I have been on nodding terms with death since age nineteen. Death holds precious little mystery for me. During the last sixteen years I have eaten death for breakfast . . .

For accomplished writer and chef Clytie Churchill suffering and love come hand in hand. The life of each person she loves seems to come to a desperate end - sickness, suicide, death by drowning, orphan and widower Clytie has grieved through it all. During a long night reminiscing in a remote French Chateau she resolves to throw out all this Foul Matter - like the old proofs of a finished book.

But there is still one mystery to solve - when she learns there is a chance that little Finn, her dead husband's son, could have survived the sinking of his father's boat Clytie seeks out lawyer and ex-lover Anthony to help her track him down.

Awardwinning author Joan Aiken touches upon love and death with a thoughtfulness and courage that makes Foul Matter a romantic suspense novel like no other.