Beautiful Monster (Paperback)
Written from the perspective of a teenager, this chilling psychological thriller follows Tessa as she copes with the blood-stained event that changed her life forever. Set in Perth, Western Australia, this gripping novel demonstrates how Tessa clings to anorexia and to her sinister, imaginary friend, Ned—her greatest support and her staunchest ally who is privy to her deepest secrets—in an attempt to deal with the loss of her brother and the resulting change in her parents.
"The novel is engaging, spirited and addictive. McCaffrey’s natural flair for storytelling is on full display here, as is her ability to write authentically from the perspective of teenagers." —Sun Herald
"The author’s writing is clear and strong; there is not a wasted word. [Tessa's] pain and confusion are developed well through the story. An involving read to begin a discussion around important issues." —Courier Mail
"McCaffrey pulls no punches . . . Tess is allowed to express in vivid terms her feelings of worthlessness and the enormous rush of power and sense of control . . . an original approach." —Magpies magazine
"Could easily have become an 'issues' book but McCaffrey has a way of capturing the teenage voice and making her characters real. A must-read for teenage girls." —The West Australian
"Not just another tale of a teenage girl with anorexia, Beautiful Monster is a powerful . . . [and] insightful novel . . . teenagers will connect to this sad but ultimately realistic story." —Fiction Focus