I first found out about this book when it was featured on the TV Book Club where all the reviewers raved about the page turning plot.
The premise is a good one, two sisters in Wiltshire, England discovers a long forgotten family mystery involving a missing baby and they investigate this while at the same time they remember a day during their childhood when their cousin Henry went missing. Alternating with these chapters is the story of the sisters great grand-mother, an American who attempted to make a life in Oklahoma before marring into an English family.
Overall I found this novel very disappointing which did not live up to its premise. Many of the plot elements were far fetched or did not add up and I solved the 'mystery' of what happened to Henry very early on.
Perhaps its because I am currently reading the excellent Lonesome Dove which is set during a similar period in the west, but I did not find the speech that the characters used during the American chapters very realistic. I felt that the author was going for a 'PC Award' at times when a character spoke about the Native Americans in the area and I didn't find the descriptions of this time period or landscape sufficient enough to give me a sense of place.
It wasn't all bad as I did find myself finishing it and this was purely because I liked the characters of the two sisters and because I wanted to see if I had solved the mystery and guessed right.
Would I recommend this? I would recommend this if your after an easy read with a mystery. I read this on holiday and although large parts of it annoyed me it was what I would describe as a good holiday read.
Verdict 2/5
Posted by Jess
I love Lonesome Dove! Glad you're finding it excellent. :) It was made into a pretty decent movie (TV mini-series, actually) if you're interested and can find a copy--the one with Tommy Lee Jones and Robert Duvall in it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review . I added this book to my TBR recently but I won't rush to read it now.
ReplyDeleteThis does sound intriguing but I think I will pass. Thanks for your honest review.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for this review. Based on the premise, I would have rushed to add it to my TBR pile, but now I'll have a bit of a re-think.
ReplyDeleteSorry this one was disappointing!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I thought this might be a good book when I saw the TV book club raving about it. I'm enjoying Lonesome Dove at the moment too. Having been late to start I am flying through it and hope to catch up with you all soon. Perhaps it is best to stick to the real Wild West stuff :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry that this one was disappointing. I think I wouldn't have read it because of the mystery aspect..
ReplyDeleteKathy - I've just checked on Amazon and they are selling the Lonesome Dove box sets so I am quite tempted by that now!
ReplyDeleteCat - I really was expecting something more from it, easy read though.
Marce - I can't fault the idea but its a shame it couldn't be pulled off (IMO)
Birdie - its a good holiday read so if you are in the mood for something lighter then you might enjoy it more than me. I was hoping for more substance I guess.
Diane - ah well, it happens :)
Jackie - believe me the difference in the west in the two books was shocking (the guy in The Legacy is also a range owner)Glad you are enjoying Lonesome Dove.
Iris - I have to admit that mysterys are really my thing but this one was so bleeding obvious and so far fetched it was silly.
I wasn't keen on this one either, and the mystery was too easy to solve. But you're right, as a holiday read it works well.
ReplyDeleteI must have missed this last time I called by, however having now read your review and considering the size of my TBR and wishlist, I do not think I will be hunting this one down.
ReplyDeleteThankyou for commenting on my review of Her Fearful Symmetry, I hope you get your brother to lend you a copy soon as I would love to know what you and your husband make of it.