What Caroline Knew

James's juicy novel is an elegant, insightful exploration of one woman's brush with fame and notoriety. It's as lush and seductive as a John Singer Sargent portrait. What Caroline Knew is an absolute must-read that can't be put down once started.

With a silky purr, James' protagonist Caroline Stephens draws you effortlessly in to the luxe, luscious world of old New York money in the 1920's. It's a while before you realize that your new friend is a boa constrictor. As the story unfolds, James repeatedly switches the lens through which the reader sees her characters, so that reading the book is like peering into a turning kaleidoscope. The story keeps twisting and tightening right up till the final pages. The book is a pleasure to read: swift, assured and full of wonderful period details.