Rachel Edwards, author of the compelling psychological thriller Darling shared her experiences of being a black woman living in the English countryside with the Sunday Times this weekend. In the article, Rachel spoke about her decision to live in the greener parts of the country, the tranquility that comes from rural living, but also her own conspicuousness. “Some people do wonder what on earth you are doing there,” she wrote. “You are a conundrum, a challenge. I can see people trying to cram my blackness into a coherent narrative”. You can read the full Sunday Times article here.

On Saturday, Rachel also spoke to Bridgitte Tetteh about living in Oxfordshire on BBC Radio Berkshire, commenting,”People always assume that the urban environment is a black person’s rightful habitat.”

Darling, Rachel’s debut novel was published in paperback in February 2019 by Fourth Estate. Adele Parks has praised the thriller, calling it ‘dark, deep, thought-provoking . What a debut! I recommend you go and read it!’

Lola doesn’t particularly want a new stepmother. Especially not one who has come out of nowhere and only been with her dad for three weeks. And – she’s not racist or anything – but since when did her dad like black women anyway?

Darling didn’t particularly want a new stepdaughter. Especially not one as spiteful and spoilt as Lola. She does want Lola’s dad though. And he wants her, so that’s that: Darling and Lola will just have to get used to each other.

Unless Lola can find a way to get rid of Darling.

Rachel Edwards was born and raised in the UK by her Jamaican mother and Nigerian father. She is delighted to have been ‘born on three continents at once’ and identifies as many things: black British and of Afro-Caribbean heritage; wife, and stepmother to university age twins; a London-loving resident of the Shires, a heartbroken Europhile still hoping for the best and a diehard Soul II Soul fan.