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The Coral Thief

On sale

11th November 2010

Price: £8.99

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Selected: Paperback / ISBN-13: 9780753827109

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A powerful and gripping historical thriller for fans of The Essex Serpernt and The Miniaturist.

‘Original and evocative … a mesmerising thriller’ Daily Telegraph

‘Full of twists and turns’ Scotsman
‘An enthralling exploration of revolutionary science in post-revolutionary France’ Guardian

‘A book of penetrating humanity and a vivid evocation of Paris’ Financial Times

Paris, 1815. Daniel Connor, a young medical student from Edinburgh, has just arrived in Paris to study anatomy at the Jardin des Plantes – only to realise that his letters of introduction and a gift of precious coral specimens, on which his tenure depends, have been stolen by the beautiful woman with whom he shared a stagecoach.

In the fervour and tumult of post revolutionary Paris, nothing is quite as it seems. In trying to recover his lost valuables, Daniel discovers that his beautiful adversary is in fact a philosopher-thief who lives in a shadowy world of outlaws and émigrés. As Daniel embark on a passionate love affair with the Coral Thief, he is drawn to join her salon of thieves to execute one last breathtakingly bold robbery…

Reviews

SUGAR
An utterly gripping, fascinating read.
LONDON METRO
Combines theories of evolution with the intrigue of an old-fashioned thriller...Clever and thought-provoking.
TIMES
This book, like the coral that Daniel was originally carrying, is a rare and fascinating specimen.
GUARDIAN
It makes for an entertaining narrative as Lucienne's band of well-spoken rogues duck and dive to avoid Jagot, the head of police.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Original and evocative, this thriller set in 19th-century Paris deftly weaves together history and science.
SUNDAY BUSINESS POST, Ireland
A riveting read
Boyd Tonkin, INDEPENDENT
Keenly researched, lovingly decorated, brimming with ideas but never short on character or charm
BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTH
An original and enthralling read.