First published 1988
Jessica Tregarth arrives in England to meet her grandfather, carrying only an antique ring from her deceased father's family. She hopes to discover her roots and enjoy a pleasant visit. The chase starts almost immediately after she disembarks. Mysterious pursuers track Jessica through Cornwall, forcing her into a lethal game where she never knows who might strike next. David Randall joins her flight across the countryside. He writes gothic paperback novels and brings creative thinking to their predicament. Yet even his inventive mind struggles against their unknown enemies. Jessica and David cannot identify what their hunters seek. The answer defies obvious explanations. Their survival depends on solving a puzzle they do not yet understand while staying ahead of people whose motives remain hidden.
Genres: adventure, suspense, mystery, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: England, Cornwall
Period: 20th-century
308 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Tor Books