Evensong

by Frances Davis

Acclaimed as the outstanding musical talent on the international stage, concert pianist Anne Louisa Austin lived in a world of fame, but the demands of that world were progressively destroying her marriage to news photographer Jonathan McLauren. In a final effort to preserve their marriage, Anne Louisa reluctantly sacrificed her musical career to assist Jonathan with his hobby – researching and chronicling historic houses in America. When a tragic accident claimed Jonathan’s life, Anne Louisa feels compelled to continue the writing in order to fulfill contractual obligations with the publisher. Three years after Jonathan’s death, she travels to the Georgia coast to complete the final book. His sketchy notes provide little information on the house, which seems to have more than a historical past, and is somehow linked to a manila envelope that is continually lost and found. Complications arise with the arrival of unexpected house guests – three children and their nanny. And quite by accident, Anne Louisa discovers her summer rental house was the scene of a royal jewel theft several years prior – and the jewelry is still missing. Midnight prowlers, threatening messages, and a bizarre scheme designed to involve her in an international conspiracy disrupt plans for a peaceful working vacation at Enchanted Harbor. It seems the only person she can trust is Zachary Bennett –but even that changed on a quiet Sunday evening.

476 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003