Product Description

Camellia Norton is orphaned at fifteen when her mother's body is fished from a river in rural Sussex. And when she discovers a cache of letters amongst her mother's effects she realises that the past she has always been so sure of has been built on a tissue of lies. Devastated, she runs away to London, and loses herself in a metropolis that offers opportunity, temptation and danger, especially to a young girl hungry for love and acceptance. But her past won't stay buried forever, and eventually Camellia begins the long journey towards uncovering the truth about her background, and also, ultimately, about herself.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #44427 in Books
• Published on: 2007-08-02
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 768 pages

Review
'Ruth Rendell has quite simply transformed the genre of crime writing. She deploys her peerless skill in blending the mundane, commonplace aspects of life with the potent, murky impulses of desire and greed, obsession and fear' Anthony Clare, Sunday Times 'Her most brilliant Wexford mystery to date... The plot is complicated and elaborately detailed but, as usual, there is not one superfluous word... stunning imagery' Kate Saunders, Cosmopolitan 'Beyond praise, completely compelling - will delight all Wexford's admirers' Allan Massie, The Scotsman 'Impressive and courageous... Rendell's psychological and social insights are so absorbing, it's easy to forget what a superb plotter she is. As a mystery, Simisola is exceptional... pace, surprise, tension and a climax of stunning unexpectedness' The Times 'Not only the finest crime novelist, but one of the finest novelists writing in the English language' Scotsman 'The book could hardly be more readable... A brilliant evocation of place, character and mood' Evening Standard 'With immaculate control, Ruth Rendell builds a menacing crescendo of tension and horror that keeps you guessing right up to the brilliantly paced finale' Good Housekeeping 'Rendell is the absolute mistress of plot' Mail on Sunday

From the Publisher
A story of one girl's loves, danger and self-discovery, from the bestselling author of Trust Me.

From the Back Cover
How does it feel to discover you don't know who you really are?

Camellia Norton is orphaned at fifteen when her mother's body is fished from a river in rural Sussex. And when she discovers a cache of letters amongst her mother's effects she realises that the past she has always been so sure of has been built on a tissue of lies.

Devastated, she runs away to London, and loses herself in a metropolis that offers opportunity, temptation and danger, especially to a young girl hungry for love and acceptance.

But her past won't stay buried forever, and eventually Camellia begins the long journey towards uncovering the truth about her background, and also, ultimately, about herself.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant
this review might sound abit weird as i am only 15 but i think that lesley Pearse has out done herself. Camellia is one of my favourite books. But it does help if you read Ellie first then go on to read Camellia. there is only one word that can describe this book-FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!

Absolutely brilliant, couldn't put it down.
This was the first book I had read by Lesley Pearse and it certainly won't be the last. I was completely addicted from the first to the last page and found myself burning the midnight oil to complete this book. Camellia had to go through so much in order to find out her true identity and it kept me guessing to the very end. Lesley Pearse writes in such a powerful way, conjuring up a mixture of emotions that the reader just can't help experiencing with the characters. I found myself almost wishing I was there with Camellia. The only down side of the book was that it had to end. I have since purchased 'Georgia, Charity and Never Look Back' and am looking forward to reading them. I only hope they live up to 'Camellia'.

Wowzers!!
This was the first Lesley Pearse book I have read, and turned to the first page half-heartedly as so many books are a let down, however I was thrilled to find this to be an exception! From the word go, I was gripped...I found myself running off to my room at every opportunity to try and snatch five minutes of reading..of course these five minutes always turned to a couple of hours, because Lesley Pearse really is a woman who knows exactly how to write a page-turner! I was absolutely fascinated, and the vivid character descriptions captured my mind, my imagination, and every spare moment of my life! This book is possibly the most emotional, and enthralling book I have ever had the fortune to discover!!