“Skilfully constructed, Cat Step is gripping, poignant, and at times an absolute gut punch.” The Skinny

A Guardian Readers’ Favourite book of 2020

Editor Zoe Turner’s pick on Radio 4’s Open Book

'“Engaging from the start, Cat Step is a pacey read. Irvine’s prose is relaxed and matter-of-fact. It seems clichéd to praise writing for showing rather than telling, but what is most impressive about Irvine is that she – unlike some other contemporary authors whose prose is noticeably sparse – does it without you realising. The iPaper

One of the iPaper’s 50 Best Books for Christmas

. . . the thing that stays with you once you finish Cat Step is the characters and their humanity – flaws and all. . . Snack Mag

Cat Step was published by Dead Ink Books in 2020.

‘My heart was in my throat but I couldn’t look away. A stunning novel’ – Helen Sedgwick

‘Bittersweet and utterly arresting – I knew within two pages that Cat Step had hold of me and wasn’t going to let go.’ – Claire Askew

‘Alison Irvine skillfully weaves past and present in this gripping novel; her flawed and very human characters are brought to life with sensitivity and compassion.’ – Anne Donovan

‘Alison Irvine’s Cat Step is a mesmerising thriller with a darkly immersive pull.’ – Kyra Wilder.