Mr Chartwell by Rebecca Hunt was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and shortlisted for the Galaxy National Book Awards New Writer of the Year.

July, 1964. At home in Kent Winston Churchill wakes to a visitor: someone he hasn’t seen for a while, a dark, mute bulk, watching him. It’s Mr Chartwell.

In Battersea, Esther Hammerhans, young, vulnerable and alone, answers the door to her new lodger. Through the glass she sees a vast silhouette. It’s Mr Chartwell.

Mr Chartwell is a large, black dog.

He is charismatic and dangerously seductive, but as their lives are slowly drawn together, can Esther and Winston withstand his strange, powerful charms and strong hold? For Mr Chartwell’s motives are far darker and deeper than they seem.

‘Charming, funny, moving, finely crafted and engagingly evocative’ Independent

‘Charming, original, rewarding, entertaining’ Financial Times

‘Brilliantly original and thought-provoking. Hunt tackles a serious topic with humour and intelligence’ Sunday Express

Rebecca Hunt graduated from Central Saint Martins College with a first class honours degree in fine art. She lives and works in London. Her first novel, Mr Chartwell, was longlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and shortlisted for the Galaxy National Book Awards New Writer of the Year.