First published 1982
Charles Houston receives devastating news in London. His brother has vanished somewhere in Tibet under mysterious circumstances. Houston abandons his comfortable life and embarks on a perilous journey to find him. His quest leads him first to India, then through Sikkim, as he follows fragmentary clues across increasingly dangerous terrain. The search culminates in Tibet itself, where Houston encounters Mei-Hua, the abbess who leads the monastery of Yamdring. As their relationship deepens into love, Houston finds himself trapped in circumstances beyond his control. The communist Chinese invasion of Tibet transforms his personal mission into a fight for survival. Houston must navigate political upheaval, physical danger, and impossible choices. What began as a brother's rescue becomes a test of everything Houston believes about loyalty, love, and sacrifice.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, adventure, mystery
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: India, London, Sikkim, Tibet
Period: 20th-century
288 pages · Paperback · HarperCollins Publishers
Content warnings: violence