Synopses & Reviews
London 1849. The capital city is living in fear. Cholera is everywhere. Eminent MP Sir Charles Cooper decides it is too risky for his younger daughter, the strangely beautiful and troubled Harriet, and sends her-but not her beloved sister Mary-to the countryside.
Rusholme is a world away from London, full of extraordinary relations: Harriet's cousin Edward and his plans for a new life in New Zealand; Aunt Lucretia, reliant on afternoon wine and laudanum; the formidable Lady Kingdom and her two eligible, unobtainable sons. However, life in the country can offer only temporary respite to Harriet, who longs to return to her sister.
But when Harriet does come home, London has become more dangerous than ever. Her health, her freedom-even her sanity-are under threat. Escape is essential. Can a young, powerless girl change her life? Can she board the Amaryllis without being discovered? Does she realize that if she flees, more than one person will pursue her, literally to the end of the world?
The Trespass is historical fiction at its most gripping, stretching from the dark side of Victorian London to the optimism and energy of the early New Zealand settlements.
Review
"Fast-paced and surprisingly free of heavy breathing: an excellent historical novel enlivened with a dash of romance." Kirkus Reviews (July 15, 2003)
Review
"Fast-paced and surprisingly free of heavy breathing: an excellent historical noovel enlivened with a dash of romance."(,Kirkus Reviews (July 15, 2003),)
Synopsis
In 1849, Sir Charles Cooper -- member of Parliament and upright gentleman -- is obsessed with his beautiful daughter Harriet. When her older sister and protector dies in London's cholera epidemic, Harriet can see nothing but horror before her. Her only chance for escape is to follow her cousin Edward on a perilous journey to the new colony of New Zealand. Fleeing her sheltered life among the upper classes, Harriet discovers untapped reserves of courage and ingenuity, managing to get herself on a boat bound for Wellington. But as soon as her father realizes what she has done, Sir Charles pursues her to the other side of the world, where Harriet thought he would never find her.
Sweeping from the slums of London to the halls of power to the brave new world of New Zealand, The Trespass is an irresistible novel of love, danger, and betrayal.
Synopsis
Includes bibliographical references (p. [407]-408).
About the Author
Barbara Ewing is a New Zealand-born actress and author who lives and works in London.