Fragile Focus

Although part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone.

Riona Cahill is a gifted photographer for the Roaming Lens, a thriving travel magazine based in London, England. Her life is built on movement, discovery, and the thrill of chasing light across cities and wilderness alike. With her top-notch camera, a treasured gift from her mum and her constant companion, she captures the stories no one else sees.

But when a new assignment takes her to Japan, something shifts. In a land of mist-wrapped mountains, ancient shrines and age-old practised rituals, Riona feels an unfamiliar pull. It is as if the country is speaking to her in a language just beneath the surface. This feeling is only enhanced as she spends weeks living with the lovely Toru family. They are incredibly gracious and kind to her while they teach her all they know about their vast history and time-honoured ways. Through this, Riona not only becomes entwined in their way of life, but in something deeper, she can't quite name.

However, when Riona returns to England, she begins to feel entirely unwell. Dizziness, fatigue, and a sense of disconnection are easy to dismiss at first because, after all, she's always lived on the edge of exhaustion. Yet as they persist, Riona finds herself navigating not only unfamiliar landscapes but the unsettling realisation that something within her isn't right.

Still, determined not to lose momentum, she continues travelling to remote corners of the globe, seeking beauty in remote places while quietly questioning what's happening beneath the surface. Along the way, she's forced to reflect on what she has been running toward and what she may be running from.

Fragile Focus is a story of mystery, memory, and the invisible threads that bind us to places and people we meet along the way. It is perfect for fans of literary fiction, travel writing, and book club reads that spark meaningful conversation.

The plane is ready for takeoff. It's time to grab your suitcase and prepare to explore the world in a dramatic story told through Riona's eyes. Trust that it will be a journey you won't soon forget!