Synopses & Reviews
Inside the glass orb was a miniature garden and a house. If she stared long enough, she could almost see the people inside. But whether they were trapped there, or kept safe, in that miniscule snowbound world, she couldn't have said...
Christmas 1926 holds bright promise for nineteen-year-old Daisy Forbes, with celebrations under way at Eden Hall, her family's country estate in Surrey, England. But when Daisy, the youngest of three daughters, discovers that her adored father, Howard, has been leading a double life, her illusions of perfection are shattered. Worse, his current mistress, introduced as a family friend, is joining them for the holidays. As Daisy wrestles with the truth, she blossoms in her own right, receiving a marriage proposal from one man, a declaration of love from another, and her first kiss from a third. Meanwhile, her mother, Mabel, manages these social complications with outward calm, while privately reviewing her life and contemplating significant changes. And among those below stairs, Nancy, the housekeeper, and Mrs. Jessops, the cook, find that their long-held secrets are slowly beginning to surface...
As the seasons unfold in the new year, and Daisy moves to London, desires, fortunes, and loyalties will shift during this tumultuous time after the Great War. The Forbes family and those who serve them will follow their hearts down unexpected paths that always return to where they began...Eden Hall.
Review
“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."—Rachel Hore, Sunday Times of London bestselling author of A Place of Secrets
"Irresistible...sensuous prose, elegant settings and fascinating characters."—Margaret Wurtele, author of The Golden Hour
“Well drawn characters combined with flawless writing make Kinghorns debut a triumph. This story kept me up for many nights in a row, and I couldnt turn the pages fast enough. Un-put-downable and relentlessly intriguing, this is a tale for the ages. I expect its not the last well hear from this talented story teller; at least, I hope not!”—Dish Magazine
"A dense and luscious read that is emotionally gripping and at times unsettling, but is a powerful tale of love, regret, and both the loss of Clarissa's innocence and that of England's.”—Heroes and Heartbreakers
"A wonderful and heartbreaking love story...Highly recommended!"—One More Page
"An atmospheric and haunting read. It takes the reader from languorous summer days by the lake on a country estate to the horror of the trenches with equal aplomb...Judith Kinghorn skillfully navigates our journey through love and loss...This is the perfect balance of romance and grit by a great new writer. Don't miss it!"—The Riddle of Writing
"Don't miss The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn. [An] epic and enthralling love story set against the backdrop of the Great War."—F anny Blake, Woman and Home
“An enchanting read of Rachel Hore/Downton Abbey ilk, big storytelling stuff of social and political change spanning the First World War and beyond. It's a glorious read, highly recommended.”—Sarah Broadhurst, The Bookseller
“The year is 1914 and love and war are about to transform privileged 16 year-old Clarissa's charmed existence forever. This sumptuous romance is made for fans of Downton.”—The Lady Magazine
Review
Praise for The Snow Globe
"Both a gripping tale of family secrets and a comedy of manners, Kinghorn's novel paints a vivid portrait of love and its perplexing complications. Set against the backdrop of Europe in the years following the Great War, The Snow Globe is a fascinating journey back in time. Historical fiction fans will not want to miss this gem!"—Renee Rosen, author of What the Lady Wants
"An absolutely delicious book...The period is beautifully observed, and we are expertly drawn into a suspenseful blend of tangled relationships and shocking discoveries. Daisy's coming of age in the 'brave new world' of post-war England had me holding my breath. Elegant and evocative to the last word."—Elizabeth Cooke, author of Rutherford Park and The Wild Flowers
Praise for The Memory of Lost Senses
"Lucinda Rileys readers will enjoy Kinghorns manipulation of the storys timeline, fans of Sarah Jio will adore the novels romantic backbone, and historical-fiction readers will appreciate Kinghorns eye for authentic period details.”—Booklist
"Beautifully written...the lyrical prose and hints of mystery, betrayal, blackmail, jealousy and regret make for a touching, thought-provoking and compelling read." —Romantic Times, 4 1/2 stars
“Kinghorns prose is lovely, lavishly describing both the characters and the setting, which leaves the reader with a strong sense of time and place."—Historical Novel Society
“Exquisite…a page-turning, atmospheric mystery story but with a powerful, all-consuming love affair burning deep at its core...”—Lancaster Evening Post (UK)
"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
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
Synopsis
From the author of The Last Summer and The Memory of Lost Senses comes a "gripping tale of family secrets and a comedy of manners" (Renee Rosen, author of What the Lady Wants) that historical fiction fans will love. Inside the glass orb was a miniature garden and a house. If she stared long enough, she could almost see the people inside. But whether they were trapped there, or kept safe, in that miniscule snowbound world, she couldn't have said...
Christmas 1926 holds bright promise for nineteen-year-old Daisy Forbes, with celebrations under way at Eden Hall, her family's country estate in Surrey, England. But when Daisy, the youngest of three daughters, discovers that her adored father, Howard, has been leading a double life, her illusions of perfection are shattered. Worse, his current mistress, introduced as a family friend, is joining them for the holidays. As Daisy wrestles with the truth, she blossoms in her own right, receiving a marriage proposal from one man, a declaration of love from another, and her first kiss from a third. Meanwhile, her mother, Mabel, manages these social complications with outward calm, while privately reviewing her life and contemplating significant changes. And among those below stairs, Nancy, the housekeeper, and Mrs. Jessops, the cook, find that their long-held secrets are slowly beginning to surface...
As the seasons unfold in the new year, and Daisy moves to London, desires, fortunes, and loyalties will shift during this tumultuous time after the Great War. The Forbes family and those who serve them will follow their hearts down unexpected paths that always return to where they began...Eden Hall.
Synopsis
I was almost seventeen when the spell of my childhood was broken...It was the beginning of summer and, unbeknown to any of us then, the end of a belle epoque...
In July of 1914, innocent, lovely Clarissa Granville lives with her parents and three brothers in the idyllic isolation of Deyning Park, a grand English country house, where she whiles away her days enjoying house parties, country walks and tennis matches. Clarissa is drawn to Tom Cuthbert, the housekeeper's handsome son. Though her parents disapprove of their upstairs-downstairs friendship, the two are determined to see each other, and they meet in secret to share what becomes a deep and tender romance. But soon the winds of war come to Deyning, as they come to all of Europe. As Tom prepares to join the front lines, neither he nor Clarissa can envision what lies ahead of them in the dark days and years to come. Nor can they imagine how their love will be tested, or how they will treasure the memory of this last, perfect summer.
About the Author
Judith Kinghorn was born in Northumberland, educated in the Lake District, and is a graduate in English and History of Art. She lives in England with her husband and two children.