"'Fans of Sarah Waters and Hilary Mantel will love this' LAURA SHEPPERSON
'Unsettling, claustrophobic and compelling' KATE RIORDAN
'Gripping frightening and wholly original' JODIE MATTHEWS
'A chillingly Gothic tale that is exquisitely written' TOBI COVENTRY
The thrilling new historical mystery from the acclaimed, bestselling author of The Beholders.
Scotland, 1886. Lil, a keen archaeologist, has arrived at Pitcarden to lead a dig on a Bronze Age burial mound. Having escaped the clutches of her mother, a famous medium, and committed herself to a life of rational enquiry, she is determined to unearth the treasures buried deep, despite growing protests from the nearby villagers.
But Lil is also privately plagued by nightmares which haunt her sleep and by memories of her former life. Caught in a fight between science and superstition, Lil confides in a mysterious doctor who she hopes might cure her night terrors once and for all. But who exactly is this doctor that Lil has trusted with her most intimate fears? And what secrets from her past might she be digging up, along with a long-lost hoard?
From the bestselling author of The Beholders comes this unputdownable historical mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end."
"'Held me completely in its thrall until the very last line’ SUSAN STOKES-CHAPMAN
'I was hooked from the start' DAILY MAIL
A SUNDAY TIMES HISTORICAL FICTION BOOK OF THE MONTH
A TIMES BESTSELLER
SHORTLISTED FOR THE HISTORICAL WRITERS' ASSOCIATION DEBUT CROWN PRIZE
June, 1878. The body of a boy is pulled from the depths of the River Thames, suspected to be the beloved missing child of the widely admired Liberal MP Ralph Gethin.
Four months earlier. Harriet is a young maid newly employed at Finton Hall. Fleeing the drudgery of an unwanted engagement in the small village where she grew up, Harriet is entranced by the grand country hall; she is entranced too by her glamorous mistress Clara Gethin, whose unearthly singing voice floats through the house. But Clara, though captivating, is erratic. The master of the house is a much-lauded politician, but he is strangely absent. And some of their beautiful belongings seem to tell terrible stories.
Unable to ignore her growing unease, Harriet sets out to discover their secrets. When she uncovers a shocking truth, a chain of events is set in motion that could cost Harriet everything, even her freedom…
What readers are saying…
'I didn't want to stop reading!'
'This story has everything: murder, love, intrigue and heartbreak'
'Plenty of unexpected twists and turns. A sold five stars from me!'
'I couldn't put it down til the very end'
'Heartbreaking, intriguing, hard to put down'"
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