The polished chitter-chatter of a sophisticated dinner party is disrupted by the unexpected appearance of the host’s bizarre sister-in-law. Clarrie has always been ‘a bit strange’ but tonight she is, frankly, unbalanced, and is suffering from obscure hallucinations.

Clarrie has a reason for descending uninvited on Alex and Tilda Stone, and is waiting for the right moment to reveal it. And Clarrie is not the only person at the table with a secret. All the guests have something to hide, and Clarrie’s unsettling behaviour over the pink trout and tropical fruit bavarois might just be enough to push a few secrets out into the open.

“A stylish tale told with sensitivity and relish … A well-written, well-structured and satisfying read” Guardian

“Davis describes a hard, cynical world filled with lies, deceit, loneliness and vacuum – dark alleyways through which to wander. Simple and fluid words poignantly reveal society’s shallowness and frivolity” The Times

“Secrets lurk under every napkin and burp unfettered from the mouthfuls of the feasting throng. A stunning off-the-shoulder debut in suicide red” Attitude Magazine

“The book’s keen style evokes comparison with Muriel Spark” City Life

“Anna Davis’s debut is as sharp and sparkling as breaking glass, and very funny while the laughter lasts …” Jill Paton Walsh