The switching of babies, normally for monetary gain, is a frequently tried and tested historical novel scenario, but here, as all in sundry seem to be bearing illegitimate children, it’s an interesting puzzle for the reader to try and second guess the manipulative forces behind all the various relationships. I’m not going to tell you, suffice to say that this romp through aristocratic skulduggery, London vice, heirs lost and found over three-quarters of a century and much else, is enormous fun.
Picture the scene: a stormy evening in the 1870s. A hush descends at Fainhope Hall as the duchess goes into labour - will she be delivered of a male baby who will continue the Fainhope line? A boy is indeed born to the duchess, but a sickly one - and on that night, in an attic bedroom, an illegitimate, but healthy son is also born to the governess. Only four people are party to this secret, and to the duchess's shocking decision, which will shape all their destinies. FIXING SHADOWS is a novel about the twilight of the aristocracy, the birth of photography and the unstoppable rise of London, with an unforgettable cast of scheming aristos, gossiping servants and cockneys with hearts of gold.
Susan Barrett's career began in film and television, working as a researcher, director and producer on a variety of magazine programmes, documentaries and children's programming for all the major UK broadcasters. Since having children, Susan has worked freelance, writing treatments for TV and working as script doctor on feature film scripts for an independent features production company.
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