When war breaks out in Britain, Nell Whitaker is sent to live with her aunt on a remote farm in Anglesey. She sorely misses thriving Liverpool but slowly begins to embrace country life. Nell even finds herself growing closer to Auntie Kath whose harsh attitude hides a kind heart. But when personal tragedy strikes, Nell's world crumbles around her. Can a blossoming friendship with Hywell, a boy from the neighbouring village, allow Nell to overcome her past and enjoy a brighter future?

'Opens Vanessa Ronan's literary career the way dynamite opens a safe ... beautiful and invigoratingly shocking' Joseph O'Connor, Irish Times Mid-July in Texas. Cicadas shed their dry summer skins, the scent of roses hangs heavy in the still air, and a woman sits alone on her porch at dusk, watching the empty, merciless prairie, its light falling to darkness. He's coming home. Upstairs, Lizzie knows, her daughters are safe in their beds. Joanne, still young enough to smile at strangers, one last summer of childhood left in her. Katie, already a beauty, the first flush of womanhood blooming on her skin. Both sleeping soundly. But out beyond the boundary of their land, the townspeople sleep fitfully. Too many have heard that Jasper is coming back - folk who know him of old, who remember what he did - men who will make it their business to see he doesn't stay too long round these parts ... 'Vivid storytelling. ... makes your fingers tremble when you turn the pages. The terror and the pity of it will stay with you for a long time'Sunday Times 'A powerful, formidable debut. Vanessa Ronan is a natural storyteller and what a gripping, dark, compelling story this is' Donal Ryan 'Written with poetry and vision. With a blistering ending that leaves you racing to its conclusion ...' Stylist 'Shades of In Cold Blood and Truman Capote, shades of Harper Lee ... there's constant mystery hovering over every turn of the page' Ryan Tubridy, RTE 'Each word is weighted with dread and laden with drama ... impressive' Sunday Independent