Conservative England at the beginning of the 19th century. A small seaside town. It is here that a meeting takes place between a native of these places, Mary Anning, whose family lives in dire poverty, and the daughter of a wealthy London lawyer, Elizabeth Pilmott, who settled here with her sisters. The girls became friends. And their friendship was cemented by a common love for unknown creatures, the fossilized remains of which they found in coastal rocks. However, their affection comes apart at the seams when Mary and Elizabeth fall in love with the same person, also an antiquities hunter. Will the girls find the strength to return friendship? Or will it be crossed out by mutual reproaches and unfair accusations? Will Elizabeth have the courage to protect Mary Anning when she gets into trouble? A new book from the international bestselling author of The Girl with a Pearl Earring.