Bound for the Azores, a plane crashes onto an isolated island somewhere in the North Atlantic. January Marlow is one of the three survivors - and the only woman. She wakes to find herself being cared for by Miles Mary Robinson, the island's reclusive owner and bibliophile. Muriel Spark's second novel is a vivid tale of manipulation, sexual tension and - possibly - murder. The publishers acknowledge investment from Creative Scotland towards the publication of this book. Supported by the Muriel Spark Society.