Description
Frances Howard has beauty and a powerful family – and is the most unhappy creature in the world.
Anne Turner has wit and talent – but no stage on which to display them.
Little stands between her and the abyss of destitution.
When these two very different women meet in strange circumstances, a powerful friendship is sparked.
Frankie sweeps Anne into a world of splendour that exceeds all she imagined: a Court whose foreign king is a stranger to his own subjects; where ancient families fight for power, and where the sovereign’s favourite may rise and rise – so long as he remains in favour.
Anne and Frankie dare to seek a little happiness for themselves in this extravagant, savage hunting ground.
But as they gain notice, they also gain enemies; what began as a search for love and safety leads to desperate acts that could cost them everything.
‘What a ride!’ – India Knight
‘Thrilling…a sumptuous feast of plotting and intrigue’ – Mail on Sunday
‘A complete joy’ – Bettany Hughes
‘Gloriously immersive’ – Guardian
