The secret mistress of free Melavi, Mrs. Emilia Grim, has been holding the shadow life of the city in her hands for many decades. She knows two things best - charm and kill, but now she is forced to figure out who in her precious city is committing heinous crimes, not counting those that she herself commits. This is a world where magic flows like underground rivers, and people enjoy love, the sun , food and the sea - when they are not killing each other. What else is there in this book? Coffee with cardamom and pepper, buns with custard, the smell of frangipani, black rum from the islands, hot caramel, power, sea sunsets, silk dresses, quiet murders , tabby cats, tall light-eyed blonds, orange flowers, jokes about death and substances, kisses on the neck, scarlet soft leather shoes, revenge, stories of miracles, freedom, cut grass, chemistry, mangoes - and acacia honey. Such is Emilia's world. Makeup, and you will like it!