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The Necklace
This intoxicating novel set in the rarified world of money and society alternates between two generations of the Quincy family: the wealthy robber baron brothers who vied over a bewitching Jazz Age beauty and the young woman who inherits a spectacular and mysterious Indian necklace and its secrets.
Always the black sheep, Nell Quincy is summoned to the family farm outside Cleveland after the death of her great aunt. During a chilly meeting over cocktails, the family reads the will that makes Nell the executor of the estate and leaves her one item: a fantastically valuable, beautiful necklace from India. While the rest of the family jewels have been stored in a bank vault, Nell finds this priceless, forgotten heirloom in a Crown Royal whiskey bag stashed in the back of a dresser. As predatory Quincy's circle, Nell and art experts begin to question the necklace’s shadowy provenance, Nell turns to the only person she thinks she can trust—the attractive and ambitious estate lawyer who definitely is not part of the old money crowd.
Ambrose Quincy brought the necklace home from India in the 1920s as a dramatic gift for May, the woman he intended to marry. However, upon his return he discovers that May has married his brother Ethan, the “good” Quincy, devoted to helping their father with the family coal empire. As a gesture of friendship, Ambrose gives May the necklace anyway—reigniting their passion and beginning a tense love triangle. When Ethan confronts the two lovers, the encounter ends tragically, entombing a secret in the past that Nell must uncover if she is ever to claim her true Quincy birthright.
Alternating between the past and present, The Necklace is the elegant and compelling story of a star-crossed romance, long-simmering family resentments, and a young woman whose inheritance is much more than a legendary necklace.
Always the black sheep, Nell Quincy is summoned to the family farm outside Cleveland after the death of her great aunt. During a chilly meeting over cocktails, the family reads the will that makes Nell the executor of the estate and leaves her one item: a fantastically valuable, beautiful necklace from India. While the rest of the family jewels have been stored in a bank vault, Nell finds this priceless, forgotten heirloom in a Crown Royal whiskey bag stashed in the back of a dresser. As predatory Quincy's circle, Nell and art experts begin to question the necklace’s shadowy provenance, Nell turns to the only person she thinks she can trust—the attractive and ambitious estate lawyer who definitely is not part of the old money crowd.
Ambrose Quincy brought the necklace home from India in the 1920s as a dramatic gift for May, the woman he intended to marry. However, upon his return he discovers that May has married his brother Ethan, the “good” Quincy, devoted to helping their father with the family coal empire. As a gesture of friendship, Ambrose gives May the necklace anyway—reigniting their passion and beginning a tense love triangle. When Ethan confronts the two lovers, the encounter ends tragically, entombing a secret in the past that Nell must uncover if she is ever to claim her true Quincy birthright.
Alternating between the past and present, The Necklace is the elegant and compelling story of a star-crossed romance, long-simmering family resentments, and a young woman whose inheritance is much more than a legendary necklace.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 4, 2017
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5610 people want to read
About the author
Claire McMillan
4 books227 followersCoffee first, Edith Wharton, Remedios Varo, Leonora Carrington, Pamela Colman Smith, Elisabeth Vigee LeBrun’s moonstone earrings, “Jack” Marvel Whiteside Parsons rockets, Ellen Olenska’s hampers of carnations, Nelson Rockefeller’s stargazer, Frederick Pope’s violin, Henry Winter’s books, Captain Frederick Wentworth’s letter, Clarissa Dalloway’s florist, Edward Rochester’s Newfoundland Pilot, Max de Winter’s Manderley, “I’m very fond of walking."
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January 19, 2024When her great-aunt Loulou dies, Nell Quincy inherits a family heirloom: a necklace of glittering gems that originates from India. When greedy relatives question the validity of her inheriting the seemingly valuable necklace, Nell turns to the estate lawyer – handsome and successful Louis Morrell – for help.
This uninspired novel suffers from several flaws: telling rather than showing, one-dimensional characters, and a thin, predictable plot. Despite alternating chapters set in the present day and the 1920s, neither decade is brought to life – testament to McMillan’s straightforward linguistic style which does not allow for embellishments or atmosphere.
Worst of all, Nell’s character arc charts her transition from a successful independent woman to a woman in love who succumbs to a man’s vision for her future.
At the very least, The Necklace is a quick summer read suitable for anyone in the mood for a story with no spice, no dazzle, and no depth.
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Many thanks to Touchstone Publishing for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This uninspired novel suffers from several flaws: telling rather than showing, one-dimensional characters, and a thin, predictable plot. Despite alternating chapters set in the present day and the 1920s, neither decade is brought to life – testament to McMillan’s straightforward linguistic style which does not allow for embellishments or atmosphere.
Worst of all, Nell’s character arc charts her transition from a successful independent woman to a woman in love who succumbs to a man’s vision for her future.
At the very least, The Necklace is a quick summer read suitable for anyone in the mood for a story with no spice, no dazzle, and no depth.
-
Many thanks to Touchstone Publishing for providing a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 1, 2020
3.5 stars
This book alternates between the 1920s and 2009 Cleveland, Ohio area. It opens with a gathering of relatives/heirs to Loulou Quincy. Nell has come east from Oregon The other Quincys gather for the will. A necklace is left to Nell. It becomes an object of dispute when Pansy, Nell's cousin tries to take it from her. Some secrets are uncovered and there is a romance. It is a mildly entertaining story.
Pros: There is a satisfying ending with well done characters.
Cons: The book moves too slowly in the first half.
Two quotes: Aunt Loulou advice "Red shoes should only be worn by very small children and prostitutes."
Nell's father on returning to the RC church "Soothing and incredibly bigoted. Gay marriage, pedophile priests, women denied priesthood..."
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks to Touchstone and the author.
Update May 1, 2020. My wife read this book and she didn't think that the 1st half was too slow. She enjoyed it and rated it 4 stars.
This book alternates between the 1920s and 2009 Cleveland, Ohio area. It opens with a gathering of relatives/heirs to Loulou Quincy. Nell has come east from Oregon The other Quincys gather for the will. A necklace is left to Nell. It becomes an object of dispute when Pansy, Nell's cousin tries to take it from her. Some secrets are uncovered and there is a romance. It is a mildly entertaining story.
Pros: There is a satisfying ending with well done characters.
Cons: The book moves too slowly in the first half.
Two quotes: Aunt Loulou advice "Red shoes should only be worn by very small children and prostitutes."
Nell's father on returning to the RC church "Soothing and incredibly bigoted. Gay marriage, pedophile priests, women denied priesthood..."
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Thanks to Touchstone and the author.
Update May 1, 2020. My wife read this book and she didn't think that the 1st half was too slow. She enjoyed it and rated it 4 stars.
May 28, 2017
The Necklace is one of the best books that I have read this year. Everything about the book is fantastic: the plot, the characters, the setting, the cover, and McMillan’s writing. As the story begins in 2009, Nell Quincy Merrihew is summoned to the family farm outside of Cleveland, Ohio because her great aunt Loulou has died. Family dynamics have left Nell feeling like she is an outsider her entire life. When Loulou’s will is read, Nell discovers she has been left an enigmatic Indian necklace that starts Nell down a path to discover the secrets of her family’s past. Meanwhile, her greedy and scheming relatives begin plotting to take the necklace from Nell and to keep her from unearthing family secrets long buried.
The Necklace is told in a dual timeline format (the story takes place in 2009 and the mid-1920’s) which I generally enjoy though I frequently find that I like one timeframe better than the other. Thankfully, that was not the case here; both stories are very entertaining and appealing. I love the Jazz Era and was captivated by the story told in that time period. McMillan’s attention to detail and clever storytelling brought that era to life. The present day story was equally appealing, and Nell’s character is intelligent and comes into her own as the book progresses. I also loved that McMillan kept me guessing as family secrets were revealed and details emerged that completed the long-buried family history. I frequently was not sure where the story was headed and loved that I was surprised.
I highly, highly recommend this book and plan to recommend it to everyone I know. Thanks to Touchstone for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Necklace is told in a dual timeline format (the story takes place in 2009 and the mid-1920’s) which I generally enjoy though I frequently find that I like one timeframe better than the other. Thankfully, that was not the case here; both stories are very entertaining and appealing. I love the Jazz Era and was captivated by the story told in that time period. McMillan’s attention to detail and clever storytelling brought that era to life. The present day story was equally appealing, and Nell’s character is intelligent and comes into her own as the book progresses. I also loved that McMillan kept me guessing as family secrets were revealed and details emerged that completed the long-buried family history. I frequently was not sure where the story was headed and loved that I was surprised.
I highly, highly recommend this book and plan to recommend it to everyone I know. Thanks to Touchstone for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 4, 2017
I received this via Goodreads Giveaways in a exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own:).
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A well done take if family, love, and drama.. reminded me of Kate Morton in the way that Miss McMillian's writing is very atmospheric and characters very well drawn and thought out. When I had to put this down for real life after a certain point, I was counting the minutes till I could get back to it.
That Quincy family... gah! Poisonous vipers all of em! (One exception). Glamour, prestige, poise on the outside and rotten apples on the inside. The entitlement and nerve of those people.. I was glad when a certain thing was revealed because it knocked them off their high pedestal a bit. Pansy especially I wanted to smack .
And Ethan. Ugh, what an asshole on so many levels... and weak too in a sense
You could say maybe the family is cursed with a tragic history, or it is just a family tragedy *points to spoiler * perhaps.. to me, there was an air of inevitability to the whole thing. Not that it was fated mind you, just unavoidable (that made sense in my head).
The ending tied everything together nicely and we got a few more answers as well.
Would recommend:)
(Typed on my phone so will fix any errors later when I'm home)
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A well done take if family, love, and drama.. reminded me of Kate Morton in the way that Miss McMillian's writing is very atmospheric and characters very well drawn and thought out. When I had to put this down for real life after a certain point, I was counting the minutes till I could get back to it.
That Quincy family... gah! Poisonous vipers all of em! (One exception). Glamour, prestige, poise on the outside and rotten apples on the inside. The entitlement and nerve of those people.. I was glad when a certain thing was revealed because it knocked them off their high pedestal a bit. Pansy especially I wanted to smack .
And Ethan. Ugh, what an asshole on so many levels... and weak too in a sense
You could say maybe the family is cursed with a tragic history, or it is just a family tragedy *points to spoiler * perhaps.. to me, there was an air of inevitability to the whole thing. Not that it was fated mind you, just unavoidable (that made sense in my head).
The ending tied everything together nicely and we got a few more answers as well.
Would recommend:)
(Typed on my phone so will fix any errors later when I'm home)
December 7, 2017
Review to come.
May 8, 2017
It makes perfect sense that the author wrote this at least in part in Edith Wharton's house, because the back story is very Whartonish. She even used the name "May" for the female in the back story.
Flat characters, absurd or predictable plot twists, the annoying use of the passive present for the narration and an utterly predictable ending. Why is this book garnering so many favorable reviews?
Flat characters, absurd or predictable plot twists, the annoying use of the passive present for the narration and an utterly predictable ending. Why is this book garnering so many favorable reviews?
June 29, 2017
I mean let's be real, this book is just a goddamn delight. Fun but whip smart, dramatic but believable, a page-turner with characters you either love or love to hate. Done and done.
January 6, 2017
It was fast paced, fun and enthralling. In a time when the headlines are a little too much for me to take and the news of the world is just a little too loud, this book exemplified perfection in escapist fiction. A wonderfully crafted world, with interesting characters in this century and last, and a plot driving hook of the mysterious necklace make this un-put-downable.
And it was so smart of McMillan to put all of her research and inspirations at the end of the book. I poured over those subjects for hours after leaving the novel and marveled at her craftsmanship and innovation in turning all of these fascinating anecdotes and turning them into this golden weave of fiction.
It was a perfect blend of Gatsby, The Nest, Kate Morton and Curtis Sittenfeld all rolled into one. I feel like I can hand this book to anyone looking to unwind and say - take this and a glass of Riesling over to the couch and it is sure to cure what ails you.
And it was so smart of McMillan to put all of her research and inspirations at the end of the book. I poured over those subjects for hours after leaving the novel and marveled at her craftsmanship and innovation in turning all of these fascinating anecdotes and turning them into this golden weave of fiction.
It was a perfect blend of Gatsby, The Nest, Kate Morton and Curtis Sittenfeld all rolled into one. I feel like I can hand this book to anyone looking to unwind and say - take this and a glass of Riesling over to the couch and it is sure to cure what ails you.
November 22, 2019
A family of snooty wealth gather for the reading of their departed aunt’s will in her home. Snark prevails (as it does throughout the book) and the era of aristocracy abounds. Nell has been named as executor and bequeathed a specific necklace, that which plays lead in this novel.
Backtrack to a younger time. The prequel, if you please. Two brothers and a sister. Both brothers in love with the same young lady, May. The sister preferring one to prevail. But he (Ambrose) takes off to tour the world after touring May’s skinscape. A series of letters from his journeys follow. There is a fire in his absence, of which his brother (Ethan) is injured. May nurses him back to better health and subsequently, a telegram arrives to Ambrose announcing their engagement. Obviously distraught, assuming her his, but also fond of his brother, he opts to remain at large, forgoing attending the union.
Jumping from era to era, we get the before necklace and after stories, with a generation between. But sharing that core is Ambrose, the rub against his father’s polished ideals. Returning home after his 2 years of travel, he tries to realign himself in the new trajectory of his family. Being now a bit black sheep, unable to right his place back into the flock, his welcome home party is as clumsy as first time sex. Especially with family and friends all aside watching. And complications multiply for Ambrose.
The jumping of eras tells the how, when & why of the necklace and later reveals the whom. I like Nell, tho she could have been a bit more sure of herself against the snootiness of her relatives, especially given she’s the only one to “do” anything. Side stories blend in well, giving the dynamics of both eras and their mesh of secrets and deceit. The end reveals what we’ve been told from the beginning, tho the final scene was a bit trite.
July 12, 2017
What a gem of a book! McMillan apparently wrote some of THE NECKLACE as a writer in residence at the gorgeous home of Edith Wharton, The Mount, in Lenox, MA. The essence of Wharton certainly permeates this book in its decadence, elegance and mix of charming and poisonous characters that adorn its pages. It's not a big book, so for me it was quite a fast read, but a good one. It's full of witty, beautiful prose and with incredible detail to the nineteen twenties in which much of this book is set. A fantastic summer read.
September 21, 2017
The book tells two stories. The one in the past is a love triangle between two brothers and the girl they both covet. In the present a family meets to get their inheritance when the matriarch of the family Loulou passes away. Anchoring both stories is a priceless necklace that belonged to royalty in India. The family in the present thinks that the value of the necklace lies in it's jewels but it's real worth lies in it's ability to unlock long held family secrets.
While I found this entire book to be delightful, I did enjoy the episode in the past more. It read like a PBS Masterpiece show. I didn't really get the Nell character in the present. In one instance she is too weak to stand up to her pushy cousin and in another scene she comes off a super bitch to her potential love interest. My other minor quibble is the necklace on the cover looks nothing like the way the necklace is described in the book. I think they could have tried harder with the cover. The fictional necklace is based on the real Patiala necklace that has a mystery attached to it. After reading the book I looked up the history of the necklace and saw pictures of it. The real Patiala more closely matched the fictional necklace described in the book. As a fan of historical fiction and family dramas I recommend this book to any one who likes the same genres.
While I found this entire book to be delightful, I did enjoy the episode in the past more. It read like a PBS Masterpiece show. I didn't really get the Nell character in the present. In one instance she is too weak to stand up to her pushy cousin and in another scene she comes off a super bitch to her potential love interest. My other minor quibble is the necklace on the cover looks nothing like the way the necklace is described in the book. I think they could have tried harder with the cover. The fictional necklace is based on the real Patiala necklace that has a mystery attached to it. After reading the book I looked up the history of the necklace and saw pictures of it. The real Patiala more closely matched the fictional necklace described in the book. As a fan of historical fiction and family dramas I recommend this book to any one who likes the same genres.
May 15, 2019
The Necklace by Claire McMillan
This is the story of two generations of the Quincy Family. It is truly saga that goes back and forth from the 1920’s India to present time in Ohio. This novel alternates between Nell’s story and Ambrose’s story.
Nell goes back to Cleveland for the reading of her great aunt Lou's will and finds that she has inherited a valuable heirloom. Nell has always been the outsider in this family, she is intrigued by this. Nell finds this necklace in a drawer, not kept with the other family jewels. Why did her aunt entrust this gem to her and leave it hidden in a drawer? This necklace is more than a piece of jewelry it links to family secrets. Ambrose Quincy brought this necklace home from India to give to May, but he discovers that May has married his brother Ethan. The brothers both love May. Much family drama in this one.
This story is well written but I found it very slow in the beginning but was worth the wait for this wonderful story. It is a very quick read and should be enjoyed by all.
This is the story of two generations of the Quincy Family. It is truly saga that goes back and forth from the 1920’s India to present time in Ohio. This novel alternates between Nell’s story and Ambrose’s story.
Nell goes back to Cleveland for the reading of her great aunt Lou's will and finds that she has inherited a valuable heirloom. Nell has always been the outsider in this family, she is intrigued by this. Nell finds this necklace in a drawer, not kept with the other family jewels. Why did her aunt entrust this gem to her and leave it hidden in a drawer? This necklace is more than a piece of jewelry it links to family secrets. Ambrose Quincy brought this necklace home from India to give to May, but he discovers that May has married his brother Ethan. The brothers both love May. Much family drama in this one.
This story is well written but I found it very slow in the beginning but was worth the wait for this wonderful story. It is a very quick read and should be enjoyed by all.
July 5, 2017
This is the story of two generations of a dysfunctional family. Alternating chapters tell the story of the 3 Quincy siblings: Ambrose, a playboy type that goes on a world tour, refusing to come home when a tragedy occurs. The tragedy is a mine accident that severely injures his brother Ethan, the "good" hardworking young man. The accident is caused when May, Ambrose's girl, goes into the mine and has to be rescued by Ethan, who is injured in the rescue. May, possibly feeling responsible for Ethan's disability and angry with Ambrose, married Ethan. The third sibling, Loulou, is a young teenage girl, who marries another young man impetuously. She later grows into a rather strict old woman.
Nell is the granddaughter of one of the couples of the earlier generation. Her side of the family is considered the lesser half and she dreads having to deal with cousins when she has to attend the memorial service and will reading of her great aunt Loulou. It turns out that she is made executor of the estate and is given a necklace as her inheritance. These facts cause jealousy in one cousin in particular and that cousin's father. The necklace is hard to find, but it is found. It comes with a backstory involving Ambrose and May and his stop in India.
There is much intrigue concerning the necklace, which is found to be expensive and rare and the provenance is disputed. With the help of the estate's lawyer, Nell (herself a lawyer), prevails thanks to a journal written by Ambrose, which turns up. By studying the journal, Nell discovers her true genealogy and it changes her life.
This is a story of family, history, the art/museum world, and emotion. We are treated to a delicious story told in a simple style with an air of mystery. There is the added element of romance in the story of both generations. It works out sadly for the elder group, but leads to happiness for the younger lady, Nell. The story is well-written with a great cast of characters .
Nell is the granddaughter of one of the couples of the earlier generation. Her side of the family is considered the lesser half and she dreads having to deal with cousins when she has to attend the memorial service and will reading of her great aunt Loulou. It turns out that she is made executor of the estate and is given a necklace as her inheritance. These facts cause jealousy in one cousin in particular and that cousin's father. The necklace is hard to find, but it is found. It comes with a backstory involving Ambrose and May and his stop in India.
There is much intrigue concerning the necklace, which is found to be expensive and rare and the provenance is disputed. With the help of the estate's lawyer, Nell (herself a lawyer), prevails thanks to a journal written by Ambrose, which turns up. By studying the journal, Nell discovers her true genealogy and it changes her life.
This is a story of family, history, the art/museum world, and emotion. We are treated to a delicious story told in a simple style with an air of mystery. There is the added element of romance in the story of both generations. It works out sadly for the elder group, but leads to happiness for the younger lady, Nell. The story is well-written with a great cast of characters .
August 11, 2017
More of a 3.5
I liked this book, but it wasn't great. I enjoyed that the end result of the past family drama wasn't so much a secret as how it all played out--it's not the destination but the journey, right? The back and forth narratives of past and present was interesting and offered a lot of insight into the Quincy family.
Nell's romance didn't really do much for me, if I'm being honest. I thought it would be incredibly important, but honestly, I think the story would have been the same had Nell and Louis just been friends or even just associates. Not that I hated it or anything, but I don't think it was strictly necessary--like it was added because romance is now considered a necessity in stories. I think the family drama and intrigue was enough to make the story stand on its own, without a half-baked romance between two individuals who didn't have a whole lot of chemistry (if I'm being 100% honest).
I would recommend this book if you enjoy family dramas and a little bit of self-discovery and don't mind a boring romantic subplot.
I liked this book, but it wasn't great. I enjoyed that the end result of the past family drama wasn't so much a secret as how it all played out--it's not the destination but the journey, right? The back and forth narratives of past and present was interesting and offered a lot of insight into the Quincy family.
Nell's romance didn't really do much for me, if I'm being honest. I thought it would be incredibly important, but honestly, I think the story would have been the same had Nell and Louis just been friends or even just associates. Not that I hated it or anything, but I don't think it was strictly necessary--like it was added because romance is now considered a necessity in stories. I think the family drama and intrigue was enough to make the story stand on its own, without a half-baked romance between two individuals who didn't have a whole lot of chemistry (if I'm being 100% honest).
I would recommend this book if you enjoy family dramas and a little bit of self-discovery and don't mind a boring romantic subplot.
July 9, 2017
This writing device of having both past and present paralleling stories is becoming quite the old hat. When done well it can make a story stand out. Sadly, not the case with this book. Why are all these women wrote as simpering cowards who cannot figure out who they are or stand up for themselves? The characters are flat, the plot line is horribly predictable and trite. How is this getting so many good reviews?
May 7, 2018
This started quickly and jumped right into the plot and to be honest, I don’t know if I started reading more exciting books and kept putting this aside or if it just got boring. It jumps between two time periods and revolves around a necklace that was given to someone after a aunt dies and how she obtained that necklace when she was young. The parts that focused on the past definitely didn’t hold my attention. So after months of trying to get through this book, I’m rating it 2 stars!
February 10, 2022
3.5 ⭐
Switching between two timelines, this story follows the provenance of a necklace through generations. It is part mystery, part romance, and has beautiful descriptions and settings. I was hoping the plot would have gone a bit further but it was still a nice escape.
Switching between two timelines, this story follows the provenance of a necklace through generations. It is part mystery, part romance, and has beautiful descriptions and settings. I was hoping the plot would have gone a bit further but it was still a nice escape.
September 5, 2017
The Necklace by Claire McMillan is a well written with an intriguing plot that follows two separate stories involving family members interwoven from the 1920's and present day. Characters are well drawn, with human flaws that made them more real, yet at times a bit predictable. The story is just enough of a fresh nature that it did not fall into the same old, same old storyline that so many novels of this nature tend to do.
I liked Nell, the main character, most of the time, although I did not always agree with her choices. She was not the warmest character, but, given her background and the feelings of being an outsider, it was understandable. The fact that Nell learns as the story developed, and comes to a very satisfying revelation at the end, redeemed her sometimes prickly behavior. I enjoyed the fact that she was very smart and competent in her career, but was not stunningly beautiful and a size 2 to boot. I would have liked the matriarch, Loulou to be a bit more detailed as a person other than her critical judgements alone encompassing her total nature.
A bit more humor would also have made the book a total winner in its genre, I liked the texts between Louis and Nell that lightened an otherwise heavy storyline. There were some surprises in the present day story that enhanced the plot. The back and forth nature of chapters involving past and present day characters' stories did not distract and, in fact, kept the novel interesting. "The Necklace" was a "lovely" not wan, enjoyable well balanced read.
I liked Nell, the main character, most of the time, although I did not always agree with her choices. She was not the warmest character, but, given her background and the feelings of being an outsider, it was understandable. The fact that Nell learns as the story developed, and comes to a very satisfying revelation at the end, redeemed her sometimes prickly behavior. I enjoyed the fact that she was very smart and competent in her career, but was not stunningly beautiful and a size 2 to boot. I would have liked the matriarch, Loulou to be a bit more detailed as a person other than her critical judgements alone encompassing her total nature.
A bit more humor would also have made the book a total winner in its genre, I liked the texts between Louis and Nell that lightened an otherwise heavy storyline. There were some surprises in the present day story that enhanced the plot. The back and forth nature of chapters involving past and present day characters' stories did not distract and, in fact, kept the novel interesting. "The Necklace" was a "lovely" not wan, enjoyable well balanced read.
August 5, 2018
Two generations of women are bound by a mysterious necklace. The story moves back and forth in time. A great read. I enjoyed it.
June 27, 2017
This book was a really slow start but it was worth staying with it. The writing isn’t the best, but the story is really good.
The chapters alternate between the 1920’s and the present (2009). Brothers Ethan and Ambrose Quincy want the same girl – May. It is 1925 and Ambrose is driven to travel the world while his brother stays home to run the coal mines. While in India Ambrose buys an extravagant necklace for May whom he intended to marry. However, he learns that May has married Ethan. Upon his return, Ambrose still presents the necklace to May. Thus, the love triangle builds in intensity.
In the present young attorney Nell, always the outsider in the family, is called to the Quincy homestead upon the death of her great-aunt Lulu, the sister of Ambrose and Ethan. Nell has been designated the executor of Lulu’s will, and has been left a very unusual, and expensive, necklace. Cousins Pansy and Emerson want that necklace. Wanting to keep her inheritance, Nell researches the history of the necklace which leads to long buried family secrets being revealed.
I was disappointed with the ending. It seemed very contrived and quickly wrapped up. In my opinion, another couple of chapters to play out the ending would have been more satisfying.
The chapters alternate between the 1920’s and the present (2009). Brothers Ethan and Ambrose Quincy want the same girl – May. It is 1925 and Ambrose is driven to travel the world while his brother stays home to run the coal mines. While in India Ambrose buys an extravagant necklace for May whom he intended to marry. However, he learns that May has married Ethan. Upon his return, Ambrose still presents the necklace to May. Thus, the love triangle builds in intensity.
In the present young attorney Nell, always the outsider in the family, is called to the Quincy homestead upon the death of her great-aunt Lulu, the sister of Ambrose and Ethan. Nell has been designated the executor of Lulu’s will, and has been left a very unusual, and expensive, necklace. Cousins Pansy and Emerson want that necklace. Wanting to keep her inheritance, Nell researches the history of the necklace which leads to long buried family secrets being revealed.
I was disappointed with the ending. It seemed very contrived and quickly wrapped up. In my opinion, another couple of chapters to play out the ending would have been more satisfying.
May 5, 2017
It's Jazz-Era 1920s and Ambrose Quincy leaves May, the woman he loves, to take an extended trip to India. Upon his return, bringing May an exotic necklace, he is stunned to find that she's married to his brother. As she wears her gift their passion for each other is never far from view, and her reason for marrying is slowly revealed. The Necklace moves back and forth between the 1920s and the 21st century where Nell Quincy, estranged from her extended family, has been summoned to the run-down family mansion to act as executor to her great aunt's estate. Simmering family resentments boil over when it's revealed that a heretofore unknown and, as it turns out valuable, necklace has been left to Nell. Her efforts to determine the provenance of the necklace uncover unwelcome family secrets and, in the process, Nell discovers her own strong path forward.
August 10, 2017
I really really liked this one: two storylines encompass this book, one set in the 1920s, and one set in modern day. They were both well-paced, engaging, suspenseful, and I really liked the characters. Well done, and a romantic read.
July 31, 2017
I had been waiting for Claire McMillan to write a new book since I read "The Gilded Age" in 2012. It was a long wait but worth it. She ties her story lines and characters together better than any author out there. I hate it when you have to go back and forth in a book because it's been unclear who goes with who and what the time frame is. In The Necklace you follow the characters and become involved in the story. I was so sorry when the book ended, but she included a fascinating story about a real Cartier necklace that "disappeared". Between the historical significance of missing art/objects ala "Woman in Gold" and the romantic story line, this book was a pleasure.
July 31, 2017
I was feeling as if there was something wrong with me when I read the reviews: SO many fives, but then I read the reviews by Kate, Library Lady, and EJ and felt much better. As I've said before, I don't like the transition between past and present very much, and I found most of the women in the entire book to be complete wusses. Not to belabor the point, but I just didn't like it very much at all. Not my cup of tea, so to speak. Sorry.
November 19, 2018
Well written novel, the flashback scenes from the 1920’s really came to life. Those were my favorite. I enjoyed the way details of the story and the Quincy family were shared through the modern day and flashback chapters. My only complaint would be a lack of background on Nell. I wasn’t rooting for her relationship with Louis because I didn’t understand why she was so hesitant to commit. I understood why she felt like a Quincy outsider but had she been heartbroken before? I also wanted her to grow a backbone with Pansy. She kept handing things over to her like the necklace and the journal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2021
This could’ve been something special but was ultimately disappointing. The dual plot lines were equally disengaging and the pacing of the modern storyline was especially off. The characters felt flat and were mostly unlikable—none of the growth displayed by any of them felt earned/authentic. I was completely unable to connect with the emotional heart of this story in either timeline and the idea that either female lead would constantly wear the titular jewelry around their necks was laughable.
1/5 stars—and that’s being generous.
1/5 stars—and that’s being generous.
August 22, 2020
This was decent. We get the modern story of a woman brought in as executor to the estate of her great-aunt. The past storyline is about her grandparents. Both storylines are interesting enough but not totally engaging.
February 16, 2019
3.5 stars, but maybe 3.25.
May 13, 2020
This was an unexpected treat. The writing flowed throughout. McMillan used lots of research to back her tale, and it made a satisfying, although not multilayered reading.
May 3, 2025
3.5!
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