About the Book
Violet Desmond has just learned from her dying grandmother that the life she’s been living is a lie.
Left with only a locket, a newspaper clipping, and a name–Atherton–Violet sets off to discover her hidden personal history. Simultaneously, the London academic begins to have vivid dreams in which a woman from the past narrates her life story involving the same locket, a secret marriage, and a child. A story intimately connected to Jane Austen.
Violet reluctantly agrees to receive help from cavalier treasure hunter, Peter Knighton. Blacklisted from his profession, Knighton can almost taste the money and accolades he’d receive for digging up something good on Austen; the locket alone is unique enough to be worth plenty to the right collector. It would be enough to get his foot back in the door.
The unlikely pair begin a quest for answers that leads them to Aerendgast Hallows. Knee-deep in hidden crypts, perilous pursuits, and centuries-old riddles, Violet must put her literary expertise to the test as she battles to uncover the secret that her loved ones died trying to reveal, before an unknown enemy silences her as well.
About the author
Rachel was born and raised in Los Angeles, which naturally resulted in a deep love of the UK from an early age. Reading and writing have been favorite pastimes for as long as she can remember.
Rachel has a BA in English Literature from Scripps
College and an MA in London Studies from Queen Mary, University of London. Her
focus is 19th century British Literature. She enjoys hiking, musical theatre,
fancy water, pilates, vegan baking, good tv and movies, and researching new
book ideas!
Jane
Austen has always been an author near and dear to Rachel's heart for her ability
to tell a story so compelling, it remains relevant hundreds of years later. And
for creating Henry Tilney.
Read an excerpt
Violet walked over the threshold into Winchester
Cathedral and instantly recognised it from her many dreams. She could see
everything from her visions coming to vivid life around her. The
quiet joy of
the secret wedding that happened so long ago still hung in the air, along with
the sorrow that Violet knew had almost immediately followed. The building’s
beauty and age were awe-inspiring. Violet moved through an arch and into a narrow
section off the centre aisle. She put her hand on the ancient walls and let
herself feel the cold stone. The room illuminated with images from her visions.
She saw Jane and Edward in all stages of their lives floating around her: the
wedding,
From the Author
