Linda Gillard

I literally bought this novel because of the house on the cover, barely reading the blurb! Anyway, a very good story, neatly plotted, with a mix of believable and Dickensian characters, but - like Alfie, the narrator's boyfriend and prodigal son of Creake House, there is also a slightly insincere quality that put me off towards the end. Like the author was trying to translate psychology textbooks into fiction, there was an overload of improbable dialogue and tidy resolutions that I just couldn't swallow. When the first 'secret' was revealed, I was thinking that Alfie was working alone, gulling the family, and that Gwen would be in danger for figuring out the truth - which might have worked better. But no - let's all sit down with the resident shrink and spill our guts, then feel better and thank the interloper for restoring our lives and sanity.

Until that point, however - four stars. I actually liked Gwen, until she was beatified by the family, and the uncovering of clues at Creake Hall was nicely done. In the words of Elvis - a little less conversation, a little more action, please.… (más)