Daniel isn't talking - Marti Leimbach

A powerful novel exploring the effects of autism on a young family from Marti Leimbach, author of the international bestseller `Dying Young', who has experienced and dealt with the condition within her immediate family.

My husband saw me at a party and decided he wanted to marry me.

Melanie Marsh is an American living in London married to Stephen, the perfect Englishman, who knew the minute he saw her that she was to be his future. But when their youngest child is diagnosed with autism their marriage starts to unravel at great speed. Stephen runs back into the arms of his previous girlfriend while Melanie does everything in her power to help her son and keep her family together.

And then one day Melanie hears about a man named Andy O'Connor, who calls himself a `play therapist' and has a client list so long she can barely get him on the phone. Some say he's a maverick and a con artist of the first degree, but when he walks into the house and starts playing with her child, Melanie knows she's found the key to her son's success, and possibly to her own happiness.

`Daniel Isn't Talking' is a passionate and darkly humorous novel that explores a mother's determination to help her child. A love story for grown ups, it somehow extends its wisdom far beyond the parameters of disability and into the substance of human nature itself. A tense, moving novel that will make you laugh at loud even as it breaks your heart.

Marti Leimbach was born in 1963 in Washington, DC. She has written several other novels, one of which, Dying Young, was turned into a major feature film in 1991 staring Julia Roberts. Marti now lives in the UK.

`Powerful and moving, and also surprisingly funny. A love story in every sense.' Deborah Moggach

'I adored "Daniel isn't Talking". I was riveted, engrossed - all those wonderful things one hopes for when opening a book. I thought her portrayal of a mother facing unbelievable hardships was very real and gripping.' Anita Shreve

`A sobering account of the exasperations of raising an autistic child. Incredibly, Marti Leimbach manages to find hope.' Lionel Shriver

`Any parent will recognise the combustion of love and anxiety that fuels Marti Leimbach's vivid new novel. "Daniel isn't Talking" is an affecting study of parental devotion.' Jennifer Egan

'A terrific book, informed passionate and touching. She handles the problem of the autistic child beautifully and I was thoroughly engrossed until the last page.' Joanne Harris

'I cared so deeply for Daniel, and for his family's predicament. This novel is both tender and insightful.' Susan Fletcher, author of `Eve Green'

'Marti Leimbach's terrific novel manages to be both realistic and upbeat about a difficult subject and is
shot through with wonderful moments of humour.' Kate Long author of `The Bad Mother's Handbook'