Neil Gaiman meets Northern Lights in this dark and epic fantasy novel about the secrets we keep, the lies we need to believe and the things that are truly worth fighting for.
True honour is endless.
1935. Norfolk. War is looming in Great Britain and the sprawling country estate of Alderberen Hall is shadowed by suspicion and paranoia. Alderberen's newest resident, Delphine Venner, is determined to uncover the secrets of the Hall's elite society, which has taken in her gullible mother and unstable father.
As she explores the house and discovers the secret network of hidden passages that thread through the estate, Delphine unearths a world more dark and threatening than she ever imagined. With the help of head gamekeeper Mr Garforth, Delphine must learn the bloody lessons of war and find the soldier within herself in time to battle the deadly forces amassing in the woods...
About the Author
Tim Clare is a writer, poet and musician. His debut novel, The Honours, was published in 2015 by Canongate and was longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize. His second novel, The Ice House, a sequel to The Honours, was published in 2019. Tim has also written for the Guardian, The Times, the Independent and the Big Issue, and presents the fiction writing podcast Death Of 1,000 Cuts.
Industry Reviews
Gorgeously gripping . . . the comparisons that most readily spring to mind are the wildly eccentric and benevolent imaginations of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett . . . in keeping with the best fantasy fiction. this novel is about a great deal more than creeping monsters and steampunk sensibilities * * Guardian * *
An astonishing imaginative feat -- NATHAN FILER
Astutely brilliant. It is rare to find such a riveting, fantastical, adventure matched by such poetic flair. A rich, gripping delight -- MATT HAIG
Fabulously evocative, dark and fun: Buchan meets Edgar Wallace, H.P. Lovecraft and Enid Blyton -- HELEN MACDONALD
A mysterious, haunting story that builds to a thrilling climax. Part Mervyn Peake, part Aleister Crowley, it features a truly original heroine in the form of Delphine, the shotgun toting schoolgirl. Tim Clare writes with a poet's eye and a thriller writer's pace that held me spellbound till the last page -- CHRIS RIDDELL
A tour de force of breathless thrills . . . one which dares you to read it in one long sitting * * Herald * *
Irresistible * * Huffington Post * *
A darkly compelling read * * Financial Times * *
A wonderful piece of storytelling, twisted in the best way. Delphine is a fantastic heroine -- ANNA FREEMAN * * author of THE FAIR FIGHT * *
Tim Clare's background in poetry sings from the pages of this dark fantasy novel . . . [Delphine is] an original, irresistible heroine * * Independent * *
One of the most exciting fantasy novels of recent years * * The List * *
I love this novel and I love Delphine. She is irresistible. If I were facing hordes of merciless skinwings she is the thirteen-year-old dead-eye I would want on my side -- JOE DUNTHORNE * * author of SUBMARINE * *
Riotously entertaining * * Sunday Express * *
A rich and poetic novel from one of the UK's most versatile writers * * Grazia * *
