Bizarrely beautiful, pure escapism... This is a delightful and intriguing debut novel. Slipping seamlessly from reality into underwater worlds, the story takes the reader on an extraordinary journey in the company of an eclectic cast of companions. Raphaella Turner is a painter with a difference - she can change shape and, at night, swoops as a bird over dark waters or, fishlike, swims to deeper depths. Art world politics, family feuds and sexual betrayal make this book an unforgettable read. This is an extraordinary book that has an immediate accessibility, that magical page turning quality, real literary merit. It is a debut novel that deserves to win wide recognition because it showcases a new and very surprising talent.