Lucy Swann is trying on a new life. She's cut and dyed her hair and bought new clothes, but she's only got as far as a small town in northern France when her flight is violently cut short. When Inspector Vivier and his handsome assistant Sabine Pelat begin their investigation the chance encounters of her last days take on a new significance. Lucy's death, like a stone thrown into a pool, sends out far-reaching ripples, altering the lives of people who never knew her as well as those of her loved ones back home.

Nicky is heavily pregnant and should be looking forward to a new home-life. But her mother-in-law has other plans. Ethan's plans do not involve his mother - until he's expecting his second child and things come full circle. Alec is playing at hating his neighbour's extreme Christmas decorations, up to the moment love strikes and changes all the rules. A young dad's impatient care transforms to grace once he allows himself into his small daughter's game. The instinct to make rivals; the urge to reach out to others. These competing claims - and flawed, elusive love - are the territory of these nineteen rich stories. "Circle Games" probes our darker fantasies of power, control and revenge, in a world not far removed from Grimm's menacing forests, where games are seldom innocent.

A unique and enthralling collection from a prize-winning author, these short stories are sure to enthrall. In addition to being shortlisted for the Best First Book Award in the Eurasia Commonwealth Writers Prize, this collection was also shortlisted for Welsh Book of the Year 2003.