The Choice – Karen Howard
ISBN: 9781788648578
£14.99
published in May, pre-order now
Part 2 of The Identity Thieves trilogy
A DREADFUL CHOICE
WITH DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES
Friends involved in a fertility treatment pact fear the impossible choices of the past have caught up with them.
Deftly exploring the complexities of 1980s fertility treatment, still in its infancy, The Choice delves into the human consequences of infertility and surrogacy in a landscape of public outcry and rapidly changing legislation. Grief, loss and betrayal leave those involved at risk from the law, whilst the emotional fall-out plays out over three decades in this subtle, immersive and compassionate story. As parents, surrogates, doctors and family struggle to hide or reveal the truth to the now adult children, the stakes are raised and questions multiply.
Who are Sarah and Suzette’s parents?
What does the future hold for those trapped by the past?
The second book in The Identity Thieves series and a compelling follow-up to The Search, The Choice holds a mirror up to how we construct identity when nothing we believed is true.
This novel is a rare breed of book: accomplished writing that delivers on its promise of a shock reveal. The Choice offers an emotive insight into the world of IVF treatment and a compelling follow up to part one of Howard’s Identity Thieves trilogy.
Tracey Iceton, PhD, author and editor
A compelling sequel to The Search, The Choice is a novel about controversy and secrecy, and the long shadows cast by choices made behind closed doors. Karen Howard handles this historical context with nuance, capturing both the hope and the vulnerability of those involved. Enriched by location, England and France provide emotional geographies that hold pieces of the truth that shape personal histories. A compelling exploration of identity, belonging, and the fragile architecture of family.
Emma Woodhouse, author & historian
Author biography
Karen Howard grew up roaming the Malvern Hills and sampling the delights of Wiltshire. Despite her early love of literature and history, she chose a scientific path, pursuing a career in environmental chemistry.
She travelled widely and began to write creative fiction. In 2014 she self-published her first novel, The Gimmel Ring. In 2022, she was awarded an invaluable Cinnamon Pencil creative writing mentorship. The Search, the first book of The Identity Thieves trilogy, was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Press Literature Award 2023 and New Voices 2025. The second in the series, The Choice was shortlisted for the Cinnamon Press Literature Award 2024 and Karen is is now working on the concluding novel. Since retiring in 2021, Karen devotes most of her time to writing, walking and travelling. She lives in Shropshire with her husband and Border Collie.
You can visit Karen on her website: karen-howard.com karen-howard.com.