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A powerful and gripping historical thriller for fans of The Essex Serpernt and The Miniaturist.
‘Original and evocative … a mesmerising thriller’ Daily Telegraph
‘Full of twists and turns’ Scotsman
‘An enthralling exploration of revolutionary science in post-revolutionary France’ Guardian
‘A book of penetrating humanity and a vivid evocation of Paris’ Financial Times
Paris, 1815. Daniel Connor, a young medical student from Edinburgh, has just arrived in Paris to study anatomy at the Jardin des Plantes – only to realise that his letters of introduction and a gift of precious coral specimens, on which his tenure depends, have been stolen by the beautiful woman with whom he shared a stagecoach.
In the fervour and tumult of post revolutionary Paris, nothing is quite as it seems. In trying to recover his lost valuables, Daniel discovers that his beautiful adversary is in fact a philosopher-thief who lives in a shadowy world of outlaws and émigrés. As Daniel embark on a passionate love affair with the Coral Thief, he is drawn to join her salon of thieves to execute one last breathtakingly bold robbery…
‘Original and evocative … a mesmerising thriller’ Daily Telegraph
‘Full of twists and turns’ Scotsman
‘An enthralling exploration of revolutionary science in post-revolutionary France’ Guardian
‘A book of penetrating humanity and a vivid evocation of Paris’ Financial Times
Paris, 1815. Daniel Connor, a young medical student from Edinburgh, has just arrived in Paris to study anatomy at the Jardin des Plantes – only to realise that his letters of introduction and a gift of precious coral specimens, on which his tenure depends, have been stolen by the beautiful woman with whom he shared a stagecoach.
In the fervour and tumult of post revolutionary Paris, nothing is quite as it seems. In trying to recover his lost valuables, Daniel discovers that his beautiful adversary is in fact a philosopher-thief who lives in a shadowy world of outlaws and émigrés. As Daniel embark on a passionate love affair with the Coral Thief, he is drawn to join her salon of thieves to execute one last breathtakingly bold robbery…
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Reviews
Original and evocative, this thriller set in 19th-century Paris deftly weaves together history and science.
A riveting read
Keenly researched, lovingly decorated, brimming with ideas but never short on character or charm
An original and enthralling read.
An utterly gripping, fascinating read.
Combines theories of evolution with the intrigue of an old-fashioned thriller...Clever and thought-provoking.
This book, like the coral that Daniel was originally carrying, is a rare and fascinating specimen.
It makes for an entertaining narrative as Lucienne's band of well-spoken rogues duck and dive to avoid Jagot, the head of police.