Across two continents, two mothers and daughters are bound by a dark mystery. On a winter’s day in the Dandenong Ranges of Australia, pianist Ginny returns home to her eccentric mother, Harriet, trying to find out the truth about her father’s disappearance. In an effort to distract her daughter’s interrogations, Harriet proposes they collaborate on an exhibition of paintings and songs. Meanwhile, on the edge of Dartmoor, artist Judith paints landscapes of the Australian Outback to soothe her troubled heart, as her wayward daughter Madeleine returns home... and fills the house with darkness. “A Perfect Square is a fine novel about the power of art to heal, and to disturb.” - David Whish Wilson, Zero at the Bone "Similar to Kandinsky’s brush that flawlessly moves from concrete to abstract, and from material to spiritual, the novel delicately blends family romance, art history, esoteric theories, and human drama as it traces the main protagonist’s search for her father that imperceptibly becomes the search for wisdom and transcendence." - Vladimir Golstein, Professor of Russian literature, Brown University, NY "A feast for the reader, this multi-layered novel is itself resonant with significances" - Baffled Bear Books "I heartily recommend this to anyone who likes fascinating and believable characters, well drawn settings and just enough mystery to keep the whole thing bubbling along nicely. The sort of book you almost want to start reading again, the moment you have finished it, and I have to confess, I enjoyed it immensely..." - Film and Book Critic, Philip A. Wallis. "A Perfect Square is a clever, thoughtful literary novel which also manages to have a cracking plot and complex characters." - Kate Braithwaite "Similar to Kandinsky's brush that flawlessly moves from concrete to abstract, and from material to spiritual, A Perfect Square delicately blends family romance, art history, esoteric theories, and human drama as it traces the main protagonist's search for her father that imperceptibly becomes the search for wisdom and transcendence." Vladimir Golstein, Professor of Russian literature, Browns University, NY. "Across two continents, two sets of mothers and daughters are united by a dark mystery. A Perfect Square is a fine novel about the power of art to heal, and to disturb." David Whish Wilson, author of Zero at the Bone. 'The author, like an artist slowly dabbing paint upon a canvas, methodically yet tauntingly brings to life complex, damaged characters, their pasts, their struggles to relate to each other and the paths they are set upon. I strongly recommend it.' MICHELLE SAFTICH, AUTHOR OF PORT OF NO RETURN 'A Perfect Square is a clever, thoughtful literary novel which still manages to have a cracking plot and complex characters. It should appeal to lovers of psychological thrillers too--think artistic Gone Girl.' KATE BRAITHWAITE, AUTHOR OF CHARLATAN 'Isobel Blackthorn is a clever author, I very much enjoyed her biting wit.' LOLLY K DANDENEAU 'Isobel Blackthorn is a gifted and insightful writer who has penned this slow burning and intellectually demanding literary read.' PAROMJIT, GOODREADS 'Some books haunt you. You rarely know this will happen when you are reading them--the sensation creeps up on you after the last page. With A PerfectSquare there was a moment as I read where my heart dropped and I knew this book would stay with me.' RACHEL NIGHTINGALE, AUTHOR OFHARLEQUIN'S RIDDLE AND COLUMBINE'STALE 'Flawless' JASMINA BRANKOVICH, WRITER 'Blackthorn is an exceptionally skilful writer, not only at the technical level (characterisation, description, structure and so on) but at the thematic level. As she writes about the power of art, she evokes a range of emotional responses in the reader. The beautiful language in the book inspired me to create, while atone point I felt heart pounding anxiety and at the end, when I realised how few pages were left, I felt bereft because I didn't want to leave the characters whose lives I had become absorbed in. The descriptions of art and the creative process are a reminder that there is much more below the surface than we often notice. I don't keep many books anymore because I've run out of shelf space, but this is one that I will keep and return to. A marvellous work.' GOODREADS REVIEWER