In 1945, Nathaniel, and his sister, Rachel stay behind in London when their parents move to Singapore, leaving them in the care of a mysterious figure. They suspect he might be a criminal, and they both grow more convinced and less concerned as they come to know his eccentric crew of friends:all of whom seem determined to protect the siblings. But are they really what and who they claim to be? From the internationally acclaimed, bestselling author of "The English Patient".