Vanessa Beaumont studied Classics at Oxford University before joining Short Books, the independent publisher in London, where she was Commissioning Editor for 8 years, editing both fiction and non-fiction. She co-ran the literary agency Prentice Beaumont, before deciding to take the reckless decision to embark on a novel. She lives between West London and Northumberland, and is am married with three children.
'Astonishing... I can't believe this is a debut! A breathtakingly good, heartbreaking and utterly absorbing story.' Cressida Connolly, author of After the Party 'A heartbreaking story of the damage created by a loveless marriage, interleaved with the senseless, wide-reaching devastation of war. A beautiful evocation of grief’s impact on our ability to love and to trust.' Lucy Jago, author of A Net for Small Fishes 'With gorgeously fluid prose that never snags on the period detail, Beaumont is a debut writer with a bold future.' Jessica Fellowes, author of The Mitford Murders 'Heartrending and unputdownable… this is a rich, beautifully crafted tale of motherhood and marriage, the push and pull of passion and duty, family and love. Utterly compelling…' Imogen Edwards-Jones, The Sunday Times bestselling author of The Witches of St. Petersburg 'A sparkling journey through the interwar years, and a heartbreaking and powerful climax... A wonderful novel, full of life.' Lucy Ashe, author of Clara & Olivia 'Tenderly drawn and poignant to its core – I needed to come up for breath before I plunged back in for this is a brilliant, immersive and compelling story.' Mary Chamberlain, author of The Lie