Two bestselling authors ready for supper with Sussex book lovers

The event takes place at The Barn in Ditchling on Wednesday, September 24.

Emma Healey is the author of Elizabeth is Missing, which zoomed straight into the top 10 bestseller charts when it was published in June.

Maud, the narrator/heroine, is in her 80s and has dementia – but when she finds the remains of an old powder compact mirror she recognises from 70 years ago in her friend Elizabeth’s garden, she knows something is wrong. But what happened all those years ago and why has Maud forgotten it? And where is Elizabeth, who has – according to Maud – gone missing?

Emma’s book was the subject of a bidding war between nine publishers and the TV rights were immediately snapped up – not bad when you’re just 28 years old and this is your first novel.

The second author is Hilary Boyd who wrote the Amazon bestseller about a 60-something romance, Thursdays in the Park, creating the new ‘granny-lit’ genre and achieving e-book sales of more than 100,000 copies.

Hilary followed her success with two acclaimed novels, Tangled Lives and When You Walked Back into My Life, which together have sold more than 700,000 copies.

Her latest novel is A Most Desirable Marriage, which charts the ups and downs of a long partnership that is suddenly under threat.

Lawrence and Jo have always had a strong marriage but suddenly, after 30 years, Lawrence seems wary and restless. A devastating betrayal is uncovered – but should they stay together, or should they part? Hilary, a former health journalist, has recently moved to West Sussex.

The Book Lovers’ Supper Club was created by Ditchling resident Melanie Whitehouse. A journalist and author herself, she seized the opportunity to bring top authors to mid Sussex and create an evening that combined her twin passions, books and good food.

Tickets are £20 and include a Middle Eastern-style supper created by Brighton caterer Sultan’s Delight, and a free glass of wine or fruit cordial.

The Mint House bookshop will be selling discounted copies of the authors’ books.

The meeting takes place from 6.45pm to 9.30pm at The Barn, Ditchling Village Green.

Tickets cost £20 from Brighton Dome Ticket Office on 01273 709709.

People can also book tickets through www.brightonticketshop.com (booking fees apply) or in person from The Post Office, Ditchling, or The Mint House, Hurstpierpoint.

For more information log on to www.facebook.com/BookLoversSupperClub.