'Things I Know. I'm a bad person. 
I miss Finn. I could easily
be a murderer.'

A powerful YA novel by twice-Carnegie-medal-nominated author Helena Close.  

Saoirse can't wait to leave school – but just before the Leaving Cert her ex-boyfriend dies by suicide. Everyone blames Saoirse, and her rumbling anxieties spiral out of control.

Saoirse finds herself flailing in swirling waters that threaten to suck her into the depths. No-one can save her – not her lovely nan; not the gorgeous boy who tries to love her; and certainly not her cheap-wisdom counsellor.

Can Saoirse, against all odds, rescue the self she used to know?

“Close has a great ear for dialogue and a keen eye for the often-stifling dynamics of small-town life … Read it – and buy a second copy to thrust into the hands of the next platitude-utterer you encounter.”  – Claire Hennessy, The Irish Times

""A delightfully scathing look at the platitudes around mental health ... The sharp wit of the protagonist Saoirse and the pitch-perfect dialogue make this book a pleasure to read." – The Irish Times

“An accurate portrayal of a young person’s challenges, this book is also full of hope, love and laughter.” – The Sunday Independent

“A bittersweet, honest look at loss and trauma.” – Kirkus Reviews

“An engaging, thought-provoking, moving read that sheds light on the realities of depression while offering honest glimmers of hope.” – LoveReading Expert Review

“Tells a compelling story … without flinching from tackling dark topics including mental health and suicide.” – The Limerick Post

“A beautifully crafted story.” – Paper Lanterns

"Those who wish to understand trauma, like the loss of loved ones, will enjoy and benefit from this story."  – Youth Services Book Review

“Incredible 5 read … I walked every heartache and pain, every high and low of this journey with Saoirse. Mental health issues are drawn so vividly and heartbreakingly, whilst also showing the love and laughs alongside.” – Karla’s Bookish Life

From Limerick City in the west of Ireland, Helena Close has been writing full-time for twenty years. She has written or co-written seven novels, published by Hodder Headline (under the pseudonym Sarah O’Brien), Hachette Ireland and Blackstaff Press. Things I Know is her second young adult novel.