The book, set in 1990, concerns the lives of twin sisters separated at the age of 4, following traumatic experiences in a nazi concentration camp. Their tragic past is revealed slowly as the book uncovers the traumas that they are dealing with in their current lives, and their attempts to live 'normal' lives. The book is set in 1990 Berlin i.e just after the fall of the wall and entwines a gripping novel and murder mystery with a very moving human story in which the sisters eventually meet again.