I could not be happier for Philippa Malicka – it’s just been announced that IN HER DEFENCE is Reese’s Book Club’s pick for February 2026, an incredible moment for a debut novel and a hugely exciting milestone for everyone involved.

Now, on publication day, it’s a joy to finally see this extraordinary book out in the world.

Smart, elegant, and deeply unsettling, IN HER DEFENCE is the kind of psychological thriller that makes you question everything – the story, the courtroom, and even your own assumptions as a reader. With shades of Anatomy of a Scandaland the tension of The Talented Mr Ripley, it’s razor-sharp and completely gripping.

At its heart are two women, two versions of the truth, and a constant sense that you shouldn’t quite believe either of them.

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Philippa on this novel at a late stage, and it was genuinely thrilling to see just how precise and compelling this story is on the page. Massive congratulations, Philippa – this moment is so deserved.

IN HER DEFENCE is out now (and I can’t wait to see readers discover it).

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