Interviews

Image of Hide & Seek paperback cover

Photo of tube advert for Hide & Seek

‘My God, it is beautifully done, probably the best book of its kind since . . . The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.’

— The Observer

‘A brilliantly written account of what happens to a family after a child goes missing . . . heartbreaking and funny . . . In a word: wonderful.’

— Herald Sun, Australia

‘A compelling, oddly enjoyable, emotionally raw debut.’

— San Francisco Chronicle

‘The thrill and chaos and casual brutality of childhood are gorgeously accurate. . . Touching, sad and very funny.’

— Independent

‘Taut, suspenseful . . . a nuanced take on a nightmare.’

— Publishers Weekly

One of the most convincing portraits of a childhood I have ever read.'

— Suzie Doore, Waterstone’s

'This book will be compared to The Lovely Bones. It is better than that.'

— Kes Neilsen, Amazon

'Really, really good, one of those books that slowly grips your heart . . .
A truly evocative and affecting novel.'

— Marcus Greville, Waterstone’s

'Evocative and haunting.'

— Julian King, Alpha Retail

'As tragic a tale of loss, anguish, but also resilience as you’re likely to read this year.'

— Ged Convey, Borders/Books Etc

'An emotional rollercoaster...compulsive, intriguing and unusual.'

—  Juliet Swann, Ottakar’s

‘A brilliantly written account of what happens to a family after a child goes missing . . . heartbreaking and funny . . . In a word: wonderful.’

— Herald Sun, Australia

By ROGER LYTOLLIS, The Cumberland News

Cumbrian author aiming to free the asylum children

5 Fenruary 2010

Many asylum seekers come to the UK fleeing torture and the threat of death. Others have less compelling claim on this country as a place of refuge.

Whatever the strength of their case, all those seeking escape are liable to be locked up behind bars and razor wire.

And so are their children.

Read more . . .cumberland herald

By NIGEL JONES, Daily Mail

2 May 2006

Graham Greene said that all writers should have a chip of ice at the centre of their hearts.

And the moment that Clare Sambrook realised she had succeeded in her ambition of becoming an author was when she surprised herself by her cool-as-a-cucumber reaction to the crisis that inspired her highly praised debut novel, Hide & Seek - the Daily Mail Book Club's May choice.

Read more . . . daily mail

By DAVID ROBINSON, The Scotsman

Gambling on a child’s life

11 june 2005

Maybe everyone's life boils down to accidents, gambles and determination, but with Clare Sambrook they're just that bit clearer than most. And usually, they're all happening at the same time.

Take the moment she had the idea for her first novel. She was in a coach with the rest of her karate team (she's a black belt), coming back to London from a day's competition on the south coast. She'd dozed off, and as she woke up she heard the children in the seats in front of her talking excitedly about rescuing someone.

By SEAN MERRIGAN, Spoiled Ink

As we shimmy laden trays toward the far side of the outdoor seating area, Clare Sambrook indicates some iron railings that separate the cafe from the rest of Holland Park: 'That's where it happens,' she says, 'that's where Daniel gets his head stuck.'

Read more . . .

POWELL'S BOOKS Q&A

Powell's Books of Portland Oregon about absolute happiness, what gets Clare’s goat, and one embarrassing moment

Read more . . . powell's books

By ROGER LYTOLLIS, The Cumberland News

Bright shards of light

17 june 2005

It's easy to see how Clare Sambrook's debut novel Hide & Seek captures the voice of a nine-year-old boy so well. The age gap between the book’s narrator Harry Pickles and Clare may be 32 years but Clare’s enthusiasm invites descriptions such as 'child-like'.

Having spent five years in Clare’s head, Harry and his family and friends have at last emerged into the wider world.

WRITEWORDS, Writers' Community

19 May 2006

WriteWords talks to Clare Sambrook, whose debut novel, Hide & Seek, just out in paperback, is in the Daily Mail Book Club’s summer collection. Hide & Seek has sold into a dozen languages and is optioned by BBC Films.