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Hello.

I’m Hannah, writer of suspenseful novels about families and friends tangled in secrets and lies. I’m drawn to buildings that creak with stories, to landscapes that shape the characters moving through them, and to the rich and often complex relationships between mothers, daughters and sisters.

I like to explore the darker side of love and loss in my writing, but I’m drawn ultimately to the light and resilience that can be found when facing life’s toughest challenges.

Have a look around, learn more about me and my books, or feel free to explore my journal. It’s lovely to have you here.

Hannah Richell Signature

‘Gripping … a richly rewarding novel’ Richard & Judy Book Club

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‘Will have you turning the pages until the early hours’ Grazia

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‘A must-read!’ Fabulous

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‘I was swept away … a great read’ Katie Fforde

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‘Gripping … a richly rewarding novel’ Richard & Judy Book Club • ‘Will have you turning the pages until the early hours’ Grazia • ‘A must-read!’ Fabulous • ‘I was swept away … a great read’ Katie Fforde •

My Journal

Journal
An Ocean and a Day
An Ocean and a Day

An Ocean and a Day is my heart on the page. It is my most personal writing yet, a long form piece written over ten years that captures my attempts to reckon with an all-consuming grief and to tether myself in a world turned upside down.

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One Dark Night
One Dark Night

I’m excited to announce my new novel, One Dark Night, releasing first in Australia and New Zealand in January 2025, and later next year in the UK, USA and Canada.

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As Much As It’s Worth: Ten Years On
As Much As It’s Worth: Ten Years On

If you are suffering today, perhaps walking your own grief journey wondering how you can bear the pain, wondering how long you will feel like this, I hope these words offer a little comfort.

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Instagram

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View fullsize Congratulations to this year’s talented shortlistees. We are so proud to have you! It was an honour, as always, to read the longlist and chat with the judges about the entries. Thank you for trusting us with your works in progress. ‘Ju
View fullsize What a privilege to read another long list for the Richell Prize. From fiction to science fi, short stories to memoir, literary to commercial, the range is always dazzling. Congratulations to all the long listed writers. Announcement incoming about t
View fullsize If you want to get your spooky Halloween vibes going early, my latest on ebook (which opens in the woods on Halloween night 🎃) is only 99p from @applebooks for the whole of October.
View fullsize I spotted this Chinese edition of my debut, Secrets of the Tides, in an online bookstore the other day and realising I’d never seen it before (though I knew about the deal with Xiron), I ordered a copy for my bookshelf. It arrived yesterday and
View fullsize AN OCEAN AND A DAY, publishing in 2026, is a personal memoir I’ve written over the course of a decade. In 2014 my husband, Matt, died in a surfing accident off Tamarama beach in Sydney. The memoir pivots around this day, going back more than t
View fullsize Reposting a photo from my grid, January 2020, when I was playing around with with something. Something that I wasn’t sure I was brave enough to show anyone. Next week I get to tell you a bit about my new book, coming out next year. It’s b
View fullsize Congratulations to the twenty writers who make up our 2025 Richell Prize longlist. 🥳👏 This is the eleventh year of the Prize and each and every year it is so incredibly exciting to read your work. Matt Richell was brilliant at connecting with writ
View fullsize It’s the US and Canadian publication day for One Dark Night. (US edition on the left, Canadian on the right). Huge thanks to New York Times bestselling authors @sallyhepworth for calling it, ‘Thrilling and page-turning’ and @sarahpe
View fullsize I’m chuffed to bits that my new thriller One Dark Night has been chosen as one of @kobobooks ‘ Best Books of the Month! 📕 🏆 Thanks @kobobooks and @atriabooks @atriathrillers #crimethriller #crimethrillerbooks #kobobooks #bestbooksof
View fullsize My step-daughter read One Dark Night recently and was very keen to return to the folly that inspired it for a good nose around. So we took the dog and trekked up above Sally in the Wood through the trees (no bird song!) to the tower, where I signed a
View fullsize I’m so thrilled to say that One Dark Night has launched today (at last!) in the UK in hardback, audiobook and ebook. Available from your favourite bookstore. This is my darkest, twistiest thriller to date, inspired by one of the most haunted