'Combines the intrigue of The Da Vinci Code with the mysticism of a Carlos Ruiz Zafon novel ... This is a gripping tale in which every detail counts' Financial Times. 'Erudite alchemical thriller ... Here we have an enigmatic heroine, a wonderful European city, plenty of cultural detail, a string of gruesome murders and a conspiracy that spans centuries ... everything is relevant - so pay attention - and everything is enticing, for readers who enjoy this sort of game ... she's an original, entertaining writer. I finished this episode wanting more' The Guardian. 'The kind of rich, multi-layered story that demands and rewards commitment ... A triumphant debut, by a young writer with an incredible imagination' The Times. 'A complex and ambitious literary thriller' Observer. 'If you're in search of a thriller, look no further than this novel by London-based Californian Jessica Cornwell. Anna Verco, the heroine, has drawn comparisons to Dragon Tattoo's Lisbeth Salander, and the book is a new take on Dan Brown's turf' Grazia. 'Intelligent and richly realised' Oxford Times.