The fourth novel in the best-selling Inspector Lynley mystery series.
Inspector Thomas Lynley, 8th Earl of Asherton, feels some trepidation as he introduces his bride-to-be to his mother at the ancestral home of Howenstow in Cornwall. But Lynley's private concerns are soon forgotten as the brutal murder of a local journalist requires him to focus on the professional, rather than the personal.
The investigation tears apart powerful ties of love and friendship, shattering the tranquillity of the picturesque Cornish community and exposing a long-buried family secret. Its consequences irrevocably alter the course of Thomas Lynley's life.
A first-class, page-turning read - The Times
A very good writer indeed - Jessica Mann
Elizabeth George is the internationally bestselling author of twenty psychological suspense novels, four young adult novels, two books of non-fiction and two short-story collections. Her work has been honoured with an Anthony Award, an Agatha Award, two Edgar nominations, and both France's and Germany's first prize for crime fiction. She has taught creative writing internationally and is the recipient of an honorary doctorate in humane letters and an honorary MFA in creative writing. She lives in Seattle, Washington.