Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #75 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

Review
A charming mixture of love and mystery. --Lancashire Evening Post

Judy Finnigan, Richard and Judy, Channel 4
'It's a corker...probably my favourite of all the Summer Reads'

Richard Madeley, Richard and Judy, Channel 4
'It's one of the best pieces of writing on the First World War
that I've ever read...I can't think of a bad thing to say about this book'

Customer Reviews

An enjoyable novel
This book takes place in the beggining of the 1900s. It is ideal for those who like rich English family novels full of intrigues. The book is told on first person by the servant of the house that is now on her late 90s. Thus, the author keeps going back and fowards in time. During her years as a servant, a man kills himself and the only witnesses are two sisters, who after that will never talk to each other again. The story unravells the mystery.
the only aspect I didn't like of this book is that the author keeps on revealling what will happen before it actually does. In spite of this, the ending still came as a total surprise to me.

not convinced!
I picked this up with high hopes, having loved another R & J recommendation (East of the Sun). However, I have found it a very slow read and the writing style clumsy, repetitive and, well, prosiac! I can't help feeling that the author never quite gets Grace's voice right - it's too formal for a housemaid and more importantly, it doesn't match the voice of present-day Grace who is narrating the novel from the 1990s and who we hear from in the present also. I am half way through and unsure if I will finish it. I can see that other readers loved it, but I just don't get it I'm afraid!

A real feel good book.
When I first picked this book up I didnt think id like it much, not being a fan of romance novels but I have just finished reading this book and I really enjoyed it. Its a easy read without any complicated plots and you really feel yourself becoming absorbed into their lives. It is a perfect book for curling up on the sofa with in the long winter nights. Definately worth a read!