of the Year 2015)

The Lie Tree is a wonderfully creepy and atmospheric gothic novel by Frances Hardinge, award-winning author of Cuckoo Song and Fly By Night.

When Faith's father is found dead under mysterious circumstances, she stumbles upon a strange tree amongst his belongings. Faith, a gifted liar, is amazed to discover that the tree thrives on untruths - and delivers secrets to those who consume its fruit.

Convinced that the tree holds the key to her father's murder, Faith begins to use its powers to try and get to the bottom of the mystery. But webs of lies are far easier made than untangled, and there are truths at the heart of this small island community that are better left buried . . .