The Concubine's Secret

Начало книги

A big thank you to Joanne Dickinson and all at Little, Brown UK for their sensitive editorial support and elegant artwork. Especially to Emma Stonex for her fine attention to the detail of the manuscript and to Catherine Duncan for getting me out among my readers.

Special thanks to my agent Teresa Chris for always being there and always knowing when to listen or encourage or bully – depending on which I need at the time.

Many thanks also to Elena Shifrina for her dedicated research in Moscow and help with the Russian language.

Finally my love and thanks to Norman for everything else.

Russia, 1930

Lydia Ivanova couldn’t sleep. Tiny rats were taking bites out of her brain. Ever since she’d arrived in Soviet Russia the nights had been hard, and through the long dark hours it felt as though sharp yellow teeth were gnawing through her skull. Sometimes she could smell them. Worse, sometimes she could hear them. Chip, chip, chip.

Читать дальше →