'A consummate performance...virtuoso' Guardian

A fascinating, unusual and seductive historical novel by the bestselling author of The Long Firm.

In a Parisian restaurant, Aleister Crowley, the notorious occultist, chances on Major-General Sir Hector Macdonald: once one of the greatest heroes of the British Empire, now facing ruin in a shocking scandal - and vulnerable to Crowley's curious offer of help. An extraordinary night of transgression and revelation ensues . . .

Probing beneath the surface of Victorian conformity, this is an enthralling tale of imperialism, sexuality and the nature of belief, which captures a world on the brink of a brutal new era.

A stunning historical novel by the bestselling author of THE LONG FIRM.

About the Author
Born in 1961, Jake Arnott lives in London. His first novel, The Long Firm, was a major critical and popular success. It was subsequently made into a BBC TV series, which was nominated for two BAFTA awards. His second novel, He Kills Coppers, was also made into a series by Channel 4. He has since published the novels truecrime, Johnny Come Home, The Devil's Paintbrush, The House of Rumour and, most recently, The Fatal Tree.

Reviews
Brilliantly expansive and original * Daily Mirror *
A consummate performance...a virtuoso work of near history, with the occasional in-joke thrown in for good measure...immensely enjoyable * Guardian *
One of the many pleasures of this skilful book is the maintenance of suspense...Arnott does not ask us to choose between [Crowley and Macdonald] - but much of the moral force of this excellent book lies in his demonstration that there is, nonetheless, a choice to be made. * Independent *
A great read, full of compassion, humour and riveting detail. * Sunday Express *
Arnott's great leap forward...Macdonald's predicament is sympathetically examined and Crowley's monstrous drive is brilliantly rendered...it is his best [novel] * The Herald *
Arnott is clearly having fun here...So to combine that with how the necessity to be good - to be a hero - can be as suffocating a pressure as battling with occultist demons makes The Devil's Paintbrush a fine book * Metro *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340922712
Author Jake Arnott
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Sceptre
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 224g
Dimensions(mm) 197mm * 129mm * 21mm