Voices in Summer

Laura, a young second wife, is faced with all the usual barriers to happiness, plus some dramatically different ones. Working on her behalf, however, are an accepting extended family, the comfort of wealth, and a truly trusting relationship with her new husband. She is faced with a absent stepdaughter who is an enigma, old friends of her husband's first wife who can't quite let go of the past, and dangerous enemies in both her own health and in the neighborhood where she chooses to recuperate from surgery. All the strands of the story are skillfully woven into a promising ending, complete with surprises of its own. As in other works from this author, the reader gains from Voices in Summer a comfortably intimate knowledge of some charming, and charmed, people, as well as a delightfully engrossing tale. A perfect vacation read.

Rosamunde Pilcher takes us once again to Cornwall, her idyllic kingdom where the people chase away problems with cups of teas and work out frustrations by deadheading their roses. It's a friendly, compassionate world where family is the most important commodity. Laura Haverstock, a thirty-something newlywed in London, has to have surgery at the same time she and her new husband are planning a trip to Scotland with his oldest and dearest friends. Laura has never fit in with the group, in part because they were close friends with husband Alec's first wife. Not wanting to keep him from making the annual trip, she agrees to recuperate in the tranquil home of his Uncle Gerald, a retired Admiral living in Cornwall. Gerald's new wife, Eve, is never one to turn away a stray, so also living on the grounds are her dashingly handsome son Ivan, a free spirted flute player and her infant son, and Eve's former nanny who is growing more senile by the day. In addition to these characters, there is a lonely neighbor nearby and a long-lost daughter who arrives from America via the Caribbean. It isn't long before poison pen letters start arriving and the accusations in them are damning. Could a neighbor be a promiscuous trollop? Could Laura be having an affair with Eve's stepson? Where is all this leading and who is sending the letters? With a touch of Agatha Christie like deftness, Pilcher leads the reader down a garden path and unveils the villain. As in all Pilcher novels, the reader is left uplifted at the end as relationships are strengthened and we can assume that everyone lives happily ever after.

This novel is perhaps, my favorite in my much-loved collection of Rosamunde Pilcher books. It's a departure of sorts from Ms. Pilcher's typical sagas, in that there is a bit of a mystery involved. I LOVE a great mystery! The story begins in London with Laura, married for only six months to Alec, finding she must have immediate surgery and therefore ruining their plans for a vacation to Scotland with a group of her husband's oldest friends. She, INSISTS that Alec go on his annual fishing trip without her which he is reluctant to do; however, only if she will agree to recuperate at the home of his Uncle and Aunt on the coast of Cornwall will he even consider this trip without her. This may seem a bit harsh, but Laura is adament. Insecure Laura, being about fifteen years younger than her new husband, is filled with angst about his first marriage and the friends that knew his first wife. She's also concerned about his mysterious teenaged daughter whom she's not yet met and Alec never mentions. During her stay, Laura begins thinking about her life and all of the feelings that have been bothering her. The relaxing recovery starts to change when a jealous neighbor goes on a plot to ruin Laura's life. The horrible sequence of events are kept secret from Laura, however there are several unhappy moments for her that makes her grow into a stronger individual. As if she doesn't have enough to contend with, Laura is surprised by a visit from her never-before-seen stepdaughter who has her own problem to share with Laura. Rosamunde Pilcher has a wonderful way of writing interesting stories about families; (sometimes) weak women that turn their lives around and become strong. This was usual for Ms. Pilcher in the lovely descriptions; what I really enjoyed was the "who-done-it"!

VOICES IN SUMMER begins in a suburb of London with Laura Haverstock, a thirty something woman who has just learned that she must have surgery immediately. Laura, married only for six months to Alec, had been in the midst of planning their fishing vacation to Scotland with a group of her husband's oldest friends. She insists that Alec go on his annual fishing trip without her which he reluctantly consents to do; however, he will not leave until after her surgery and then only if she will agree to recuperate at the home of his Uncle Gerald on the coast of Cornwall.Laura is about fifteen years younger than her new husband and is filled with worries about his earlier marriage and the friends that knew his first wife. She's also concerned about his teenage daughter who she's not yet met. She's very insecure with her new life! Laura and her little dog, Lucy are made very welcome by Gerald and his wife, Eve. Days are spent relaxing on the patio and swimming at the beach. Eve's son, Ivan is also kind to Laura and takes her on several jaunts around the area. Cornwall is beautiful and Laura finds herself comfortable and basking in the life of a loving family and their social world.As she heals, Laura begins working out her life and how she'll handle all of the situations that have been bothering her. The dreamy vacation starts to change when poison pen letters show up. The writer of the letters makes nasty accusations about Laura and Ivan. In the midst of it all, Laura is also surprised by a visit from her new stepdaughter.Rosamunde Pilcher has a wonderful way of writing interesting stories about families and all of the complex relationships that are involved. She also makes me want to visit Cornwall where many of her books take place..

It's the most enjoyable book I have ever read. I think the way the author describes the landscapes is incredible. The content of the book is very very nice. What I liked most of it, was the annonymous one of the characters used to write. If you read it, I'm sure you'll enjoy it a lot.