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Sins of the Fathers
Three families, separate yet joined by the sins of the fathers; sins that will ultimately lead to tragedy.
Mark Richmond’s trip to York takes a surprise detour when he runs into Helena Crawford and ends up accompanying her to her parents’ ruby wedding anniversary in Drumlee, Scotland.
Six months earlier, Mark attended Peter Kingsley’s sixtieth birthday party – the father of his now-estranged wife, Sophie – where Peter was unexpectedly taken ill. Mark’s father, Charles, has been friends with Peter for forty years, but how well does he really know him?
As Peter’s health continues to deteriorate, it seems the Richmonds and the Kingsleys are inextricably entwined by devastating secrets, resentment, betrayal and deceit. And who is Ellie, the girl in the hooded anorak, who appears on the cliff path in Drumlee, pale and shivering from the cold?
Mark Richmond’s trip to York takes a surprise detour when he runs into Helena Crawford and ends up accompanying her to her parents’ ruby wedding anniversary in Drumlee, Scotland.
Six months earlier, Mark attended Peter Kingsley’s sixtieth birthday party – the father of his now-estranged wife, Sophie – where Peter was unexpectedly taken ill. Mark’s father, Charles, has been friends with Peter for forty years, but how well does he really know him?
As Peter’s health continues to deteriorate, it seems the Richmonds and the Kingsleys are inextricably entwined by devastating secrets, resentment, betrayal and deceit. And who is Ellie, the girl in the hooded anorak, who appears on the cliff path in Drumlee, pale and shivering from the cold?
- GenresFiction
183 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
August 14, 2018
EXCERPT: 'The eulogy was just right - well done.' He paused, and when his father made no comment said tentatively, 'Are you coming back to the sitting room? People will want to speak to you.'
'They're (his) friends, not mine,' (his father) said expressionlessly, 'and they'd want nothing to do with me if they knew I'd killed him.'
'Dad!' He stared at him in shock. 'What are you talking about? Of course you--'
'I killed him,' his father continued over him, 'as surely as if I'd strung him up on that shower rail.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Three families, separate yet joined by the sins of the fathers; sins that will ultimately lead to tragedy.
Mark Richmond's trip to York takes a surprise detour when he runs into Helena Crawford and ends up accompanying her to her parents' ruby wedding anniversary in Drumlee, Scotland.
Six months earlier, Mark attended Peter Kingsley's sixtieth birthday party - the father of his now-estranged wife, Sophie - where Peter was unexpectedly taken ill. Mark's father, Charles, has been friends with Peter for forty years, but how well does he really know him?
As Peter's health continues to deteriorate, it seems the Richmonds and the Kingsleys are inextricably entwined by devastating secrets, resentment, betrayal and deceit. And who is Ellie, the girl in the hooded anorak, who appears on the cliff path in Drumlee, pale and shivering from the cold?
MY THOUGHTS: Sins of the Fathers by Anthea Fraser is a quick and easy read, one that is more family drama than mystery. Don't be put off by the list of characters in the front of the book. There seems to be a lot of them for such a short book, but I had no trouble in keeping track of who was who.
And for such a short book, the author has packed a lot in! The characters are a varied and interesting lot, not always likeable, but interesting. Fraser has a good grasp of family dynamics and friendship, and how demonstrating loyalty can get people into tricky situations not entirely of their own making.
While Sins of the Fathers may lack some of the plot twists and 'hype' of the psychological thriller, it is a quietly good read, and there are a few little surprises in the plot. Don't expect much to happen in the first half, the author is letting us get to know the characters and setting the scene. If this sounds boring, it's not. As I said previously, the characters are an interesting bunch. And I liked that everything wasn't tied up all nice and neat at the end.
I would definitely read more by this author.
😍😍😍.5
THE AUTHOR: aka Vanessa Graham.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Severn House via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Sins of the Fathers by Anthea Fraser for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'They're (his) friends, not mine,' (his father) said expressionlessly, 'and they'd want nothing to do with me if they knew I'd killed him.'
'Dad!' He stared at him in shock. 'What are you talking about? Of course you--'
'I killed him,' his father continued over him, 'as surely as if I'd strung him up on that shower rail.'
ABOUT THIS BOOK: Three families, separate yet joined by the sins of the fathers; sins that will ultimately lead to tragedy.
Mark Richmond's trip to York takes a surprise detour when he runs into Helena Crawford and ends up accompanying her to her parents' ruby wedding anniversary in Drumlee, Scotland.
Six months earlier, Mark attended Peter Kingsley's sixtieth birthday party - the father of his now-estranged wife, Sophie - where Peter was unexpectedly taken ill. Mark's father, Charles, has been friends with Peter for forty years, but how well does he really know him?
As Peter's health continues to deteriorate, it seems the Richmonds and the Kingsleys are inextricably entwined by devastating secrets, resentment, betrayal and deceit. And who is Ellie, the girl in the hooded anorak, who appears on the cliff path in Drumlee, pale and shivering from the cold?
MY THOUGHTS: Sins of the Fathers by Anthea Fraser is a quick and easy read, one that is more family drama than mystery. Don't be put off by the list of characters in the front of the book. There seems to be a lot of them for such a short book, but I had no trouble in keeping track of who was who.
And for such a short book, the author has packed a lot in! The characters are a varied and interesting lot, not always likeable, but interesting. Fraser has a good grasp of family dynamics and friendship, and how demonstrating loyalty can get people into tricky situations not entirely of their own making.
While Sins of the Fathers may lack some of the plot twists and 'hype' of the psychological thriller, it is a quietly good read, and there are a few little surprises in the plot. Don't expect much to happen in the first half, the author is letting us get to know the characters and setting the scene. If this sounds boring, it's not. As I said previously, the characters are an interesting bunch. And I liked that everything wasn't tied up all nice and neat at the end.
I would definitely read more by this author.
😍😍😍.5
THE AUTHOR: aka Vanessa Graham.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Severn House via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Sins of the Fathers by Anthea Fraser for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.
This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
July 24, 2018
Although my library classified this novel as a mystery, I think that's stretching a point. It is more of a character study that involves a death which doesn't happen until fully half way through the book. There are so many characters that the author, thankfully, lists them at the opening. Talk about alternating points of view - they are numerous and as changeable as the weather. I eventually gave up and skipped to the ending, something I very rarely do. If this book not been classified a mystery, my expectations would have been quite different although, if not labeled mystery, I would not have checked it out.
June 11, 2018
Well written and engaging, but slightly vapid
Recently estranged from his wife, Mark Richmond plans a solitary walking holiday in Yorkshire to try and forget his troubles. However, at the train station, he runs into Helena Crawford, who persuades him to, instead, accompany her to her parents’ ruby wedding anniversary in Scotland and pose as her fiancé. Mark agrees and ends up spending a week with Helena’s family, all of whom seem to be concealing secrets of their own. Meanwhile, Mark’s family has its own problems – his father-in-law Peter Kingsley was unexpectedly taken ill at his sixtieth birthday party six months earlier and his best friend and Mark’s father Charles thinks that Peter may be hiding something from him. The two families may, in fact, be linked by their secrets, and their deceit may eventually lead to tragedy.
This was a very well written story with prose that flowed effortlessly from page to page and never felt stilted or jarring. Whilst the story follows two separate timelines – the present day, when Mark goes up to Scotland, and the six months prior to his trip – it never felt too confusing and the two stories eventually intertwine neatly to produce some surprising, although not wholly unpredictable, twists. The author touches on many difficult topics through her characters and has a way of writing about family troubles that feels familiar and keenly observed. The plot contains enough drama and dilemmas to keep you reading and eventually concludes in a satisfying happy ending.
Unfortunately, the main plot point of this story – that Mark would willingly go to Scotland with a total stranger and pose as her fiancé for no reason – didn’t make any sense and seemed unbelievable, which negatively impacted the rest of the story for me. Similarly, some of the characters felt a bit unrealistic, and the characters themselves were quite two-dimensional and not exceptionally well developed, although this wasn’t helped by there being so many of them. Whilst the author touches on several different interesting topics, she doesn’t focus heavily enough on any of them to really get the reader thinking, and the result is that what could be built up into novel-carrying, dramatic revelations become rather anti-climactic reveals since the characters affected by them have very little background or personality explored in the story.
Altogether, this was an enjoyable and mostly light-hearted novel that will appeal to people looking for a non-taxing read. However, it was a bit too lifeless for my taste and could have done with some tweaking of the plot and a little more character development.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Recently estranged from his wife, Mark Richmond plans a solitary walking holiday in Yorkshire to try and forget his troubles. However, at the train station, he runs into Helena Crawford, who persuades him to, instead, accompany her to her parents’ ruby wedding anniversary in Scotland and pose as her fiancé. Mark agrees and ends up spending a week with Helena’s family, all of whom seem to be concealing secrets of their own. Meanwhile, Mark’s family has its own problems – his father-in-law Peter Kingsley was unexpectedly taken ill at his sixtieth birthday party six months earlier and his best friend and Mark’s father Charles thinks that Peter may be hiding something from him. The two families may, in fact, be linked by their secrets, and their deceit may eventually lead to tragedy.
This was a very well written story with prose that flowed effortlessly from page to page and never felt stilted or jarring. Whilst the story follows two separate timelines – the present day, when Mark goes up to Scotland, and the six months prior to his trip – it never felt too confusing and the two stories eventually intertwine neatly to produce some surprising, although not wholly unpredictable, twists. The author touches on many difficult topics through her characters and has a way of writing about family troubles that feels familiar and keenly observed. The plot contains enough drama and dilemmas to keep you reading and eventually concludes in a satisfying happy ending.
Unfortunately, the main plot point of this story – that Mark would willingly go to Scotland with a total stranger and pose as her fiancé for no reason – didn’t make any sense and seemed unbelievable, which negatively impacted the rest of the story for me. Similarly, some of the characters felt a bit unrealistic, and the characters themselves were quite two-dimensional and not exceptionally well developed, although this wasn’t helped by there being so many of them. Whilst the author touches on several different interesting topics, she doesn’t focus heavily enough on any of them to really get the reader thinking, and the result is that what could be built up into novel-carrying, dramatic revelations become rather anti-climactic reveals since the characters affected by them have very little background or personality explored in the story.
Altogether, this was an enjoyable and mostly light-hearted novel that will appeal to people looking for a non-taxing read. However, it was a bit too lifeless for my taste and could have done with some tweaking of the plot and a little more character development.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
April 13, 2018
4 stars
I read the Kindle edition.
What an interesting idea for a novel – and a rather strange novel.
Mark Richmond is in line to buy a train ticket to go hiking on his holiday when he is accosted by a woman named Helena. He doesn’t know her, but allows himself to be taken aboard a train because he is curious. It’s not the train he wants. She believes that he is someone else. She explains that she is on her way to her parents’ vacation house in Scotland – in February – to celebrate their fortieth anniversary. She wants him to pose as her fiancé for a week to get a jump on her sister Natalie who is going to announce her engagement to Nick. He decides to go along for the ride. She tells him that his name is Adam Ryder.
There are several people in this story on which to get a hold. All the names are confusing at times, but that eases with time and as the reader becomes familiar with their personalities. Mark is “sort of” married to Sophie and has a daughter named Florence on whom he dotes. Mark and Sophie are having problems. She is spoiled and expects her every whim to be fulfilled.
The book changes timeline to Sophie and Mark’s life and then back to the present. The reader gets a full story of what went wrong with their marriage. There is also Ellie, a young woman who goes to Scotland in search of her father whom she has never met. Her trek takes her to devastating places. Then Helena disappears, as does Sophie. What is going on? Where have they gone?
The secrets come out and the story gets a little tense. I decided that Helena is more like Sophie than I realized at first read.
This book is well written in that the dialogue is done wonderfully. The plotting is not bad, but I had a problem at first ascertaining what timeline I was in because the transitions weren’t all that clear. It got better when I learned all the character’s names. The characters are certainly interesting and we get much history on Sophie and Mark and this fleshes them out well. Background is also given for the other major characters, but not so much that intrudes on the story. I’m not sure how I feel about the book. I liked it certainly, but mmm…there was just something. I enjoy Anthea Fraser’s novels, and this one is somewhat of a departure from her usual fare. It was a good read, however and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy read without violence and some kissing.
I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book to read and enjoy.
I read the Kindle edition.
What an interesting idea for a novel – and a rather strange novel.
Mark Richmond is in line to buy a train ticket to go hiking on his holiday when he is accosted by a woman named Helena. He doesn’t know her, but allows himself to be taken aboard a train because he is curious. It’s not the train he wants. She believes that he is someone else. She explains that she is on her way to her parents’ vacation house in Scotland – in February – to celebrate their fortieth anniversary. She wants him to pose as her fiancé for a week to get a jump on her sister Natalie who is going to announce her engagement to Nick. He decides to go along for the ride. She tells him that his name is Adam Ryder.
There are several people in this story on which to get a hold. All the names are confusing at times, but that eases with time and as the reader becomes familiar with their personalities. Mark is “sort of” married to Sophie and has a daughter named Florence on whom he dotes. Mark and Sophie are having problems. She is spoiled and expects her every whim to be fulfilled.
The book changes timeline to Sophie and Mark’s life and then back to the present. The reader gets a full story of what went wrong with their marriage. There is also Ellie, a young woman who goes to Scotland in search of her father whom she has never met. Her trek takes her to devastating places. Then Helena disappears, as does Sophie. What is going on? Where have they gone?
The secrets come out and the story gets a little tense. I decided that Helena is more like Sophie than I realized at first read.
This book is well written in that the dialogue is done wonderfully. The plotting is not bad, but I had a problem at first ascertaining what timeline I was in because the transitions weren’t all that clear. It got better when I learned all the character’s names. The characters are certainly interesting and we get much history on Sophie and Mark and this fleshes them out well. Background is also given for the other major characters, but not so much that intrudes on the story. I’m not sure how I feel about the book. I liked it certainly, but mmm…there was just something. I enjoy Anthea Fraser’s novels, and this one is somewhat of a departure from her usual fare. It was a good read, however and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys an easy read without violence and some kissing.
I want to thank NetGalley and Severn House for forwarding to me a copy of this interesting book to read and enjoy.
May 20, 2018
Thank you NetGalley and Severn House for the eARC.
Mark Richards needs to get away from his troubled life and decides to go on a walking trip. As he is about to buy his train ticket, a woman grabs him and tells him to come with her, she has 2 train tickets to visit her family in Scotland and she wants him to pretend he is her fiance. Confused, he goes with her and becomes Adam, a decision that's a bit hard to believe...
He is separated from his wife Sophie and devastated about
the possibility of losing his little girl, Florence.
The story goes back in time, from various characters' viewpoints, in which we get involved in events that lead to suicide, abduction, heartbreak and a heart attack,with an eventual happy ending.
On the whole, the book is a well written one, at times a little confusing, but quite entertaining and light. I enjoyed it well enough, but wasn't overwhelmed.
Mark Richards needs to get away from his troubled life and decides to go on a walking trip. As he is about to buy his train ticket, a woman grabs him and tells him to come with her, she has 2 train tickets to visit her family in Scotland and she wants him to pretend he is her fiance. Confused, he goes with her and becomes Adam, a decision that's a bit hard to believe...
He is separated from his wife Sophie and devastated about
the possibility of losing his little girl, Florence.
The story goes back in time, from various characters' viewpoints, in which we get involved in events that lead to suicide, abduction, heartbreak and a heart attack,with an eventual happy ending.
On the whole, the book is a well written one, at times a little confusing, but quite entertaining and light. I enjoyed it well enough, but wasn't overwhelmed.
August 8, 2018
I liked it. It was quick. BUT IT WAS WEIRD! In the front of the book is a list of names - a "who's who" in the book. It's such a short book, I was wondering WHY it would be needed... YIKES. SO MANY NAMES and on my part many "Who the heck is this again?"... but it was a good book. Woven like a basket where everything is somehow connected to anyone and everyone.
Read it if you have a couple of hours.
Read it if you have a couple of hours.
July 14, 2018
Thankyou to NetGalley, Severn House and Anthea Fraser for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy of Sins Of The Fathers.
I had seen this book on Fantastic Fiction along with the release date. At the time, I thought Sins Of The Fathers would be a book that I would enjoy. When the opportunity came along to read an advanced copy, I jumped at the chance. I was so glad I did.
What a wonderful storyline. Even though there are varying timelines, the story was very easy to follow.
Definitely well worth a read.
I had seen this book on Fantastic Fiction along with the release date. At the time, I thought Sins Of The Fathers would be a book that I would enjoy. When the opportunity came along to read an advanced copy, I jumped at the chance. I was so glad I did.
What a wonderful storyline. Even though there are varying timelines, the story was very easy to follow.
Definitely well worth a read.
May 7, 2018
Mark Richards decides to take a break – a walking holiday but as he is about to buy his rail ticket he is accosted by Helena – a woman he has never met before. Assuring him she has the tickets she drags him off to catch a train to Scotland. She has taken him to be the escort she has hired to play the part of her fiancé. Therein (methinks) lies the first problem with this book. He just goes along with it, even though he will be staying with her family and pretending to be engaged. Likely?
There are two timelines: the one described above which details events following this meeting and an earlier one in which we learn details of Mark’s life, his partner Sophie and their daughter Florence from which he is now separated. So with all these characters, and the additional ones introduced into the story, and the two timelines it can become a bit of a muddle (especially given that Mark is introduced to Helena’s family as Adam).
A well-written book but not a great plot because it was all a bit predictable. All this “let’s go for a walk and we will meet later”, just all a bit too contrived to make it sit comfortably. So for me, I read it and superficially enjoyed it. Would I recommend it? Only if what you are looking for is a well-written, safe, non-taxing plot that will leave you not dwelling on any intricate twists and turns. After all, for lots of people that is just what they want.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
There are two timelines: the one described above which details events following this meeting and an earlier one in which we learn details of Mark’s life, his partner Sophie and their daughter Florence from which he is now separated. So with all these characters, and the additional ones introduced into the story, and the two timelines it can become a bit of a muddle (especially given that Mark is introduced to Helena’s family as Adam).
A well-written book but not a great plot because it was all a bit predictable. All this “let’s go for a walk and we will meet later”, just all a bit too contrived to make it sit comfortably. So for me, I read it and superficially enjoyed it. Would I recommend it? Only if what you are looking for is a well-written, safe, non-taxing plot that will leave you not dwelling on any intricate twists and turns. After all, for lots of people that is just what they want.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
August 26, 2018
Well written mystery. I loved the plot, characters and the setting. I enjoyed this author’s writing and look forward to reading more of her books. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for for my arc. This is my unbiased review.
November 1, 2018
An okay storyline about a family coming together to celebrate a ruby wedding in Drumlee, Scotland at Valentine’s Day. A suicide, a love child and a number of affairs complicate things. For a 183 page novel, it had a two page list of characters, a necessity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2026
Interesting idea for a mystery and aptly named. Multiple storylines are wrapped up a little too neatly or abandoned altogether at the end. Engaging while it lasted but not sure I'll read anything else from this author.
December 22, 2018
Lots of characters who deceive one another to tragic ends. The book has the essence of being a great story, but is too short to develop plot, characters, and the settings.
November 15, 2019
Enjoyed it but felt the ending was very very rushed.
September 6, 2026
Interesting
I have read several books by this author. She has well developed characters and a deep sense of human nature. The books are suspenseful and encourage one to keep reading. My only criticism are the endings are very abrupt.
I have read several books by this author. She has well developed characters and a deep sense of human nature. The books are suspenseful and encourage one to keep reading. My only criticism are the endings are very abrupt.
August 25, 2018
A who done it, this isn’t. More like a who done who. Some creative twists on some old ideas (hiring an escort to pretend to be the fiancé to show at a big family event), throw in some family melodrama heavily laced with secrets and voila!
A well written, quick read. Some may find the immense number of characters distracting, but this should not be an issue once the varying timelines are established. Fraiser certainly displays her understanding of family dynamics, playing them out to the fullest.
A well written, quick read. Some may find the immense number of characters distracting, but this should not be an issue once the varying timelines are established. Fraiser certainly displays her understanding of family dynamics, playing them out to the fullest.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews