An outsider yearning for acceptance finds that the price of entry may be her darkest secret in this gripping debut of literary suspense set against the moody backdrop of Edinburgh. The city, with its labyrinthine alleys and oppressive fog, becomes the perfect refuge for Clare, who arrives alone and eager to reinvent herself while hiding her past. At the university, she meets Tabitha, a charismatic and wealthy classmate, and is drawn into her exclusive circle, which includes the charming Samuel, the astute Ava, and the pragmatic Imogen. Clare is quickly swept into their lavish lifestyle of sophisticated dinner parties and summers in France, believing her dream life has begun. However, Tabitha soon reveals a troubling project that requires Clare's involvement, challenging her resolve to leave her past behind. As their bond deepens into a dangerous codependence, Clare begins to uncover the darker sides of her friends. With their ambitions escalating, she realizes the lengths they are willing to go to achieve their desires. The narrative explores the cost of an extraordinary life, probing the themes of obsession, belonging, and the peril of being truly known, culminating in a seductive thriller that examines the toxic dynamics of desire and ambition.
