This is a beautifully written book that cleverly combines intrigue, history, art, romance and a fabulous setting to create an absorbing read - I loved it.
It tells the story of Lottie, an archivist newly arrived in Rome following her marriage. In the course of her work she comes across a 15th century paining linked to Nina Lawrence, a landscape gardener living in Rome in the 1970s. Lottie is intrigued by her story but it soon becomes clear that there is much more to Nina's story - she was in fact murdered and it appears her murder was never fully investigate. Told in dual timelines from the perspective of the two women, we begin to understand the parallels between their lives as the story unfolds.
I have never read anything by Elizabeth Buchan but was drawn to this book by its setting in one of my favourite cities. Buchan's skill as a writer really does bring the sights and sounds of Rome to life and I enjoyed learning more about the political backdrop in post-war Italy. In many ways it is quite a gentle story and full of detail which some may find a bit hard-going, but thanks to beautiful prose I found myself drawn into the veil of secrecy and lies that are revealed as the book progresses, as well as in Lottie's personal journey as she seeks to understand Nina's story. Its a thoughtful, well-written book that cleverly entwines the lives of the two women - I for one look forward to reading more of Buchan's books.
It tells the story of Lottie, an archivist newly arrived in Rome following her marriage. In the course of her work she comes across a 15th century paining linked to Nina Lawrence, a landscape gardener living in Rome in the 1970s. Lottie is intrigued by her story but it soon becomes clear that there is much more to Nina's story - she was in fact murdered and it appears her murder was never fully investigate. Told in dual timelines from the perspective of the two women, we begin to understand the parallels between their lives as the story unfolds.
I have never read anything by Elizabeth Buchan but was drawn to this book by its setting in one of my favourite cities. Buchan's skill as a writer really does bring the sights and sounds of Rome to life and I enjoyed learning more about the political backdrop in post-war Italy. In many ways it is quite a gentle story and full of detail which some may find a bit hard-going, but thanks to beautiful prose I found myself drawn into the veil of secrecy and lies that are revealed as the book progresses, as well as in Lottie's personal journey as she seeks to understand Nina's story. Its a thoughtful, well-written book that cleverly entwines the lives of the two women - I for one look forward to reading more of Buchan's books.