A suspicious miracle brings Lib Wright’s no-nonsense style of nursing to a small village in 19th century Ireland. Tasked with cutting through the religious smoke and mirrors around a sweet young girl who seems to be able to live without food, Lib is determined to use her rigorous scientific methods to unmask the apparent fraud.

However, surrounded by the misty, damp and impoverished landscape of starving rural Ireland, the superstitious villagers have embraced their miracle girl who is gaining fame as a modern-day marvel. After days of fruitless observation, Lib is baffled by 11-year-old Anna’s ability to seemingly do the impossible and thrive without eating, and also conflicted by her motherly feelings towards the strange, lonely child.

The Wonder has all the tension and pace of a thriller, with a tragic ending ticking ever closer if the truth is not unveiled in time. As Lib inches closer to unearthing the facts, she is hindered at every turn by the stubborn attitude of those around her. Smart and practical, she battles the seemingly immovable forces of religious fanaticism and the prejudices of those in charge. Anna’s parents are paralysed by the difficulty of their situation, and the family’s priest blinkered by the possibility of a miracle in his parish.

Fans of Room will find the same tautness of plot here, and there is no doubt that Donoghue can craft a wonderful page turner that will keep readers guessing up until the last moment. The sinister, mystical setting leads us along with Lib down several lines of investigation, digging up clues and unexpected histories, along with demons from Lib’s own past. The result is an emotionally gripping story, which hooks you from the beginning and doesn’t let go until the shocking end.