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Welcome to our summer issue of ChatterboxThis is such an exciting time of the year and we have some very thrilling news of our own! We are delighted to be able to tell you that Jo’s wonderful new novel, A Woman’s Fortune, is being published on June 28th. We know that this is only a few weeks away, but we couldn’t resist sharing an exclusive early extract with you – we know you are going to love it! We also have some brilliant puzzles for you from Puzzler magazine, along with some delicious recipes from Marcus Wareing and Martha Collison, and much more. So grab a cup of tea, put your feet up and enjoy an amazing Chatterbox break!

HELLO!

CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / HELLO!

INSIDE THIS ISSUEp.3 Letter from Jo

p.4 Extract from A Woman’s Fortune

p.7 Half price offer for A Woman’s Fortune from WHSmith

p.8 The best picnic spots to visit this summer

p.9 Win a luxury hamper

p.10 Perfect summer desserts

p.12 Let’s get puzzling!

HARPERCOLLINS | ISSUE 27 | JUNE 20182

HARPERCOLLINS | ISSUE 27 | JUNE 2018

Dear readers, I wanted to write a letter to you all to say sorry for the length of time you’ve been waiting for my next book, A Woman’s Fortune – but it is finally here and ready to share with you. I’ve not been able to write these past months, so thank you for your patience. I went through a trying time health-wise, and needed a bit of time to recover. But I’m back on track and better now, thank goodness!

Every family has its good times and bad times, and when there are hard times ahead, family needs to pull together. In A Woman’s Fortune, Evie must battle to support her family, with the help of her loving grandmother. Through the hardship Evie faces, it is Grandma Sue who is the warm breeze that brushes her along, helping her, guiding her, and reminding her that whatever the circumstances, family is at the heart of all of us.My characters are as real as family to me; they are part of a real family with real ups and downs that they get through due to the love that they have for each other. I hope that reading this will remind you of just how important family is to each and every one of us. And of course, I hope you admire Evie’s determination to create for herself a life and fortune that she is proud of, against all the odds.

This year has been a hard road for me, so thank you for the extra help given by my longstanding copyeditor Yvonne, and to my editor Kim – thank you very much, you’re a good friend.Many apologies and thank you for your loyalty, which is hugely appreciated.

Jo x

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CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / EXTRACT

She’d seen him around here only a couple of times before, a scruffy-looking man with his cap pulled low and his collar raised high. He had a furtive air, not looking directly at anyone in the street and skulking in the shadows instead of greeting folk with a cheery ‘All right?’ in the usual way. Round here, everyone knew everyone else – and their business – so Evie was certain this man was a stranger. And, from his manner, he was up to no good.

The question was, what did he want with her dad?She’d now come into the kitchen to make sure her brothers, Peter and Robert,

were getting on with their homework, leaving her mum and Grandma Sue folding the dried clothes ready to be ironed. Now, standing just inside, the back door partly closed to conceal her, Evie watched her father and the stranger. The two men faced each other in the shadowy alleyway between the Carters’ house and the next row of terraces. Evie could plainly see both men in profile, her father taller, younger and more handsome than the weaselly-looking fella. The stranger was saying something in a voice too low for her to hear and then Dad, who had been smiling, no doubt laying on the charm, muttered something in return and began to look less happy. The next moment the man, his expression aggressive, was wagging a finger in Dad’s face. Evie was surprised to see her father’s shoulders slump and he no longer met the other man’s eye. She was half ashamed to be snooping and half afraid that here was bad news on the way and she ought to see if she could do something about it before her mum heard. This wouldn’t be the first time Dad had got in a bit of a tight corner, and Mum had lost a bit of her sparkle of late.

Since Evie had left school to help her mother and Grandmother Sue with the washing business she was more aware of what everyone in the family was up to. It wasn’t always bad news with Dad, but there had been some weeks when money was especially tight after he’d had a long evening at the pub, celebrating or commiserating some event with ‘the lads’, especially if the bookie’s runner had been there collecting the stake on some nag that Dad had been told was ‘a certainty’ to win and make his fortune, and which had eventually cantered in well down the field.

Michael Carter was never down for long and, with his irrepressible high spirits, would shrug off his setbacks and carry on regardless, sweeping aside any difficulties as if they weren’t happening. But Mum was sometimes impatient with him these days, and the older she got the more Evie could see Mum’s point of view. Somehow Dad’s jokes weren’t as funny as they used to be, and Evie understood why her mother was beginning to look worn down and her smile had grown, like herself, thin. You couldn’t live on laughs, after all.

Shenty Street, Bolton, Lancashire

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We have a very special treat for you – an exclusive early extract from Jo’s new book, A Woman’s Fortune!

What was that word Mary had used when Evie had once confided how annoying Dad’s charm could be when you recognised how he worked it on you? Exasperating. Mary Sullivan, Evie’s best friend, was clever. She always had her head in a book and knew a whole dictionary of good words. She even had a dictionary, so Evie reckoned ‘exasperating’ was probably exactly the right word for her father.

Evie glanced to where her brothers were labouring over their schoolwork at the kitchen table. Their heads were down in concentration so she risked opening the door a fraction wider and craned her neck through the gap. The two men were talking intently but their voices remained low. Then the stranger, with another jab of his pointed finger, turned and disappeared from view. Evie waited a minute, then made a show of opening the back door wide and treading heavily up the alleyway to greet her father where he had moved to stand in the open in front of the house. The summer’s evening sun was low between the rows of back-to-back houses and for a moment a golden beam shone through the sooty air directly onto his face, showing his furrowed brow and his tired eyes with a fine trace of lines she had never noticed before. He was standing with his hands in his pockets, facing into the sun with his eyes closed, almost as if he were praying. Suddenly Evie saw that her handsome dad looked older than his years.

Michael Carter looked up at his daughter’s approach and turned to her, his smile instantly back in place.

‘You all right, Evie?’‘Just taking a rest before I tackle a pile of ironing. Grandma’s got a bit of mending to

do so I said I’d iron. She’s really feeling the heat today.’‘Well, your gran’s got her own insulation,’ he said, winking. ‘It’s certainly hot work for

a July evening.’‘It is that. But Gran will be taking the good stuff back early tomorrow, so we need

to get on.’‘Oh, leave it, lass. Don’t be beating yourself up. It’ll wait for you.’‘That’s what I’m afraid of, Dad. There’ll be more tomorrow and I’ll not have Mum or

Gran doing my share. Gran’s complaining about her feet, and I don’t blame her. She’s been on them since seven this morning.’

‘She’s a tough old bird, and a good ’un. Don’t tell her I said so, mind.’Evie and her father exchanged smiles.Michael called across to Marie Sullivan, who lived in the house opposite and was

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CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / EXTRACT

sweeping dust off her doorstep. ‘All right, Marie? Tell Brendan I’ll see him for a drink later.’‘I’ll tell him.’He waved to old Mrs Marsh, who lived next door to the Sullivans, and who was out

rubbing Brasso onto her doorknocker. Mrs Marsh was known to be house-proud. ‘Evening, Dora. That’s looking good. I’ll find you a job at ours, if you like.’

‘Give over with your cheek, Michael Carter,’ she grinned.Evie laughed along with her father. This street was home. She knew no other, and nor

did she want to. But the question remained, who was that man with the creeping manner who had caused her father’s smile to slip? She took a breath and decided to plunge in.

‘Dad . . . who was that man?’‘What man?’‘Here, a few minutes ago. In the ginnel.’‘Here, you say?’‘Ah, come on, Dad. Talking to you. Just now.’‘Oh, that man . . . ’‘Yes, that man. I don’t think he lives round here. Is he a friend of yours?’‘Well, I wouldn’t exactly call him a friend, love . . . ’‘What then?’‘What?’‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Dad, do you have to be so exasperating? Who is he and what

does he want, lurking round here? Is everything all right? Only you didn’t look too pleased and it set me wondering.’

Michael turned the full beam of his smile on Evie, but she noticed that it didn’t quite reach his eyes. ‘It’s a bit of business, that’s all, love. Nothing for you to worry about.’

Evie fixed him with a hard stare. ‘If you’re sure, Dad,’ she said doubtfully.‘As I say, sweetheart, nothing to bother yourself over. Or your mum.’ He looked at her

meaningfully until she nodded. ‘Now why don’t you go and look in the pantry where I think you’ll mebbe find a bottle or two of cold tea cooling in a bucket on the slab. That’ll help that ironing along, d’you reckon?’

Evie knew there was no point pursuing the matter of the stranger so she shrugged off her anxiety as Michael took her arm with exaggerated gallantry.

‘C’mon, let’s see if the boys have abandoned their homework yet. Your cold tea and ironing await, your ladyship,’ he grinned.

‘Too kind, your lordship,’ Evie beamed, and, their noses in the air in a pantomime of the gentry, they spurned the alleyway and the back door, and let themselves in through the front, laughing.

Finding a new beginning means taking the hardest road… but the journey is

where you find your true courage.

Get straight to the heart of family drama with the moving

new novel from Josephine Cox

COMING 28TH JUNE

HALF PRICE OFFER

Terms & conditions: Subject to availability. See stickered stock. HALF PRICE refers to a saving of 50% off the RRP.

Not in conjunction with any other offer. High Street stores only.

From 28th June – 4th July you can buy your copy of A Woman's

Fortune for half price from

Subject to availability. Most stores.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to cut up your copy of Chatterbox to redeem this offer. Just pop in to your local WHSmith store!

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CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / GOING OUT

Warm, sunny days are the perfect opportunity to spend time outdoors with friends and family! And what better way to enjoy beautiful scenery than relaxing on a blanket with a sumptuous picnic. This summer, make sure you take advantage of the weather and make the time to enjoy one of these fantastic picnicking spots, located across the country.

Best Picnic Spots

The Fairy Pools in the Isle of Skye, Scotland

A hotspot for photographers and walkers, this

is one of the most magical places in Scotland.

Carrick-a-Rede, Northern IrelandWith its dramatic vistas, this is a stunning spot! There’s even a famous ropebridge with fantastic views of the clear green water and ancient caverns far below – if you dare to look down!

Barafundle Bay Beach, WalesWith swathes of golden sand and crystal clear waters, Barafundle has been voted one of the best beaches in Britain on countless occasions.

The Padley Gorge, East MidlandsHidden history and wildlife are just waiting to be discovered in these ancient woodlands – be warned, you may never want to leave!

Hampstead Heath, LondonWalk up to Kenwood House and imagine you’re on the set of ‘Notting Hill’ as you set up your blanket in front of the iconic stately home.

in the UK

WIN A LUXURY HAMPERThis picnic hamper contains everything you need for a wonderful picnic for two. Fitted with porcelain plates and stainless steel cutlery, you can relax anywhere in the sun with this beautiful set as it comes with its own soft fleece blanket. There’s a flask for your tea and a cooler bag to ensure your sandwiches arrive in perfect condition. There’s even a corkscrew for that essential bottle of wine!

Spoil yourself this summer with this

luxury hamper and picnic

blanket

TO ENTERSimply visit Jo's website

www.josephinecox.com/winhamper or send us a postcard with your name and address to

CHATTERBOX, HarperCollins, The News Building,

Fiction Marketing Team, 1 London Bridge Street,

London SE1 9GF.

Closing date for entries is 27th July 2018.

CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / COMPETITION

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The winner will be randomly drawn after the competition closing date. In the unlikely event that the prize offered is unavailable, a prize of equal or greater value will be delivered, there is no cash

alternative. Any personal information you give us will be used solely for this competition and will not be passed on to any other parties without your agreement. No purchase necessary to enter. Only open to UK subscribers who are 18 years or over. Employees and immediate family members of HarperCollins Publishers Ltd, their affiliates, subsidiaries and all other agencies, entities and persons connected with the use, marketing or conduct of this

sweepstake are ineligible. For full terms and conditions please see www.josephinecox.com/winhamper

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There is a bit of planning ahead required for this one – in making the biscuits and marinating the bananas – but all the elements are super easy and once done the assembly the next day is very quick. If pressed for time, you can use crushed digestive biscuits, but I do recommend you stick with marinating the bananas as it takes them to another level for this very delicious dessert.

SUMMERBanoffee Bowlsfrom Marcus Wareing

PREPARATION TIME: 30 MINUTES, PLUS OVERNIGHT MARINATINGCOOKING TIME: 25 MINUTES

FOR THE BANANAS2 large ripe bananas25ml rum25ml maple syrup

FOR THE BISCUIT CRUMBS50g soft butter75g caster sugar75g strong bread flour, plus extra for dusting¼ tsp baking powderpinch of salt2 tbsp double cream

FOR THE CARAMEL CREAM100ml whipping creamjuice of ½ limepinch of sea salt200g caramel condensed milk or dulce de leche

TO SERVE100ml double cream, lightly whippedfreshly grated nutmeg

To prepare the bananas, peel and dice them and place in a bowl with the rum and maple syrup. Cover and put in the fridge overnight to marinate.To make the biscuit crumbs, beat together the butter and sugar until creamy, then fold in the flour, baking powder and salt.Mix in the cream to form a soft dough. Wrap in clingfilm and chill for about 30 minutes.Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C fan/gas 5 and line a baking sheet with baking parchment. Roll out the biscuit dough on a lightly floured surface and to approximately 2cm thick.Transfer to the prepared baking sheet and bake for about 25 minutes, until lightly golden and firm. Once cooked, leave to cool for about 10 minutes, then break into small chunks while still warm.To make the caramel cream, whisk the cream until it forms firm peaks. Stir the lime juice and salt into the caramel until smooth, then fold in the cream. The caramel cream can be made ahead; simply chill in the fridge in a bowl or piping bag until ready to use.To assemble the dessert, divide the biscuit chunks into bowls, reserving a few to decorate, and top with the marinated bananas and any syrup they have created. Pipe or spoon the caramel cream on top. Add a dollop of whipped double cream to each bowl and finish with freshly grated nutmeg and some of the biscuit crumbs.

Serves

4

CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / RECIPES

Marcus at Home by Marcus Wareing,HarperCollins, £20.00

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SUMMERPassionfruit Viennese Whirlsfrom Martha Collison

RECIPES

PREP TIME: 25 MINS PLUS COOLINGCOOKING TIME: 10–12 MINS

If the idea of a passionfruit-flavoured, deliciously crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth biscuit doesn’t make you hungry, then nothing will do! Viennese whirls are one of the bakes I can’t resist. Using fine powders like icing sugar and cornflour in the biscuit dough creates a melting texture unlike that of any other biscuit, as the small particles stop the formation of gluten, which can toughen them. The biscuit will break apart in your mouth easily, making it incredibly moreish.

MAKES

16 WHIRLS

Crave by Martha Collison,HarperCollins, £16.99

PASSIONFRUIT FILLING2 passionfruits 25g caster sugar

BISCUITS100g butter, softened 25g icing sugar100g plain flour 25g cornflour1tsp. vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract1tsp. milk

BUTTERCREAM25g unsalted butter 50g icing sugar1tbsp. lemon juice

Scoop the flesh out of both passionfruits and place it in a small saucepan with the caster sugar. Simmer over a medium–high heat for 1–2 minutes or until bubbling and slightly thickened, then remove from the heat and set to one side to cool.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4 and line a baking tray with baking parchment.

To make the biscuits, beat the butter and icing sugar together in a bowl with a wooden spoon until smooth. Stir in the plain flour and cornflour until a thick paste forms, then beat in the vanilla and milk to loosen the mixture slightly.

Spoon the mixture into the piping bag and pipe 16 rounds (approximately 4cm in diameter) on to the lined baking tray.

Bake for 10–12 minutes until the biscuits are a pale golden colour. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes on the tray, then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

To make the buttercream, use an electric hand-held whisk to cream together the butter, icing sugar and lemon juice in a bowl until pale and light. Spread buttercream on to half the biscuits and passionfruit on to the other half, then sandwich them together.

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PUZZLE CORNER

The lovely people at Puzzler have specially created four puzzles for us. So get your pens at the ready and start puzzling!

E D G I N G V F K L A H C

O U C O E R U S A E M Y S

H R P O O E C A L B B T R

F C S E L V E D G E R P U

O R T D A L M K A A A I B

H O E I R A A D D T E O C

P E W H T Y T R T L B U R

N A M O S S E E B B A R S

E Y E L E T R M I L E O D

I M F F A N I N A S E E A

G C K I M H A N R R L E E

H N C S T U L I T O I O R

S E I P V T A A L S N N H

E R P D E E I I S S I O T

W A N T N L L N P I N S N

I Y U W O I E Y G C G C R

N D O R L R B N T S M I A

G B S N O T T U B S A K D

BEADBINDINGBOBBINBOWBUTTONCHALKCOLLARDARNDARTSEDGINGEYELETFABRICFITTINGHEMLACELINING

MATERIALMEASURENEEDLEPATTERNPINSREELSCISSORSSEAMSELVEDGESEWINGSTITCHSTYLETAILORTHIMBLETHREADUNPICK

Can you find all 32 words listed above in this wordsearch? They all relate to Jo’s new novel, A Woman's Fortune.

Puzzles supplied by Puzzler media. Play puzzles online www.puzzler.com. Subscriptions phone number: 0800 904 7018 (08.00 – 18.00 Mon – Fri, 09.00 – 18.00 Sat).

EDGINGVFKLAHC OUCOERUSAEMYS HRPOOECALBBTR FCSELVEDGERPU ORTDALMKAAAIB HOEIRAADDTEOC PEWHTYTRTLBUR NAMOSSEEBBARS EYELETRMILEOD IMFFANINASEEA GCKIMHANRRLEE HNCSTULITOIOR SEIPVTAALSNNH ERPDEEIISSIOT WANTNLLNPINSN IYUWOIEYGCGCR NDORLRBNTSMIA GBSNOTTUBSAKD

SOLUTION

CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / PUZZLES

CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / PUZZLES

All these words follow SUN - and they all fit into the grid! Can you work out which words go where?

3 lettersDEWGODHATLITSET4 lettersBURNRISEROOFROOMSPOTSUITTRAP5 lettersBURSTCREAMDRESSSHADESHINE6 lettersBATHERFLOWERSCREEN7 lettersGLASSESLOUNGER

SOLUTION

GBDRESS

LOUNGERIE

ARBST

SNSHADE

SCHTB

ERIHATU

SCREENERR

AERAS

ROOMSPOT

OU

OGDLIT

FLOWERT

DW

KRISS KROSS

7 45

4 3

76

55

5 5

34

6

44

44

3 33

6

H A T

13

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CROSSWORDSolve the crossword inthe usual way.Rearrange the shaded letters to reveal the title of one of Josephine’s books.

ACROSS 1 Single seat (5) 5 Glossy fabric (5) 8 Garret (5) 9 Coming together (5) 10 Small weight (5) 11 Person looking after others (5) 12 Garden seat (5) 15 Elbow prod (5) 18 Crushing snake (3) 20 Daze (6) 21 Wept, cried (6) 22 Fall ill (3) 24 Looked towards (5) 27 Fastening (5) 30 Young snake-like fish (5) 31 Welsh breed of dog (5) 32 Lower leg joint (5) 33 Stimulant (5) 34 Bashfully (5) 35 Put a stop to (5)

DOWN 1 Bread scrap (5) 2 Arrange in a row (5) 3 US cattle farm (5) 4 Twin sound system (6) 5 Disdain (5) 6 Adjusted (an engine) (5) 7 Sister’s daughter (5) 13 Additional (5) 14 Group of trees (5) 16 Consolidate (5) 17 Grass colour (5) 18 Bikini top (3) 19 Tool for making holes (3) 23 Think up (6) 24 Central point (5) 25 Indian restaurant dish (5) 26 God or goddess (5) 27 Slightest sign (5) 28 Blacked with print (5) 29 Gluttony (5)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

8

910

11

12 13 14 15 16 17

18 19

20 21

22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29

30

3132

33

3435

CHAIRSSATIN

RLATTICUI

UNIONEOUNCE

MGCAREREC

BENCHENUDGE

XOBOANR

STUPORWAILED

RSAILFE

FACEDNTYING

OUELVERNR

CORGIEANKLE

URTONICEE

SHYLYTENDED

SOLUTION

MIDNIGHT

CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / PUZZLES

Solve the crossword inthe usual way.Rearrange the shaded letters to reveal the title of one of Josephine’s books.

SOLUTION

CODEWORD

Transfer the decoded letters to the lower grid to reveal something to do with novels.

10 2 3 12 2 25 22T

PERHAPSJINGLE

EENTLTAV

REFRIGERATESEE

CUMEDMQ

OUTWARDLYINCUR

LETLSA

AIDEARINEPTLY

TEK

E

EMPRESSELFCOS

AXIAHT

UNZIPGREENGAGE

GONXTNR

WOOUNEXPLAINED

IRNDESEA

NOBODYLOYALTY

SX

IK

CY

JZ

AH

MB

UQ

DE

GN

FL

WV

TO

PR

SOLUTION

FICTION

A

A

L

L

T

T

13 21 26 18 5 13 1 4 2 22 9 23 21

21 21 22 12 23 12 5 24

26 21 10 26 2 9 21 26 5 12 21 1 21 21

3 7 6 21 8 6 20

25 7 12 11 5 26 8 23 16 2 22 3 7 26

23 21 12 23 1 5

5 2 8 21 5 26 2 22 21 13 12 23 16

12 21 15 21

21 6 13 26 21 1 1 21 23 10 3 25 1

5 14 2 5 18 12

7 22 17 2 13 9 26 21 21 22 9 5 9 21

9 25 22 14 12 22 26

11 25 25 7 22 21 14 13 23 5 2 22 21 8

2 26 22 8 21 1 21 5

22 25 19 25 8 16 23 25 16 5 23 12 16

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

CHATTERBOX - ISSUE 27 / PUZZLES

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www.facebook.com/jocoxbooks

Read an early extract

of Jo Cox’s new book

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