Set against the backdrop of the scientific and intellectual idealism of the Enlightenment, this is a novel of discovery, passion and friendship.

In 1766, at the age of fifteen Francois Huber learns that he is going blind. At the same time, he becomes obsessed with an extraordinary scientific inquiry - into the violent and sexually competitive world of the bee. He teaches his manservant to observe in his place and together they document their astonishing findings, with extraordinary persistence and insight. Set against the libertarian ideals of the Enlightenment and the dramatic and bloody events of the late eighteenth century, it is a story of human limitations and trust.

Her previous book The Journal of Mrs Pepys was serialised on Woman's Hour and received rave reviews - we expect the same with this novel.