An extraordinary achievement - perfectly structured, astonishingly objective, wise, perceptive and beautifully written' Antony BeevorBeautiful, spirited Pannonica - known as Nica - was born in 1913 to eccentric privilege. Her family had, in only five generations, risen from Jews Lane in Frankfurt to great wealth in England. By the end of the Second World War, Nica seemed to have it all: wealth, children and a handsome husband. But in the early 1950s she heard Thelonious Monk playing ''Round Midnight' and the music overtook her: she abandoned her marriage to follow him to New York. Finding friendship among the musicians, her real love was reserved for Monk, whom she cared for until his death.'Wholly gripping' Rachel Cooke, Guardian'Eloquently written labour of love' Daily Mail'Nimble writing and brilliant story' Independent'It's a gripping yarn that more than proves that life is stranger than fiction' Literary Review