A new novel by Diana Setterfield, the acclaimed author of "The Thirteenth Tale," a recognized masterpiece of contemporary English prose that prompted critics to talk about the return of the golden age of the British novel, evoked by the names of Charlotte and Emily Brontë and Daphne du Maurier, and published worldwide in 40 languages with over 2 million copies sold. On the darkest and longest night of the year, the day of the winter solstice, a wounded stranger bursts into the ancient inn "The Swan" on the banks of the Thames, carrying a dead girl in his arms. However, a few hours later the girl is alive. Is it a miracle? Magic? Or can a scientific explanation be found? And most importantly — who is she? The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vogan who disappeared two years ago? Or perhaps the granddaughter of farmer Robert Armstrong, whose existence he learned of only the day before and never got to see? After all, "The Swan" is not just the oldest inn in the district; for a long time people have been coming here to listen to and tell stories — current anecdotes, old legends and tales, or magical stories. So the story of the mysterious girl must weave into the tapestry crafted by skilled storytellers for centuries…