Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is a poignant story of building a worldwide phenomenon in a social media driven world. It captures the fractured reality of having an idea go viral and being supported by unknown sources that are ultimately fickle. And while it is a fractured story, it weaves together an interesting social commentary on religion.

As the pandemic loosens its grasp Peter and Ellisha Kelso find their lives spiralling out of control. But Edinburgh is a city of secrets and, through a chance encounter, they stumble across the most dangerous one of all, known only as The Woman's Secret.

Armed with this knowledge, they set out to heal a damaged world and, before they know it, the idea has gone viral. American and mixed-race, Ellisha is an unlikely messiah, but she soon becomes the new face of hope for despairing people everywhere.

But if they thought The Woman's Secret would produce a kinder, gentler world, they are in for a terrible shock.

Ellisha is a fascinating character and an unusual hero. I could see her fitting well into a Stephen King novel as he is known for his unusual and very convincing characters - what a huge compliment this comparison is for any author. It’s a great story which defies categorisation. It’s high drama as well as thriller and almost fantasy. It is all the more compelling as I read it in the grips of a pandemic.

This book is awesome. Peter and Elisha are not typical "heroes", and captured my attention to the point I read deep into the night, eyes red and tired. But it was worth every moment. While I love paranormal, I am not usually a fan of the mystical, but this story goes far beyond that. Set in Edinburgh, during the last stages of a pandemic, the couple find an incredible, yet terrible, secret. I will read this book again, taking my time and savouring it a bit more, when the snow is on the ground again, cuddled with a blanket in front of a roaring fire. It's just that kind of book.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an unpaid, honest review.

An amazing book, learned and mystical, but an exciting thriller as well. Peter and Elisha are the main characters in this novel, and I don't wish to spoil it by saying what happens, but the novel is unique and well worth reading, in fact I could not put the book down, once I had started it. I had to see what happened next, it is a real page turner. Highly recommended.