Synopses & Reviews
From beloved
New York Times bestselling author Lucinda Riley, a “sweeping, poignant saga that will enthrall fans of
The House at Riverton, Rebecca, and
Downton Abbey” (
Shelf Awareness).Spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from the Wharton Park estate in England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences.
As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate reminiscent of Downton Abbey where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.
When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed the estate. Their search takes them back to the 1940s when Harry, a former heir to Wharton Park, married his young society bride, Olivia, on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt for generations to come.
This atmospheric story alternates between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a beautiful, romantic, and poignant novel.
Review
Praise for The Memory of Lost Senses
“Exquisite…a powerful follow-up to last years enthralling debut, The Last Summer…Thoughtful, delicately crafted and imaginative, The Memory of Lost Senses is a page-turning, atmospheric mystery story but with a powerful, all-consuming love affair burning deep at its core...”—Lancaster Evening Post (UK)
"The Memory of Lost Senses is a witty, clever and compelling tale, with a beautiful love story at its heart. I loved it."—Jane Harris, author of The Observations and Gillespie and I
“Fans of the Kinghorns remarkable debut novel, The Last Summer, will surely be pleased with this second effort. For readers yet to discover Kinghorns novels, this book is sure to create a whole new legion of fans.”—The Historical Novel Society
Praise for The Last Summer
“An enchanting story of love and war, and the years beyond.” —Penny Vincenzi, bestselling author of Wicked Pleasures
“A sumptuous, absorbing tale of love in time of war. Judith Kinghorn's novel brilliantly illuminates the experiences of a generation of blighted youth.”
—Rachel Hore, bestselling author of A Place of Secrets
“A glorious read, highly recommended.”—The Bookseller (UK)
Review
"A sweeping, poignant saga that will enthrall fans of The House at Riverton, Rebecca, and Downton Abbey."
Review
"A really fine page-turner."
Review
"Atmospheric, heart-rending, and multilayered."
Review
"Great escapist reading for lovers of historical fiction."
Review
"Lucinda Riley is one of the most compelling and gifted storytellers working today."
Synopsis
Note to readers: In the UK, this book is published under the title Hothouse Flower.
From beloved New York Times bestselling author Lucinda Riley, a "sweeping, poignant saga that will enthrall fans of The House at Riverton, Rebecca, and Downton Abbey" (Shelf Awareness).
Spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from the Wharton Park estate in England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences.
As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate reminiscent of Downton Abbey where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.
When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed the estate. Their search takes them back to the 1940s when Harry, a former heir to Wharton Park, married his young society bride, Olivia, on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt for generations to come.
This atmospheric story alternates between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a beautiful, romantic, and poignant novel.
Synopsis
Spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from the Wharton Park estate in England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences. As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.
When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed the estate. Their search takes them back to the 1940s when Harry, a former heir to Wharton Park, married his young society bride, Olivia, on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt for generations to come.
This atmospheric story alternates between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a beautiful, romantic, and poignant novel.
Synopsis
Within weeks letters would be burned, pages torn. Promises would be broken and hearts betrayed. But for now the countryside languished, golden and fading
Cecily Chadwick is idling away the long, hot summer of 1911 when a mysterious countess moves into the large, deserted country house on the edge of her sleepy English village. Rumors abound about the countesss many husbands and lovers, her opulent wealth, and the tragedies that have marked her life. As Cecily gets to know her, she becomes fascinated by the remarkable womanriveted by her tales of life on the Continent, and of the famous people she once knew. But the countess is clearly troubled by her memories, and by ruinous secrets that haunt her
Staying with the countess is a successful novelist and dear friend who has been summoned to write the countesss memoirs. For aspiring writer Cecily, the novelists presence only adds to the intrigue of the house. But it is the countesss grandson, Jack, who draws Cecily further into the tangled web of the countess's past, and sweeps her into an uncertain future
About the Author
Lucinda Riley is the internationally bestselling author of The Orchid House (published as Hothouse Flower in the UK, more than 2 million copies sold worldwide); The Girl on the Cliff (an instant New York Times bestseller), and The Lavender Garden (published as The Light Behind the Window in the UK). Her fourth novel, The Midnight Rose, will be published around the world in early 2014. Her novels have been translated into twenty-two languages and published in thirty-six countries. Born in Ireland, she lives with her husband and four children in the English countryside and in the South of France.