Tiggy is given a bronze model of Merlin by her beloved grandmother, just before she goes to stay with her close friend Julia. There's evidently some unpleasant history related to Tiggy's father, which gradually becomes clear througout the book.

The story begins in 1976, then leaps forward to 2004 for a while. It's cleverly done, the plot unfolding with the different chronological perspectives, allowing a tragedy to happen in the earlier time frame, which we already know about with hindsight.

I found the number of characters a bit confusing, particularly with those who appear as children in the 1970s and adults in 2004, but I found the story compelling enough that I managed to keep track of most of them.

Great writing, some suspense, a few tugs on the heartstrings, and, overall, a satisfying story. Recommended. Perhaps four and a half stars, really.