A much-awaited new historical novel from Mary Hooper that will delight her existing fans and, by breaking away from the C17 into the Victorian era, will give added interest for more potential fans. Also perfect for reading alongside any study of the Victorian period. Mary's authentic historical voice and setting are combined with a tense, thrilling mystery plot to make this an unputdownable read Will be backed by a strong marketing and publicity campaign and a very keen hardback price of GBP8.99

'Mary Hooper's gripping tale of two poverty-stricken sisters could well be her best and most accessible novel yet ... Immensely readable' The Bookseller 'Nobody tells a story like Mary Hooper does. Her ability to make the lives of girls in times past come alive for the modern reader is a special skill. As well as her superb grasp of period settings, she revels in extraordinary and fascinating human stories that cry out to be told. Such lives could not be in better hands' John McLay, Director, Bath Festival of Children's Literature 'An exceptional, highly involving and affecting tale that is definitely a must read for 2010' Jake Hope, YLG and The Bookseller 'This one is Hooper's breakthrough and its characterisation, plotting and atmosphere are first-rate and deserve prizes ... Not since Philip Pullman's The Ruby in the Smoke has there been such a gorgeous evocation of Victorian life - or so satisfying a conclusion' Amanda Craig, The Times

Mary Hooper is a very popular writer for children and young adults. Mary's brilliant historical novels, At the House of the Magician, By Royal Command, The Betrayal, At the Sign of the Sugared Plum, Petals in the Ashes and The Extraordinary Life and Times of Eliza Rose, have a huge fan base, as do her contemporary novels for teenagers. Mary is very much in demand for her events at literary festivals and schools. She lives in Henley-on-Thames.