I hope whoever finds this book enjoys it! I found I had two copies - so one for wild release!

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WILD RELEASE NOTES:

At the Bookcrossing meetup on Sat Oct 4th from 1pm everyone is welcome

If this is your introduction to Bookcrossing, welcome. Please make as few or as many comments about the book as you wish. The book is now yours to do with as you choose. Keep it, pass it on, but please leave the label, so it can keep in touch with us. If you would like to know what happens to the book after you have passed it on, then do join - it's free, private and it's fun!

And if you do choose to join, I hope you'll consider using me molyneux, as your referring member.

Captured at the BC meet up at The Wharf Fenny Compton. Thanks Molyneux - it was good to catch up with you again!

This was quite an enjoyable read but ever so slightly disappointing considering the good reports I’d had of it. I like the way the story was unravelled through the memories of a very old lady, leading to the final revelation of long hidden secrets, I generally like this kind of plot. Of course its not a very original idea but there aren’t many of those to be found. It reminded me of lots of things: Gosford Park, The Remains of the Day, Upstairs Downstairs and at the end the author acknowledges that all these had an influence on her. The old lady with the tape recorder revealing terrible events from the past also reminded me of Barbara Vine’s The Brimstone Wedding.

Kate Morton has obviously researched the period and the details of life above and below stairs in the early C20 and generally they are vividly recreated and convincing although some little inaccuracies – like the housemaid in 1914 wearing tights and rhododendrons in summer - bothered me a bit. Why didn’t an editor pick that up? Some of the dialogue seemed predictable and corny, especially that between the servants and I felt that some of the twists and revelations were not very subtly handled. Of course I’m being hyper critical, its certainly not a bad first novel.

Some people have called it ‘Atonement Lite’ which makes me giggle. Similar plot and themes; very, very different authors!!!

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

For release at BC meet on Thursday evening.