In a narrow London street lined with antiques and old secrets, J. C. Snaith's The Van Roon opens in a world where every object, and every person, may be worth more than first appears. At the center stands S. Gedge, a sharp-tongued, suspicious dealer whose dusty shop is thrown into disarray by the arrival of his orphaned niece, June, a poised nineteen-year-old with little money, no secure future, and enough quiet courage to unsettle his rigid household. As June learns to endure her uncle's severity, she also proves herself capable, practical, and unexpectedly independent. In the same cramped shop, she meets William, Gedge's intelligent and self-effacing assistant, and between the two young people a shy, witty affection begins to grow. Meanwhile, a suspicious packing case, a hidden painting, and the possibility that an ordinary-looking picture may be a priceless Van Roon drive the story toward a tense game of deception, greed, and discovery. Blending romance, comedy, and suspense, the novel explores class, resilience, and the dangerous allure of hidden treasure. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.
