When the woman with whom he was about to begin an affair suddenly dies in his arms, Victor considers walking away - but is unable to resist delving into the woman's dark secrets.

Marta has just met Victor when she invites him to dinner at her Madrid apartment while her husband is away on business. When her two-year-old son finally falls asleep, Marta and Victor retreat to the bedroom. Undressing, she feels suddenly ill dies, inexplicably, in his arms.

What should Victor do? Remove the compromising tape from the phone machine? Leave food for the child, for breakfast? These are just his first steps, but he soon takes matters further - unable to bear the shadows and the unknowing, Victor plunges into dark waters.

Writer Javier Marías, Europe's master of secrets and of what lies reveal and truth may conceal, is on sure ground in this profound, brilliantly imagined and hugely intricate novel.

From the novel by Javier Marías
Translated by Margaret Jull Costa
Dramatised for radio by Michael Butt

Produced by Eoin O'Callaghan
A Big Fish production for BBC Radio 4. Show less