Ten years after the invaders arrived, the scant traces of humanity still live every second of their lives in absolute terror. Forced from their cities into ragged communes on the edges of the world, they cling to their precarious existence by the weight of their micro-decisions, one careless move or false breath away from certain death. Some believe they’re the lucky ones; others believe they’re cursed. But something in the sky is changing, and seeds of hope now grow amongst the carnage and devastation. Will they live to see the dawning of a new day? Or will they be too few and too broken for it to matter? AFTER follows the journey of a lonely motorcycle messenger who delivers weather-beaten notes to survivors scattered across a cracked and fissured western United States, a world both devastating and somehow beautiful. Her road takes her over vast landscapes, into the hands of humans capable of unspeakable evil, and through a hell worse than all of it — her guilt and grief slowly eating away at her.PRAISE FOR 'AFTER'“Unsentimental speculative fiction that’s wire-taut and emotionally rich...Starling’s compact work reads like a splatterpunk version of Cormac McCarthy’s grim novel The Road (2006), combined with the second half of H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds (1898).”— KIRKUS REVIEWS"Drew Starling has created a delightful nightmare of imagery, prose, and characters to root for… Or against. Don’t be afraid to slip into this post-apocalyptic tale of excellence.— CINDY O'QUINN, BRAM STOKER AWARD®-WINNING AUTHOR"With beautifully elegant prose, masterful world building and an unflinching and uncompromised vision, Drew Starling successfully whips this grief laden story into a frenzy of unbridled, visionary brilliance, where all its elements coalesce to make ‘After’ an exceptional piece of human centred, grief-riddled, dystopian brilliance."— ROSS JEFFERY, BRAM STOKER AWARD-NOMINATED AUTHOR OF I DIED TOO, BUT THEY HAVEN’T BURIED ME YET AND THE DEVIL’S POCKETBOOK"A bleak and brutal tale of one woman's fight for survival in a post-apocalyptic nightmare. With unforgettable imagery, Drew Starling delivers a tale of grief, courage, dread, and the best and the worst of human nature, combining Mad Max: Fury Road and War of the Worlds into one heart-pounding story."— BEVERLEY LEE, AUTHOR THE SUM OF YOUR FLESH AND THE HOUSE OF LITTLE BONES"Unequivocally haunting. Starling mixes McCarthy's 'The Road' and Villeneuve's 'Arrival' to deliver a PTSD-infused road trip where nothing good ever happens but hope is still chased. This book hurts to read, but must be read."— STEVE STRED, MULTIPLE AWARD NOMINATED AUTHOR OF MASTODON AND CHURN THE SOIL"A prose master truly in his element, Starling paints a harsh canvas equal parts beautiful and brutal. This post-apocalyptic tale of survival and acceptance deserves to be sipped and savored like a twelve-year bourbon."— L.P. HERNANDEZ, AUTHOR OF NO GODS, ONLY CHAOS

Meet Lydia Crow... Lydia has always known she has no power, especially next to her infamous and more-than-slightly dodgy family. Which is why she carved her own life as a private investigator far away from London.When a professional blunder forces her home, the head of the family calls in a favour, and Lydia finds herself investigating the disappearance of her cousin, Maddie.Soon, Lydia is neck-deep in problems: her new flatmate is a homicidal ghost, the intriguing, but forbidden, DCI Fleet is acting in a distinctly unprofessional manner, and tensions between the old magical families are rising.The Crows used to rule the roost and rumours claim they are still the strongest.The Silvers have a facility for lying and they run the finest law firm in London.The Pearl family were costermongers and everybody knows that a Pearlie can sell feathers to a bird.The Fox family... Well. The less said about the Fox family the better.For seventy-five years, a truce between the four families has held strong, but could the disappearance of Maddie Crow be the thing to break it?The Night Raven is the first book in Crow Investigations, an exciting paranormal mystery series from bestselling author of magical fiction, Sarah Painter.'I'm a huge fan!' Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels'My favourite new urban fantasy series, clever and twisty and deliciously magical, with a shivery sense of wonder that feels utterly grounded in its London setting. Perfect for fans of Ben Aaronovitch, Genevieve Cogman or Robert Galbraith!'Stephanie Burgis, author of Snowspelled and Masks and Shadows 'Clever and charming and funny – and a bit creepy!'Keris Stainton, author of If You Could See Me Now and Counting Stars

I used to practice necromancy. I could communicate with the dead and acquire forbidden secrets. But necromancy is a dirty business. I abandoned the dark art when a demon double-crossed me and killed my wife. I have lived in quiet solitude ever since.Now the demon has returned from the other side and wants to eliminate me once and for all.Word on the street? He wants to hang my head on a necklace to complete his collection of dead necromancers.Sheeeeet…So here I am, back in the game. You know, making deals with grim reapers, casting dark spells, binding souls to dead bodies for protection. Typical necromancer stuff.But I’m channeling my powers for good this time. When I’m done, this demon will beg me for mercy.Harry Dresden meets Alex Cross in this electrifying urban fantasy series by Michael La Ronn that will keep you spellbound.V4.0