Palace of the Drowned A Novel

A suspenseful, transporting literary thriller about a British novelist who heads to Venice after a public breakdown, by Christine Mangan, the bestselling author of Tangerine.

It's 1966 and years have passed since the initial success of Frankie Croy's debut novel. She has spent her career trying to live up to the expectations of her editor and fans, only to fall short with each new publication. Now, after a particularly scathing review of her most recent work, alongside a very public breakdown, Frankie retreats to her friend's vacant palazzo in Venice to
recharge and get re-inspired.

Then Gilly appears. A precocious young admirer eager to befriend her favorite author, Gilly seems determined to insinuate herself into Frankie's solitary life. But there's something about the young woman that gives Frankie pause, that makes her wonder just how much of what Gilly tells her is the truth. Set against the catastrophic 1966 flooding of Venice, the encounters between these two women will lead to a series of lies and revelations that will tragically disrupt both of their lives.

Palace of The Drowned is a masterful literary thriller, a gorgeously rendered and twisted tale of
art and ambition.

From the bestselling author of Tangerine, a taut and mesmerizing follow up...voluptuously atmospheric and surefooted at every turn." (Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and When the Stars Go Dark)

It's 1966 and Frankie Croy retreats to her friend's vacant palazzo in Venice. Years have passed since the initial success of Frankie's debut novel and she has spent her career trying to live up to the expectations. Now, after a particularly scathing review of her most recent work, alongside a very public breakdown, she needs to recharge and get re-inspired.

Then Gilly appears. A precocious young admirer eager to make friends, Gilly seems determined to insinuate herself into Frankie's solitary life. But there's something about the young woman that gives Frankie pause. How much of what Gilly tells her is the truth? As a series of lies and revelations emerge, the lives of these two women will be tragically altered as the catastrophic 1966 flooding of Venice ravages the city.

Suspenseful and transporting, Palace of the Drowned brings the mystery of Venice to life while delivering a twisted tale of ambition and human nature.