From the Sunday Times bestselling author of Snap, and two-time winner of the CWA Crime Novel of the Year...

Loved by readers... discover this gripping, entertaining crime caper about a hungry young girl, an impossible discovery, and a crime that remained unsolved for one hundred years.

Until now.

*****
'A unique crime novel that is both moving and funny... highly recommend' 5-STAR reader review
'A perfect crime caper' Woman & Home

'[The] most ingenious of crime writers... A funny, moving and beautifully written tale' The Guardian
*****
*SPECIAL HARDBACK LIMITED EDITION - AVAILABLE WHILE STOCKS LAST*

It was the most daring crime of the century...
1926. On the towering cliffs of Yorkshire, men are lowered on ropes to steal the eggs of the sea birds who nest there. The most beautiful are sold for large sums. But when small and hungry Celie Sheppard finds an 'impossible' red egg, it will forever alter the course of her life - and the lives of others.

One hundred years later in a remote cottage in Wales, Patrick Fort discovers his friend, Nick, and his mother tied up and robbed. The only thing missing: a carved case containing an incredible scarlet egg. Doggedly attempting to retrieve it, Patrick and Nick discover the cruel world of egg trafficking, and soon find themselves on the trail of a priceless collection of eggs lost to history. Until now.

A taut, wonderfully imagined novel brimming with skulduggery at every turn, The Impossible Thing is a blazing testament to Belinda Bauer's status as one of our greatest living crime writers.

Praise for The Impossible Thing

'Enthralling, hilarious, mysterious... I thoroughly enjoyed this book' 5-STAR reader review

'The gift of The Impossible Thing is the pure joy of reading' VAL MCDERMID, bestselling author of the Karen Pirie crime series

'Comic, thrilling and ultimately moving' The Scottish Mail on Sunday

'Extraordinary. There's a deceptive simplicity to The Impossible Thing that packs a real punch' ANN CLEEVES, bestselling author of the Vera Stanhope detective series

'Solid gold... This could be her best ever' LEE CHILD, bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series

'A captivating novel from one of the UK's most talented storytellers. I loved every page of this unique mystery.' CLARE MACKINTOSH, bestselling author of I Let You Go
'One of the most enjoyable novels I've read in ages' PAULA HAWKINS, bestselling author of The Girl on the Train

• We started tracking this book on March 5, 2024.
• This book was £7.99 when we started tracking it.
• The price of this book has changed 6 times in the past 431 days.
• The current price of this book is £3.99 last checked 9 hours ago.
• This lowest price this book has been offered at in the past year is £0.99.
• The lowest price to date was £0.99 last reached on April 30, 2025.
• This book has been £0.99 one time since we started tracking it.
• The highest price to date was £9.99 last reached on April 21, 2024.
• This book has been £9.99 one time since we started tracking it.

• Crime, Thriller & MysteryMysteryHistorical
• Crime, Thriller & MysteryThrillersHistorical
• Crime, Thriller & MysteryCrime Fiction
• Crime, Thriller & MysteryThrillersCrime

• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• Lending: Disabled
• Print Length: 309 Pages
• File Size: 25 KB