A spellbinding novel about shattered hopes, destructive love and dark family secrets from the author of the Orange New Writers Award-winning novel Disobedience

Hidden away in an Oxford back street is a crumbling Georgian mansion, unknown to any but the few who possess a key to its unassuming front gate. Its owner is the mercurial, charismatic Mark Winters, whose rackety trust-fund upbringing has left him as troubled and unpredictable as he is wildly promiscuous.

Mark gathers around him an impressionable group of students: glamorous Emmanuella, who always has a new boyfriend in tow; Franny and Simon, best friends and occasional lovers; musician Jess, whose calm exterior hides passionate depths. And James, already damaged by Oxford and looking for a group to belong to.

For a time they live in a charmed world of learning and parties and love affairs. But university is no grounding for adult life, and when, years later, tragedy strikes they are entirely unprepared.

Universal in its themes of ambition, desire and betrayal, this spellbinding novel reflects the truth that the lessons life teaches often come too late.

'Rich, fresh, fascinating. A wonderful novel' Sunday Times on Disobedience

'Sharp, funny and poignant' Hilary Mantel

'Funny, tender and insightful' Maureen Lipman, Guardian

'An original, deft and remarkably appealing debut' Daily Mail