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Publisher: Indie Novella
ISBN: 9781738442102
Genre: Crime; Literary; Historical Fiction;
Contact: publicity@indienovella.co.uk
Sales: Signature Book Representation (UK) Ltd
Tel: 0845 8621730
sales@signaturebooksuk.com
Distributor: Central Books Ltd
orders@centralbooks.com 020 8525 8800
SUE AMOS
Teardrop
19th September 2024 paperback £10.99
‘A sophisticated, refined work from a highly-skilled writer… shining a light on community dynamics in a post-colonial society.’ Judges of the Watson Little x Indie Novella Prize
Teardrop is a historical crime novel with a little bit of everything. Set in 1950s Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, it follows rookie female journalist Jazz Bartelot who joins the crime desk at the Colombo courier and is paired with charming, charismatic reporter Sonny de Roye whose star seems to suddenly be fading as his big stories dry up and he is more associated with late nights at bars and card tables.
Teardrop follows Jazz and Sonny as they receive the tip-off of a body being discovered in a newly built reservoir on the country’s east coast. The novel picks up where The Seven Moons of Maali Almeda left off, introducing us to post colonial Sri Lanka culture particularly the bubbling tensions between Singhalese, Tamils and most notably the Eurasian Burghers who were most favoured by their colonial predecessors, and had the most to lose by the exit of the British. And for food lovers the descriptions of Sri Lankan cuisine throughout the novel is a culinary celebration.
As a girl, Jazz Barthelot knew that a gecko falling on your right side foretold a sudden death. But what place do aunties’ tales have in the rapidly modernising island of Ceylon, and how to navigate the shifting sands of home? In 1950s Ceylon, trying to forge her own way while British rule collapses, Jazz begins her new life as a journalist – when a gecko falls on the side of her desk at the newspaper office.
A body is discovered in the state reservoir, and Jazz accompanies seasoned crime reporter Sonny to the Eastern Province. Jazz quickly learns her trade as they travel between spice markets and hopper stalls, interviewing Tamils, expats, and indigenous tribes, following leads that dry up quickly under the hot sun. Pulled between old and new worlds, between languages, and families, Jazz and Sonny must decide if their future remains on the teardrop island, and whether
crimes can be left in the past.
After a freelance television career, Sue Amos took a career break and began to write in her spare time. Inspired by forgotten, misremembered scraps of history, her novel, Teardrop, was crafted by Sue’s fascination and explorations into her own Sri-Lankan ancestry, researching and bringing to life old folklore, and giving a voice to generations gone by. Born and bred in North London, and now resides in the Chilterns with her husband, son, and dog, Teardrop represents a tribute to Sue’s Sri Lankan heritage and her work shedding light on the postcolonial culture of her ancestors. Teardrop won the 2023 Watson Little x Indie Novella Prize.
After a freelance television career, Sue Amos took a career break and began to write in her spare time. Inspired by forgotten, misremembered scraps of history, her novel, Teardrop, was crafted by Sue’s fascination and explorations into her own Sri-Lankan ancestry, researching and bringing to life old folklore, and giving a voice to generations gone by. Born and bred in North London, and now resides in the Chilterns with her husband, son, and dog, Teardrop represents a tribute to Sue’s Sri Lankan heritage and her work shedding light on the postcolonial culture of her ancestors. Teardrop won the 2023 Watson Little x Indie Novella Prize.
