Iris has a difficult relationship with her mother and has never known her father. When she is taken to England, finally to meet him, he is dying. Iris is eager to get to know him, but comes to learn of the lies she has been brought up believing.

Iris's mother is eager for Iris to win Edward's favour so that they might benefit from his huge wealth, held in an astonishing art collection, but Edward and Iris have other ideas.

While there is a sad backdrop of illness, bereavement, deception and dysfunctional relationships, this is a gripping and engrossing story.

Iris's resilience obviously plays a big part in the success of this story and other characters are well drawn. It was particularly poignant considering what might have been - how a daughter and father could have enjoyed a relationship if they hadn't been prevented from knowing each other by the manipulative mother.

The twist at the end was a little contrived and theatrical, I felt, but this was a compelling and enjoyable read.