What is the theme in Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George?

Unrequited love is a theme in this book. In this novel there is one, and possibly two, examples of unrequited love. Olivia Whitelaw is a confused young woman who falls in love with a musician. This affair turns out to be an extramarital affair that leads to disaster. Olivia is unaware that her lover is married at first. When she learns the truth, Olivia goes home to her mother where she is received with impatience and scorn. Olivia returns to her lover with the idea that he has left his wife. Later, however, Olivia learns that her lover has returned to his wife and has another lover in another town. Olivia finally kicks her lover out, but by this time she has become addicted to the illegal drugs he once gave to her.