Concha Cardeñoso Sáenz de Miera Books

Orphaned at an early age, Philip Ashley is raised by his benevolent cousin, Ambrose. Resolutely single, Ambrose delights in making Philip his heir, knowing he will treasure his beautiful Cornish estate. But Philip's world is shattered when Ambrose sets off on a trip to Florence. There he falls in love and marries - and then dies suddenly in suspicious circumstances. Before long, the new widow - Philip's cousin Rachel - arrives in England. Despite himself, Philip is drawn to this beautiful, mysterious woman. But could she have masterminded Ambrose's death?

Gripping and complex, this is a masterful exploration of doubling and identity, and of the dark side of the self.

Hidden between distant cliffs, in some remote place visited by wolf hunters, bandits, ambushers, Carlists, sorceresses, maquis, rally drivers, ghosts, beasts and demons, the Clavell farmhouse clings to the earth like a tick. It is a house inhabited by women, and where a single day contains centuries of memories. Those of Joana, who made a pact to find a husband that inaugurated an apparently cursed progeny. Those of Bernadeta, whose eyelashes are missing, and who ended up seeing what she shouldn't. Those of Margarida, who instead of a whole heart has one of three quarters. Or those of Blanca, who was born without a tongue, and she doesn't speak, she just watches. These women, and more, are preparing a party today.