Hail Mary

• A Harper’s Bazaar ‘Best New Short-Story Collection’ for 2025 *

A stunning collection of short stories capturing the lives of nine Nigerian women, each very different, each determined to fight for themselves.

Meet Ifeoma. She’s been ready to leave her violent husband for some time, but her plans for a quiet departure take an unexpectedly gruesome turn…

Nkechi, a housemaid for a rich Lagos family, bears the weight of her Madam’s wrath when she discovers her husband’s dark secret.

In London, Riliwa meets Mary, a guardian angel full of advice, wisdom and practical support as she navigates her unfamiliar new home. But it soon becomes clear that Mary’s kindness comes at a price.

Passionate, raw, full of heart and humour, these are stories about women who will not be broken by the challenges life puts in their way.

‘Wow! I thought this collection was breathtaking. It packs such an emotional punch.’ Jessica George, author of Maame

Author Biography

Funmi Fetto, a London-based journalist and editor, is currently the Style Editor at British Vogue. As a digital and print journalist, Funmi’s work largely intersects across art, beauty, culture, race and identity. She has worked and written for numerous publications including Vanity Fair, InStyle, Sunday Times Style, FT, Guardian, Telegraph, Tatler, Glamour and Observer – where she writes a weekly column – and is the author of the bestselling book Palette: The Beauty Bible for Women of Colour.

Her short story, ‘Unspoken’, which is included in this collection, was shortlisted for the V.S. Pritchett Prize.