A gripping political and legal thriller by Freya Berry. The novel follows Laura Lazarescu, a young lawyer who returns to her parents' homeland in Eastern Europe to defend Marija Popa, the widow of a recently overthrown dictator. Accused of complicity in her husband's crimes against the people, Marija insists that she is innocent and knew nothing of the regime's atrocities.

As the trial progresses, Laura becomes entangled in a web of lies, political intrigue, family secrets, and conflicting memories of life under the dictatorship. The story explores power, loyalty, guilt, truth, and the moral complexities of those who live alongside tyrants.