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The House on the Edge of the Cliff
*Story of enduring love and betrayal, from Paris in the 1960s, to the present day*
No one else knows what happened that summer. Or so she believes . . .
Grace first came to France a lifetime ago. Young and full of dreams of adventure, she met two very different men.
She fell under the spell of one. The other fell under hers.
Until one summer night shattered everything . . .
Now, Grace is living an idyllic life with her husband, sheltered from the world in a magnificent Provençal villa, perched atop a windswept cliff.
Every day she looks out over the sea - the only witness to that fateful night years ago.
Until a stranger arrives at the house. A stranger who knows everything, and won't leave until he gets what he wants.
The past and present spectacularly collide in this gripping story of love and betrayal echoing across the decades.
_________
'I was hooked from a start threaded with mystery and menace, and it kept me gripped' Dinah Jefferies, author of The Missing Sister
'A beautifully woven and compelling tale of passion, love and intrigue' Rowan Coleman, author of The Summer of Impossible Things
'Carol Drinkwater's writing is like taking an amazing holiday in book form' Jenny Colgan, author of The Bookshop on the Shore
'Given extra resonance by the beautifully drawn French landscape. Emotional and tenderly written' Elizabeth Buchan, author of The New Mrs Clifton
- GenresFiction
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 16, 2019
150 people are currently reading
311 people want to read
About the author
Carol Drinkwater
41 books436 followersCarol Drinkwater is an Anglo-Irish actress, author and filmmaker.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
May 22, 2019
The House on the Edge of the Cliff is the latest novel by Carol Drinkwater. Just published with Michael Joseph, it is described as ‘an epic story of enduring love and betrayal, from Paris in the 1960s, to the present day.’ The House on the Edge of a Cliff is a very seductive book, drawing the reader right in from the opening pages. Set off the coast of the Mediterranean, overlooking glittering and scented landscapes, The House on the Edge of the Cliff is a coming-of-age story, a love story, a novel laced with passion and dripping with guilt, a wonderful tale. It is a dual timeline novel that takes us on a journey from the student protests of the late 1960s in Paris to the present day in the South of France.
Grace, young, with a pocket full of dreams, arrives into Gare du Nord train station in Paris. With no plan, sixteen year old Grace wants to escape her life at home, leaving the heated domestic disputes between her parents far behind her. It’s 1968. Paris is alive and exciting and Grace is ready to have a grand adventure. On her very first day she meets a dashing young man, Peter Soames. He senses in Grace that she is lost and alone, so he sorts out accommodation for her with his family. His father works for the British Embassy and his mother is a socialite with her own issues and demons. Their apartment can easily accommodate Grace and she is in awe when she sets foot inside the doors. Peter’s family have a house maid, Peter’s family have money, living the kind of life that Grace could only ever have dreamed of.
Caught up in the excitement of her newfound freedom, Grace jumps head first into this wonderful summer in Paris, relishing ever single moment, as Peter introduces her to a whole new world. Peter is a romantic, an idealist, he is a student of the Sorbonne with ambitions for his future and for others in society. 1968 was the year when Paris, and eventually France, came to a standstill, as student protests escalated into a mass dispute between de Gaulle’s government and the French working folk, with over 10 million workers eventually going on strike. Grace and Peter become embroiled in the protests, with Carol Drinkwater bringing their enthusiasm, which quickly turned to panic and fear, alive for the reader. The portrayal of this period takes you right into the streets of Paris, with the smells and the noises emanating from the narrative adding to the sense of terror and confusion that was rampant on the streets of the capital at that time.
In an attempt to escape the madness, Grace and Peter make the trip across France to the coast of Provence, to the home of Peter’s artistic aunt, Agnes. Agnes’s home is set, literally, on the edge of a cliff, with spectacular views overlooking the bay, not far from Marseille. Grace is yet again in awe of where she is. Her relationship with Peter has moved on and life for Grace is just perfect. Agnes is a free-spirit, sensing the youthfulness in Grace, but she welcomes her into her home and Grace settles in amidst the enchanting scent of lavender and broom, ecstatic with her surroundings.
The book opens in the present day, many years later, in the same house on the edge of the cliff. Grace and Peter are there, spending family time with children and grandchildren when something happens, something that impacts Grace to the core. A memory resurfaces and Grace is dragged back to that summer in 1968, that summer when her life altered beyond her wildest dreams. Now with a family to protect, Grace is frightened. Can she prevent the past crashing into this perfect world they have created? Will the mistakes of her youth finally catch up with her?
Carol Drinkwater paints a picture with her language and narrative invoking all your senses. The House on the Edge of the Cliff is packed with stunning scenery that will make you long for warmer climes but it is also laden with menace. There is a sense of the unknown throughout as you attempt to make sense of the chronology of events as they unfold.
Using real-life events, such as the Paris revolt of ’68 and also mentioning Brexit, Carol Drinkwater writes bringing a sense of authenticity to her story. I was swept up in the anger of the protests. I was enamored with the clifftop views, the scents and the sun glinting on the sparkling French coastline. I could smell the sweet, heady flowers but I could also smell the fear, the intoxication, and the sense of remorse that radiated off Grace as she looks back at a past that has finally returned to haunt her. What should have been a wondrous coming-of-age experience for Grace, as an innocent and naive sixteen year old in the 1960s, became instead an ever-present memory, a companion that sat beside her, always in the shadows…..until now.
The House on the Edge of the Cliff is an incredibly atmospheric novel, one that completely immerses it’s reader between the pages as Grace’s story slowly unveils itself. It is a romance. It is a mystery. It is a beguiling and appealing book filled with passion and suspense, with betrayal and obsession. It’s an homage to the country that Carol Drinkwater is lucky enough to call home…
My Rating 4.5 *
Grace, young, with a pocket full of dreams, arrives into Gare du Nord train station in Paris. With no plan, sixteen year old Grace wants to escape her life at home, leaving the heated domestic disputes between her parents far behind her. It’s 1968. Paris is alive and exciting and Grace is ready to have a grand adventure. On her very first day she meets a dashing young man, Peter Soames. He senses in Grace that she is lost and alone, so he sorts out accommodation for her with his family. His father works for the British Embassy and his mother is a socialite with her own issues and demons. Their apartment can easily accommodate Grace and she is in awe when she sets foot inside the doors. Peter’s family have a house maid, Peter’s family have money, living the kind of life that Grace could only ever have dreamed of.
Caught up in the excitement of her newfound freedom, Grace jumps head first into this wonderful summer in Paris, relishing ever single moment, as Peter introduces her to a whole new world. Peter is a romantic, an idealist, he is a student of the Sorbonne with ambitions for his future and for others in society. 1968 was the year when Paris, and eventually France, came to a standstill, as student protests escalated into a mass dispute between de Gaulle’s government and the French working folk, with over 10 million workers eventually going on strike. Grace and Peter become embroiled in the protests, with Carol Drinkwater bringing their enthusiasm, which quickly turned to panic and fear, alive for the reader. The portrayal of this period takes you right into the streets of Paris, with the smells and the noises emanating from the narrative adding to the sense of terror and confusion that was rampant on the streets of the capital at that time.
In an attempt to escape the madness, Grace and Peter make the trip across France to the coast of Provence, to the home of Peter’s artistic aunt, Agnes. Agnes’s home is set, literally, on the edge of a cliff, with spectacular views overlooking the bay, not far from Marseille. Grace is yet again in awe of where she is. Her relationship with Peter has moved on and life for Grace is just perfect. Agnes is a free-spirit, sensing the youthfulness in Grace, but she welcomes her into her home and Grace settles in amidst the enchanting scent of lavender and broom, ecstatic with her surroundings.
The book opens in the present day, many years later, in the same house on the edge of the cliff. Grace and Peter are there, spending family time with children and grandchildren when something happens, something that impacts Grace to the core. A memory resurfaces and Grace is dragged back to that summer in 1968, that summer when her life altered beyond her wildest dreams. Now with a family to protect, Grace is frightened. Can she prevent the past crashing into this perfect world they have created? Will the mistakes of her youth finally catch up with her?
Carol Drinkwater paints a picture with her language and narrative invoking all your senses. The House on the Edge of the Cliff is packed with stunning scenery that will make you long for warmer climes but it is also laden with menace. There is a sense of the unknown throughout as you attempt to make sense of the chronology of events as they unfold.
Using real-life events, such as the Paris revolt of ’68 and also mentioning Brexit, Carol Drinkwater writes bringing a sense of authenticity to her story. I was swept up in the anger of the protests. I was enamored with the clifftop views, the scents and the sun glinting on the sparkling French coastline. I could smell the sweet, heady flowers but I could also smell the fear, the intoxication, and the sense of remorse that radiated off Grace as she looks back at a past that has finally returned to haunt her. What should have been a wondrous coming-of-age experience for Grace, as an innocent and naive sixteen year old in the 1960s, became instead an ever-present memory, a companion that sat beside her, always in the shadows…..until now.
The House on the Edge of the Cliff is an incredibly atmospheric novel, one that completely immerses it’s reader between the pages as Grace’s story slowly unveils itself. It is a romance. It is a mystery. It is a beguiling and appealing book filled with passion and suspense, with betrayal and obsession. It’s an homage to the country that Carol Drinkwater is lucky enough to call home…
My Rating 4.5 *
May 21, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF by Carol Drinkwater is a wonderfully detailed and compelling story about what can happen when the past and present collide.
Grace was sixteen when she arrived in France during a tumultuous time in its history. There she met two men - one she loved in a gentle and unassuming way, and one she was deeply in thrall with even though their relationship was tempestuous. But on one fateful evening, Grace loses one of those men when he drowns.
Years later, Grace and her husband Peter are content and happy in their beautiful home on the cliffside, and everything will be perfect as soon as Peter has his heart surgery and recovers. All that matters to Grace is that Peter has no stress and that she doesn't lose the most important person in her life. But someone from the past is determined to make himself heard and will manipulate Grace to get exactly what he wants ...
As always with Carol Drinkwater's books, the history, food, sights, smells, and atmosphere of the location bursts to life on every page and France is a character in its own right in this story - and one of my favourites! The story moves from past to present, weaving its secrets and opening our eyes to the hidden depths beneath the surface of these characters' lives, and I loved the ebb and flow feeling of the drama throughout.
THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF by Carol Drinkwater is a superbly structured story with plenty of mystery to keep you guessing and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish - an excellent book from an excellent author.
THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF by Carol Drinkwater is a wonderfully detailed and compelling story about what can happen when the past and present collide.
Grace was sixteen when she arrived in France during a tumultuous time in its history. There she met two men - one she loved in a gentle and unassuming way, and one she was deeply in thrall with even though their relationship was tempestuous. But on one fateful evening, Grace loses one of those men when he drowns.
Years later, Grace and her husband Peter are content and happy in their beautiful home on the cliffside, and everything will be perfect as soon as Peter has his heart surgery and recovers. All that matters to Grace is that Peter has no stress and that she doesn't lose the most important person in her life. But someone from the past is determined to make himself heard and will manipulate Grace to get exactly what he wants ...
As always with Carol Drinkwater's books, the history, food, sights, smells, and atmosphere of the location bursts to life on every page and France is a character in its own right in this story - and one of my favourites! The story moves from past to present, weaving its secrets and opening our eyes to the hidden depths beneath the surface of these characters' lives, and I loved the ebb and flow feeling of the drama throughout.
THE HOUSE ON THE EDGE OF THE CLIFF by Carol Drinkwater is a superbly structured story with plenty of mystery to keep you guessing and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish - an excellent book from an excellent author.
July 28, 2019
This review can be found at sarahsvignettes.wordpress.com.
When I heard that Carol Drinkwater had a new novel coming out, I couldn't wait to go out and buy a copy. Having loved both The Forgotten Summer and The Lost Girl, I had high hopes for The House on the Edge of the Cliff. I am pleased to say that it did not disappoint!
Rich description of Provence, family drama, intrigue, mystery, passion, loss coupled with what happens when the past and present collide and some twists and turns thrown in, all make The House on the Edge of the Cliff a compelling and gripping read from start to finish.
The intrigue, mystery and passion in this book starts with its elegant front cover, which invites the reader to ask several questions: who is the woman on the rocks? Why is she there? What is she thinking? What's the significance of the house on the cliff behind her? Well, I can tell you that the woman on the rocks is Grace, the protagonist of The House on the Edge of the Cliff. For the answers to the other questions, you will have to read the book, as I would certainly give away too much of the story here.
We first meet Grace in the present day, at her idyllic villa close to Marseille. Her step daughters and grandchildren are packing up to go home after their holiday. Grace's grandson wanders off and she goes to find him. When Grace does catch up with him, it's not quite what she expects. The start of the book really packs a punch and sets up the rhythm and tension for the whole book. We then follow Grace's life, loves and losses over 50 years.
I really enjoyed the historical elements to this story. Like in The Lost Girl, where Carol Drinkwater set the book around a pivotal moment in France's history (the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks), The House on the Edge of the Cliff is set around the Paris riots of May 1968. From the detail that goes into these scenes, it is clear that Carol Drinkwater has researched this period to an inch of its life. I learnt a great deal about France's history when I studied in Paris for 3 years, so I really appreciate these parts of her books as well as the present day France. It feels like coming home.
Another thing I enjoy about Carol Drinkwater’s storytelling, is her ability to write as though she is looking down the lens of a camera, capturing every aspect of the scene in front of her. Each sound of a cicada, perfume of a flower, crack on the wall of the house is described so vividly, I was transported to that moment.
When I heard that Carol Drinkwater had a new novel coming out, I couldn't wait to go out and buy a copy. Having loved both The Forgotten Summer and The Lost Girl, I had high hopes for The House on the Edge of the Cliff. I am pleased to say that it did not disappoint!
Rich description of Provence, family drama, intrigue, mystery, passion, loss coupled with what happens when the past and present collide and some twists and turns thrown in, all make The House on the Edge of the Cliff a compelling and gripping read from start to finish.
The intrigue, mystery and passion in this book starts with its elegant front cover, which invites the reader to ask several questions: who is the woman on the rocks? Why is she there? What is she thinking? What's the significance of the house on the cliff behind her? Well, I can tell you that the woman on the rocks is Grace, the protagonist of The House on the Edge of the Cliff. For the answers to the other questions, you will have to read the book, as I would certainly give away too much of the story here.
We first meet Grace in the present day, at her idyllic villa close to Marseille. Her step daughters and grandchildren are packing up to go home after their holiday. Grace's grandson wanders off and she goes to find him. When Grace does catch up with him, it's not quite what she expects. The start of the book really packs a punch and sets up the rhythm and tension for the whole book. We then follow Grace's life, loves and losses over 50 years.
I really enjoyed the historical elements to this story. Like in The Lost Girl, where Carol Drinkwater set the book around a pivotal moment in France's history (the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks), The House on the Edge of the Cliff is set around the Paris riots of May 1968. From the detail that goes into these scenes, it is clear that Carol Drinkwater has researched this period to an inch of its life. I learnt a great deal about France's history when I studied in Paris for 3 years, so I really appreciate these parts of her books as well as the present day France. It feels like coming home.
Another thing I enjoy about Carol Drinkwater’s storytelling, is her ability to write as though she is looking down the lens of a camera, capturing every aspect of the scene in front of her. Each sound of a cicada, perfume of a flower, crack on the wall of the house is described so vividly, I was transported to that moment.
May 16, 2019
Grace’s past may not be as far behind her as she thought.
Gosh. What a textured and multi-layered story Carol Drinkwater has wrought in The House on the Edge of the Cliff. The story tracks back and forth in time making its structure remind me of the ebb and flow of the tide that so mesmerises Grace in the south of France. The structure and time scale are fascinating because there is a real sense of the way the past makes us who we are in the present so that there’s a compelling sociological element to the story. I loved the fact that I had no idea how The House on the Edge of the Cliff might finally resolve itself and Carol Drinkwater kept me guessing throughout. Her writing is seductive so that I had to keep reading to see what happened next.
With a sweeping love story at its heart, The House on the Edge of the Cliff explores the nature of obsession, guilt, betrayal and history in a manner that scoops up the reader and makes them wonder just what might happen if their own past reappeared. I found the Parisian setting of 1968 fascinating and Grace’s theatrical background allowed me to experience a world completely unfamiliar to me in a vivid and captivating manner. I thought the iterative image of drama and theatre was so fitting to a book where identity is fluid, unsettling and complicated. In addition, the cultural references to contemporary history, people, music and politics made The House on Edge of the Cliff a truly immersive activity. Indeed, I found reading The House on the Edge of the Cliff felt a bit like lifting the lid on an animated memory box, bringing all kinds of connotations and experiences into the effect it had on me.
I love the multi-faceted quality of Carol Drinkwater’s writing style. A smattering of French lends authenticity to The House on the Edge of the Cliff, but it is her attention to detail, the descriptions of nature, heat, the sea and food that make the narrative sensuous and luxurious. The author’s love for France shines through her writing. The house and France are as much characters as any of the people.
The portrait of Grace is superb. Her development from selfish sybarite to mature woman feels completely natural so that whilst I didn’t much like her to begin with, I felt an affinity with her. Grace’s narrative voice is so affecting and very conversational as if she is speaking directly to the reader. There’s a wistful, melancholic tone that makes her story feel confessional and draws in the reader so that they experience her emotions with her. I can’t say too much about some of the other characters without revealing the plot; the men in Grace’s life have an important impact on her but you’ll have to read the book for yourself to find out why!
The House on the Edge of the Cliff feels mature, complex and atmospheric. I thought it was sinuous and compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really recommend it.
Gosh. What a textured and multi-layered story Carol Drinkwater has wrought in The House on the Edge of the Cliff. The story tracks back and forth in time making its structure remind me of the ebb and flow of the tide that so mesmerises Grace in the south of France. The structure and time scale are fascinating because there is a real sense of the way the past makes us who we are in the present so that there’s a compelling sociological element to the story. I loved the fact that I had no idea how The House on the Edge of the Cliff might finally resolve itself and Carol Drinkwater kept me guessing throughout. Her writing is seductive so that I had to keep reading to see what happened next.
With a sweeping love story at its heart, The House on the Edge of the Cliff explores the nature of obsession, guilt, betrayal and history in a manner that scoops up the reader and makes them wonder just what might happen if their own past reappeared. I found the Parisian setting of 1968 fascinating and Grace’s theatrical background allowed me to experience a world completely unfamiliar to me in a vivid and captivating manner. I thought the iterative image of drama and theatre was so fitting to a book where identity is fluid, unsettling and complicated. In addition, the cultural references to contemporary history, people, music and politics made The House on Edge of the Cliff a truly immersive activity. Indeed, I found reading The House on the Edge of the Cliff felt a bit like lifting the lid on an animated memory box, bringing all kinds of connotations and experiences into the effect it had on me.
I love the multi-faceted quality of Carol Drinkwater’s writing style. A smattering of French lends authenticity to The House on the Edge of the Cliff, but it is her attention to detail, the descriptions of nature, heat, the sea and food that make the narrative sensuous and luxurious. The author’s love for France shines through her writing. The house and France are as much characters as any of the people.
The portrait of Grace is superb. Her development from selfish sybarite to mature woman feels completely natural so that whilst I didn’t much like her to begin with, I felt an affinity with her. Grace’s narrative voice is so affecting and very conversational as if she is speaking directly to the reader. There’s a wistful, melancholic tone that makes her story feel confessional and draws in the reader so that they experience her emotions with her. I can’t say too much about some of the other characters without revealing the plot; the men in Grace’s life have an important impact on her but you’ll have to read the book for yourself to find out why!
The House on the Edge of the Cliff feels mature, complex and atmospheric. I thought it was sinuous and compelling. I thoroughly enjoyed it and really recommend it.
May 2, 2021
Carol Drinkwater is still probably best known for her portrayal of Helen in BBC Television’s “All Creatures Great And Small”. After going on to write the critically acclaimed series of Olive Farm books, Carol has shown a natural ability to grip her readers in the subsequent releases of the fictional The Forgotten Summer and The Lost Girl. In her latest book, The House On The Edge Of The Cliff, she continues a love affair with France but adds a dark undercurrent of murder and misadventure.
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff is unmistakably the work of a trained actress with its cinematic quality conjuring up settings and situations. From the taste of blood to the feel of sexual intimacy, Carol Drinkwater takes the reader on a nail-biting journey that isn’t resolved until the final pages. When emotions get tied up with political unrest it is never going to end well, especially when the lead girl is torn between two lovers.
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff is cinematic, expansive, intimate, heart-stopping, and absolutely gripping.
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff is unmistakably the work of a trained actress with its cinematic quality conjuring up settings and situations. From the taste of blood to the feel of sexual intimacy, Carol Drinkwater takes the reader on a nail-biting journey that isn’t resolved until the final pages. When emotions get tied up with political unrest it is never going to end well, especially when the lead girl is torn between two lovers.
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff is cinematic, expansive, intimate, heart-stopping, and absolutely gripping.
June 18, 2020
Could not connect with the characters. It was bland with not a lot of life to it.
May 23, 2019
This is my first Carol Drinkwater book. I know, right! That's why I was so keen to read The House on the Edge of the Cliff.
It's the story of Grace. The book opens with a terrifying moment in the present, when a man is threatening to hurl her step-grandson over the clifftop near to the home of Grace and her husband, Peter. From there, we are taken back to 1968 when Grace was just 16, away from home for the first time. She travels to Paris, meets Peter, is involved with the Paris revolt and then goes with Peter to his aunt's house in Provence, the house where in the present Grace and Peter now live.
It's Grace's meeting with another man in 1968 that changes everything forever though, and it's the consequences of what happened then that are now causing problems in Grace's life in the present day story.
That's a very potted version of the story to give you an idea of what it's about but there's so much more to explore in this book. It's absolutely rich with detail, nothing is left out and that makes it quite a lengthy read (448 pages) and yet thoroughly absorbing. It's quite the combination of adventure and menace, but with a backdrop of daily life in a beautiful place.
I very much liked the way that the story went back and forth between the present and the past, unfolding the story gradually. Although it's fairly clear from the beginning what happened in 1968, it's the detail and the whys and wheres that are filled in as the story progresses.
One thing that absolutely stands out for me is the quality of the writing and the sensations it provided. All the senses are evoked with descriptions of food, smells, sights. I felt like I was there on that clifftop, breathing in the sea air, taking in the ambience of Provençal life. The setting was idyllic.
So, my first Drinkwater done and it left me feeling content. It's a cleverly weaved story in a stunning setting and I enjoyed it very much.
It's the story of Grace. The book opens with a terrifying moment in the present, when a man is threatening to hurl her step-grandson over the clifftop near to the home of Grace and her husband, Peter. From there, we are taken back to 1968 when Grace was just 16, away from home for the first time. She travels to Paris, meets Peter, is involved with the Paris revolt and then goes with Peter to his aunt's house in Provence, the house where in the present Grace and Peter now live.
It's Grace's meeting with another man in 1968 that changes everything forever though, and it's the consequences of what happened then that are now causing problems in Grace's life in the present day story.
That's a very potted version of the story to give you an idea of what it's about but there's so much more to explore in this book. It's absolutely rich with detail, nothing is left out and that makes it quite a lengthy read (448 pages) and yet thoroughly absorbing. It's quite the combination of adventure and menace, but with a backdrop of daily life in a beautiful place.
I very much liked the way that the story went back and forth between the present and the past, unfolding the story gradually. Although it's fairly clear from the beginning what happened in 1968, it's the detail and the whys and wheres that are filled in as the story progresses.
One thing that absolutely stands out for me is the quality of the writing and the sensations it provided. All the senses are evoked with descriptions of food, smells, sights. I felt like I was there on that clifftop, breathing in the sea air, taking in the ambience of Provençal life. The setting was idyllic.
So, my first Drinkwater done and it left me feeling content. It's a cleverly weaved story in a stunning setting and I enjoyed it very much.
November 9, 2023
Easy read
May 10, 2019
Novel set in SOUTH OF FRANCE / PARIS
I have been very much looking forward to reading this novel. We visited Carol back in the late Summer of 2018 at her Olive Farm and on the morning we met, she had literally just pressed send on the manuscript for this book!
This is a dual timeline novel that accompanies Grace, aged 16, to Paris in 1968, when there was huge unrest. The City of Light is where she first meets Peter. Peter, from the get-go, falls in love with her. Leaving the tumult and unrest in the city behind, they head down to the South of France to stay with his aunt Agnes in the eponymous house of the title. A wonderful, artsy house overlooking the Mediterranean, not from Marseille (Cassis and le Ciotat are within easy driving distance).
“The energy, the stillness, the immensity, the awesomeness of the surrounding nature. The villa, cleaving to its cliff, beckoned; a haven in its panorama….” An Idyllic location for sure.
In present day Grace and Peter, now in their 60s, are living in the very same house and Peter is awaiting a heart operation and must not suffer any stress.
A blast from the past – Pierre – suddenly descends on their generally easygoing life. Grace was smitten with this older man during the Summer of Love (1968) and although she was technically ‘with’ Peter, she had her first real sexual awakening with this attractive and simultaneously bad boy reprobate drug user (it was the time of LSD use, psychedelic passion, free love and more…). Peter (not to be confused with Pierre) took a back seat and faced her affair with dignity. Or so it seems.
Back in those heady Summer days Pierre and Grace were swimming and Pierre disappeared after an argument and under the influence of drugs. She did her best to locate him but the conclusion was that he surely died? But as the past comes back to haunt Grace, she has to re-examine what went on all those years ago whilst managing a very aggressive and stalkerish intrusion into her now comfortable life. She must also keep Pierre’s resurrection from Peter in his fragile state whilst they await his surgery and she thus lays herself open to manipulative and controlling behaviour which she has to manage on her own.
With a few deft twists along the way, the story unfolds with a nice, rounded conclusion. Some of the descriptions of life in the 1960s feel as though they may be autobiographical (especially as Grace is an actress) and because that period in particular is written with aplomb and a sense of veracity. And of course we at TripFiction have been privileged to visit Carol’s house, where she now lives, overlooking the Mediterranean… so perhaps her beautiful home has inspired much of this book.
As author Jenny Colgan says: “Carol Drinkwater’s writing is like taking an amazing holiday in book form“. That is a very acute observation. Enjoy.
I have been very much looking forward to reading this novel. We visited Carol back in the late Summer of 2018 at her Olive Farm and on the morning we met, she had literally just pressed send on the manuscript for this book!
This is a dual timeline novel that accompanies Grace, aged 16, to Paris in 1968, when there was huge unrest. The City of Light is where she first meets Peter. Peter, from the get-go, falls in love with her. Leaving the tumult and unrest in the city behind, they head down to the South of France to stay with his aunt Agnes in the eponymous house of the title. A wonderful, artsy house overlooking the Mediterranean, not from Marseille (Cassis and le Ciotat are within easy driving distance).
“The energy, the stillness, the immensity, the awesomeness of the surrounding nature. The villa, cleaving to its cliff, beckoned; a haven in its panorama….” An Idyllic location for sure.
In present day Grace and Peter, now in their 60s, are living in the very same house and Peter is awaiting a heart operation and must not suffer any stress.
A blast from the past – Pierre – suddenly descends on their generally easygoing life. Grace was smitten with this older man during the Summer of Love (1968) and although she was technically ‘with’ Peter, she had her first real sexual awakening with this attractive and simultaneously bad boy reprobate drug user (it was the time of LSD use, psychedelic passion, free love and more…). Peter (not to be confused with Pierre) took a back seat and faced her affair with dignity. Or so it seems.
Back in those heady Summer days Pierre and Grace were swimming and Pierre disappeared after an argument and under the influence of drugs. She did her best to locate him but the conclusion was that he surely died? But as the past comes back to haunt Grace, she has to re-examine what went on all those years ago whilst managing a very aggressive and stalkerish intrusion into her now comfortable life. She must also keep Pierre’s resurrection from Peter in his fragile state whilst they await his surgery and she thus lays herself open to manipulative and controlling behaviour which she has to manage on her own.
With a few deft twists along the way, the story unfolds with a nice, rounded conclusion. Some of the descriptions of life in the 1960s feel as though they may be autobiographical (especially as Grace is an actress) and because that period in particular is written with aplomb and a sense of veracity. And of course we at TripFiction have been privileged to visit Carol’s house, where she now lives, overlooking the Mediterranean… so perhaps her beautiful home has inspired much of this book.
As author Jenny Colgan says: “Carol Drinkwater’s writing is like taking an amazing holiday in book form“. That is a very acute observation. Enjoy.
August 18, 2021
The House at the Edge of the Cliff by Carol Drinkwater
I don’t usually feel this passionately about a book but I would highly recommend not wasting your time on this repetitive, overly long “thriller”…
The story follows Grace in the present, happily married and living on the edge of a cliff in France. She is, unfortunately, being harassed by a mysterious man, which takes us into flashbacks of her life as a rebellious teen in the 60s.
To be honest, not a lot of this book worked for me. Firstly, it was awkwardly and overly simply written. I remember when I was in my early teens thinking it was cool to insert random French words into my speech - très sophisticated, I know! Well this book is aimed at adults yet the writer seems to think this is an effective way to remind us it is set in France. Useful. Or do I mean très irritating?
It also seemed as though the narrator was sometimes addressing the reader, but this didn’t fit or flow with the natural narrative; it seemed forced, like quite a lot of bits of this book.
Even the chapters are given seemingly random names: sometimes dates, sometimes places or sometimes events. All adding to the disjointed feeling of the story.
Finally, I found there was very little tension, despite there being some great opportunites for some edge-of-your-seat action! Such a shame… And not one of the characters was remotely likeable!
I don’t usually feel this passionately about a book but I would highly recommend not wasting your time on this repetitive, overly long “thriller”…
The story follows Grace in the present, happily married and living on the edge of a cliff in France. She is, unfortunately, being harassed by a mysterious man, which takes us into flashbacks of her life as a rebellious teen in the 60s.
To be honest, not a lot of this book worked for me. Firstly, it was awkwardly and overly simply written. I remember when I was in my early teens thinking it was cool to insert random French words into my speech - très sophisticated, I know! Well this book is aimed at adults yet the writer seems to think this is an effective way to remind us it is set in France. Useful. Or do I mean très irritating?
It also seemed as though the narrator was sometimes addressing the reader, but this didn’t fit or flow with the natural narrative; it seemed forced, like quite a lot of bits of this book.
Even the chapters are given seemingly random names: sometimes dates, sometimes places or sometimes events. All adding to the disjointed feeling of the story.
Finally, I found there was very little tension, despite there being some great opportunites for some edge-of-your-seat action! Such a shame… And not one of the characters was remotely likeable!
April 7, 2020
Not awful some good sections but writing was lacklustre and repetitive in some sections. A few sparkles along the way a bit like a sandwich with a top quality filling but low quality everything else.
March 2, 2020
Long and slow, although the story did keep my attention.
March 9, 2022
Slow moving and very hard to get into.
May 20, 2019
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff is set on the beautiful south coast of Provence in France, the idyllic home of Grace and Peter. But their wonderful life is to be thrown into turmoil by the appearance of a man from their past, a man who is threatening to destroy their family. Set in the present day and with flashbacks to France in 1968 when Grace first met Peter in Paris and their days in the in Provence which ended with a tragedy.
I absolutely loved this book; the setting, the prose, the cultural and social history of the sixties in France, and the characters. This may be the first book I have read by Carol Drinkwater but since finishing this book I have purchased two other books by her as I enjoyed this book so much. Carol Drinkwater has such a beautifully descriptive style of writing that is a feast for the senses; I could smell the salt of the sea, the tyme and rosemary that grew on the cliffs, feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. The idea of an isolated house on a cliff in Provence sounds like heaven to me, and it was certainly a haven for Grace and Peter and previously for Peter’s aunt. The house is a character in it’s own right, a caring and healing place, a place that makes the characters feel safe, and is the heart of the family which is why when they feel threatened it is the one place they feel safe. The opening chapter of the book introduces the reader to the menace that has entered their lives and leaves a chill down the spine that carries you through the book. The sense of menace underpins the whole book as we learn of Grace’s first trip to France that was the starting point for the situation they find themselves in.
Paris 1968 was a hot bed of political and social change. There were student riots, political change, strikes and the sixties free love, all of which makes for interesting reading and for underpinning the ideals of the young Grace and Peter. Not only do we get the social and political history of Paris, but Carole Drinkwater adds the cultural history with a soundtrack of the sixties; references to Otis Reading, The Doors, The Mamas and the Papas. This adds to to the authenticity of the setting of the book, a brilliant detail in my opinion.
Grace was a character I really warmed to; she came from a home where there was domestic violence and she wanted to escape before going to theatre school. It’s hard to believe that she was allowed to go to Paris on her own at sixteen, so young and naive and open to broadening her horizons. Peter takes her under his wing and falls helplessly in love with her, also introducing her to the political issues he believes in. Grace is drawn into this different life, being treated like an adult, the free love and drug experimentation and finally falling in love, but not with Peter. Their perfect summer soon comes to a dramatic end, Grace returns to London but it is fate that brings them back together nearly thirty years later; Grace and Peter were destined to be together.
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff has love, drama, thrills, and a sense of menace that combine to make this such a compelling read. The sights, sounds and smells and the descriptive prose transport you to Paris and Provence in both the present and the sixties; opening this book is like opening the door to a holiday in France. This is the perfect book to pack in your beach bag this summer, with its captivating story, with a breathtaking setting and appealing characters. So go out and get yourself copy, you won’t regret it, an outstanding read!!!
I absolutely loved this book; the setting, the prose, the cultural and social history of the sixties in France, and the characters. This may be the first book I have read by Carol Drinkwater but since finishing this book I have purchased two other books by her as I enjoyed this book so much. Carol Drinkwater has such a beautifully descriptive style of writing that is a feast for the senses; I could smell the salt of the sea, the tyme and rosemary that grew on the cliffs, feel the warmth of the sun on my skin. The idea of an isolated house on a cliff in Provence sounds like heaven to me, and it was certainly a haven for Grace and Peter and previously for Peter’s aunt. The house is a character in it’s own right, a caring and healing place, a place that makes the characters feel safe, and is the heart of the family which is why when they feel threatened it is the one place they feel safe. The opening chapter of the book introduces the reader to the menace that has entered their lives and leaves a chill down the spine that carries you through the book. The sense of menace underpins the whole book as we learn of Grace’s first trip to France that was the starting point for the situation they find themselves in.
Paris 1968 was a hot bed of political and social change. There were student riots, political change, strikes and the sixties free love, all of which makes for interesting reading and for underpinning the ideals of the young Grace and Peter. Not only do we get the social and political history of Paris, but Carole Drinkwater adds the cultural history with a soundtrack of the sixties; references to Otis Reading, The Doors, The Mamas and the Papas. This adds to to the authenticity of the setting of the book, a brilliant detail in my opinion.
Grace was a character I really warmed to; she came from a home where there was domestic violence and she wanted to escape before going to theatre school. It’s hard to believe that she was allowed to go to Paris on her own at sixteen, so young and naive and open to broadening her horizons. Peter takes her under his wing and falls helplessly in love with her, also introducing her to the political issues he believes in. Grace is drawn into this different life, being treated like an adult, the free love and drug experimentation and finally falling in love, but not with Peter. Their perfect summer soon comes to a dramatic end, Grace returns to London but it is fate that brings them back together nearly thirty years later; Grace and Peter were destined to be together.
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff has love, drama, thrills, and a sense of menace that combine to make this such a compelling read. The sights, sounds and smells and the descriptive prose transport you to Paris and Provence in both the present and the sixties; opening this book is like opening the door to a holiday in France. This is the perfect book to pack in your beach bag this summer, with its captivating story, with a breathtaking setting and appealing characters. So go out and get yourself copy, you won’t regret it, an outstanding read!!!
May 29, 2019
Grace fell in love with France almost a lifetime ago, when she was 16 year old girl and came there with her boyfriend Peter. Full of life and dreams then, now living a happy life in the idyllic home on the beautiful coast of Provence with – yes, Peter! However, this idyll is to be shattered with the appearance of a strange man. But is he really so strange? Did Grace used to know him and believed him to have drowned? As the past comes back to haunt Grace, she’s forced to re – examine what has happened all those years ago and at the same time to keep her family safe. Will she manage?
The characters are masterfully written and developed, and while I personally didn’t fell for them all, I nevertheless appreciated them. I must admit that I much more liked them as the adult versions from their younger ones. Grace is our main character and narrator of the story and her voice is distinctive, and there is something confessional in it, she’s not holding back, we get to know the whole truth.
The scenes set in the 1960’s in Paris were very detailed and felt as if they might have been autobiographical perhaps? So many details and so many insider knowledge were there. However, to be totally honest, these scenes were for me very slow going, I much preferred the storyline set in the present, the past simply focused too much and heavily on history and politics and it just didn’t grab me. In the end, I found myself skimming through those parts without a feeling that I’m missing on something. As the story progresses though, it gets darker and more serious, and I had a feeling that something really bad is going to happen.
Carol Drinkwater’s writing style is exquisite and her attention to the smallest details is incredible. The descriptions of nature, food, sea, weather but also feelings and emotions that were milling about on the pages of this book were mesmerizing. The setting of the story, especially the part set in France, is beautiful and I can’t imagine a better one for this book. I loved the idea of the lone house on a cliff, it was a brilliant setting for this story. The house was actually a character of its own, with its history and it changing hands in the family, being a place where everybody feels safe and loved.
There are for sure some twists throughout the story that, in the end, finishes with a satisfying conclusion. Sadly, though, this story didn’t appeal to me as much as I hoped it would – there is no particular reason for this, sometimes it works like this. It was full of dark secrets, misunderstandings and tension, riddled with tragedy. It was a multi – layered story, going back and forth in time. I really, really liked to see how the past has made the characters who they are in the present, to be a witness to all the changes, to watch them changing, making mistakes, growing and maturing. The writing style is descriptive and eloquent, and brings everything the author writes about to life. “The House on the Edge of the Cliff” was a very atmospheric novel about obsession, love, hate, betrayal, guilt and forgiveness.
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
June 3, 2019
3.5/5
The story begins with Grace, a married woman in her sixties, living in France. She is waiting for her husband Peter to undergo heart surgery, and is understandably worried. When a mysterious stranger shows up and threatens to unravel everything Grace has built for herself, she is determined to protect her family.
This story goes back and forth between the present day and 1968. I really, really loved the 1968 chapters - they were set in Paris, when Grace was sixteen years old and looking for a new life after leaving a difficult family life in England behind. She arrives just as the Paris Riots are brewing - the student protests against the Vietnam War kicked off the largest social movement of 20th Century France.
The level of detail was astounding, I really felt like this was a historical account of what happened. Even down to the description of the Vogue cover - this is entirely accurate, the April 1968 cover of Paris Vogue is exactly as the author describes it. For this reason, I think I was less concerned about what was happening to Grace in the present. I longed to get back to the past chapters, I just found her story so interesting and engaging.
I wasn't a huge fan of the whole "mysterious stranger" element, but I understood the need to tie the past and present together. For me, the true beauty of this book lies in the chapters set between 1968 and the present day - they evoke the most stunning atmosphere, I felt like I was in Paris with Grace and I was accompanying her on her journey towards fulfilling her goals. I didn't connect with present-day Grace at all, but it was good to see how she got where she is today.
I'm very glad I took a chance on this one, even though I felt it was a little long at times - I still read it in one day and was prompted to research the Paris Riots more - this is such an important time in history and this book would be a great starting point for anyone wondering what it was all about.
Give this one a go if you're looking for something related to France, or if you're looking for an engaging holiday read this Summer!
Thank you to Sriya at Michael Joseph for allowing me to read an advance copy.
The story begins with Grace, a married woman in her sixties, living in France. She is waiting for her husband Peter to undergo heart surgery, and is understandably worried. When a mysterious stranger shows up and threatens to unravel everything Grace has built for herself, she is determined to protect her family.
This story goes back and forth between the present day and 1968. I really, really loved the 1968 chapters - they were set in Paris, when Grace was sixteen years old and looking for a new life after leaving a difficult family life in England behind. She arrives just as the Paris Riots are brewing - the student protests against the Vietnam War kicked off the largest social movement of 20th Century France.
The level of detail was astounding, I really felt like this was a historical account of what happened. Even down to the description of the Vogue cover - this is entirely accurate, the April 1968 cover of Paris Vogue is exactly as the author describes it. For this reason, I think I was less concerned about what was happening to Grace in the present. I longed to get back to the past chapters, I just found her story so interesting and engaging.
I wasn't a huge fan of the whole "mysterious stranger" element, but I understood the need to tie the past and present together. For me, the true beauty of this book lies in the chapters set between 1968 and the present day - they evoke the most stunning atmosphere, I felt like I was in Paris with Grace and I was accompanying her on her journey towards fulfilling her goals. I didn't connect with present-day Grace at all, but it was good to see how she got where she is today.
I'm very glad I took a chance on this one, even though I felt it was a little long at times - I still read it in one day and was prompted to research the Paris Riots more - this is such an important time in history and this book would be a great starting point for anyone wondering what it was all about.
Give this one a go if you're looking for something related to France, or if you're looking for an engaging holiday read this Summer!
Thank you to Sriya at Michael Joseph for allowing me to read an advance copy.
February 22, 2021
This is a very good novel by an excellent author who has the magic touch of transporting us to a different place and time through her amazing prose and descriptive writing.
The characters are very well drawn and we gradually learn more about them as the novel moves backwards and forwards from the present to 1968 and various years in between.
Some reviewers found the novel contained too much politics - I perceived that as being relevant to the events in Paris of 1968 which formed an important backdrop to the age in which the principal characters met.
The description of the Paris demonstrations was so vivid that one could almost feel the effects of the tear gas.
At times, as the novel was nearing the end, I began to wonder if it was a little long and if the end could not have been brought forward sooner. This is maybe more to do with me wanting to know what had happened, rather than being fed up with the ever increasing story line, character and plot development that did not cease til the very end.
The final twist was certainly not something that I or anyone could guess at and was satisfactory and plausible within the known context.
This novel will appeal to any Fracophile and particularly those who love the south of France.
It is romance, modern historical fiction, a coming of age story, a mystery and a psychological thriller all rolled into one.
The characters are very well drawn and we gradually learn more about them as the novel moves backwards and forwards from the present to 1968 and various years in between.
Some reviewers found the novel contained too much politics - I perceived that as being relevant to the events in Paris of 1968 which formed an important backdrop to the age in which the principal characters met.
The description of the Paris demonstrations was so vivid that one could almost feel the effects of the tear gas.
At times, as the novel was nearing the end, I began to wonder if it was a little long and if the end could not have been brought forward sooner. This is maybe more to do with me wanting to know what had happened, rather than being fed up with the ever increasing story line, character and plot development that did not cease til the very end.
The final twist was certainly not something that I or anyone could guess at and was satisfactory and plausible within the known context.
This novel will appeal to any Fracophile and particularly those who love the south of France.
It is romance, modern historical fiction, a coming of age story, a mystery and a psychological thriller all rolled into one.
April 15, 2022
A solid concept: story told in the first person, between three time slots: summer 1968 (student riots in Paris) when Grace fist meets Peter and Pierre; 1990s when they are all separated and all tormented to some degree or another by that summer; present day in which Grace and Peter are married and waiting (along with his two daughters and their kids) for him to have a heart operation.
Unfortunately, I didn't find Grace a sympathetic character. Her sixteen-year-old self is (like so many of us were), selfish, short-sighted, dismissive and irritating. I became tired of the way she cruelly used Peter and her crass stupidity in hooking up with the drug-pushing Pierre. His tragic disappearance, and then apparent reappearance should hold so much more tension, threat and drama. Instead it became tedious, repetitive and came to such a rapid finish I barely noticed it and certainly didn't care.
Some nice descriptions of France, as one would expect from someone who lives/has lived there with a few clashingly pretentious words which jumped out awkwardly from the page ('crepuscular' anyone? Once might be forgivable; twice was painful).
Probably classed as 'chick lit'; chewing gum for the eyes while lying somewhere sunny with a drink in your hand. I recommend you put the book down and concentrate on the drink. How lucky it is that we all enjoy such diverse books!
Unfortunately, I didn't find Grace a sympathetic character. Her sixteen-year-old self is (like so many of us were), selfish, short-sighted, dismissive and irritating. I became tired of the way she cruelly used Peter and her crass stupidity in hooking up with the drug-pushing Pierre. His tragic disappearance, and then apparent reappearance should hold so much more tension, threat and drama. Instead it became tedious, repetitive and came to such a rapid finish I barely noticed it and certainly didn't care.
Some nice descriptions of France, as one would expect from someone who lives/has lived there with a few clashingly pretentious words which jumped out awkwardly from the page ('crepuscular' anyone? Once might be forgivable; twice was painful).
Probably classed as 'chick lit'; chewing gum for the eyes while lying somewhere sunny with a drink in your hand. I recommend you put the book down and concentrate on the drink. How lucky it is that we all enjoy such diverse books!
May 20, 2019
The House On The Edge Of The Cliff is a book like no other I’ve read, it made me take my time and completely immerse myself in it, yes at times it’s slow going, especially at the start as you get your head round the dual timeline which does work well with this book, yes it features for the first half quite heavily history and politics, neither of which I am fond of but for some reason I liked it in this book.
Grace is the main character and we meet her when she is just 16, wanting a summer before college of freedom and discovery away from her loving mother and her dads overactive fists. So off she sets to Paris in 1968, when there was huge political unrest and she meets Peter who she stays with during riots but having been arrested they move away from Paris to his aunts house, Heron House and the story gets tangled and for Grace, messy with the drug peddling Pierre. The story bounces to present time that sees Grace and Peter in their sixties, Peter waiting for a heart operation and for Grace a visit from the past.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin UK- Michael Joseph for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Grace is the main character and we meet her when she is just 16, wanting a summer before college of freedom and discovery away from her loving mother and her dads overactive fists. So off she sets to Paris in 1968, when there was huge political unrest and she meets Peter who she stays with during riots but having been arrested they move away from Paris to his aunts house, Heron House and the story gets tangled and for Grace, messy with the drug peddling Pierre. The story bounces to present time that sees Grace and Peter in their sixties, Peter waiting for a heart operation and for Grace a visit from the past.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin UK- Michael Joseph for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
July 8, 2019
With each novel Carol Drinkwater gets better. I was drawn to her series on the Olive Farm that she and her husband restored in the south of France. Then I decided to try her fiction. I'm so happy that I did as both my husband and I have enjoyed her books. They are stand alone stories which bring in a historical event in France, in this book she involved 'revolution' in Paris in the 60s when the whole world seemed on fire over various causes including race relations and the Vietnam War. Of course, there was the rampant drug use and she brings that in here as well. The main character, Grace, starts out as a young girl of only 16 years who deserts her violent home to make her way in Paris. Twists and turns have her meeting up with two men, both of whom have great influence on her in different ways. Move on about 50 years and event of the past come back to haunt Grace and interrupt her tranquil life in the house on the edge of the cliff. Read on, I highly recommend it.
August 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel, the first I have read by Carol Drinkwater, but probably not the last. The narrative which links past and present through the arrival of a mysterious stranger to Grace's house on the coast of Provence is interesting and well-told and the characters are sympathetic and well-drawn including the minor characters like Peter's aunt, the original owner of the House on the Cliff. The author creates evocative backdrops for her story during the heady days of student protest in 1960s Paris and in 21st century Provence, mixed with just enough tension to keep you on the edge of your seat. A good summer read. Highly recommended.
Thank you to the publisher for making a copy of this book available to me on NetGalley.
Thank you to the publisher for making a copy of this book available to me on NetGalley.
May 14, 2020
Having read The Lost Girl by Carol Drinkwater previously, I was really keen to lose myself in this novel and was not disappointed.
This dual timeline story was a lovely read. The story centres around Grace's life at the age of sixteen in Paris and the south of France in 1968 and present day, when repercussions of events of that summer in France, return to haunt Grace.
As always with Carol Drinkwater's novels, it is obvious that the content of the story has been well researched. I love the description of events, places, food, olive trees and herbs and of course the beach, sea and sunsets.
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading another by this author.
This dual timeline story was a lovely read. The story centres around Grace's life at the age of sixteen in Paris and the south of France in 1968 and present day, when repercussions of events of that summer in France, return to haunt Grace.
As always with Carol Drinkwater's novels, it is obvious that the content of the story has been well researched. I love the description of events, places, food, olive trees and herbs and of course the beach, sea and sunsets.
I would recommend this book and look forward to reading another by this author.
May 6, 2019
This is an enjoyable read. Grace lives with her husband Peter in a house on the edge of a cliff in Provence. One day a strange man arrives on the scene and claims to be someone Grace had a fling with in the late sixties when she first came to France as a 16 year old. She had always believed him to have drowned. The story is told in 2 time frames - 1968 Paris and the student riots, followed by a summer in Provence, and present day in the south of France. It's an easy read mystery which will keep you guessing to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
January 14, 2025
I always enjoy reading books by Carol Drinkwater. The plot is easy to follow, there is always drama, love and vivid descriptions of beautiful France. I enjoyed the flashback chapters and the hidden past that Drinkwater creates for Grace as the story goes on. The constant fear of being found out really drives you to read on and find out more. Drinkwater keeps the plot flowing right to the end of the book, almost making the reader anxious about how it will end, as the pages get less and less. Overall, a gripping read with beautiful imagery.
July 4, 2019
This wonderful story of growing up, excitement, danger, adventure and true love had me involved in the first few pages. It was my holiday read and once I'd started it I really didn't want to put it down to do other holiday things. Well written by Carol I think this was her best yet and I loved her previous 2 stories Lost Girl and Forgotten Summer. Don't pass this one by.... It is well worth it.
November 10, 2019
Although beautifully set this book was a little slow at times. I think maybe the history and politics dragged the story down sometimes. About midway through the story did pick up pace and ended quite well.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review
June 7, 2022
This is the first Carol Drinkwater book I have read and I found her style mesmerising. Interesting backdrop was the Paris riots and a young girl's first experience of love.
I found the ending a bit disappointing but I can't quite put my finger on why. I don't think our heroine asked enough questions of George Gissing...but then where's the story if she had done!
I found the ending a bit disappointing but I can't quite put my finger on why. I don't think our heroine asked enough questions of George Gissing...but then where's the story if she had done!
July 17, 2024
Amazing
I have read this amazing story while staying in an isolated house in rural France. It’s my second book by Carol Drinkwater who I discovered recently and cannot get enough of her. She writes beautifully, her characters are so real and her plot keeps you on your toes. Amazing.
I have read this amazing story while staying in an isolated house in rural France. It’s my second book by Carol Drinkwater who I discovered recently and cannot get enough of her. She writes beautifully, her characters are so real and her plot keeps you on your toes. Amazing.
June 5, 2019
Enjoyable read
Events of half a century ago have repercussions for Grace and her family. The story switches between Paris and the student riots of 1968 and the South of France in the present day. A very enjoyable read which kept me engrossed to the end.
Events of half a century ago have repercussions for Grace and her family. The story switches between Paris and the student riots of 1968 and the South of France in the present day. A very enjoyable read which kept me engrossed to the end.
June 7, 2019
An excellent mystery!
I always love Carols descriptive style of writing. I have read all her books and this latest mystery does not disappoint! It keeps you guessing throughout, a great story Carol. As always, I look forward to your next novel, no pressure!
I always love Carols descriptive style of writing. I have read all her books and this latest mystery does not disappoint! It keeps you guessing throughout, a great story Carol. As always, I look forward to your next novel, no pressure!
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