Now this presents a challenge. How do you write about a follow up novel without giving away what happens in the first novel? I suppose the answer has to be...very carefully.
Picking up twenty years after The Meaning of Night leaves off, the 26th Baroness Tansor is interviewing for a new lady's maid. Esperanza Gorst applies for the position as instructed by the woman who has raised her since she was very young, Madame de L'Orme. She is told to watch every movement in the house, beware of the Baroness and to keep a Book of Secrets in shorthand. A series of letters will arrive which reveal ever more detail about Lady Tansor's past and Esperanza's parentage.
Evenwood, the ancestral home of the Tansor dynasty, sets the stage with secret staircases, a heavily panelled library, windows overlooking vast lawn and paintings which seem to watch your every move. The Baroness frequently has visits there by Armitage Vyse, a sinister lawyer from Lincoln's Inn, London. Esperanza comes to realize that these visits are not completely welcome and that Vyse has a secret he holds over her Lady.
Despite being warned by her guardian never to trust the Baroness, Esperanza finds herself being drawn in. Attention from the heir, Perseus and his brother, Randolph lends an air of romance and rivalry to the story.
As more information is revealed, Esperanza's confidence rises. Gaining strength from secrets, she watches as the Baroness becomes skittish and begins to wither from the weight of them. The last quarter of this book will keep you riveted!
The Meaning of Night and The Glass of Time are over 1,100 pages of sheer adventure and characters that come to life. Should you be in the mood for swishing coats, London mist, secret excursions down hallways by candlelight and the sound of carriage wheels on gravel drives then you MUST read these books!
Oh no Esperanza should never trust the baroness! Thanks for the comment you left Tommy, you must stay tuned though as it is a proper genuine challenge for him - even though he would rather spend his time reading comics!
ReplyDeleteThis book was not known to me so thanks for the post.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great holiday read! Sounds like perfect escapism.
ReplyDeleteRob, Hee! I'd like Deacon to start dinner! I'll be sure to follow Tommy's progress at reading.
ReplyDeleteMystica, It took me a year to get around to them...I'm so glad that I did!
Bloomsbury Bell, That was it exactly!
By the way Naomi, how are you coming along with Jane Eyre?
That sounds like the perfect kind of cold-weather read, one to just get stuck into with a cup of tea and a warm blanket. Perhaps if I read it I can tempt autumn to return. :)
ReplyDeletemakedoandread, You've got it in one! I went for a drive on Wednesday and found some trees that were completely red and smelled woodsmoke twice...absolute heaven. Enjoy the image until the real thing comes along, Kate!
ReplyDeleteI have both on my TBR pile and am looking forward to reading them soon. I see you have moved on to The Woman in White--one of my favorite books--I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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