From an early age, Mart Trace shows a remarkable talent for literary forgery. During a gap year in Paris Mark's skill at imitating Ernest Hemingway is exploited by an unscrupulous manuscript dealer, Paul Mercer. Mark returns to London, where he works part time at one of the UK's oldest literary magazines. Opportunities for forgery present themselves and Mark has a noble cause - and a girl - to pursue. But at least one of the authors whose work Mark forges, Graham Greene, is still alive. For now. A witty, literary thriller in which this long established YA author, in what was his first adult novel, explores originality, desire and literary ambition.

A gripping, writerly thriller that pulls you in from the first page, and keeps you turning the pages, The Pretender is pacy and smart'.' Jackie Kay.