THE INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

A woman at the end of her life. A man unable to restart his. A history of guilty secrets and things left unsaid. A powerful, moving novel that will steal your heart.

Elderly and in poor health, Mary fulfils her wish to herself to live out her last days on Bruny Island with only her regrets and memories for company. A long time ago, her late husband was the lighthouse keeper on Bruny, and she'd raised a family on the wild windswept island, until terrible circumstances forced them back to civilisation. The long-buried secret that has haunted her for decades now threatens to break free and she is hoping to banish it once and for all before her time is up. But secrets have a life of their own, and as Mary relives the events that led up to the shattering revelation, she realises she needs to trust a later generation to put things right.

“Karen Viggers sets the scene in a family dynamic filled with regret, loss and love. Poetic in its treatment, it's a novel of parallels and, ultimately, hope.” AUSTRALIAN WOMEN’S WEEKLY

“This is a poignant and beautiful work from a promising Australian author.” – AUSTRALIAN WOMEN ONLINE

“This is an engrossing, often moving but never mawkish read.” – ADELAIDE ADVERTISER

Winner Prix Litteraire: Les Petits Mots des Libraires – Discovery Novel Category 2016 FR