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.The Villa in Italy

by: Elizabeth Edmondson

December 04, 2006
This is a cleaver, warm and at times shocking book. There are so many twists and turns that you just don't see coming. She makes the characters warm, likable and best of all believable. This is a rare gem and a must read.
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.The Frozen Lake

by: Elizabeth Edmondson

January 03, 2005
I didn't find this luring enough to keep my attention. I did enjoy the first 60 or so pages, but then I struggled to finish this book. Maybe it was a case of too many characters and a drawn out build up for me, because the actual story content seemed so promising.
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.The Hour Before Dawn

by: Sara MacDonald

August 01, 2005
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 ... Read More:
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.Come Away with Me

by: Sara MacDonald

February 05, 2007
This is a very moving story that had me really gripped to see if the characters could come out the other side, the emotions are written really well and really drag you into the story and the ending does not disappoint.
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.The Memory Garden

by: Rachel Hore

August 06, 2007
I persisted with this book far longer than I should have - I could have been reading something worthwhile. Ploughed through to the half way point, expecting that something interesting must happen soon (no), not at all interested in what happened to any of the dull and one dimensional characters. I eventually skipped to the end to see what happened, which was what I was expecting. Saved myself a few hours and can now move onto something I might actually enjoy. Disappointing.
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.The Art of Love

by: Elizabeth Edmondson

August 04, 2008
I persisted with this book far longer than I should have - I could have been reading something worthwhile. Ploughed through to the half way point, expecting that something interesting must happen soon (no), not at all interested in what happened to any of the dull and one dimensional characters. I eventually skipped to the end to see what happened, which was what I was expecting. Saved myself a few hours and can now move onto something I might actually enjoy. Disappointing.
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.The Forgotten Garden

by: Kate Morton

May 29, 2008
I must admit that I was attracted to this book as it mentioned Richard and Judy's Bookclub. Not that I read all they recommend but they are usually worth a look. Then I found out that it was the author's previous book that was referred to "The House at Riverton" so I read that first.

It was good, but for me this one is better. It is set in Australia and Cornwall in the past and present. It starts with a puzzle and a rather heart rending one at that. A four year old girl is left on a steamer heading to Australia in 1912, apparently abandoned and unnoticed by the authorities. Who would do such a thing, and why?

There follows a well written multi layered story that untangles the complexities of the girls life. We see Edwardian ... Read More:
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.Another Life

by: Sara MacDonald

June 19, 2004
This has been the first novel I have read by Sara MacDonald, and I just couldn't put the book down. I am an avid reader of all types of books, both fiction and non-fiction, but this book has to be one of the very best books I have read in years. The book is beautifully written by setting the scene in Cornwall, without boring you with too much detail. The characters are down to earth everyday people that you can relate to, and you feel so attached to, as you get more involved with the storyline. What I loved about the book was the unusual and unpredictable story, that kept me turning the pages till the early hours. I cannot wait to read the other books by Sara, and I would recommend this book to anybody looking for a brilliant read.
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.Late Season

by: Christobel Kent

May 27, 2004
This book is two stories, which eventually become entwined into one. One story is about a woman living in a farmhouse in Italy. You find out how her life changed after the war and the memories she tried to forget about a personal tragedy. The other story is about a group of English 'friends' staying in a secluded building in the Italian countryside trying to find answers for the tragic death of someone close to them. Each story has one character from whose point of view we see the proceedings, whose memories we observe and whose communications with the other characters allow us to see how the past tragedies have effected each of these characters as individuals.

The descriptions of the surroundings are vivid, whether they are describing the peaceful Italian ... Read More:
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.Secret Relations

by: Annabel Dilke

August 01, 2005
I read this book based on its reviews and Amazon recommendations, but somehow I was disappointed. The writing is keenly insightful in places and the story, as it unravels, is totally believable and yet... something is missing. I found I was reading some passages more than once because I was unsure what the author meant or who was actually speaking in the text, and despite the fact I hadn't a clue what the outcome of the story would be I found myself unimpressed when I reached its conclusions. I didn't really connect with the characters due to the style of writing but on the other hand I can appreciate that the author has some talent. It just lacked punch for me. I found my mind wandering as I was reading but then some passages would really make sense as patterns of behaviour ... Read More:
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