Moon of madness

About the book

George Decies expects the pleasures and small social complications of a stay in Madeira, where Nanette's restless charm keeps her family and admirers occupied. The arrival of Major Edmond O'Shea changes the scale of the disturbance. Beneath his polished manners lies a mission to recover correspondence whose delivery to political enemies could create a royal scandal. Decies becomes a confidant, while Nanette's attraction to danger and to O'Shea makes private feeling difficult to separate from the pursuit. Rohmer sets hotel conversations, dances, and seaside excursions beside clandestine movements and threats of violence. The novel's intrigue rests partly on documents and partly on the inability of the adults around Nanette to predict when her apparent recklessness will turn into determined action.

• Romance and espionage
• Secrecy and loyalty
• Youthful independence

Why read it

The contrast between holiday society and O'Shea's urgent mission gives ordinary social encounters a second, concealed significance.

English Doubleday, Page & Company first edition of 1927