A bold new novel from the author of Restoration and The Way I Found Her

In the year 1629 a young English lutenist named Peter Claire arrives at the Danish court to join King Christian IVs royal orchestra. From the moment when he realizes that the musicians have to perform in a freezing cellar underneath the royal apartments he understands that hes come to a place where the opposing states of light and dark good and evil are waging war to the death. Designated the kings Angel because of his good looks he finds himself falling in love with the young woman who is the companion of the kings adulterous and estranged wife Kirsten. With his loyalties fatally divided how will Peter Claire find the path that will realize his hopes and save his soul?

With a sure alchemical touch and the narrative finesse that always turns her histories into a kind of magic Rose Tremain has fashioned a rich provocative historical romance as pungent as Denmarks salty air. This is a tale of opposites: light and darkness tenderness and violence music and silence.