Author Emily Perkins has been brewing the concept of her new novel for a long time. And after many, many drafts, Lioness finally hit the shelves last week.
It's her first new release in a decade, and one widely anticipated by the many followers of the award-winning contemporary writer.
Perkins first won attention in 1996 with her first collection of stories, Not Her Real Name and Other Stories.
Her other novels include The New Girl, Novel About My Wife, and The Forrests.
Last year her play about AI - The Made - was produced by Auckland Theatre Company in 2022.
She is also a teacher of creative writing, with connections to the Institute for Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington, and to Auckland University.
Her new release Lioness, published by Bloomsbury, follows Therese, whose privileged world is shaken when her husband is accused of corruption.