Primeros reseñadores

Includes Book 1, "Capuchinos House of Secrets," and Book 2, "Secrets Revealed."

Welcome to Capuchinos, the home of the Lorca-Jimenez family.

The story begins in the early years when Marquis Robert and Marquesa Isabella are bringing up their children. They are a privileged family with vast areas of land, wealth and status.

Circumstances change when their position is challenged by political instability in Spain and Isabella’s despair at Roberto’s insistence on regular child bearing.

Then, wayward teenage daughters cavort with the peasants, challenging family dignity and honour. This sets in motion forces they cannot control.

The domestic situation further deteriorates amid tensions between Roberto and the peasants. Then, as violence and political discord in society increases, General Franco challenges the ruling Republican Party and stages a coup d’etat. This provokes civil war between Nationalist and Republican parties. Amongst the turmoil the Lorca-Jimenez family begins to disintegrate.

Following his father’s death, Jaime, his youngest son, tries to keep the family together but Isabella leaves Capuchinos to hide her pregnant daughter with relatives in Madrid. Isabella remains there, briefly enjoying a lavish social life and a relationship with an American journalist.

Republican values, which support equality in society, resonated with disadvantaged people throughout the world. The UK government would not take sides on the Spanish Civil War, but hundreds of individuals left the UK to fight with the International Brigades and the Republicans.

Find out how one of these, an English, aristocratic gentleman, Johnny Hesketh, becomes a real asset fighting for the Republican cause.

The narrative in part two begins with Carolina returning to Capuchinos to search for her boyfriend and to think about her baby. Soon afterwards Isabella returns, fleeing the violence in Madrid. She is traumatised by witnessing the death of her American boyfriend.

Life on the farm is now very different. Jamie worked hard initially with his grandmother to keep his ancestral home intact. But the war meant fewer farm workers available, fields became neglected, the house fell into disrepair. Isabella finds her mother disabled following attacks by marauding gangs. Clara and Gabriella have been placed in a convent for their safety. Jamie has become ruthless and is not averse to killing to achieve his ends. Many crimes were committed at Capuchinos to enable Jamie to keep control. Isabella is no longer the disillusioned woman she was. Taking everything in her stride she rallied, organising the house and farm and even showing compassion to the poor inhabitants living in Carmona by delivering food and clothing.

Jamie is appalled by her lack of understanding of the political implications of her actions. Quarrels threaten to destroy their relationship especially when Isabella opens up Capuchinos as an orphanage for abandoned children.

To support the Nationalist cause and prevent the authorities from accusing his mother of being a Republican supporter Jaime becomes embroiled with blackmail and murder. The Lorca-Jimenez family, however, were adept at covering up their crimes in order to maintain their power, wealth and reputation.

In war time this was not unusual. Capuchinos is not be the only house in Spain to bury its secrets!

Yet years march on. Things change. In the 1980s a more democratic regime opens Spain to investment.

Lucy, buys Hacienda Capuchinos. As Lucy’s renovations take place the house begins to unravel its dark secrets……….. but what are they? What is the true story hidden in Capuchinos’ land and ancient stones?

Enjoy a very human story showing contrasting worlds of violence, hatred, love, compassion, loyalty. Discover narratives of truth and justice disguised within layers of deceit and intrigue. Reflect on how you might respond living in similar circumstances!