Winner of the Waterstones prize for new and emerging talent 2013
January 2013 Book of the Month
Award-winning author Annabel Pitcher’s new teen novel is a taut and dramatic adventure with a deep yearning at its heart. Ketchup Clouds vividly captures the terrifying roller coaster of emotion that envelopes Zoe when she gets caught in a tragic love triangle between two brothers. Zoe’s heart races for the mysterious Aaron but, despite his seeming keenness, he already has a girlfiend. And then there is younger brother Max, unattached and very keen on Zoe. How can Zoe manage her own feelings without hurting the boys especially when she’s also coping with puzzling dramas at home?
A Piece of Passion from the Editor, Fiona Kennedy
It’s hard to imagine that Annabel could follow her debut, My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece, with a new novel that is even more… captivating, moving, memorable, deft, insightful, compassionate, true to life, brilliantly observed, accomplished and exceptional (and those are just a few of the things that people are already saying), but she has. Ketchup Clouds is an extraordinary piece of writing about life: families, love, infatuation and just getting through days and nights carrying the burden of a terrible, terrible secret. Zoe reveals all in a series of letters that she writes to a prisoner on death row. You cannot hep but read her story with your pulse racing and your heart in your mouth.
In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for Ketchup Clouds a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title. Here’s a taster from one of the reviews.
“Wow. Ketchup Clouds is without question one of the best books I have ever read…" Scroll down to read the rest of this review and all the reader reviews.
Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Harris, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder.
Full of heartache yet humour, Zoe tells her secret through a story in the only way she can - in letters to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal. From the author of the award-winning My Sister Lives on a Mantelpiece this is a novel that will really make you think.
We have asked a select number of members and browsers to review Ketchup Clouds. You can read their reviews below.
Harriet Cunningham - Wow. Ketchup Clouds is without question one of the best books I have ever read. This is one of those books that you start to read, and three hours later look up from and realize the whole world looks different - Click here to read the full review
Jack Graham - I really enjoyed this book with its many twists and turns in the plot. The many twists in the plot cause the reader to not want to put it down because they need to know what happened. Click here to read the full review.
Delilah Acworth - Ketchup Clouds was a wonderful insight into a guilty heart. The book was fantastic and the writing was flawless, what more could you ask?Click here to read the full review.
Hannah Glenton - Ketchup Clouds is a completely unique concept …I enjoyed it immensely and would recommend it for anyone looking to read a refreshing untold teen romance.Click here to read the full review
Daniella Hares, 13 - Ketchup Clouds is an outstanding novel, which I tremendously enjoyed. It is true to life and I would recommend it to all of my friends because it is such a great book; I can’t fault it!Click here to read the full review.
Rebecca Tyrrell I found this book quite enjoyable even though it wasn’t the genre I would usually read 4 stars out of 5. Click here to read the full review.
Maria Murray Age 12 St. Colm’s High School Draperstown Northern Ireland While reading the book, I felt moments of both happiness and sadness. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends. Click here to read the full review.
Jenny Duffy - An endearing love story, a painful account of guilt and loss, and a chilling show of the consequences of our actions this book is a worthwhile and thought provoking read.Click here to read the full review
Rachel Bourn - This is a wonderful book, and I was hooked within a few pages, just as I was with “My sister lives on the mantelpiece” - Click here to read the full review
Aine LaganSt. Colm’s High School Draperstown Northern Ireland This story will have your pulse sky rocketing as your eyes race down the pages to take in each and every word - Click here to read the full review
Jhaneel I LOVED this book and I'm so sad its only a novel, coz it needs a sequel. I Love how Pitcher can capture the heart of anyone who reads!!! ***** 5 stars
Ashley Masters …a touching story about love, hate and a secret that no one can know… I would definitely recommend this book- Click here to read the full review
Josh Travers
 ...A well written story with hefty servings of evocative emotion: happiness, sadness, anger, love and grief - Click here to read the full review
Morgan Steigmann, aged 13 Annabel Pitcher’s latest novel is sure to capture the minds of those fortunate enough to discover it, and once finished, it is certain to stay with you for a long time - Click here to read the full review
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In Ketchup Clouds, Annabel Pitcher perfectly captures a teenage voice harbouring a guilty and devastating secret as Zoe writes letters to a death row prisoner and slowly reveals the sequence of events that led up to the terrible act she believes she has committed. The letters offer an honest, moving and at times humourous insight into Zoe's life, including her family, first love and friendships, ensuring this book will have wide appeal. -- Vanessa Lewis, The Book Nook THE BOOKSELLER
Author
About Annabel Pitcher
Annabel Pitcher studied English at Oxford and has since worked as a script writer and an English teacher. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband. She won a Betty Trask award for her first novel My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece .
