'GRIPPING...I LOVED IT' Lisa Jewell
'A DELICIOUS TALE OF RIVALRY AND SISTERHOOD' Laura Shepherd-Robinson
'RICHLY IMAGINED, DARK AND POWERFUL' Rowan Coleman
'A WHITE-KNUCKLE RIDE' Louise Candlish
IN A WORLD THAT WANTED WOMEN GROUNDED, THEY TOOK TO THE SKIES.
In 1911, the skies above Alexandra Palace are dominated by aerial displays, the stars of which become household names. And none more celebrated than the fearless parachutists, Betty and Lavinia, or as they are better known: The Butterfly and The Swan.
For Betty, 18, the thrill of flying is everything she ever dreamed of, and a chance to make money in a world determined to deny women financial independence. The crowds fall for vivacious Betty 'The Butterfly' Collins in a way they never have Betty's more experienced, but more aloof, rival Lavinia 'The Swan' Shawcross.
Lavinia has a secret. She is always terrified of the moment she must launch herself out of the balloon basket and plummet to earth. But at 31 and unmarried, what choice does she have?
Amid the adoring crowds, there is a killer on the loose. Spurred on by rage at the growing suffragette movement, he is picking off women who dare to ask for more. And Lavinia and Betty are the ultimate prey.
'SEAMLESSLY TAUT AND TENSE' Emma Flint
'A VIVID AND RIVETING MYSTERY' Anna Mazzola