Larkswood
By (Author) Valerie Mendes
Orion Publishing Co
Orion (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd )
27th January 2015
United Kingdom
General
Fiction
823.92
Paperback
464
Width 130mm, Height 196mm, Spine 36mm
320g
In the tradition of THE FORSYTE SAGA, a sweeping historical novel that spans three generations, telling the dark secrets of a family torn apart.
Larkswood House. The very name suggests birdsong, peace and elegance. It is home to the Hamilton children - Edward, Cynthia and Harriet - who enjoy the freedom and excitement of privilege. But in the glorious summer of 1896, with absent parents and a departed governess, disaster strikes the family, leaving it cruelly divided.More than 40 years later, on the eve of the Second World War, Louisa Hamilton, newly presented at court but struck down with glandular fever, is sent to Larkswood to recuperate. There, for the first time, she meets her grandfather, Edward, home after decades in India.But as Louisa begins to fall under the spell of Larkswood, she realises it holds the key to the mystery that shattered her family two generations before. Will she find the courage to unravel the dark secrets of the past And can Larkswood ever become home to happiness againThis impressive debut captures the period beautifully, but also delivers a gripping mystery that'll keep you hooked until the end - GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
If there's a beautiful old house on a book's cover, I want a family saga of richness and breadth, a mystery that runs through that family like a San Andreas fault, captivating characters and gorgeous atmosphere. And this has it all ... Scrumptious storytelling - SAGA MAGAZINEAn enjoyable family saga with tones of a darker DOWNTON ABBEY - WE LOVE THIS BOOKValerie Mendes started her working life as a journalist, before moving into book publishing where she worked with Oxford University Press, Penguin Books and Elsevier among others. She lives in Oxfordshire.
www.valeriemendes.com