Jeff Rawle

Bored, lonely, and trapped in a loveless marriage, forty-something Chris is a stranger to London's 1970s youth culture, when he propositions Roza, a Yugoslavian newcomer who spends the next few months telling Chris the story of her past. But is Roza telling the truth? Does Chris hear the stories through the filter of his own need? Does it even matter?

We find everyone's favourite irascibly insolent djinni serving at the court of King Solomon in 950 BC Jerusalem, where he is causing his customary chaos and must help a girl assassin sent by the Queen of Sheba to steal the all-powerful Ring of Solomon.

The comic relief is perfectly timed, the dialogue sharp and snappy and the fiendishly clever plot perfectly handled with Jonathan's trademark flair and command of language. Thrills, chills and a danger-spiked finale - this is one of the publishing events of the year.

Linked to The Bartimaeus Trilogy.