A life of disbelief

An open mind is sometimes enough to discover new worlds... At seventy-two, widowed British math teacher Grace finds herself painfully useless. The gnawing guilt that she once failed to prevent the tragic death of her young son has kept her from enjoying life for decades. The uptight senior therefore surprises herself when she suddenly sets off for Ibiza, where her mysteriously missing friend has left her a house. She flies to the famous destination, famous for its natural beauty and wild parties, to find out what happened to her old friend. But what she finds on the picturesque island will surpass her wildest imagination and make her see the world through different eyes. An elderly Alberto with the visage of a pirate - once a renowned marine biologist who discredited himself with a book about an alien force inhabiting the waters of the Mediterranean - becomes the guide of a doubting British woman on her way to a new meaning in life. But Grace will have to face not only the limits of her own knowledge, but also the ghosts of the past and an enemy endowed with unimaginable power. This gripping novel from the bestselling author of The Midnight Library is full of wonder, adventure and hope. Its protagonist tells a former student a fantastic story of deep grief and the power of new beginnings. "The author of Midnight Library returns with another therapeutic fantasy novel." - The Washington Post "Haig's positive message will make his fans happy." - Kirkus Reviews "Look forward to a book full of mystery, mystery, and captivating atmosphere." - Bookseller Magazine "In Haig's sovereign delivery, magic becomes part of a breathtaking life." - Publishers Weekly The point of despair is often the point of truth. When things are going badly, we need to sink to the very bottom for change to occur. Sometimes we have to feel trapped to find our way out. We do not meet the truth about ourselves in the light and fresh air. We don't understand the radio by listening to a song on it. We need to break it down to see how it's made. And those first days in Ibiza brought to the surface everything I had managed to suppress. Grief, despair, loneliness. I was cringing, but I could see myself at the same time. I was as open as a broken radio, facing my own malfunctioning coils, circuits and transistors. All defects and irregularities. And maybe that was it. Maybe it was because I was lying there, broken, paradoxically numb and sore at the same time. Maybe if you shout quietly, help will come inaudibly. Maybe the universe was listening. Maybe he picked up my signal. I don't know. But something definitely happened. And the timing was perfect. - excerpt from the book