In this tantalizing tale of Victorian ghoststories and family secrets, timid, solitary librarian Gerard Freeman lives forjust two things: his elusive pen pal Alice and a story he found hidden in hismother's drawer years ago. Written by his great-grandmother Viola, it hints athis mother's role in a sinister crime. As he discovers more of Viola's chillingtales, he realizes that they might hold the key to finding Alice and unveilinghis family's mysteryor will they bring about his untimely death, as they seem toforetell?
Harwood's astonishing, assured debut shows us just how dangerousfamily skeletonsand storiescan be.