Broken Verses - Tapa dura

'Full of fun, longing and wit ... a debut of spirit and imagination, loaded with intelligent charm' Ali Smith on In the City By the Sea 'She's our new multi-culti Nancy Mitford; a global girl who does love in both hot and cold climates...she's great.' Barbara Trapido on Salt and Saffron 'A redoubtable talent. Her characters are vividly realised; her enthusiasm for story is infectious; her love for its location scorches the pages.' Glasgow Herald on Kartography 'It's still sizzling in my imagination...A forceful tale of childhood, love and the power of story-telling.' Jo Shapcott on Kartography

Fourteen years ago, Samina, blazing beauty and fearless activist, walked out of her house and was never seen again. Aasmaani, frequently abandoned by her mother, still dreams of her glorious return. Fifteen years ago, Samina's closest freind Shehnaz Saeed, darling of the theatre and the small screen, gave up her career for her son Ed. Now he is helping her make a triumphant comeback. Sixteen years ago, the Poet, subversive and brilliant, love of Samina's life, was found mysteriously murdered. In present-day Karachi, Aasmaani receives what could be the longed-for proof that her mother is still alive. As she draws closer to the truth she is irresistibly drawn, too, to Ed, her ally and sparring partner, and the only person who can understand the profound hurt - and the profound love - which drives her.