'An ingenious book' SARAH WATERS

'Permanent classics in the detective field . . . no superlatives are adequate' THE NEW YORK TIMES

Marion Shape and her mother are quiet and ordinary villagers, enjoying a peaceful life in their country home, the Franchise. Everything changes when a local schoolgirl accuses them of kidnap and abuse, describing the attic room of the house as her prison. Scotland Yard inspector Alan Grant is called to solve the mystery of the Franchise, but will h ...