An epic tale of murder and betrayal, bloodshed and romance. Gripping from the first page, the reader is swept up in this colourful and convincing portrayal of an Emperor and his realm, under seige. Well-researched and cinematic in its imagery, this is a faced-paced and exciting debut

Harper's...portrayal of the Byzantine city and the intrigues that threaten its destruction is vivid and convincing

It’s a world which Harper brings exuberantly to life, clearly revelling in its teeming, tumultuous extravagance

One of her darkest and best.

If Ruth Rendell were not slotted into the category of writer of mystery novels, she would have won the Booker long ago

Probably the greatest living crime writer in the world

A writer of extraordinary imagination

The striking gothic setting of London under fire proves fruitful ground for a bizarre dark comedy of an investigation... bawdy, unpredictable and at times hilarious, with a cast of wonderful grotesques

Fowler belongs with the mythographers of London: Iain Sinclair, Peter Ackroyd

Its combination of Grand Guignol and place setting does command attention

Original, moving and entertaining for adults as well as for older children

A deservedly acclaimed read.