Hannah Richell

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is one of those novels where a group of old friends are cut off from the rest of the world by a weather event, but it is told in two time lines, so you know right from the first page that 'something bad happened'. This one was so similar to all the others in this genre that I was dogged throughout by the belief that I might have read it before, although that seems unlikely. There were lots of characters to keep on top of - at least two more children than there needed to be - and it was mainly very dull.… (lisätietoja)

"The Peacock Summer" was a quick, enjoyable novel about forbidden love. While I wasn't a big fan of modern-day Maggie, although she did grow as a character, I enjoyed Lillian's role in the story. However, at times I thought she was weak the way she allowed Charles, her husband, to use her as a punching bag.

Cloudesley was a character in itself and I loved the descriptions of the estate, I was pleased that it was saved from demolition although I guessed fairly early how this would happen.

With a beautiful front cover, flawed characters, mystery, family secrets and tragedy, "The Peacock Summer" an uncomplicated holiday read.… (lisätietoja)

Una coppia, una casa nel Dorset, una tragedia che costringe una famiglia a trasferirsi da Londra alla casa di campagna. Non tutti si adattano, non tutti sono a loro agio, alla fine scoppia la tragedia: il piccolo Alfred scompare tra i flutti e la famiglia è distrutta. Molti anni e molte sofferenze più tardi Dora e il suo ragazzo attendono un figlio. Per poter andare avanti con la sua vita Dora è costretta a fare i conti col tragico passato e a tirare tutti i fili del passato per poter far pace con se stessa. In questo viaggio Dora, col sostegno di Dan, riallaccia tutti i fili della tragedia e riappacifica la famiglia.
I continui spostamenti spazio temporali sono un escamotage molto sfruttato dai moderni scrittori di gialli, una fra tutti Camilla Laeckberg. Forse sarebbe bene tornare ad una linea temporale più semplice o forse è il difetto della Richell non saper usar bene questa tecnica, perchè il racconto ne risulta frammentato e appesantito.… (lisätietoja)