The Silent Sin
Contributors: David Colmer (Translator)
Publisher: Marion Boyars Publishers; Marion Boyars Publishers Ltd
Published: June 2007
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 160
ISBN-13: 9780714531250
Subjects: Historical fiction; Gay; Fiction / General; Fiction; Fiction - General
First sentence: Looking back, I would have done better to reject the position as a maid at Monsieur de Malapert's.
Description: When Anna’s family home is destroyed in a fire, she is forced to become a maid for music publisher De Malapert. Intrigued by her employer, she spends her free time conjuring up ways to impress him.

De Malapert remains unaware of her attentions. Working in the shop by day, and transcribing opera scores by night, his only distraction is afforded by the occasional visit from his friend Everard Borgholt.

As Anna’s obsession deepens, however, she begins to eavesdrop on these late night soirees, and learns more about her mysterious employer than is safe for any of them.

Unwittingly, she contributes to the downfall of both the ‘only man she could imagine giving herself to’ and herself.
Notes: The Silent Sin was, among other awards, nominated for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
Table of contents: title: The Silent Sin is a enchanting historical novel that balances precariously between life and death. The story is set in the mid-18th Century Amsterdam.