It is the turn of the 14th century, a time when the Church forbids women to teach.

Marguerite Porete knows all about Hell. She's been there-and survived to tell the tale.

Her book The Mirror of Simple Souls describes in passionate detail her intimate encounters with God and is greeted with enthusiasm by influential scholars, disillusioned monks, and even the Countess of Hainault.

Meanwhile Guillaume de Paris, ambitious Dominican friar, is rising to high office. As Inquisitor of France he instigates the brutal arrests of the Knights Templar which infuriates the pope.

At this fateful moment Marguerite is sent to Guillaume on suspicion of heresy. Her life is at stake. But Marguerite realises the inquisitor has even more to lose than his tattered reputation-unless she can convince him that only Love will set him free.

Recreating the life of the inspired medieval mystic who remained anonymous for six centuries, The Hidden Mirror of La Porete is Susan Shooter's first historical novel.