A Spell of Winter

Secrecy, shame and forbidden love rule the claustrophobic world of this Gothic novel set in the period immediately surrounding the First World War. Catherine and Rob Allen, brother and sister separated by only two years, grow up surrounded by secrets: their mother has deserted them and their father dies after being institutionalized. The children live with their grandfather in a crumbling estate in the country, accompanied only by servants.

As the world outside moves towards war, Catherine and Rob are deeply involved in their own conflict. But gradually the spell of winter starts to weaken, and Catherine begins to free herself from the past in this haunting, involving tale.