One of the most fantastic writers on the planet has gone and done it again, creating a story that not only makes the reader not want to put the book down until the very end, but makes the reader actually feel the need to continue no matter what. The ‘pull’ of this novel is such a complete package of intelligence, perfect dialogue, edge-of-your-seat action, and a completely surprise ending.

It may have been Dr. Gachet’s painting or simply his name in conjunction with another painter that sparked Carol Wallace’s interest in Vincent Van Gogh’s last months in bucolic Auvers, but Dr. Gachet is imagined into existence. All of this seems to come from Van Gogh’s portrait of the psychiatrist who unofficially treated him.

In 1947, Martin Mitchell was returned from the war a changed man, in utter control of his work and his emotions, drinking too much, smoking and distant from his wife Evie and their son Billy. Into this cease fire holding pattern, Martin is awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study the partition of India in the wake of the departing British Raj.

Alienor was the eldest daughter of the Duke of Aquitaine and quite precocious, thanks to her father teaching her politics and the art of governing. He set her feet on the path to obtain what she desired—to be queen—by having her confirmed as duchess of Aquitaine at a time when women were not seen as strong or capable enough of handling the reins of power. Alienor was bound to prove them wrong.