Synopses & Reviews
From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes an epic saga of intrigue and mystique set in Edwardian England. Cavendon Hall is home to two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them. Charles Ingham, the sixth Earl of Mowbray, lives there with his wife Felicity and their six children. Walter Swann, the premier male of the Swann family, is valet to the earl. His wife Alice, a clever seamstress who is in charge of the countess's wardrobe, also makes clothes for the four daughters. For centuries, these two families have lived side-by-side, beneath the backdrop of the imposing Yorkshire manor. Lady Daphne, the most beautiful of the Earls daughters, is about to be presented at court when a devastating event changes her life and threatens the Ingham name. With World War I looming, both families will find themselves tested in ways they never thought possible. Loyalties will be challenged and betrayals will be set into motion. In this time of uncertainty, one thing is sure: these two families will never be the same again. Cavendon Hall is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her very best, and its sweeping story of secrets, love, honor, and betrayal will have readers riveted up to the very last page.
Review
"First there was
A Woman of Substance . . . and now from the same author comes an evocative and captivating story, filled with fascinating and compelling characters, drama, intrigue, love, passion, and revenge . . . set against the backdrop of a great ancestral home in Yorkshire. Vintage storytelling from ‘Britain's premier romantic novelist." —
Daily Mail on
Cavendon Hall "A compulsive, emotional read about love, lies, and the ties that bind…Taylor Bradford is the most fabulous teller of stories." —
Daily Mail on
Secrets from the Past"Another cracking read from one of the nations favourite storytellers." —
The Sun on
Secrets from the Past"Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the worlds best at spinning yarns." —
The Guardian on
Secrets from the Past"Every novel from this acclaimed and beloved author is avidly read, and its engrossing historical dimension, family traumas, romance, and vivid setting will prove irresistible." —Booklist on Letters from a Stranger"Loyal fans will tear up at the descriptions of enduring friendship and familial love."
—Publishers Weekly on Letters from a Stranger
Review
PRAISE FOR BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD
SECRETS FROM THE PAST"A compulsive, emotional read about love, lies, and the ties that bind…Bradford is the most fabulous teller of stories." —
Daily Mail "Another cracking read from one of the nations favorite storytellers." —
The Sun "Few novelists are as consummate as Barbara Taylor Bradford at keeping the reader turning the page. She is one of the worlds best at spinning yarns."—
The Guardian LETTER FROM A STRANGER"Every novel from this acclaimed and beloved author is avidly read, and its engrossing historical dimensions, family traumas, romance, and vivid settings will prove irresistible." —
Booklist "Loyal fans will tear up at the descriptions of enduring friendship and familial love."
—Publishers WeeklyPLAYING THE GAME"Vintage Bradford, with lavish descriptions of the pleasures of palate and palette, victims as virtuous as they are gorgeous, [and] cruel Lotharios."—Kirkus Reviews"Scintillating…plenty of intrigue, secrets, and steamy encounters."—Booklist"A page-turning plot that keeps you gripped through all of its 448 pages."—Sunday Express BREAKING THE RULES"Satisfies on the fashion-and-passion front… at the heart of the action stands a determined heroine" —Publishers Weekly"A sprawling novel…readers will be happy to dwell in the glamorous world of Bradfords sophisticated characters."—Booklist"Spellbinding."—Complete Woman"For the thirtieth anniversary of A Woman of Substance, Bradford has written a marvelous spin-off with all the drama, glamour, and romance readers expect. With a twenty-first-century woman of substance and characters from the Harte series, this nonstop read has it all."—RT Book Reviews
Synopsis
Cavendon Hall is home to two families, the aristocratic Inghams and the Swanns who serve them, just as their ancestors did over the centuries. Charles Ingham, the sixth Earl of Mowbray, lives there with his wife Felicity and their six children: Guy, the heir, who is studying at Cambridge; their younger son Miles, attending Eton; and their four daughters Diedre, Daphne, DeLacy and Dulcie, affectionately called the Four Dees by the staff. Walter Swann, the premier male of the Swann family, is valet to the earl. His wife Alice, a clever seamstress, who is in charge of the countess's wardrobe, also makes clothes for the four daughters. For centuries, these two families have lived side-by-side, beneath the backdrop of the imposing Yorkshire manor. But now, with World War I looming, these two families will find themselves tested in ways they never thought possible. Loyalties are tested and betrayals are set into motion. In this time of uncertainty, one thing is sure: these two families will never be the same again. Set over a period of sixteen years (from 1913 to 1929), Cavendon Hall is Barbara Taylor Bradford at her very best.
About the Author
BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD was born and brought up in England and started her writing career as a journalist. She has written twenty-eight international bestsellers. This is her twenty-ninth novel. In 2007, Queen Elizabeth awarded her the Order of the British Empire for her literary achievements. She lives in New York with her husband, TV and film producer Robert Bradford.