As the Second World War looms, Flavia is living in a small village in the South of France. She studies for her Oxford entrance, swims in the sea, eats at local cafés, and lives with all the confidence and relish of youth. Drawn into the demi-monde of artists and writers, Flavia is awoken to the pleasures and complications of adult life. Her world is overturned when she becomes fascinated by Andrée - beautiful, sophisticated, yet manipulative - and is caught up in a devastating intrigue. This is a dramatic companion novel to A Favourite of the Gods, also published by Daunt Books. 'A powerful and merciless book - a classic coming of age novel.' - Hilary Mantel 'The lure of the sensual life, the picnics, lobster salad, hock and seltzer and going to the opera, in Italy, in summer . . .' - The Times 'A mesmerising writer.' - Nicholas Shakespeare 'There will always be people for whom her books are part of their mind's life, and people who are discovering her for the first time as if entering a lighted room.' - Victoria Glendinning 'Sophisticated . . . skilful.' - New Statesman
