Castignac, a beautiful farmhouse in the South-West of France, is a shared holiday home for a group of Brits. The shocking death of Ian, one of the group’s members, taints the happy memories of the house and the group decides to try and sell it on. However, another member, Tessa, senses secrets and endeavors to find out more...

The present-day story is interwoven with chapters about the past, and the life story of the Castignac farmer is revealed through flashbacks to the First World War. The hidden history of this farmhouse is brought further into question when Tessa unveils a drawing of a wild orchid, called the ‘Hanged Man’ in French. 

There’s one person that holds all the answers, but they’re hiding a secret of their own. Can Tessa discover what really happened at the farmhouse and in doing so, free it of its demons?

Andrée Rushton has degrees in both history and social work. She was previously a social worker before becoming a civil servant until retirement. In the past she has written various textbooks and articles about social work. She has now turned her writing talents to fiction and this is her second historical novel after publishing The War Baby in 2016. Andrée is also the secretary of the Friends of Putney Library and volunteers with a local primary school, helping children to read. She lives in Putney in South-West London. 

Andrée says, “I belonged to a group of British people who owned a house in the Ariège near the French Pyrenees for twenty years and I love the countryside there with its mountain views, valleys and abundance of wild flowers. In 2009, my account of our experience was published by Bristol Books and written up in French Property News and the Sunday Times property pages. I also have a family connection with France and a working knowledge of French.”