Zoe Marriott

'I read it in a single sitting' SUSANNA KEARSLEY'Deliciously atmospheric' RUTH WARE'Evocative, intriguing, twisty' WOMAN & HOME'Beautiful' AMANDA GEARDA windswept moor. A house in ruins. A secret to unlock... The past can hold you in its spell... 1924. Lord and Lady Kearsley's glittering Summer Ball is in full swing when their betrothed daughter Xanthe slips out of the Orangery and into the maze for a secret encounter. By the next morning, the grand house will be in ashes and two bodies removed, but no one will ever know what happened that night in Winterthorne. 2024. Juliet Stewart discovers she has inherited a cottage in the cliff-top village of Winterthorne from a relative she never knew existed. Stumbling upon the ruins of Kearsley Castle, she learns about the fire that destroyed the family. Puzzled by the disturbing gifts appearing on her doorstep, Juliet realises that someone doesn't want her in Winterthorne. But as she becomes drawn deeper into Xanthe's story, she discovers that danger lies not only in uncovering the past, but in the present too... 'Sweeping, intriguing. This book kept me spellbound' CHRISTINA COURTENAY'I loved it. Evocative, gripping... A fabulous read' ANNA STUART'A beguiling labyrinth of love and mystery' LUCY ADLINGTON'Twists you won't see coming' LESLEY LOKKO'Romantic and immersive' JANE JOHNSONWhat readers are saying:'I found myself staying up WAY past my bedtime' ? ?'I loved this book. Betrayal, forbidden love and secrets' ? ?'Gripping and engrossing' ? ?'Exciting and emotional' ? ?'Strong women have us rooting for them. Loved it' ? ?

"A rising star of fantasy fiction." The Times "Richly imagined yet sharply topical. You'll fall in love with Zhi." L. A. Weatherly, author of the Angel trilogy "Zoe Marriott has created something truly special." Lauren James, author of The Loneliest Girl in the Universe Zhilan was assigned female at birth. Despite a gift for illusions, they know they are destined to live out their life within the confines of the women's quarter. But when civil war sets the empire aflame, Zhilan is determined save their disabled father from the battlefield. By taking his place. Surviving brutal army training as a boy - Zhi - is only the first challenge. In the glittering court of the Land of Dragons, love and betrayal are two sides of the same smile, and soon the fate of a nation rests on Zhi's shoulders. But to win, they must decide where their heart truly belongs...