Recently bereaved, George Newhouse, is an art historian and newly appointed curator at the National Gallery who becomes increasingly obsessed with a lost minor Dutch masterpiece, The Blue Horse by Van Doelenstraat.

The painting's provenance is disputed and many doubt its existence at all. But Newhouse has uncovered a letter by Rembrandt where the master states, 'That damned painting vexes my mind's eye'.

As Newhouse struggles with his grief, his grip of reality slowly loosening, he embarks on surreal journey of loss and self-discovery, fuelled by alcohol, drugs and self-destructive behaviour.

As the lines between reality and imagination blur, will George lose himself in his obsession or return from the brink of destruction in time?

Highly atmospheric and exploiting many of the tropes of art appreciation, this is a compelling literary noir and remarkable debut by one of Scotland's leading art correspondents.