A rich woman confined to a wheelchair commissions a portraitist to create for her an ideal mate. A successful doctor confronts his past life in a deserted cottage. A young idealistic teacher is caught in a web of power in a decaying country town. In these gripping gothic tales individuals’ fears and fantasies come startlingly to life to confront them. A disturbing and original new voice in Australian writing.
‘[Swinbourne] demonstrates a rare confidence with language that makes for compelling reading.’ – Weekend Australian
‘Even the shorter stories quickly create an atmosphere of foreboding and menace.’ – Sydney Morning Herald
‘This is good meaty material – a springboard for good fiction.’ – Sunday Tasmanian