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2000s: A girl in a new country. A dark secret left behind. A dead body which might tell all.
2000s: A girl in a new country. A dark secret left behind. A dead body which might tell all.
Ever since she was adopted from an orphanage in Sri Lanka, Paloma has led a privileged Californian life: the best schools, a generous allowance and parents so perfect that Paloma fears she’ll never live up to them.
Now at thirty, Paloma has managed to disappoint her parents so thoroughly that their relationship will never recover. Unemployed and friendless, the only person still talking to her is Arun – the Indian man subletting her spare room. That is until Arun discovers Paloma’s darkest secret, one that could jeopardize her fragile place in this country, and the next day is found face down in a pool of blood.
On finding Arun’s body Paloma flees her apartment. But by the time the police arrive, there’s no body to be found or signs of struggle – and no evidence that Arun ever even existed in the first place.
The story is divided between two countries : Sri Lanka and a fictional orphanage some 18 years ago. The present day storyline is set in San Francisco California.
Sri Lanka
Where the story starts and the secrets are kept. Paloma is adopted here by an American couple and taken to America. The scenes in the orphanage are awful and the threat of what happens when the children leave here, even worse. We hear of St. Margaret’s and the torture of Sister Cynthia.
San Francisco
This city is well evoked but this is not the place tourists will want to go. It’s a city divided along racial lines and tensions are everywhere. Paloma is living the good life and has a pricey apartment which she rents out. The living arrangements here are hard and tricky to manage. It’s hard to find a good roommate. Hard to get and keep a good one. What happens when you find your roommate dies…..
Destination: San Francisco, Sri Lanka Author/guide: Amanda Jayatissa Departure Time: 2000s
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