'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 and sensual Victorian novel of theft and obsession from the author of the TV Book Club pick THE SOMNAMBULIST.

About the Author
Essie Fox divides her time between Windsor and Bow in the East End of London. Her debut novel, The Somnambulist, was selected for the Channel 4 Book Club and was shortlisted in the New Writer of the Year category of the 2012 National Book Awards. She is the author of The Virtual Victorian: www.virtualvictorian.blogspot.com

Reviews
This is a fascinating, fast-paced, beautifully written book and well worth reading. -- Carol Westron * Promoting Crime Blog *
Fox's clear and thorough historical research is clearly woven into every seam of this rich and imaginative novel. -- Antonia Charlesworth * THE BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH *
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 * THE TIMES *
A richly textured, highly coloured and entirely pleasurable read * METRO *
Dark secrets, hidden pasts and childhood mysteries are the focus in this sensual melodrama...an entertaining slice of Victoriana, rich in historical detail * MARIE CLAIRE *
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 * THE LADY *
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 * HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY *
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 * SAGA MAGAZINE *
Delights in the underworld and exotica of Victorian Britain...Memorable and unusual * SUNDAY TIMES *
A dark enthralling story... I was totally engrossed! * ESSENTIALS *
A shadowy sensual world... [a] beguiling, imaginative and original tale * HELLO! MAGAZINE *
Terrifically atmospheric and an engrossing plot. * NEW BOOKS *
This is a tale of lost families, haunting prophecies and obsessive love. Not one to miss! 8 out 10 stars * WORDS AND PIECES BLOG *



Book Information
ISBN 9781409146209
Author Essie Fox
Format Paperback
Page Count 336
Imprint Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
Publisher Orion Publishing Co
Weight(grams) 232g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 150mm * 22mm