The Woman in the Picture

February, 1926. These are the days leading up to The General Strike, and London is restless. Evelyn Gifford, narrator of THE CRIMSON ROOMS, has qualified as a solicitor - and is one of the first women to do so - but her life remains full of conflict. Embroiled in two new cases, the matter of a burnt letter provides an unexpected challenge, as does her pursuit by a client whose husband claims not to be the father of their child. And Evelyn's private life is not without complication. Her beloved grandmother dies, leaving behind tantalising clues to an affair which throws doubt upon the family history. Meanwhile, Meredith - jealous of Evelyn's independence and embittered by society's treatment of her illegitimate son - retreats to the south of France. When Evelyn receives a shock marriage proposal, she accepts, compelled by vulnerability and grief, although her thoughts still linger on her passionate, fleeting affair with Nicholas Thorne. Lonely and bereft, Evelyn throws herself into her caseload, becoming deeply involved in the struggles of others. But when she finds herself on the opposite side of the courtroom to Thorne, her professional and private lives collide, and she uncovers the surprising truth at the heart of both of her cases.