Disrupting the reader’s complacency is what Sara Collins does best. Identifying with Frannie, we face the historical realities of slavery, but there’s also plenty of humour, passion and adventure in her story.

Collins’ description of Frannie’s passionate relationship with her aristocratic mistress is only one brilliant facet of this exciting, unsettling book. In addition, there are colourful accounts of life below stairs and on the streets of London, recounted by Frannie in response to her defence lawyer’s desperate plea, ‘For God’s sake, give me something I can save your neck with!’