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Faith Sunderly is fourteen and wants to know how the world works. She lives in Victorian times. Women must seem meek and ask few questions. She is bright and brave, and resents these rules. She dreams of being a scientist and keeps a pet snake.

Her family takes shelter on Vane island for a time. Her father works there as an archaeologist. He then dies in strange circumstances. Faith suspects murder and sets out to find his killer. Her search leads to a magic tree linked to lies. She asks people on the island for help. Others want to reach the tree too. Her search grows dangerous.

Frances Hardinge blends a murder mystery with fantasy. The book is for readers aged twelve and up. It explores the limits placed on girls. It also shows their wish to pursue science. Ioana Văcărescu translated this edition from English. It forms part of the JUNIOR series. The novel won the 2015 Costa Book of the Year award.

Hardinge was born in Brighton in 1973. She grew up in small English villages. At Oxford, she studied English language and literature. The Gothic side of Victorian life draws her interest. This interest shapes her fiction. She has written eight novels and many short stories. Her taste in dress reflects this interest too. She likes old-fashioned clothes and a black hat.