The Annie Maddox Collection

London, 1936. A new investigation by Olivia Adamson begins with the disappearance of her twin brother. The police are sure that Philip ran away from the tiresome duties of a secretary at a children’s orphanage, and that his letter— a coded plea for help—was just the foolish entertainment of a young idler. However, Olivia believes her brother, and there’s nothing left for her to do but go to St. Leonards herself.

And at first glance, an idyll reigns in the orphanage. Nothing suspicious: happy children, caring staff, a cozy manor filled with the smells of baking and the звонких children’s voices. Can a person really be kidnapped in a place like this? And—most importantly—why?

Olivia is ready to admit her mistake, but an unfortunate incident at the St. Leonards orphanage convinces her otherwise. Everything is arranged so cleverly that there isn’t a single piece of evidence to convict anyone, and yet it’s a murder—no doubts. Which means her brother is in real danger, and Olivia must carry out the most important investigation of her life, because the stakes are incredibly high.