The year is 1860 and celebrated entertainer, illusionist, mind reader and world traveller, Monsieur Cardot, is in the bustling town of Auckland to perform his wondrous feats.

Invited to dine with the Wainwright’s, a family whose fortunes are on the rise, Monsieur Cardot consents to daughter Sarah Wainwright’s request that he tell the future of each family member by reading their palms.

And so begins the saga of a family that will be torn asunder through greed and ambition, of love unrequited and of love lost, of two brothers born into a life of privilege and possibilities whose radically different natures will pit them against each other for life - with devastating consequences for all.

Described as “New Zealand’s least-known bestselling author,” Richard Webster has published over 75 books, including Secrets of Ghost Writing, Seven Secrets to Success and seven books on Feng Shui. His books have been translated into twenty languages and have sold well over two million copies around the world.

When he left school Richard worked for publisher William Collins for seven years before owning a bookshop and later a book importing business. He has also worked as a magician, stage hypnotist and hypnotherapist. He began writing in 1972. Richard Webster lives with his wife and family in Auckland, New Zealand and is the major sponsor of the Richard Webster Popular Fiction Award.