Product Description

A rich, multi-generational saga, set in Singapore and New Zealand. The mysterious disappearance of a young child sets in motion a series of events that will haunt future generations of the family. Singapore in the 1970s. A handsome army officer falls in love with the young daughter of his captain. Although she is determined to become a ballerina, Fleur falls deeply for David and abandons her aspirations to become an army wife and mother. After their first blissfully happy years together, tragedy strikes and Fleur is left widowed with her young twin daughters, Nikki and Saffie. Grief-stricken, she prepares to take her daughters back to England -- and then one of them mysteriously vanishes, without a trace. New Zealand, present day. Nikki Montrose, pregnant, is still haunted by the disappearance of her twin sister. Unable to reconcile with her mother, the ghosts of the past haunt her dreams. Fleur's impending visit forces her to confront her fears. Then when her mother goes missing en route, Nikki must journey to Singapore and attempt a reconciliation. But what they discover back in Port Dickson will send shockwaves through the entire family. Sara MacDonald has written another rich, absorbing family saga which will appeal to all fans of Rosamunde Pilcher and Anita Shreve.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1197943 in Books
• Published on: 2005-05-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 352 pages

About the Author
Sara Macdonald has written all her life. She has been an army wife, living all over the world, and now lives in Cornwall. This is her third novel.

Customer Reviews

The Hour Before Dawn
I bought this book after having read a review in a magazine and thought it would be a suitable holiday read. I began reading on a flight to Australia and was completely gripped by the story from the very first page, which is unusual on a long flight as usually I find it difficult to concentrate. I could not put the book down until it was finished and found it not only an enjoyable read, but thought provoking. The characters are all very believable, it is a tale of family with plenty of suspense and drama and the different locations, which cover London, Singapore, Malaysia and the Bay of Islands in NZ are well painted and recognisable. Once I had finished the book, my daughter read it and was also unable to put it down, she is not a great reader, but enjoyed it immensely. I can't wait to read more of Sara MacDonald's books.

Brilliant!
Sarah MacDonalds book evoked poignant memories for me....
Having lived as an Army wife in Singapore in the 1960's I was immediately transported back there - the sights, smells, her descriptions of the area, everything. Loved it, loved it!!!

Beautiful story
This is a beautiful story, masterfully told. The plot and the way it is presented is exceptionally good. The characters are well drawn and believable, drawing the reader into events both past and present with a fascination to know the truth about what happened to Saffie and why.
Sara MacDonald's books follow a theme of switching from past events to present developments, and in this story she has as many as four different threads of the plot being followed at the same time. It works really well though, and does not confuse in any way, but instead it adds dimension and hooks the reader's interest.
This is a haunting tale which delves deeply into the mind and emotions, with a spiritual angle which to me felt totally natural and added depth and meaning to the story. The ending I found totally satisfactory and believable.
I'm so glad I decided to read another of her books, having loved Another Life and then been disappointed with Sea Music, which I found depressing and predictable. Her stories can get a bit heavy at times, but this one finds a good balance and is compulsive reading. The setting has obviously been well researched, and I loved the little touches such as the connection to the work of Hundertwasser, the Austrain painter and architect. For me,these little things are what turn a good author into a great one.