In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to author Claire Leslie Hall about her extraordinary novel Broken Country — a story of love, grief, longing, and the choices that shape our lives.Set against the backdrop of the English countryside, Broken Country begins with a shocking line: a man is dead — but who is he, and why? From there unfolds a deeply emotional story of a marriage under strain, a first love that returns, and a community divided.Claire shares the fascinating journey behind the book — from the moment of inspiration during lambing season in rural Dorset to the four-year writing process that included rewrites, abandoned drafts, and even stepping away to write another novel before returning to the story.Philippa and Claire discuss:The real-life moment that sparked the opening sceneWhy the novel took four years to write and dramatically changed along the wayHow the book blends genres — love story, mystery, and courtroom dramaWatching a murder trial at the Old Bailey for researchThe meaning behind the title Broken CountryThe evolution of the book’s cover designThe surreal moment the novel was chosen for Reese’s Book Club by Reese WitherspoonClaire’s background as a journalist and how it shaped her writing styleWhat readers might expect from her next novelPlus: dream writing sheds, nightmare writing locations, the joy (and terror) of editorial notes, and the all-important biscuit question.If you love character-driven fiction with emotional depth and a touch of suspense, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Books MentionedBroken Country — Claire Leslie HallPictures of Him — Claire Leslie HallDays You Were Mine — Claire Leslie HallTo Kill a Mockingbird — by Harper LeeThe Amateur by Chris Bohjalian Odette Rising by Julianne EdwardsQuick Book Reviews features author interviews and book reviews with no spoilers.Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.📧 Email: [email protected]📸 Instagram & Threads:@quick_book_reviews🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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