Take No Farewell

by Robert Goddard

Geoffrey Staddon had never forgotten the house called Clouds Frome, his first important commission and the best thing he had ever done as an architect. Twelve years before the day in September 1923 when a paragraph in the newspaper made his blood run cold, he had turned his back on it for the last time, turned his back on the woman he loved, and who loved him. But when he read that Consuela Caswell had been charged with murder by poisoning he knew, with a certainty that defied the great divide of all those years, that she could not be guilty. As the remorse and shame of his own betrayal of her came flooding back, he knew too that he could not let matters rest. And when she sent her own daughter to him, pleading for help, he knew that he must return at last to Clouds Frome and to the dark secret that it held.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Historical Fiction, Suspense

576 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

In a writing career spanning more than twenty years, Robert Goddard's novels have been described in many different ways - mystery, thriller, crime, even historical romance. He is the master of the plot twist, a compelling and engrossing storyteller and one of the best known advocates for the traditional virtues of pace, plot and narrative drive.

Reviews

[Olivermagnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take No Farewell, features a Geoffrey Staddon, a failing architect who betrayed his first love, Consuela Caswell, over twelve years ago. Since then his life and career have begun disintegrating. When he learns that Consuela has been arrested for murder, his overwhelming guilt and remorse eat away at him until he realizes that he must find out what really happened and save her from possibly being hanged.

The book is quite long, over 500 pages, and the intrigue so skillfully played out that any sort of synopsis would be useless. Trust that there are plenty of twists, revelations, and secrets to keep every reader glued to the story. This book was also published as Debt of Dishonour, which I felt was a much more apt title.

Robert Goddard is one of those authors whose skill leaves you staggering. He's one of the best practitioners of the English language, with his seamless writing, intricate plotting, and believable characters. His narrative of the Cote d'Azur in the Roaring Twenties is so evocative you will believe you are there with them all. Goddard specializes in intrigue, unlikely heroes and redemption. This isn't a fast paced novel, but if you want to experience a beautifully written story with lovely descriptive prose, you will find this a totally gripping read.

[Joe Stamber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Main character plodding along in life? Check. Events in the past coming back to haunt him? Check. Flashbacks to weave said events into narrative? Check. Everything not as it seems? Check. Scenes in italics when a journal is being read? Check. Exquisite use of language? Check. Yep, it's another Robert Goddard mystery/thriller/historical fiction novel.

Goddard's grasp and use of English is a joy to behold; broad enough so that the odd word makes you think, but without ever showing off to the extent that the reader needs a dictionary to hand (no problem anyway if you're lucky enough to own a Kindle!). Take No Farewell is a fairly long book, but Goddard's flowing style and excellent story telling ensures that it never drags.

I rarely give a 5 star rating, and nearly knocked it down to 4 due to an issue with the main character, Geoffrey Staddon. As an architect who has designed and built a number of impressive buildings, I would expect him to be a clever chap. However, at times he proved gullible beyond belief. This was obviously required to make the plot work and I suppose Goddard would say it's part of his character, but it seemed a bit convenient. However, in the end I rated the book on my overall experience of it which was first rate.

[Anni · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my sixth dip into Goddard’s back catalogue (not including the three I read years ago) and I think it’s the best one after his debut novel - ‘Past Caring’, with another interesting historical element and a prose style which echoes the period of the time.
Yet again he shows himself a master of the mystery crime genre, and this one also counts as a real thriller, with mounting suspense right to the last couple of pages. For once, the narrator/lead protagonist is revealed as rather an undependable character at the start of the narrative, though he eventually develops a conscience and redeems himself by the end.
Apart from the historical elements of Goddard’s novels, I really enjoy the descriptions of glamorous European cities and tourist hotspots, some of which I’ve visited and can revisit in his narratives. He must have had a wonderful time doing his research!

Note:- This novel was published in the USA as ‘Debt of Dishonour’ which I reckon is a better title for the plot.

[Anna Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can only say one word to describe this book: Excellent!! Honestly one of the most interesting books that I have recently read. Right from the beginning till the end I was captivated and I couldn't stop reading. The characters and places in which they were based were so realistic, I seemed to be part of the book and that I was visiting the places Geoffrey was, as they were described in every detail. It was a sense of reality to the story that made it so interesting for me. It took me less than a month to finish reading this book and i enjoyed every minute of it. During a pause when I was not reading, if I closed my eyes it was as if i were there. Well done Robert Goddard I really thank you for writing such an extraordinary well written book. This was my first book from the author and I'm sure it won't be the last. I absolutely recommend this book.

[Okenwillow · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai découvert Robert Goddard chez Sonatine en 2010 avec Par un matin d’automne. Depuis, je n’avais lu qu’un autre roman de lui, avant de le mettre tellement bien de côté que je n’y ai plus pensé. Honte à moi ! Me revoici donc avec son dernier roman traduit, toujours chez Sonatine, joie bonheur dans mon cœur !

[Vous pouvez lire la suite sur mon blog, merci :)]

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book had many of the characteristics of the author's previous books, which were all excellent, this just missed the mark. The plot was a bit too deliberate even for me and the main character grated a bit. The ending though was very good and this was a worthwhile read, better than most, just not quite up to the standards I expect from Goddard.

[Arnis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pirms 12 gadiem Geoffrey Staddon būdams vēl pavisam jauns un arhitekta karjeras pirmsākumos spēja radīt savu līdz tam un debatējami arī pēcāk labāko projektu, un uzbūvēt Clouds Frome mājas no Brazīlijas atgriezušamies jaunbagātniekam Victor Caswell. Viktors no jaunās pasaules atgriežas ne tikai ar bagātību naudā, bet arī ar skaistu sievu Consuela. Ap kuru tad arī rit Take No Farewell galvenais sižets gan sākuma mainīgajos tagadnes un pagātnes fragmentos, iepazīstinot lasītāju ar Džefrija iemīlēšanos skaistulē Konsuelā, gan stāsta tagadnē, kad acīmredzami veiktas citas būtiskas izvēles, kuras pašķīrušas abus tēlus un nolikušas tos uz krietni atšķirīgiem dzīves ceļiem.

https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb offering from Goddard. I don't understand the reviews from folk who have marked the book down because they didn't particularly like the main character. If the main character was always likeable and did the sensible thing, then there probably wouldn't be such a gripping story. Much of the complexities of the plot are necessarily the result of characters being foolish or acting inappropriately to others.
The key to this book is how, whether you like the characters or not, you feel you understand them and visualise them. This is because Goddard's descriptive writing is so good and because he has such an understanding of human nature. Some of the prose and behaviours do grate a little at times but that is simply because it is true to the period the story is set in. It would grate even more the characters spoke as if the story was set in the present day and age!
Some of the top reviews sum the book up very well. It is a terrific read and highly recommended.

[Leah Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book club book and a first for me of this author. I found it hard going for about the first fifty / sixty pages but then i got used to the writing style and language and i couldn't put it down. I did find this book a bit long though.

The story is very character driven (perfect for book club discussions) The characters really do come to life in front of your eyes. The plot is excellent, with twists, turns and surprises. By the end of the book more or less every character had been a suspect in my mind........I certainly didn't guess who "did it"

The book club group had a wonderful time discussing the characters and the plot, which to me marks the book as being a great read.

I would definitely recommend this book and i would like to read more book of this author.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Debt of Dishonor by Robert Goddard
5★'s & ❤

What's It About?
Geoffrey Staddon had never forgotten the house called Clouds Frome, his first important commission and the best thing he had ever done as an architect. Twelve years before the day in September 1923 when a paragraph in the newspaper made his blood run cold, he had turned his back on it for the last time, turned his back on the woman he loved, and who loved him. But when he read that Consuela Caswell had been charged with murder by poisoning he knew, with a certainty that defied the great divide of all those years, that she could not be guilty. As the remorse and shame of his own betrayal of her came flooding back, he knew too that he could not let matters rest. And when she sent her own daughter to him, pleading for help, he knew that he must return at last to Clouds Frome and to the dark secret that it held.

What Did I Think?
This book was also published under the title [Take No Farewells] which of course adds to the confusion when searching for it. If you find it under either title you are holding in your hands a real treat. The book is so full of good characters, devious characters, and characters that you just don't know what to make of. It has a murder, it has a trial and it has one major surprise after another. The book, at least for me began rather slow but by the second chapter I didn't want to stop. I don't know too many authors that are in the class with Robert Goddard that can make the reader feel one emotion after another from anger and frustration to hope and joy. I highly recommend this book to anyone that is looking for a great mystery.

[Brenda H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Take No Farewell by Robert Goddard is one of those books that causes strong feelings in the reader. The writing is masterful, the story intricate and the tone suspenseful. For me, this was a difficult read as I disliked most of main the characters from the start. For me, if I connect with the character, I can overlook many shortcomings in a story but, conversely, if I despise most of the characters, it often overshadows the best features of the book.

Geoffrey Staddon is a London architect. He’s commissioned to build a country estate for Victor Caswell who left England decades earlier for South America and made his fortune prior to returning. Now, Victor wants Staddon to design and build him a home befitting his wealth and to showcase his beautiful wife, Consuela.

During the design and construction of the home – Clouds Frome – Staddon works closely with Victor’s wife, eventually falling in love with her and beginning an affair. Consuela is unhappy in her marriage and the couple makes plans to run away together. However, Staddon ends up turning his back on Consuela and leaving her to her loveless marriage.

Now, twelve years later, Staddon reads that Consuela is on trial for murder and attempted murder. Knowing that the woman he once loved and betrayed cannot be guilty of such a crime, he sets out to prove her innocence.

Rating: 3.5

[Hazel McHaffie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking read by Robert Goddard. Conveys the atmosphere of the period (pr- and post- WW11) really well, and combines a tender love story with lots of mystery and ruthlessness. I'm so impressed by his ability to keep suspense in a quiet and rather sedate style of writing through nearly 600 pages. And there are so many twists in the tale and such a precisely balanced build up of tension that it would be disastrous to flick through, scanning what comes later. I took it on holiday and was so engrossed that I was oblivious to the noise in airports or the long waits between flights. A master storyteller.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give it more stars !
Robert Goddard writes such gripping stories and in such a very readable style. Twists and turns aplenty and a hapless central character.
I need a rest now to ruminate on the story. Wonderful.

[Larissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would've been better if I had read it myself, but it was an audio, and the narrator annoyed me. The main guy died which I was glad about. He seemed like a dickhead.

[L'atelier de Litote · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mon avis sur ce roman est mitigé, il y a du bon c’est certain, cependant je ne suis pas certaine qu’il suffise à rattraper le moins bon. L’histoire en elle-même est très prenante et touchante. Cette jeune femme qui risque la pendaison a été le premier amour de Geoffrey et même si les années ont passées, on comprend vite que son attachement est toujours présent. Il va véritablement mettre tout en œuvre pour tenter de la sauver. Il y aura des secrets de famille, de terribles non-dits, de la culpabilité, des trahisons, des complots, de l’amour, des drames, du suspense et des rebondissements. On retrouve tous ces thèmes qui sont traités presque avec maniaquerie. Des ingrédients qui nous assurent en général de passer un bon moment de lecture alors pourquoi ça n’a pas fonctionné avec moi ? Certainement parce que c’est trop long, le récit aurait gagné à quelques coupes franches, sur 800 pages il y en a clairement 200 de trop. Il faut attendre le premier quart du livre pour qu’il commence à se passer quelque chose, l’histoire peine à ce mettre en place. La construction du livre est tellement dense que j’avais l’impression d’être dans un rouleau compresseur qui allait écraser tout sur son chemin mais prenait grandement son temps pour le faire. Les indices nous sont donnés comme au ralenti, c’est long comme un jour sans pain et on finit par s’ennuyer ferme malgré de très bons éléments de départ. Le pire étant le moment du procès où j’avais la sensation de ne pas avancer. Je ne vous parle pas des redites, généralement avec une fois j’ai compris mais ici c’est dit et redit. Pourtant l’étude des personnages est fouillée et l’analyse de leur ressenti et de leur sentiment frise la perfection. L’histoire est longue certes mais elle est bien menée et surtout très bien écrite et puis il y a le charme que peuvent avoir les romans historiques avec leur langage désuet et précieux, il faut reconnaître que la traduction nous apporte ce rendu. Voici donc mon avis en demi-teinte, je ne regrette pas d’avoir découvert l’écriture de R. Goddard, je pense juste que ce livre n’est pas son meilleur.

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUDIO BOOK REVIEW

An engaging tale from a time not so long ago when the world was a lot different to the way it is today. Set in the early part of the 20th century when communication was done primarily by letter and capital punishment was still performed.

This is a love story but also part courtroom drama, murder mystery and also thriller. It blends all of these elements very well, although in places there did seem a bit too much detail and description of the events that were transpiring.

The narration is excellent and I loved that "old english/smart accent" feel.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

How can any hero be so utterly incompetent? I was getting so angry with the seeming stupidity of this man - Geoffrey Staddon. A qualified Architect and so supposedly a clever man but how could he not see the mess he was creating and the path he was walking down? I could see it clearly and I was just reading the story? I guess if you stumble along long enough you will find the answer you want in the end and so it is with Mr Staddon. He was led all along by his selfish desire for fame in the architecture world but was also led by his trousers and the lovely Consuela and by not standing by his affair he destroyed everything. But the other characters in this tale had far worse secrets and had set in motion far worse plans that needed Consuela to die for their success. Our bumbling idiot is the one to undo their plans and so he has to be stopped.
I was getting a tad bored with this tale as Geoffrey stumbled on yet another goose chase while Consuela sits waiting to be hung and becoming nauseated with the excess of the upper classes and their frequent trips to Cap Ferrat. But, when Goddard starts to pick up the pace of the story and starts to bring the tales together these books become compulsive and fascinating. One problem with this one though, the final plot twist which hits you hard and suddenly just cannot happen using the story telling mode Goddard employs.Unless I have assumed that the end is the way the last few lines lead me to believe. A long and often tiring story but absolutely first class.

[LaurenLo · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Goddard's "Beyond Recall" and "Into the Blue". Encouraged by experience combined with good reviews and promising abstract I decided to go for "Take No Farewell".

Without going into details (no spoilers!): the protagonist is a person with shallow personality, absolutely no self-esteem and his docility is just pathetic. He has basically no influence on the plot - he's more of a tool in hands of others rather than an independently thinking human being.

Unfortunately, the main plot doesn't help - the very long story is ridiculous (and it's not meant to be fantasy) and at the same time boring. Remaining characters are very peculiar and their development surprisingly predictable. Perfect script of Venezuelan telenovela.

Lack of happy end brings some relief, however, to my taste Goddard took it to another (disappointing) extreme.

I do not recommend it.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not the best Robert Goddard book I've read - it was quite disappointing in a way...I didn't warm to the central character and that is something I have done in all his other books. His main person is always male, often a bit shady or a bit casual in some regard, and what happens allows him some element of redemption. I didn't care for Geoffrey Staddon much at all, I despised the way he'd behaved and yet felt curiously let down by the end of the book. It seemed like a cop out to me...

I gave it 3 stars because it was a complex, twisting story, places I've not visited were described so you might think in the end you'd been there yourself and his characters do come off the pages...I've just been spoilt by others of his books

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert Goddard doesn't fail when it comes to a story with so many twists and turns, that you are positively upside down when it's all over.
And with his writing, you're not really sure it's over until the very last word. And even then it's a surprise.

I so love this author.

[Matrou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le meilleur que j'ai lu de lui. Ce n'est pas spécialement bien écrit, ni "passionnant" mais l'intérêt de lecture est renouvelé chaque chapitre par une construction labyrinthique de différentes petites intrigues qui s'imbriquent parfaitement.
Un plaisir coupable mais un gros plaisir quand même.

[Roula Yasin · Rating 4 out of 5]

À l’automne 1923, Geoffrey Staddon est un architecte londonien à la réputation établie. Il est marié depuis dix ans avec Angela, fille du propriétaire des hôtels Thornton pour lequel Geoffrey conçut un des établissements de Londres. Le couple a perdu un fils en bas âge, et leur vie conjugale manque de chaleur. Geoffrey apprend qu’un drame vient de secouer la famille Caswell, à Hereford. Autour de 1910, il fut choisi comme architecte de la maison de Victor et Consuela Caswell, dans cette région à près de deux cent cinquante kilomètres à l’ouest de Londres. Ayant fait fortune au Brésil, d’où il ramena sa ravissante épouse, marié depuis un an, Victor Caswell appartenait à un milieu d’industriels du cidre.
Durant le temps de la construction, l’architecte eut souvent l’occasion de fréquenter la famille. Ainsi que le major Turnbull, grand ami de Victor. Le mariage combiné de Consuela avec Caswell ne pouvait apporter le bonheur à la jeune femme. Geoffrey et elle devinrent amants, envisageant de faire leur vie ensemble dès le chantier terminé. Tout était prêt, quand Geoffrey fut contacté pour un prestigieux projet sur Londres. Il renonça à l’idylle naissante avec Consuela, une rupture via une simple lettre explicative. Entre son propre mariage, la guerre 1914-1918 et le cabinet d’architecture, les années s’écoulèrent. Quand Geoffrey réalise que Consuela risque la pendaison pour meurtre, il décide d’agir.
Consuela est accusée du meurtre par empoisonnement de sa nièce, et d’avoir voulu tuer ainsi également sa belle-sœur et Victor, son mari. À l’évidence, l’arsenic utilisé est un désherbant dont se sert le jardinier de leur propriété. En outre, des lettres anonymes ont pu inciter Consuela à supprimer son époux, supposément volage. L’opinion publique locale est défavorable à la femme de Victor, puisque d’origine étrangère. Quand Geoffrey part se renseigner à Hereford, l’avocat de l’accusée n’est pas du tout optimiste. Il rencontre le jardinier et le majordome des Caswell, ainsi qu’Ivor Doak, l’ex-fermier miséreux que Victor priva de ses terres à l’époque, pour installer sa maison d’architecte.
Plus tard, ce n’est pas en Spencer Caswell, l’impertinent neveu de Victor, que Geoffrey pourra trouver un allié. Par contre, ses affinés se confirment avec Hermione, la sœur des frères Caswell. Célibataire et altruiste, elle refuse de croire dans la culpabilité de Consuela. Si Geoffrey a entrepris de sauver l’accusée, c’est également parce qu’il a reçu la visite de Jacinta Caswell, onze ans et demi, la fille de Consuela. Grâce à Hermione, il restera aussi discrètement que possible en contact avec l’enfant. Victor et Jacinta vont séjourner sur la Côte d’Azur, chez le major Turnbull : Geoffrey s’arrange pour les suivre jusque là, sous prétexte de vacances avec Angela. Victor Caswell ne lui cache pas son hostilité.
Tandis qu’Angela semble séduite par le major, Geoffrey s’interroge sur Imogen Roebuck, la gouvernante de Jacinta. Elle apparaît très proche de Victor. Par la suite, Geoffrey croise un des frères de Consuela, mais ce Rodrigo n’accorde qu’un mépris violent à l’architecte. Sir Henry Curtis-Bennett, grand avocat londonien, n’a que quelques semaines pour préparer la défense de Consuela. Si une lettre posthume de Lizzie, défunte femme de chambre de l’accusée, coûte cher à Geoffrey, elle permet d’éclaircir certains faits. Lors d’une mise au point avec son beau-père, le père d’Angela, l’architecte découvre des détails inattendus sur son propre passé. Si Geoffrey risque bientôt d’être lui aussi accusé de meurtre, il continue la mission qu’il s’est fixée…

[Neil Spark · Rating 5 out of 5]

When architect Geoffrey Staddon accepts a commission to design a house for Victor Carwell, the consequences are fatal. Geoffrey triggers a series of fatal events revealed slowly, compellingly and unpredictably. Geoffrey and Victor’s wife, Consuel, fall in love and decide to run away together.

When an opportunity to design a landmark hotel arises, Geoffrey reluctantly abandons Consuel.
Twelve years later, police charge Consuel with murder. Geoffrey cannot believe his erstwhile lover is a murderer. The guilt he feels fuels his desire to make amends, so he vows to prove Consuel is innocent. 

His obsession costs him his marriage and other people’s lives the action unfolds culminating in an unexpected climax. And just when I thought it was over, there was more.
Set in the first two decades of the twentieth century, Take No Farewell is an exemplar of mystery/thriller writing at its best. Goddard is a descriptive writer who develops characters which results in a rewarding narrative. 

[Sandrine Novembre · Rating 2 out of 5]

1923 : Geoffrey Staddon  architecte, dont la cote est en chute libre suite à la dévastation par un incendie d'un hôtel dont il avait dessiné les plans, découvre dans le journal que son ancienne maîtresse, Consuela Caswell brésilienne et épouse du riche Victor Caswell, est accusée du meurtre par empoisonnement de la nièce de celui-ci.

Via des flashs-black, Geoffrey raconte la  rencontre et l'histoire d'amour interdite qu'il a vécu avec Consuela en 1911, lors de la construction de Clouds Frome, la demeure qu'il a imaginée pour son mari.

Je ne vais pas m’attarder plus sur ce livre tellement il me fut difficile d'en finir la lecture. Un livre plat, ennuyeux, la fin arrive tout juste à nous faire oublier légèrement la platitude du reste de l'histoire. En bref, un livre pas fait du tout pour moi.

Éditeur : LE LIVRE DE POCHE (03/01/2018)
Nombre de pages : 795

[Evelien · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tot heden altijd een grote fan geweest van Goddard, maar deze heb ik niet tot het eind kunnen kezen. Ben voorbij blz 300 van de 470 geraakt maar mijn interesse in het verhaal bleef verder zakken. Ligt het aan de karakters die vast zitten in redelijk beklemmende hokjes (de heilige consuela, de architect die met zijn schuld worstelt, de zeer zwart witte andere karakters die weinig verrassing of diepgang in petto hebben), ligt het aan mijn ongeduld en op dit moment geen zin in een traag verhaal dat op een kwart van het volume had geschreven kunnen worden? Of misschien ligt de hele tijdsgeest begin 20ste eeuw me niet... Ik gaf het op...

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i found a copy of this in french and gave it a try. the plot is very good, like a very long agatha christie but with more moral ambiguity and complexity. i bought a copy in english in case i had trouble with translating. it turned out that the french was very smooth and easy - but every time i picked
up the english edition i found the language kind of stilted and awkward, as though in fact french had been the original language and it had been poorly translated into english. so i dont know how it would be to read this pretty long thriller in english; but it was very good in french.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great masterpiece from Robert Goddard, he is truly the master of telling a great yarn with twists and Suspense evident throughout. This one is set in the years either side of the First World War, and revolves around a murder and the events that led up to it and followed it. Within this we have a trial, great characterisation, plotting and storyline. Robert Goddard does write the most evocative and colourful sentences. I do recommend this. ❤️

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite long and slowly paced. The hero, Geoffrey Stadden is actually not very heroic. Now he is trying to make up for it when the woman he abandoned years ago is on trial for murder. There were several times I just wanted Stadden to go the police with what he learns and, please, everyone knows cherche l'argent.

[Thomas Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's surprising the length of this book survived editing, the story does run on and on a bit. But mostly that extra time was welcome. It's a good mystery with a very imperfect protagonist, and colourful supporting characters. The final ending (I say final as it felt like it was about to end several times before it did), didn't work for me but might for others

[Olea Nel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Realistic characters and plot that kept me reading

This was an intriguing story with an excellent plot. And when you least expected it there was another twist and turn. The ending was certainly a surprise that I didn't see coming. I've been enjoying Robert Goddard's other books as well. All are well written with excellent story lines.