Beyond Forgiveness

by Caro Fraser

A secret, eye of death bed marriage overturns a will, thus upsetting all a rich family's applecarts. A rich old man knows that he is dying. Haunted by the memories of a woman whom he loved, had a child by, but never married, he goes through a secret wedding ceremony with her, and in his will leaves her and their daughter, Abby 200,000 pounds each. After his death, Abby a single mother on the dole - finds the marriage certificate and discovers from a lawyer that this, plus the strange wording of the will, entitles her to his whole estate and disinherits his legitimate son and daughter. Abby is hardly money grubbing but she's determined to claim what is rightfully hers. Complications ensue, however, as she meets Simon, her childhood friend, and suddenly all sorts of assumptions about the future are thrown into disarray. The power of money, snobbery and lust to overrule morality in even the most respectable is the theme of this observant, amusing and warm hearted novel.

424 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1900

About the author

Caroline Georgiana ("Caro") Fraser was a novelist.

Fraser began her career as an advertising copywriter. She became a commercial and maritime lawyer, and practised until 1992, when she became a full-time writer.

Reviews

[Nikki H · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever re-met an old love after 20 or 30 years, especially one for whom your feelings have never completely gone away, this might be the book for you ... The storyline depends on the legal technicalities of making a valid codicil and will, and since I know a bit about this, I did get impatient at how long it took for the main twist to be revealed. And I found it hard to believe that not one but two women with their heads screwed on right could be head over heels in love with the pretty worthless son of the main deceased character. But it's a good read and, as almost always with a Caro Fraser book, hard to put down. But I have now - sniff - read all of her books and feel quite sad that there won't be any more.

[Anthea Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caro Fraser knows a lot about the law, which - to me - makes the story more feasible, and very interesting. An elderly man who is dying tries to make right something he did years before. This sets off a chain of events, involving a number of people. Well worth reading.

[Elizabeth Leech · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy read if you’ve nothing better to do

[Rebecca · Rating 1 out of 5]

trash. read in desperation for english print in italy.

[Evie Maiolo · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easy read, with a slightly predictable storyline.

[Samantha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, slightly predictable. The type of story that's been done before. The problem with the story is there isn't a character that you really like.