An Important Family

by Dorothy Eden

New York Times–bestselling author Dorothy Eden returns to her roots in this riveting romantic saga about an English family that carves out a new life in the primitive wilds of New Zealand . . . and the woman who uncovers their dark secret

For Kate O’Connor, desperate to escape her tragic past in England, the opportunity to immigrate to New Zealand with Sir John Devenish and his wife and daughter is a chance to start over.

Exhilarated by this wild, primitive place on the other side of the world, Kate’s happiness is marred by a love she knows is taboo. When a sudden and suspicious death throws her life into turmoil, she begins to uncover the real reason the Devenish family left England.

From a grand townhouse in London to a sheep farm in New Zealand, An Important Family, which was hailed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer as “a compulsive page turner,” is the story of a country in the midst of colonization—a transformation that parallels Kate O’Connor’s own rite of passage into womanhood as she finds her future in a magnificent new land.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Gothic, Romance, Mystery, British Literature

325 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Aka Mary Paradise.

Dorothy Eden was born in 1912 in New Zealand and died in 1982. She moved to England in 1954 after taking a trip around the world and falling in love with the country. She was best known for her many mystery and romance books as well as short stories that were published in periodicals. As a novelist, Dorothy Eden was renowned for her ability to create fear and suspense. This earned her many devoted readers throughout her lifetime.

Reviews

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★

I'm a bit of a loss on how to review this book - or even what rating to give it.

The main thing I liked about the book was the main character, Kate. I found it realistic that she had more than one love/infatuation in her life.

& I liked the twists in the tale. The book was never what I expected.

The writing is for the most part competent, rather than evocative or inspiring. I'm not sure Kiwi Gothic really works as a genre. Eden succeeded in describing the many hardships early New Zealander settlers faced, but not the beauty of the land.

Parts of the story were plain weird for me. Resolved at the end, yes but still weird.

Like I said - I'm just at a bit of a loss with this book.

[Misfit · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very underwhelming finish, and one it took too long to get to at that. The New Zealand setting was a plus, but not enough to pull this one out of the doldrums. Back to the library for you.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* · Rating 2 out of 5]

Setting: Victorian Era, New Zealand

Kate O'Connor
Hoped to forget her bitter past of a love denied.
Her dream became to find a happier future in New Zealand, which brought her into a family that changed her life forever.

Sir John Devenish
His aristocratic bearing and nobility masked a secret he thought he could leave behind in England.

Lady Iris Devenish
Sir John's wife, she followed him across to New Zealand but she couldn't be far from her opium bottle.

Celina Devenish
A seductive pale beauty, who's charms were quite seductive.
But Kate would soon discover another side of her.

Emily Lodden
Sir John adopted her as his daughter, but young romantic Emily longed to be more.

Captain Henry Oxford
He wanted to have Kate as his wife, but one bitter moment of betrayal ruined it all.

"An Important Family" has all the plot and characters to come off with a spoiled family drawn into a circle of betrayal, treachery, suspense, and of course smouldering passions and forbidden love thrown in with some shocking truths.
Alas.. it didn't work that way for me.
I was waiting for something exciting to happen and it just didn't.
The romance? Sadly lacking.
Plot/story line? Totally dragged.
Last but not least, I found the authors style of writing confusing and plain ol' meh.
I don't think I will further invest in her other books any time soon.

[Bree (AnotherLookBook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical novel about a lady companion who accompanies a troubled English family as they join the influx of social idealists settling New Zealand. 1982.

Full review (and other recommendations!) at: Another look book

I read this a while back, just completely forgot to review it. But here's the review now! It's the first Dorothy Eden novel I've successfully made it through, and it wasn't even a particularly arduous task to do so. As most of the story takes place in New Zealand, it ties in nicely with two of my other favorites, also from the "land down under," Sara Dane and Golden Urchin.

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars for a book that was flat, flat, flat. I finished it because 1)I was reading it for a group read and 2)because I was curious to see just what was the deep, dark secret. Bah and meh on all of it.
I was hoping for some vivid writing on NZ--didn't happen. I was hoping for a romance--didn't happen. I was hoping for some emotion--didn't happen.
I did like several of the secondary characters--Ada Collins and Tabitha Pugh were wonderful! Alas, the Chinese cook was burdened with very bad pigeon English (straight from a Charlie Chan movie).
As for the main characters--at one point or another I wanted to smack each of them upside the head with a 'clue by 4'. Especially our nominal heroine, Kate.
Bah!
Meh!

[Susan in NC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3-3.5 stars - interesting read from a new-to-me author; my library had this labeled Gothic Romance, which I’m not terribly familiar with, and I don’t think I’d seek out other books in the genre, but it was an interesting read as far as settlers in New Zealand - something I know nothing about.

There were some raging red flags for me about pompous Sir John and meek, mousy Lady Deveninish and their moody, difficult daughter. I liked Kate, the companion hired to accompany the family out to New Zealand, and the kind, calm, spinsterish Miss Pugh, who we first encounter aboard ship.

The claustrophobic, difficult voyage was handled well, I felt the author drew me in to caring what would become of Kate and Miss Pugh; I was pretty sure Celia and Lady Devinish were in for tough times, and I didn’t trust Sir John - quite the selfish, self-centered autocrat. The ending was a satisfying surprise after the rather plodding middle. Again, I’m not familiar with this author so can’t judge this work of historical fiction against her other works.

[Petra · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy to read, lackluster story. This should have been a tale of adventure and change but was anything but. It's very "everyday" with nothing really happening except everyday life. There's a hint of a secret, there forbidden love (?....is it). But everything comes across as blah, meh. Perhaps it's the writing style.

I kept reading to find out what the secret was. It also was blah, meh.

Not much of a story.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was my second reading of this book, the suprising ending still intrigued me and caught me unawares. Great book, Dorothy Eden. It also captures the atmosphere of the early pioneering life in New Zealand beautifully from my research. The tragedy of the book is the main character, Sir John Devonish' idealistic view of the perfect new society in the new country. In this view, we discover, he forgets his own very flawed nature (although perhaps this is his desire given the extent of his misdemeanors)and that of others. But I think he sees himself in a better light than that he grants to others. The heroine, Kate o'Connor is the innocent victim in this book, caught up in several tragedies of her own including that of Sir John.

Most definitely worth a read. Well researched.

[LISE B TURCOTTE · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy An Important Family however, there were times when I was frustrated by how the ladies were submissive. I realize this was the way things were in those years but it seems to me there was jt too much of it and too much portrayal of ladies on the verge of tears brought on by just a look. I did find the story interesting but predictable, all and all a relaxing read. This was the first time I read a book by Dorothy Eden who, sadly, had a very short life. I will look for another book by her but at a much later time. I do recommend this book for fans of this author, if one has never read her, this is an easy read, with some smiles, some sorrow, a book to read on vacation.

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tragically lacking in romance, this book was about hopes dashed and dreams shattered by the realistic fallability of human nature after a pioneer family moves to New Zealand. I kept waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did.

[Linda Shaughnessy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old-fashioned sort of romance set in 1860s South Island, New Zealand, not that different from the South Island, New Zealand where we lived in 1979. A cab driver told us, "That church is old, very very old." "How old?" we asked, thinking of old Western Mass. buildings from the 1600s-1700s, or even old things in England from times BC. "A hundred years," the driver said with awe in his voice. Because that is when the pakeha, the whites, from Britain settled NZ. The book is about that time, fiction, but fun none-the-less. I just wish it had mentioned the gold fields on the West Coast, in our wonderful Hokitika!

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the historic aspects of the book. It gave a distinctive picture of the life, including the racism and classicism, in the 1860's when 'pioneer'settlers were moving from England to New Zealand. The thing that I did not like was that I found, Kate, the main character, so very unlikable, she seemed flighty in romance (in & out of love or infatuated 4 times in the book), not to mention, jealous, clueless and selfish. Other characters were also flighty in love, but that did not bother me as much, I guess. On the plus side the surprise ending was actually a surprise to me.

[Sylvia Abrams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Eden has written a surprisingly suspenseful piece of historical fiction in”An Important Family”. Set in the 1860’s in New Zealand, the plot weaves the history of the new colony with the lives of the Devenish Family and the dependents who emigrate with them frim England. The final twist in the novel was unexpected even though I thought I had guessed what event was really a crime. It’s nice to read an older author who doesn’t need to shock to creat an engrossing plot.

[Barbara Howe · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very old-fashioned/slow-moving Gothic novel. Mainly interesting for its take on life in 1860s colonial Canterbury, New Zealand, but it wasn't satisfying as either a romance or a mystery; I figured out Sir John's secret long before the big reveal at the end. I started out pleasantly intrigued by the main character, but the more she got wrapped up in the domineering, stuffed-shirt aristocrat the less I felt for her.

[Melanie Izzo picciotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to read Dorothy Eden’s books when I was young and always enjoyed them. Now I usually read crime series novels but every so often I like to take a breather with a Gothic. Readers who don’t enjoy her novels forget that her books were written from 1940 through 1982. I think writing styles are a bit different today but I find the older Gothics to be refreshing.

[Kay Tennant · Rating 3 out of 5]

New Zealand Immigrants

I was expecting a historical novel about the early settlers of New Zealand. Instead I found this to be an all too predictable tale of selfishness and disillusionment.

[Miguel Pineda · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite authors!

Dorothy Eden has always been a favorite of mine. Her stories are well constructed, descriptive and true to the historical aspects of their time period and location. The characters are well developed. Always a good read!

[Susan Hylton · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Zealand!

Dorothy Eden is an excellent author, every book by her that I have read, the characters and situations have lingered in my mind for days. In this book I learned a little history and enjoyed romance, and intrigue.

[Mary Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Never put it down. I tried but then I would have to find out what happened next.
This went on until I reached the end of the book.

[Gina · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started out well but disintegrated into a romance that held little interest for me.

[Kathy Barter · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Ireland to New Zealand

Dorothy Eden writes clever stories. A story that has an ending so surprising it makes for a great entertaining read

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pretty good book to read. I wouldn't have read it, if it hadn't shown up in my Bookbub feed.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good family saga with great characters and interesting setting. Didn't enjoy it as much as The Vines of Yarrabee, but still a solid story.

[Donna Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read, though not her best.

[ROCKY · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read yrs ago!

[Gena Lott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweeping drama of settling New Zealand. A mystery, a romance, a saga og the newness of a raw new land.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adore a good gothic novel and this did not disappoint. having been to New Zealand and Christchurch, this novel help a special appeal.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say that this is the first book by Dorothy Eden with which I've been disappointed. The story was saved only by the descriptions of the New Zealand landscape and weather and by how some of the other settlers had carved out lives for themselves.

What withered my enthusiasm for this book on its tender young vine was the cast of characters. To be blunt, too many of the cast were either completely unlikable or thought solely with their reproductive organs... or both. Definitely not my kind of cast! Of course, since no two people ever read the same book, your mileage may vary-- and I certainly hope it does.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Verhaal over immigranten naar New Zeeland. Leuk te lezen wat dat allemaal met zich meebrengt. De Lord die zijn mysterieuze redenen heeft om weg te trekken en het arme meisje dat Ierland zonder toekomstmogelijkheden verlaat.
Straf hoe mensen zonder echt geïnformeerd te zijn alles achter laten, hun leven riskeren met de hoop op beter maar niet voor iedereen komt de droom uit.

[Lorraine Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally readable and keeps you involved throughout.

You know there is some hidden information about this family that doesn't come out until the end. The description of the travelling and new settlement of New Zealand is interesting.