The Blue Hydrangea

by mirette hanley

The lives of two families are changed forever on a fateful day at Doonmara, an Irish Castle hotel with its own story to tell, bringing forth a revelation that no one foresees. Checking into Doonmara are Laura and Alex Hamilton, whose marriage has unravelled, following the death of their only child, Rachel. Laura is haunted by their loss. Irresistible to everyone but his wife, Alex is leading a double life, a life full of secrets. Felicia and Harvey Russell are also staying at the hotel with their two teenage children. Harvey has everything to live for. He is a devoted husband and father. A tragic death occurs at the hotel. Who has died? Doonmara, a magical setting in Connemara in the West of Ireland and famed for its salmon fishing, was once the home of an Indian Maharaja, a friend of Harvey's grandfather. A deep seated rift in the Russell family dating back to the 1920s, and an unsolved mystery is uncovered, after Laura finds an art deco diamond ring in the river, bearing the inscription, Suri. The quest to find who Suri is links the past and the present and the two families together. What is uncovered is a shocking tale - a scandal that tore the Russell family apart. Can both families overcome tragedy past and present?

517 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Catherine Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read, but some clangers which should have been picked up by a good editor (for example, the name of one of the minor characters changes half way through). Some plot lines are started but then never go anywhere, others are too simplistic. The author tried to cram too many ideas into the one novel. That said, it still is a good read (by the way, the hotel in the story appears to be based on Ballynahinch Castle in Connemara, Co. Galway).

[Geraldine Kinirons · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to believe that this is a first novel by the author. I got to know the characters intimately in a mix of sadness and hope. The rural Irish setting is enriched by the use of eloquent descriptive language. The story which intertwines several generations will grip you right to the end of the book.

[Ger Geary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heart warming story of love and loss with a bit of excitement and intrigue added for good measure.

[Lorraine Bustos]

The Blue Hydrangea by Mirette Hanley is a fantastic read. Gripping from the beginning. Excellent story lines cleverly interwoven with plenty of plot twists. It's the kind of book where you can connect with the characters and really care about them. I didn't want it to end.