Miller's daughter is 'summer read'
The first novel by the daughter of playwright Arthur Miller is guaranteed to fly off the shelves - thanks to an endorsement from teatime TV hosts Richard and Judy.
Eight books have been shortlisted for the annual Summer Read, now a key event in the literary calendar.
All the titles set to benefit from the "Richard and Judy effect" are by first-time or emerging authors. But Rebecca Miller, 45, daughter of Death Of A Salesman and The Crucible author Miller and wife of Daniel Day-Lewis, is already an established writer.
The Private Lives Of Pippa Lee, set to become a movie starring Winona Ryder, is Miller's first novel. But she is already known for her work as a scriptwriter, actress and director.
The other books on the list include The Outcast by Sadie Jones, No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay, East Of The Sun by Julia Gregson, Down River by John Hart, and The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson. Two of the works are by Australian authors - Addition by Toni Jordan and The Resurrectionist by James Bradley.
Endorsement by Richard and Judy rivals the award of a prestigious prize such as the Booker or the Orange, bringing a sales surge of up to 3,000% for some titles.
Former beneficiaries have included Kate Mosse's Labyrinth and Richard Benson's The Farm, which have shot to the top of the best-seller charts.
Richard and Judy executive producer Amanda Ross said: "I'm delighted to be able to help so many new authors get attention with Summer Read. This year's diverse list is a snapshot of the wealth of extraordinary new talent that is out there, and I hope that readers will be swept away by the quality of storytelling that's made the final cut."
Richard Madeley said: "These eight titles differ in narrative content vastly, meaning there is something for everyone, but what they all possess is that sense of escapism that holidays are all about. The stand out factor in a Summer Read book is that it becomes as much a part of the holiday as everything else around you."
Judy Finnigan said: "A captivating and distracting holiday book is a rare find these days, and we are so glad we have been able to come up with eight titles which we are sure people will enjoy as much as we have."
