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Review ------ Lisa Jewell's third novel One Hit Wonder is a modern fairy story, a funny, feisty look at the way ugly ducklings can transform themselves into swans--with the help of a fashion makeover, a y feathering of self-confidence, new friends and, of course, a little sprinkling of romance. The duck in question is 6-foot tall country girl Ana, all nubby black cardigan and old jeans who "sometimes wondered if she was cursed". Even her neurotically awful mother wonders: "how a girl as unattractive as you could have possibly come from my body, I have no idea". Things are made even more difficult by Bee, Anna's wonderful, urban, older half sister--"petite, big bosomed and pretty"--who once had a hit single called "Groovin' For London", and who is now mysteriously dead. Anna comes to London to discover what happened, and it's a sobering, yet enlightening experience. Bee had a terrible secret, which she did a good job of hiding from her family and friends in a splash of designer clothes and glamorous opinions. She may have been "vain, flirtatious and self absorbed" and nearly famous, but she was also deeply depressed ("she just existed"). As Anna gradually uncovers the hidden Bee, she's forced to reassess her old life and her ambitions, transforming herself into a kind, witty attractive woman, who wins the heart of a handsome man in the process. Lisa Jewell tells the familiar story in earthy, immediate language and with such relish for contemporary life that it is impossible not to be engaged and entertained. --Eithne Farry Review ------ Sophisticated . . . Jewell can't help but tell a compelling story packed with intriguing characters (The Times) Tackles serious issues with humour - proving that chick-lit can be intelligent, interesting and huge fun (Sunday Express) Written with intelligence, verve and wit . . . a triumph (Hello) Inventive and moving . . . a story with definite charms and a real sense of poignancy (Sunday Times) Top marks. Fantastic (Heat) A perceptive, tears-trickling-down-the-side-of-your-nose-on-the-bus brilliant read (Company) Moving and intelligent (Independent) A poignant tale of life, love and loss (Mirror) Traditional, light-hearted romantic fiction at its best (Literary Review) Poignant and humorous (Now) Synopsis -------- Bee Bearhorn had a number-one hit single in 1985 and was never heard of again. Fifteen years later she is found dead in her flat and nobody seems to care But Ana Wills always day-dreamed about the exotic half-sister she hasn't seen in years. And when she comes to London to clear Bee's flat, she uncovers a life more exotic than she imagined: a secret country cottage, mysterious weekends away, and even a missing cat. With Bee's closest friends mad Lol and strong, silent Flint Ana sets out to discover exactly what did happen to Bee Bearhorn, the one-hit wonder About the Author ---------------- Lisa Jewell is the Sunday Times bestselling author of sixteen books, including her most recent novel, the Sunday Times bestseller Watching You. She lives in London with her husband and two children.