Longlisted for the Guardian's Not the Booker Prize and described by British bookshop chain Waterstones as: "an exciting new voice in crime fiction", Eve Smith's debut novel The Waiting Rooms was shortlisted for the Bridport Prize First Novel Award and was selected as a Book of the Month in The Guardian just after launch.
"Smith combines the excitement of a medical thriller à la Michael Crichton with sensitive characterisation and social insight in a timely debut novel all the more remarkable for being conceived and written before the current pandemic."
Eve writes speculative fiction with a splash of Thriller thrown in. Her latest novel Off Target is chilling page turner set In an all-too-possible near future, when genetic engineering has become the norm for humans, not just crops, parents are prepared to take incalculable risks to ensure that their babies are perfect … altering genes that may cause illness, and more…
She attributes her love of all things dark and dystopian to a childhood watching Tales of the Unexpected and black-and-white Edgar Allen Poe double bills.
OFF TARGET:
A longed-for baby
An unthinkable decision
A deadly mistake
In an all-too-possible near future, when genetic engineering has become the norm for humans, not just crops, parents are prepared to take incalculable risks to ensure that their babies are perfect … altering genes that may cause illness, and more…
Susan has been trying for a baby for years, and when an impulsive one-night stand makes her dream come true, she’ll do anything to keep her daughter and ensure her husband doesn’t find out … including the unthinkable. She believes her secret is safe. For now.
But as governments embark on a perilous genetic arms race and children around the globe start experiencing a host of distressing symptoms – even taking their own lives – something truly horrendous is unleashed. Because those children have only one thing in common, and people are starting to ask questions…
Bestselling author of The Waiting Rooms, Eve Smith returns with an authentic, startlingly thought-provoking, disturbing blockbuster of a thriller that provides a chilling glimpse of a future that’s just one modification away…
Praise for The Waiting Rooms
‘Combines the excitement of a medical thriller à la Michael Crichton with sensitive characterisation and social insight in a timely debut novel all the more remarkable for being conceived and written before the current pandemic’ Guardian.

FOLLOW THE SHOW
► Our website - https://www.thewritingcommunitychatshow.com
► Universal link - https://linktr.ee/TheWCCS
► Buy the show a coffee - https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheWCCS
► Use hashtag #TheWritingCommunityChatShow or #TheWCCS on social media to keep us current. This show will only succeed with your support!
► Support us through #Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/WCCS?fan_landing=true
► For our #FIVERR affiliate link click here (we will earn a little from you signing up through our link and more if you use the service. We back this service and have used it with great results! - https://fvrr.co/32SB6cs
► For our PRO #WRITING AID affiliate link click here - https://prowritingaid.com/?afid=15286

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Connect With The Community

🏆 Ranked #3 Writing Podcast in the UK (2025) The WCCS is more than a show; it’s a masterclass in the craft and business of storytelling. Join 380+ interviews with NYT Bestsellers, Indie Icons, and Celebrities.

• 📺 Watch the Full Shows: The Writing Community Chat Show | 360+ Author Interviews, Writing Tips & Creative Chaos.
• ✍️ The Stories Behind the Stories And Great Writing Articles: WRITE, CONNECT, GROW, With The Writing Community Chat Show. | 📚The WCCS | Substack
• 🚀 Support the Mission With Tips And Donations: PayPal.Me

Together as one, we get it done! The Writing Community Chat Show is a proud supporter of indie authors and creative persistence.