Yorkshire, 1996. Barbara and Ralph, a married couple of successful lawyers from Germany, chose an unusual way to save their marriage: spend Christmas and New Year on an old farm in the English countryside. But there they became hostages of a snow collapse—no phone connection, no electricity, and almost no food. Searching for a way out, Barbara accidentally stumbles upon a hidden cache with a manuscript—an autobiography by the former owner of these places, Frances Gray. Escape from the cold and hunger, the guest devours the story of the life of a woman where such very different kinds of love, dependence, and hatred become intertwined. And while she reads, she still doesn’t think about how the secrets of a witness from a long-dead century might affect her.
In the world, more than 30 million copies of Charlotte Link’s books have been sold. A Der Spiegel bestseller. Charlotte Link is Germany’s most successful contemporary author. All her books, translated into almost 30 languages, have become national and international bestsellers. In 1999–2018, more than two dozen films and TV series were produced based on her novels.
“Here there’s everything needed to call a book truly outstanding.” — Schwarzwälder Bote
“The powerful tone of Link’s authorial voice is both enchanting and makes the blood run cold.” — The New York Times
“Chills to the bone.” — People
“One of the best writers of our time.” — Journal für die Frau
“Powerful psychological twists.” — Focus