Helena Close is a native of Limerick City in Ireland. She has been writing full-time for over 20 years. She has written or co-written eight novels, published by Hodder Headline, Hachette Ireland, Little Island and Blackstaff Press. She is rugby obsessed, and she loves cats and dogs and sometimes people.

"[A] taut, emotionally authentic story ... Powerful." - Kirkus STARRED review

"Closes YA debut is excellent in every regard. The fully realized characters are highly sympathetic and come alive on the page. The plot is compelling, the setting beautifully realized. Hand this to fans of more serious literature." - BookList

"Dark and gritty and desperately sad and wildly funny, this is as real as writing gets. I was locked inside of Matt's head for the duration, and I lived his whole mad summer. Every line rings perfectly true." - Donal Ryan, author of The Spinning Heart

"A skillful and truthful novel from a wonderful storyteller." - Joseph O'Connor, author of My Father's House

"Achingly sad but hugely funny. A gritty story full of heart." - Sheena Wilkinson, author of Hope against Hope

"Helena Close's YA debut The Gone Book is sure to make a big splash. From the memorable first line right through to the dramatic conclusion, the story hurtles along at a rapid rate, riding the crest of a massive wave and finally throwing its reader on Lahinch's shoreline with a thump...Close is an incredible storyteller." - Books Ireland Magazine

"I would highly recommend this book. It's a chaotic read, full of twists and turns. It is gritty and realistic, and highlights the anguish of an absent parent and the strife of teenage friendships." - Paper Lanterns

"A heart-wrenching, hard punching, insightful narrative of life in modern Ireland." - Swear by the Books

Publisher: Little Island Books

Pub date: 2025-05-20

Length: 304 pages