Description
A haunting mystery for fans of Eve Chase, Kate Morton and Kate Mosse. âA poignant page-turning story, beautifully writtenâ Leonora Nattrass, author of Blue Water âHugely evocative and beautifully writtenâ Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl âHugely evocative and beautifully writtenâ Anna Mazzola, author of The Clockwork Girl âPolly Crosbyâs writing is exquisite and this latest book is every bit as evocative as her previous novelsâ My Weekly Top pick of the month May 2023 âA thoroughly compelling mystery meets a poignant love story, all wrapped up in beautifully lyrical writingâ Frances Quinn, author of The Smallest Man âA beguiling mystery from a gifted storytellerâ Louise Fein, author of People Like Us 1938: Lady Vita Goldsborough lives in the menacing shadow of her controlling older brother, Aubrey. But when she meets local artist Dodie Blakeney, the two women form a close bond, and Vita finally glimpses a chance to be free. 1997: Following the death of her mother, Eve Blakeney returns to the coast where she spent childhood summers with her beloved grandmother, Dodie. Eve hopes that the visit will help make sense of her grief. The last thing she expects to find is a bundle of letters that hint at the heart-breaking story of Dodieâs relationship with a woman named Vita, and a shattering secret that echoes through the decades. What she discovers will overturn everything she thought she knew about her family â and change her life forever. âLuminous and captivating ⦠Polly Crosbyâs shimmering writing veils a dark hint of the gothicâ Kate Griffin, author of Fyneshade What readers are saying about Vita and the Birds 'A beautiful and haunting tale of family, love, control and connections. This book and its characters will stay with me for a long time' Netgalley reviewer 'A lush and evocative novel of loss and forbidden love' Netgalley reviewer 'Beautifully written, a dark and moody yet intriguing story' Netgalley reviewer 'An extraordinary book that I read in a 4 hour straight session without stopping for food or drink . . . A spellbinding read' Netgalley reviewer