Instruments of Darknessis the story of Nada, a divorced American writerwho begins to come to terms with her past through research ofanother woman's life. Barbe Durand, a courageous young Frenchmaidservant from the 1700s, is the woman Nada is researching.Setting out to give Barbe's story life, Nada ends up sharing herown life story, one of an alcoholic father and mentally unstablemother. Beautifully written, thisnovel will inspire you to accept life's hardships.