The Fitzglens are London’s most celebrated theatrical family. They are also its most successful thieves. Their current target is a legend nobody believes in. The Tapestry of Silence.
It’s said that the tapestry was woven from the blood and guilt of murderers. That the scene stitched into it is not decoration . . . but evidence. And that it was hidden away because of what it proves.
There’s no other option. The lease for the family’s theatre is about to expire, and the freeholders are the Fitzglens’ greatest enemies. If they can’t raise the sum needed in time, they’ll lose everything. But as they follow the tapestry’s trail, it soon becomes clear that someone is willing to do whatever it takes to keep its terrifying secrets buried forever.
The Fitzglens have robbed museums and mansions and walked away laughing. This time, one of them may not walk away at all.
Sarah Rayne is the author of a number of acclaimed psychological thrillers, haunted house books, and historical mysteries. For many years she was active in amateur theatre, and lists among her interests theatre, history, music, and old houses. She has a considerable weakness for properties with an eerie past.
She began writing in her teens, and after a Convent education – which included writing plays for the Lower Third to perform – embarked on a variety of jobs, but never lost her love of writing fiction. Her first novel was published in 1982, and since then she has written over 40 books.
These include eight psychological thrillers – with Tower of Silence long-listed for the prestigious Theakstone’s Crime Novel of the Year; the widely-read haunted house series, featuring the Oxford don, Michael Flint; and the popular series with the music researcher, Phineas Fox. The much-loved Wolfking fantasy books, written during the 1990s, were recently re-issued in ebook format.
In 2023 she launched the ‘Theatre of Thieves” series, which introduced the Fitzglens, who are very proud of their reputation as one of Edwardian London’s leading theatrical families – but who also pursue, very discreetly, another profession. When not on stage they are extremely successful thieves. The first in this series is Chalice of Darkness. It was followed by The Murderer Inside the Mirror, and The Face Stealer. Book 4 in the series – published in August 2026 – is The Haunted Tapestry.
As well as being published in America and Australia, Sarah’s novels have been translated into German, Dutch, and Russian.
My thoughts: This was an interesting blend of mystery and historical fiction. The Fitzglens own a theatre where they stage plays, the whole family is the cast. Unfortunately it looks like they might lose their home to their greatest rivals. The family are also highly successful thieves, so they decide to steal a secret treasure – a mythical tapestry – surely they can ransom it for enough to save their home?
Through diary entries and chapters from a hundred years previously we learn about the tapestry and about how the theatre came to be in the hands of a Gilfillen in the first place. While the Fitzglens plan and mount a heist, the story of this strange tapestry unfolds.
I hadn’t read the previous books and I don’t think it’s essential to have done so to enjoy this one, it’s a fun caper and a sinister history blended together, entertaining and enjoyable.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in this blog tour, but all opinions remain my own.
