Max Marin – illustratör

A compulsively entertaining historical YA novel thatplayfully blends dark academia with scandal, murder mystery and queerromance - like If We Were Villains meets Lex Croucher."Utterly absorbing... compellingly blending historicalmystery and queer romance." - The GuardianIn Regency England, Cascabel Gray dreams of freedom - and disguisesherself as a boy to secure a place at Oxford University. Afterall, she's as comfortable in breeches as she is in ballgowns.Her plans are upended, however, when she receives a blackmailletter from Charles Lafleur, a member of infamous secret societythe Rogues Club, threatening to expose her.But when Lafleur is found dead, the plot thickens... and Cascabelbecomes a prime suspect in his murder. She joins the Rogues Clubto conduct an investigation of her own, and her life soon beginsto spiral out of control.To survive, she must switch between her male and female personas,attracting both fellow student William Grenville and a chambermaidknown as Mouse - and even attending a ball with an Austrianprince. Can she find a way to balance her double life and clearher name, before she loses everything? This book combines the genius ingredients of cosy crime, queerromance and dark academia, all wrapped up in a fast-paced, entertainingplot - perfect for fans of Agency for Scandal,Laura Steven and Lex Croucher.A fierce, determined and irresistible protagonist who slips fluidlybetween two identities and genders as Cascabel and Pom.All the period-drama appeal of a historical Regency setting,with a vibrant, modern sensibility and a sensitive handling of prejudice.Joe's first novel, The Rules of Seeing, won the RomanticNovelist Association's Debut Novel Award.