Helpful Score: 2
I've read some of Stephanie Barron's mysteries before, and this book is slightly more ambitious, but also satisfying. Jo Bellamy, an American landscaper arrives at Sissinghurst (the former home of Harold Nicholson and Vita Sackville-West and their family) in England to study and copy the famous White Garden for a client. Jo is still reeling from the suicide of her grandfather two months before, a suicide which took place just days after she informed him that she would be traveling to Sissinghurst.
In a pile of debris in a shed at Sissinghurst, Jo uncovers a notebook with her grandfather's name on it. The notebook appears to have been written by Vita's friend Virginia Woolf--except that the book is dated *after* Woolf's suicide in 1941.
With the help of an attractive books expert from Sotheby's, Jo tries to solve the mystery of her grandfather and Virginia Woolf. Barron gives an entertaining twist to the lives of Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Sackville-West, Nicholson, John Maynard Keynes, and the world of Bloombury. A fun literary mystery.
In a pile of debris in a shed at Sissinghurst, Jo uncovers a notebook with her grandfather's name on it. The notebook appears to have been written by Vita's friend Virginia Woolf--except that the book is dated *after* Woolf's suicide in 1941.
With the help of an attractive books expert from Sotheby's, Jo tries to solve the mystery of her grandfather and Virginia Woolf. Barron gives an entertaining twist to the lives of Virginia and Leonard Woolf, Sackville-West, Nicholson, John Maynard Keynes, and the world of Bloombury. A fun literary mystery.
Ambitious, utterly absorbing literary mystery surrounding the death of Virginia Woolf. Well written and it left me wanting to know so much more about Virginia Woolf, Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicholson. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys literary mysteries -- It's a good un!
This book features American landscape designer Jo Bellamy, who has travelled to England to reproduce the famous White Garden at Sissinghurst estate for one of her clients. Jo also has a personal interest in the job, when she learns that her grandfather worked at the Sissinghurst Estate when he was a young man. The story rapidly turns into an adventure story (reminding me a bit of a Dan Brown-type story) when Jo discovers a hertofore unknown manuscript that appears to be written by Virginia Woolf, and it appears that is was written AFTER Virginia supposedly commited suicide. I really enjoyed this story!
great exciting and fast read! what ever happened to Virginia Woolf? this a fictional account of what the author thinks could have happened at the time of her death. the author frequently jumps from past to present and make time seem inconsequential. it kind of reminded me of a 1940's english davinci code. enjoy!
