The House With Nine Locks

£9.99

In post-war Flanders, Adelais de Wolf’s family is slowly but surely coming apart after an event nobody will talk about: her mother evermore lost to religious devotion, her father to alcohol. But with the death of a beloved uncle, Adelais finds herself in receipt of an unexpected legacy: a shuttered house in a rundown district and its contents – contents which hold the promise of wealth and independence. All that is required is application, nerve, and a willingness to operate outside of the law. Adelais takes the plunge, and her fortunes are transformed. But with her rise comes complications: her victimless crimes may not be as victimless as she supposed. Nor has she counted on the singular fanaticism of Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie, a brutal man who never forgives and never forgets. Embroiled in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, will Adelais find that her new life comes at too high a price?

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Description

A master forger transforms a young woman’s life – but what will it cost her?

‘One of the best historical crime novels I’ve ever read’ Frances Quinn

‘A page-turner: morally complex and beautifully written’
Leonora Nattrass, bestselling author of Blue Water

In post-war Flanders, Adelais de Wolf’s family is unraveling: her mother increasingly consumed by religious fervor, her father by alcohol. But when her beloved uncle dies, Adelais finds herself in receipt of an unexpected legacy: a shuttered house in a rundown district and its contents hold the promise of independence and wealth, if she is willing to break the law.

Adelais stifles her doubts and her fortunes are transformed. But with her rise comes complications: her victimless crimes may not be as victimless as she supposed. Nor has she counted on the singular fanaticism of a brutal detective who never forgives and never forgets.

Caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, will Adelais find that her new life comes at too high a price?

‘A riveting detective story that turns the genre on its head’ Alice Austen, author of 33 Place Brugmann

‘Intriguing, pacy, [with] a host of memorable characters? [it] captures everyone’s heart’ Virginia Baily, author of Early One Morning

‘Original and thoughtful’ Peter Hitchens, The Lamp

PRAISE FOR PHILIP GRAY

‘Immensely enjoyable’ BBC TWO BETWEEN THE COVERS

‘Atmospheric’ THE TIMES

‘Haunting, cinematic and utterly gripping’ D. B. JOHN

‘Literary class, intellectual depth and thriller pacing’ MATT REES

‘Enthralling, enchanting . . . he really is that good’ DAVID YOUNG

Read a sample here

Additional information

Weight 0.288 kg
Dimensions 19.8 × 12.9 × 2.8 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

416

Language

English

Edition

1st paperback ed

Dewey

823.92 (edition:23)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K