From the New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Key comes
the story of a mysterious work of art and the woman inspired to uncover
its history in the City of Light.
After surviving the accident that took her mother's life, Claire
Broussard has worked hard to escape her small Louisiana hometown. But
these days she feels something is lacking. Abruptly leaving her
lucrative job in Chicago, Claire returns home to care for her ailing
grandmother. There, she unearths a beautiful piece of artwork that her
great-grandfather sent home from Paris after World War II.
At her grandmother's urging, Claire travels to Paris to track down the
century-old mask-making atelier where the object, known only as
"L'Inconnue"--or The Unknown Woman--was created. Under the watchful eye
of a surly mask-maker, Claire discovers a cache of letters that offers
insight into the life of the Belle Epoque woman immortalized in the work
of art. As Claire explores the unknown woman's tragic fate, she begins
to unravel deeply buried secrets in her own life.