The Opposite HouseMaja Carmen Carrera was only five years old when her black Cuban family emigrated from the Caribbean to London, leaving her with one complete memory: a woman singing in a voice both eerie and enthralling at their farewell party, while little Maja peered out from beneath a table. Now, almost twenty years later, Maja herself is a singer, in love with Aaron, pregnant and haunted by what she calls 'her Cuba'. Growing up in London, she has struggled to

formerly neutral Franco is edging closer to the Allies

but Celtic rebels may well regard the lone coach as fair game

he is expected to apologise and repent in an effort to save his job

The dreadful truth must be kept from Napoleon at all costs

But when a fellow rider is brutally murdered a pitchfork driven through his chest Masons racing life soon becomes all too close to his working life

Sweeping in scope

Philip Roth and Thomas Pynchon among others

while her brother Zachs cruelty and obsession pushes her to the edge

' Allison Saft

The Sound of Butterflies is a compelling and noteworthy debut

there is no shortage of suspects

desire and drama The Cold War is over and retired secret servant Tim Cranmer has been put out to pasture