THE HOUSE OF WATER - NEW CRIME NOVEL BY FFLUR DAFYDD HAILED AS ‘MAGNIFICENT’ BY RUSSELL T DAVIES

"Magnificent." - Russell T Davies

"I doubt I’ll read a better book this year." -  Sarah Ward

"A fast-flowing thriller with an unpredictable twist” - Erin Kelly

"A dazzling exploration of family and place, brimming with page-turning suspense, and with a shocking mystery at its core” -  Emma Rous

Award-winning author and screenwriter Fflur Dafydd returns with her most gripping novel yet The House of Water - a psychological crime thriller that blends crime, identity, and buried secrets against the haunting backdrop of a Welsh town devastated by floods. One evening, as a young woman returns to her family home, she places the key in the lock only to realise, in that very moment, that her life is about to change forever.

Published by Hodder & Stoughton, the book is out on May 15, 2025 in print, audio and e-book.

A THRILLER WITH LITERARY DEPTH & A STRONG SENSE OF PLACE

At its core, The House of Water is a crime novel with universal appeal, but it also weaves in themes of Welsh heritage, culture, and language, making it as thought-provoking as it is unputdownable.

Ahead of the novel’s release, Fflur Dafydd said:

 "I wanted to write a gripping thriller that also explored family and heritage. A story that shifts like water—where truth, identity, and history are constantly changing form. It’s about what we inherit, what we cling to, and what refuses to stay buried. I’m thrilled it’s been well received ahead of its release and look forward to sharing it with my readers.”

Praising Dafydd’s latest work, Russell T Davies said:

 “This is a story that vaults powerfully through huge, bold, epic swings. Magnificent writing. I hope it’s a great success." 

A MUST-READ FOR FANS OF PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLERS

Dafydd, also an award-winning screenwriter whose previous work has been adapted for film and television, delivers a novel that thrills, unsettles, and surprises at every turn, cementing her place as one of the most exciting literary voices of today.

With its haunting setting, razor-sharp prose, and a mystery that grips until the final pages, The House of Water is a thriller that lingers long after the final twist.

Available at: Amazon & Waterstones and other major and independent bookstores from May 15, 2025

LAUNCH & TOUR

The book will officially launch in a special event at this year’s Hay Festival on Sunday, May 26 2025. 

A tour of Wales and UK will follow.