The Coral Thief

Review Combines theories of evolution with the intrigue of an old-fashioned thriller...Clever and thought-provoking. ― LONDON METROAn utterly gripping, fascinating read. ― SUGAROriginal and evocative, this thriller set in 19th-century Paris deftly weaves together history and science. ― DAILY TELEGRAPHKeenly researched, lovingly decorated, brimming with ideas but never short on character or charm -- Boyd Tonkin ― INDEPENDENTThis book, like the coral that Daniel was originally carrying, is a rare and fascinating specimen. ― TIMESIt makes for an entertaining narrative as Lucienne's band of well-spoken rogues duck and dive to avoid Jagot, the head of police. ― GUARDIANAn original and enthralling read. ― BIG ISSUE IN THE NORTHA riveting read ― SUNDAY BUSINESS POST, Ireland Product Description A powerful and gripping historical thriller for fans of The Essex Serpernt and The Miniaturist. 'Original and evocative ... a mesmerising thriller' Daily Telegraph'Full of twists and turns' Scotsman'An enthralling exploration of revolutionary science in post-revolutionary France' Guardian'A book of penetrating humanity and a vivid evocation of Paris' Financial Times Paris, 1815. Daniel Connor, a young medical student from Edinburgh, has just arrived in Paris to study anatomy at the Jardin des Plantes - only to realise that his letters of introduction and a gift of precious coral specimens, on which his tenure depends, have been stolen by the beautiful woman with whom he shared a stagecoach.In the fervour and tumult of post revolutionary Paris, nothing is quite as it seems. In trying to recover his lost valuables, Daniel discovers that his beautiful adversary is in fact a philosopher-thief who lives in a shadowy world of outlaws and émigrés. As Daniel embark on a passionate love affair with the Coral Thief, he is drawn to join her salon of thieves to execute one last breathtakingly bold robbery... Book Description A young scientist becomes involved with a mysterious band of antiquities robbers in the heady atmosphere of nineteenth-century Paris. A powerful and thrilling novel for fans of The Essex Serpent. About the Author Rebecca Stott is a writer and broadcaster. She writes both fiction and non-fiction, is affiliated to the Cambridge history of science department and is Professor of English Literature and Creative Writing at UEA. Her work, in radio writing, fiction and non-fiction, weaves together history, literature and the history of science. She is the author of the non-fiction book DARWIN AND THE BARNACLE and the novel GHOSTWALK.