Shortlisted for Book of the Month
Mystery
Present
Day/1944-5
Oxfordshire
and Paris
Retirement doesn't suit Martha
Nelson; she is restless and can't settle. A local newspaper advertises for help
with a project of a coffee table book on local history. With her background in
journalism, she offers her services, but her editing skills are not appreciated
by the typically dyed-in-the-wool village committee. Nevertheless, she has
become intrigued in the story of the ruined Lapston Manor nearby and especially
in the story of its last inhabitants.
In the meantime, going back
seventy or so years, we meet Maxwell Carrick (always referred to by his
surname) who was one of those inhabitants. Taken in by the then owner of the
Manor, he is accepted by Henry, George and Alice as part of the family as they
all grow up together. War breaks out and Henry is reported missing presumed
dead and Carrick is invalided out of the army with a severe case of stress. It
is at this point that the mysterious and enigmatic Cecile Roussell enters their
lives and changes everything for them.
This a very accomplished book which
I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. Carrick is clearly disturbed, almost
to the point of dislike; Cecile is an
accomplished seductress. It is easy to imagine the impoverished state of the
Manor and the glory that it once was. Martha is dogged and determined, though
her husband Steve is less than impressed with her preoccupation with the story
she is trying to chase down. And then, into her life, comes local
horticulturist Rory.
Once I had got used to the
hopping to and from Martha's life and Carrick's story, I became completely
hooked and found myself really caring for both Martha and the beleaguered
Carrick. The prose is very good without being overly descriptive – less is more
– and the dialogue totally believable in
both eras. Although there is the inevitable 'fortunate coincidences' that are
present in all mystery stories (“Well, you're in luck – he happens to live in
the next village” sort of thing), there are a number of very unexpected twists
which for this reviewer were not implausible. Given that this is quite a lengthy read, it is commendable that I came across only two, obviously overlooked, typos ('where'
for 'were' and 'roll' for 'role').
Though the background to the
cover was quite dark, it made me think 'mystery' before I had even started
reading it.
Highly recommended
© Richard Tearle
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I thoroughly enjoyed this and there is a lovely twist at the end .... think 'Running Scared' by Roy Orbison!
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