WINNER OF THE WOMENS PRIZE 2025SHORTLISTED FOR THE BOOKER PRIZE 2024SHORTLISTED FOR THE DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE 2025LONGLISTED FOR THE WINGATE PRIZE 2025An exhilarating tale of twisted desire histories and homes and the unexpected shape of revenge for readers of Patricia Highsmith Sarah Waters and Ian McEwans Atonement.It is fifteen years after the Second World War and Isabel has built herself a solitary life of discipline and strict routine in her late mothers country home with not a fork or a word out of place. But all is upended when her brother Louis delivers his graceless new girlfriend Eva at Isabels doorstep as a guest there to stay for the season.In the sweltering heat of summer Isabels desperate need for control reaches boiling point. What happens between the two women leads to a revelation which threatens to unravel all she has ever known.A thrilling razorsharp perfectly plotted debut novel Sunday TimesMoving unnerving and deeply sexy Tracy Chevalier bestselling author of GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRINGA brave and thrilling debut about facing up to the truth of history and to ones own desires.