Barbara Vine's new novel is about blood - blood in its metaphysical sense as the conductor of an inherited title and blood in its physical sense as the transmitter of disease. The current Lord Nanther, experiencing the reform of the House of Lords, embarks on a biography of his great-grandfather, the first Lord Nanther, physician extraordinary to Queen Victoria, expert on blood diseases and particularly the royal disease of haemophilia. What he uncovers begins to horrify him as he realizes thatNanther died a guilty man - carrying a horrific secret to the grave. Once again Barbara Vine has written a magnificent psychological mystery novel with a huge cast of characters, and one that weaves effortlessly between past and present.
