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‘A fabulous foray into a shadowy Victorian world’ WOMAN&HOME
A beguiling novel of Victorian theft and obsession from the bestselling author of THE SOMNAMBULIST.
Uprooted from her home in India, Alice is raised by her aunt, a spiritualist medium in Windsor. When the mysterious Mr Tilsbury enters their lives, Alice is drawn into a plot to steal the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond, claimed by the British Empire at the end of the Anglo-Sikh wars.
Said to be both blessed and cursed, the sacred Indian stone exerts its power over all who encounter it: a handsome deposed maharajah determined to claim his rightful throne, a man hell-bent on discovering the secrets of eternity, and a widowed queen who hopes the jewel can draw her husband’s spirit back. In the midst of all this madness, Alice must discover a way to regain control of her life and fate…
‘An obvious comparison is with early Sarah Waters’ GUARDIAN
A beguiling novel of Victorian theft and obsession from the bestselling author of THE SOMNAMBULIST.
Uprooted from her home in India, Alice is raised by her aunt, a spiritualist medium in Windsor. When the mysterious Mr Tilsbury enters their lives, Alice is drawn into a plot to steal the priceless Koh-i-Noor diamond, claimed by the British Empire at the end of the Anglo-Sikh wars.
Said to be both blessed and cursed, the sacred Indian stone exerts its power over all who encounter it: a handsome deposed maharajah determined to claim his rightful throne, a man hell-bent on discovering the secrets of eternity, and a widowed queen who hopes the jewel can draw her husband’s spirit back. In the midst of all this madness, Alice must discover a way to regain control of her life and fate…
‘An obvious comparison is with early Sarah Waters’ GUARDIAN
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Reviews
A richly textured, highly coloured and entirely pleasurable read
Delights in the underworld and exotica of Victorian Britain...Memorable and unusual
With just as many twists and turns as Wilkie Collins aat his unpredictable best, Fox's take on the Victorian mystery novel will transport you to a world of intrigue and superstition . . . A gem of a read
Fox's clear and thorough historical research is clearly woven into every seam of this rich and imaginative novel.
The plot of this novel is intricate and beautifully turned, and echoes of Frances Hodgson Burnett and George MacDonald Fraser are entirely intentional - Fox's raids on the story-box cleverly enhance the sense of mystery
Dark secrets, hidden pasts and childhood mysteries are the focus in this sensual melodrama...an entertaining slice of Victoriana, rich in historical detail
This is a tale of lost families, haunting prophecies and obsessive love. Not one to miss! 8 out 10 stars
A dark enthralling story... I was totally engrossed!
The author captures the essence of Victorian life in this richly textured novel...hugely enjoyable. If you love all things Victorian, you will love this
Terrifically atmospheric and an engrossing plot.
A shadowy sensual world... [a] beguiling, imaginative and original tale
Beautifully turned and very beguiling . . . Fox cleverly weaves in real characters such as the widowed Queen Victoria and the Maharajah Duleep Singh, with Indian myths and legends, to produce a terrifically engrossing read
This is a fascinating, fast-paced, beautifully written book and well worth reading.