Pale As the Dead

by Mountain, Fiona

• ISBN13: 9780312323233
• ISBN10: 0312323239
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-07-01
• Publisher: Minotaur Books

Summary

This is the first stunning installment of a riveting new mystery series that uncovers the secrets of the dead.Pale as the Deaddeals with the mysterious death of Lizzie Siddal, a real and fascinating historical figure whose beauty and tragic life have made her into a legend. (She was the model for the famous painting on the cover of the book.) Lizzie's death has always been shrouded in mystery. She is perhaps best known for the macabre story that tells of her husband, the Pre-Raphaelite artists Dante Gabriel Rossetti, having her coffin dug up to retrieve some poems he had buried with her. When the coffin was opened, Lizzie was said to be as beautiful as the day she died. Pale as the Deadis the story of how the disappearance of a young girl, Bethany, appears to be linked in some way to Lizzie Siddal. Our detective is Natasha Blake, a complex young genealogist with a passion for history. Natasha's career choice is partly driven by the mystery of her own roots--she was abandoned in the hospital as a newborn. Her mother disappeared hours after giving birth, leaving a false name and address and a note on the back of a picture postcard that said simply, "Her name is Natasha." Natasha is hired by the missng girl's lover, Adam, whose own life seems to have plenty of dark shadows. An old diary and famous graveyard lead Natasha into more danger than she bargains for--some people will do ANYTHING to keep a secret!

Author Biography

Fiona Mountain is thirty years old. She grew up in Yorkshire, then moved to London where she worked at the BBC for ten years as a press and PR consultant, primarily for Radio One. She now lives in Cotswold and runs a PR agency. Fiona is married to composer Tim Mountain and has three sons, Daniel, James and Gabriel.