'A magical invention of page-turning suspense, of sadness, grief and passion' The Times

Lewis Little, precocious thirteen-year-old, is spending summer in Paris with his mother, Alice.

Alice is translating the latest medieval romance by Valentina Gavrilovich, the bestselling and exotic Russian émigré. Lewis is there to make his first acquaintance with one of the greatest cities in the world; neither can foresee the momentous events that lie in wait for them.

Valentina slowly casts a spell over Lewis, but when her past begins to encroach on all their lives and, as this enchanted world is gradually lost, Lewis is driven on a terrifying quest.

'This novel has the sparkle of sunlight on water... once more Rose Tremain beguiles you into suspending belief' Independent on Sunday

Praise for Rose Tremain:

'One of my favourite writers' Nina Stibbe

'Tremain is one of the best novelists writing today' Sara Collins

'Pulsatingly alive . . . no one can break your heart quite like this' Neel Mukherjee