The vibrant spirit of the French Revolution propels this dramatic romantic thriller in which a young girl must flee to save her own life. Eugénie has always been protected from dangers by her wealth but now it is her wealth and position that puts her at risk. How Eugénie escapes the many dangers that surround her including the mob baying for revenge and, above all, the sinister pale assassin who haunts her is a thrillingly exciting story and an utterly unforgettable heroine.
Eugenie de Boncoeur is growing up in Paris, unaware that her guardian has contracted her to marry the sinister spymaster known as 'le Fantome' when she turns sixteen. She finds herself falling for the handsome lawyer, Guy Deschamps, but there is little time for romance; France is descending into chaos as the Revolution takes hold. Soon Eugenie is fleeing for her life.
Her brother Armand has become involved in a plot to save the King from the guillotine, the mob is searching for aristocrats, and le Fantome, the pale assassin, is on their trail - desperate for revenge.
Patricia Elliott was born in London, but grew up in Europe and the Far East. A voracious reader since childhood (where she had the resources of ten different school libraries), she also made up ghost stories to scare her friends! As an adult, she worked in publishing in London and in a children's bookshop in New York. She now teaches a course in children's literature at an adult education college, and is writing further novels. She lives in Barnes with her husband and two sons. Her first book, The Ice Boy, won the Fidler Award for a first novel, was shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and the West Sussex award. Her second novel, Murkmere, has recently been longlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Award.
