The Library Thief

The Binding meets The Vanishing Half in this extraordinary historical debut - perfect for readers who love gothic mysteries with books at the heart of them, as well as stories about people often overlooked by history. Some secrets are too scandalous to conceal... Since they left Jamaica for England, Florence's father has tried to tame her - from hot-combing her unruly hair, to training her in the art of bookbinding. But when Florence brings scandal to his door, he throws her onto the streets. Florence has nowhere to turn, but intercepting her father's commission to restore a private library, she talks her way into the remote, imposing Rose Hall. There, even the wonders of Lord Belfield's library can't distract Florence from the whisper of scandal around the late lady of the house and her black maid. Then one night, someone breaks into the library - yet strangely, they take none of the priceless tomes. Discovering a half-burned diary in the fireplace, Florence holds the key to a mystery that will reshape everything she knows about herself, and shake Rose Hall to its very foundations . . .