Description

**Shortlisted for Sunday Independent Newcomer of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2021**

‘An instantly gripping page-turner’ Sunday Independent Life Magazine

A young woman’s body floats in the Dubai marina. Her death alters the fates of six people, each one striving for a better life in an unforgiving city.

A young Irish man comes to stay with his sister, keen to erase his troubled past in the heat of the Dubai sun. A Russian sex worker has outsmarted the system so far – but will her luck run out? A Pakistani taxi driver dreams of a future for his daughters. An Emirate man hides the truth about who he really is. An Ethiopian maid tries to carve out a path of her own.

From every corner of the globe, Dubai has made promises to them all. Promises of gilded opportunities and bright new horizons, the chance to forget the past and protect long-held secrets.

But Dubai breaks its promises, with deadly consequences. In a city of mirages, how do you find your way out?

‘A hugely engaging novel from a talented new writer’ John Boyne
‘A really fantastic read’ Sinead Moriarty

________

Readers are enthralled by Diving for Pearls

***** ‘An absolutely brilliant book, the setting of Dubai making this story into something quite unique.’
***** ‘An excellent read . . . the ending felt like a true reflection of real life.’
***** ‘A sinister and claustrophobic atmosphere quietly simmers throughout, which kept me enthralled.’

Publisher Review

If you're after a total page turner then try Diving for Pearls . . . A fantastic debut novel * Stellar * [O'Connell's] talent is clear * The Ryan Tubridy Show * It's tough to link so many narrative threads . . . but O'Connell pulls it off with aplomb * Irish Times * A hugely engaging novel from a talented new writer -- John Boyne A compelling tale uncovering a world of secrets, injustice and, for the lucky few, escape -- Anne Griffin * author of When All is Said *