THE HOUSE

A rare view from inside the House of Commons and Westminster of the Machiavellian machinations for power, this is a snappy page turner by the slimmed down MP. Once allies, Labour MP Owen McKenna and Conservative Minister Philip Bickford now face each other across the House of Commons as bitter enemies. Then the reappearance of a figure from their past forces them to confront the choices that led to the tragic downfall of their former housemate, Jay. Late one night, Owen receives a visit from a lobbyist who promises to protect him from the consequences of his actions in exchange for a small favour, or to have his reputation and career utterly destroyed if he refuses. But that favour will sell out everything Owen believes in. As rivals gather and whispers of wrongdoing fill the corridors of Westminster, it's clear that someone knows the truth about Jay's Icarus-like fall from grace and now the former friends must face one terrible truth. Someone is responsible, and a reckoning is overdue. This was the landmark, headline-making debut novel from the former Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and bestselling novelist Imogen Robertson, a prescient political thriller about secrets, lies, ruthless ambition and betrayal. 373 pages in large softback with fairly large print.