A beautifully written novel based on the incredible true-life story of Varian Fry, called the artists' Schindler," from the international bestselling author of The Perfume Garden. In 2000, Gabriel Lambert is a celebrated painter who hides a dark secret. Sophie Cass, a journalist struggling to begin her career and who has a family connection to Lambert, is determined to find the truth about his past and the little known story of the real Casablanca .In 1940, an international group of rescue workers and refugee intellectuals and artists gather in the beautiful old Villa Air-Bel just outside Marseilles. American journalist Varian Fry and his remarkable team at the American Relief Center are working to help them escape France, but "the greatest man-trap in history" is closing in on them. Despite their peril, true camaraderie and creativity flourish - while love affairs spring up and secrets are hidden. At the House of Dreams, a young refugee artist, Gabriel Lambert, changed the course of his life - and now, sixty years later at his home in the Hamptons, the truth is finally catching up with him."Praise for The House of Dreams Brown brings a cinematic sensibility to her writing, making the long-ago exploits of Fry and his cohorts pulse with life, with an ever-present sense of danger looming overhead.

There is much to admire about this novel and its strong cast of characters, most of all its portrayal of the cost - and legacy - of real courage." - Booklist (starred review)"Brown ( The Perfume Garden ) sheds a literary light on the unsung heroes of the ARC. [A] nicely written and worthy read." - Library Journal "[A]n exciting read with many characters you find yourself rooting for. Some sweet romances will also tug at your heart strings and a lot of action will keep you turning those pages to a bittersweet ending. All that and a beautiful cover that adds to a very pleasant reading experience. Bravo!" - Fresh FictionPraise for The Perfume Garden "At its core, this is a love story celebrating both romantic and parental love, a tale that fans of romantic women's fiction will enjoy." - Booklist " The Perfume Garden swept me along with its interlinked stories of love and loss, heroism and hope.

Beautifully written and researched, this is an intensely atmospheric read and a hugely enjoyable one." - Isabel Wolff, international bestselling author of A Vintage Affair "Sweepingly romantic . heartbreaking at times; a vivid, gripping read." - Katherine Webb, international bestselling author of The Legacy "A deliciously winding narrative that takes us into the heart of battle, the locked rooms of family secrets, and the alluring promise of finally finding true love." - Good Housekeeping (UK)"Brown's pacing is exquisite, revealing each twist slowly and deliberately, leaving you gripped to the end." - The Bookseller (UK).