I highly recommend this tense, intelligent thriller which explores the nature of relationships between several key characters, while delivering a compelling story centred around the cocaine trade. Narrated by complex, emotionally self-contained Marla, through whose eyes the story is filtered (she is not unreliable, exactly, but she is certainly not unbiased; her account should be considered in light of her personality trains, secrets and obessions that come to light as the story progresses), the plot unravels gradually without recourse to obvious twists or cheap thrills. The ending is intriguing: simultaneously fixed and open to interpretation. There are few 'black & white' certainties in this novel, simply interpretations. My only small criticism is that while this was, for me, a page-turner, read in a matter of days, arguably there was scope to ratchet up the tension a little further in places. Excellent writing from Sarah Dunant, however; her characterisation is thoughtful and intricate, her heroines always a little unusual. I look forward to reading Transgressions next.