**Laura van den Berg to Release New Novel ‘Ring of Night’ Featuring a Champion Boxer**
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Laura van den Berg, an accomplished author and amateur boxer, is set to unveil her latest novel, “Ring of Night”, which promises to intertwine the intense world of boxing with a gripping crime narrative. The cover of the book has been exclusively revealed by PEOPLE and is scheduled for release on May 4, 2027, through Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
The story centres around Tina Chance, a prominent female boxer in her small Florida town. However, her career is abruptly disrupted when she discovers that her troubled sister, Angela, has been found dead in the walls of an abandoned mansion. This tragic event thrusts Tina into the heart of a murder investigation, forcing her to navigate a swirl of dark secrets in her community. As she delves deeper into the mystery, a mysterious stranger enters her life with a concealed identity and a hidden agenda, leading Tina towards confronting the terrifying truth behind her sister’s death.
In a conversation with PEOPLE, van den Berg reflected on the personal significance of writing “Ring of Night”. Having entered the world of boxing nearly a decade ago, she explained that her journey—culminating in eight amateur fights—was transformative and played a crucial role in overcoming a challenging period in her life. This experience has deeply influenced her writing, as she hopes to shed light on the raw, unvarnished reality of amateur boxing.
“I knew that one day I’d write about the gritty, unglamorous and also totally extraordinary world of amateur boxing,” van den Berg shared, emphasising her desire to portray the characters inhabiting this world. She created a fictional gym in Florida akin to those she remembers, where trainers often assume multiple roles—acting as social workers, therapists, and guides for their fighters.
The author noted her intention to dive into the lives of the coaches who shape these athletes’ experiences. “I wanted to write about that heart-shattering walk to the ring on fight night,” she elaborated, indicating a more profound exploration of the emotional and psychological stakes involved in the sport.
Literature has consistently played a significant role in van den Berg’s life, recalling her childhood fascination with Nancy Drew mysteries that kept her reading late into the night. In boxing, she found a similar sense of comfort and honesty. “One thing about boxing is the way a round flushes the hidden parts of the self out into the light,” she said. “There is simply no place to hide.” This sentiment reflects the brutal honesty she aims to capture in her novel, drawing parallels between the fight ring and the shadowy elements surrounding her sister’s murder.
As she crafted “Ring of Night”, van den Berg found herself navigating uncharted territories as a writer. Describing the process, she remarked, “The writing of the book often reminded me of stepping into the ring for my very first fight. It was a big leap into the unknown, trying one kind of punch and then another, waiting to see what lands.” This adventurous approach to storytelling marks a significant evolution in her writing journey.
With its compelling plot and relatable themes, “Ring of Night” is anticipated to attract fans of authors like Liz Moore and Tana French, who delve into complex narratives surrounding human relationships and suspense. The dual elements of crime and the intrinsic struggle within the sport are expected to resonate with a wide audience, bringing to life a novel that reflects both personal and universal experiences.
Readers excited to dive into van den Berg’s latest work can pre-order “Ring of Night” through various book retailers. The launch of this novel marks another milestone in Laura van den Berg’s writing career, showcasing her ability to blend her passions for boxing and storytelling into a unique and engaging narrative.
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