The Legacy

What has happened to Ingrid?

Beautiful Ingrid, who leaves Australia, and her friends, and Ralph who loves her, to marry Gil Grey and set up home amid the New York art world. There she becomes the stepmother to Gil′s teenage artist daughter Fleur, a former child prodigy, and studies ancient artefacts known as ′curse scrolls′ at Colombia University. But at 9am on the morning of September 11, 2001, she has an appoitnment Downtown. And is never seen again.

Or is she?

Debra Adelaide (bestselling author of THE HOUSEHOLD GUIDE TO DYING) says of it: ′intelligent and engaging ... intricate, detailed and acutely observed and beautifully written in a voice that is measured and consistent from start to finish′

It is a novel that asks the big questions about art, ′authenticity′, friendship and love -- and keeps the pages turning at a furious pace.

Praise for THE LEGACY

′Full of suave and stunning evocations of Sydney and Manhattan, this sparkling and spacious novel captures the smell and sap of young people half in love with everyone they′re vividly aware of, and groping to find themselves like the answer to an erotic enigma.′ Peter Craven, THE MONTHLY

′THE LEGACY never lacks self-assurance or narrative drive′ SYDNEY MORNING HERALD

′Tranter makes her splendid debut with this novel about friendship, love, abuse and deceit ... Tranter′s writing is as rich and luxurious as heavy, expensive brocade. The characters′ names and many aspects of the plot will remind readers of Henry James′ PORTRAIT OF A LADY ... It′s a goldmine of literary references, and finding them can be both fun and challenging. A promising beginning to what will undoubtedly be a successful writing career." KIRKUS REVIEWS(starred)

′This hypnotic debut from Australian author Tranter pays homage to Henry James′s A PORTRAIT OF A LADY while offering a suspenseful story line worthy of Patricia Highsmith ... While Tranter′s sedate pacing avoids typical thriller antics and conventional crime plot twists, she raises some wickedly keen questions about art world wheeling and dealing.′ PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (starred)

′THE LEGACY is an entertaining literary thriller that skillfully describes the almost pleasurable pain of love and life denied′ WEEKEND AUSTRALIAN

′A gripping and deeply moving novel′ AUSTRALIAN LITERARY REVIEW

′The journey through this nuanced and assured novel is a compelling one′ SUNDAY TELEGRAPH

′Tranter′s novel is an assured, complex and beautifully crafted work with a measured and restrained tone that is lyrical and yet never cloying. Her characters are beautifully observed and written, without a note. While THE LEGACY appears to be a makeover of the Henry J