This superb picture book for grown-ups tells a story of greenhouses, rare birds and a rivalry between gardeners. In just a few dozen pages, the author and illustrator weave a Gothic tale full of things unsaid. Some people might lament the amount of mystery still to be solved by the end, but I loved it. The writing is evocative and just the right amount of quaint, while the pictures are feather-light and dark at the same time. After admiring the art of Rovina Cai for years, I’m so happy to own one of her books. Sally Gardner’s prose brings the perfect balance, making this a highlight of my book collection. I think the best weather to read this book would be an autumn rain.