An extraordinary historical debut for any reader who loves gothic mysteries like Rebecca and
Fingersmith and fiction which shines a light on untold stories. The library is under lock
and key. But its secrets can't be contained. After he brought her home from Jamaica as a baby
Florence's father had her hair hot-combed to make her look like the other girls. But as a young
woman Florence is not so easy to tame - and when she brings scandal to his door the
bookbinder throws her onto the streets of Manchester. Intercepting her father's latest
commission Florence talks her way into the remote forbidding Rose Hall to restore its
collection of rare books. Lord Francis Belfield's library is old and full of secrets - but none
so intriguing as the whispers about his late wife. Then one night the library is broken
into. Strangely all the priceless tomes remain untouched. Florence is puzzled until she
discovers a half-burned book in the fireplace. She realises with horror that someone has found
and set fire to the secret diary of Lord Belfield's wife - which may hold the clue to her fate
. . . 'A tantalising read that swells with secrecy and intrigue. It's hard to believe that
Kuchenga Shenjé writes of the past and not of the present. A beautifully and skilfully written
debut' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS author of Queenie 'Powerful gorgeously absorbing and wholly
original' JOANNE BURN author of The Hemlock Cure 'Threads in themes of identity sexuality
and a woman's impossible choices into an intricate web of mysteries that would not let me go'
CARI THOMAS author of Threadneedle 'I was swept up with the mystery. A beautifully crafted
story full of nuanced characters gothic undertones and plenty of heart' STACEY THOMAS author
of The Revels 'Filled with fantastically drawn characters and with a love of books that
shines through the prose' KATIE LUMSDEN author of The Secrets of Hartwood Hall
