The book focusses on the history of the Royal Opera House and the Sadler's Wells company during the Second World War. The dramatic climax of the novel is set ahead of the first performance of the 1946 Sleeping Beauty. In 1945 London, the war in Europe is over. But for Briar Woods, a dancer at Sadler’s Wells Ballet, the past resurfaces and brings her face to face with the truth – and now, it feels as though her war has only just begun.  Since 1939, Rosamund Caradon had taken in many children from Britain’s bombarded cities, sheltering them in her Devonshire manor. Now, with Germany’s surrender, she is en route to London to return the last evacuees, accompanied by her dance-obsessed daughter Jasmine. Rosamund vows to protect Jasmine from any peril, but a chance meeting with a Sadler’s Wells dancer changes everything. When the beautiful, elusive Briar Woods bursts into Rosamund’s train carriage, it’s clear her sights are set on the captivated Jasmine. As Briar sets out to charm them both, Rosamund cannot shake the eerie feeling this accidental encounter isn’t what it seems. While Briar may be far away from the pointe shoes and greasepaint of The Sleeping Beauty ballet rehearsals, her performance for Rosamund might just be her most successful yet. A dance that could turn deadly . . . For more information: https://lucyashe.com/  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.