Books like The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox

Taryn Cornick believes she has moved beyond her sister’s tragic death and her misguided revenge. When a policeman, Jacob Berger, interrogates her about a cold case, Taryn’s past resurfaces. The investigation brings her back to her grandparents’ home, where a devastating fire and a rumored ancient scroll box known as the Firestarter are central to a series of unsettling events, including threatening phone calls and a mysterious illness. As the mystery deepens, a shadowy young man named Shift appears, pushing Taryn and Jacob toward a confrontation that spans multiple realms—from contemporary England to Auckland, New Zealand, and even a magical fairyland and Purgatory. Amid the action, the novel explores the power of stories, the allure of hidden treasures, and the ways legends can reshape morality. *The Absolute Book* blends contemporary mystery with epic fantasy, weaving together elements of crime, fire, ancient scrolls, and the enduring influence of narrative on reality.

First publish date: 1900