Breaking Point: Edel Coffey in conversation with Tara Mills

Edel’ Coffey’s debut novel Breaking Point was acquired by Darcy Nicholson, Editorial Director at Sphere in September 2020 after a multi-publisher auction and was published in January 2022

Breaking Point tells the story of Susannah, a frighteningly successful doctor with a husband and two young children. One morning, she leaves her youngest in the car, only realising when it is too late. From this harrowing beginning, unfolds a gruelling court case where Susannah is tried for negligence in the courtroom and in the media for daring to try to have it all. Edel will be in conversation with BBC presenter Tara Mills to talk about her debut novel. 

'Breaking Point is raw, compelling, and ground-breaking; Coffey puts the life of working mothers under a microscope. To say I loved it is an understatement, I expect it will be a huge success.' Liz Nugent

'A gripping, compulsive pageturner about what we expect from women, especially mothers. It's going to be a massive hit.' Marian Keyes

Edel Coffey is an Irish journalist and broadcaster. She lives in Galway with her husband and children. Edel began work as an arts journalist and editor with the Sunday Tribune. She has since worked as a presenter and reporter with RTE Radio, editor of the Irish Independent Weekend magazine and Books Editor of the Irish Independent. 

Tara Mills is a BBC Northern Ireland presenter who fronts the 6.30 evening television news and co-presents Radio Ulster’s Drivetime programme. She has a special interest in disability rights, mental health and learning difficulty and presented a documentary about Child and Adolescent Mental Health in 2019. Before presenting, Tara was a reporter for almost 20 years. She covered stories from the Good Friday Agreement, the setting up of Stormont to the devolution of policing and justice powers. She also worked for BBC Spotlight and co-hosts the BBC’s local election coverage. Last year, Tara hosted the popular Year ’21 podcast on the creation of Northern Ireland a hundred years ago.