'A rip-roaring, helter-skelter adventure careening breathlessly through Regency society… An uproarious delight ' Historical Novel Society

1812 The Lake District

Despite their attempts to keep their forbidden romance away from the disapproving eyes of society, Dr Jacob Sandys and his lover, the actress Dora Fitz-Pennington, find themselves drawn into the scandals of the British elite once more when William Wordsworth’s prized notebook of unpublished poems goes missing.

When news arrives of a disturbing murder in London – a body pulled from the Thames with a shepherd’s crook wedged in the victim’s mouth – Dora and Jacob are compelled to investigate.

What links a poet's stolen treasure to a high-society murder? And will Dora and Jacob's love weather the storm, or will dark secrets doom their happiness

Praise for Julia Golding

'Who can resist a smart, resourceful and independent Regency heroine? Prepare to fall head over heels' Good Housekeeping

‘I won't lie, I picked this book up because of the cover – absolutely stunning…it was a perfect read’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book was so good, I couldn't put it down’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Simply delicious! This book is absolutely glorious…in the midst of a lot of Regency retellings, it stands out … There is a wry wit throughout which balances beautifully with the dark themes’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘This book is absolutely fantastic!!! I was so caught up in reading it that I missed lunch, and it was past time to start dinner. Only the rumbling of my stomach made me put it down for a quick meal, after which I resumed my reading’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘Starts with a bang, never really pauses for breath, and has two main protagonists who are instantly likeable and easy to cheer for!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘A roller-coaster ride with plenty of twists’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘What a compelling read! I found it a captivating, dynamic and enthralling book that kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The writing of this book was exquisite … I was hanging on to every last word’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐