A gripping page-turner set in occupied France from international multi-million copy seller Joanne Harris. With the sensuous writing we come to expect from her; this book has a darker core. Perfect for fans of Victoria Hislop; Fiona Valpy; Maggie O'Farrell and Rachel Joyce; this fascinating and vivid journey through human cruelty and kindness is a gripping and compelling read. 'Her strongest writing yet: as tangy and sometimes bitter as Chocolat was smooth' -- Independent 'Harris indulges her love of rich and mouthwatering descriptive passages; appealing to the senses... Thoroughly enjoyable' -- Observer 'Outstanding...beautifully written' -- Daily Mail 'Very thought provoking. I read the book in two days and am still thinking about it a few days down the line' -- ***** Reader review 'Absolutely gripping from the very first page' -- ***** Reader review 'Joanne Harris at her very best!'-- ***** Reader review 'Superb' -- ***** Reader review 'I just couldn't put this one down'-- ***** Reader review 2 ********************************************************* THE PAST WILL ALWAYS CATCH UP WITH YOU... Beyond the main street of Les Laveuses runs the Loire: smooth and brown as a sunning snake - but hiding a deadly undertow beneath its moving surface. This is where Framboise; a secretive widow; plies her culinary trade at the creperie - and lets her memory play strange games. As her nephew attempts to exploit the growing success of the country recipes Framboise has inherited from her mother - a woman remembered with contempt by the villagers - memories of a disturbed childhood during the German Occupation flood back; and expose a past full of betrayal; blackmail and lies...