A glorious evocation of India and an incisive look at the issues of class, empire and women's rights. West meets East in a mysterious and atmospheric novel in which Sarla, a Londoner, spends the summer with her mother's family in Daroga, India.

She and her cousin Bina, who is quiet, studious and traditional, are very different indeed.

When Sarla learns that Bina has a deep, dark secret - concerning her mother, a murder and bandits in the surrounding hills - she is determined to find out exactly what it is.