Overview

The Sunday Timesbestseller. Stunning historical fiction, perfect for fans of Tracy Chevalier The Sunday Times bestselling novel—“a dense, intricate historical thriller in the tradition of Hilary Mantel” (Sophie Hannah).

It’s 1792, on a cold winter night in Berkeley Square. As the city sleeps, the night watchman keeps a cautious eye on the neighborhood streets. Then, he discovers the body of Pierre Renard, the eponymous silversmith, lying dead, his throat cut and his valuables missing. It could be robbery, committed by one of the many villains who frequent the square, but as news of the murder spreads, it soon becomes clear that Renard had more than a few enemies, all with their own secrets to hide.

At the center of this web is Mary, the silversmith’s wife. To the outside world theirs was a loving marriage, but behind closed doors their relationship was a dark and at times sadistic one. Upon meeting Mary, she is withdrawn and weak, haunted by her past and near-mad with guilt. Will she find the redemption she seeks and what, exactly, does she need redemption for…?

Rich and beautifully told, this is a stunning story of murder, love, and buried secrets.