A gothic delight from Karen Maitland, author of the bestselling and much-loved Company of Liars, that will delight fans of Game of Thrones, The Silent Companions or fans of Deborah Harkness seeking a new, dark fix this Halloween.

'An atmospheric and dark story' The Times

Never trust your secrets to a Raven when you are not its true master...

1224. Langley Manor, Norfolk. Lord Sylvain has been practising alchemy in hiding for years and now only the Apothecary's niece can help him with final preparations to forge the Philosopher's Stone.

Alchemy calls for symbols - and victims - and when a man in possession of an intricately carved raven's head arrives at the Manor in a clumsy attempt at blackmail, Sylvain has both symbol and victim within easy reach.

But the White Canons in nearby Langley Abbey are concealing a crucial, missing ingredient... Regulus, a small boy with a large destiny.