This debut page-turner from Australian Morton recounts the crumbling of a prominent British family as seen through the eyes of one of its servants. At 14, Grace Reeves leaves home to work for her mother's former employers at Riverton House. She is the same age as Hannah, the headstrong middle child who visits her uncle, Lord Ashbury, at Riverton House with her siblings Emmeline and David. Fascinated, Grace observes their comings and goings and, as an invisible maid, is privy to the secrets she will spend a lifetime pretending to forget. But when a filmmaker working on a movie about the family contacts a 98-year-old Grace to fact-check particulars, the memories come swirling back. The plot largely revolves around sisters Hannah and Emmeline, who were present when a family friend, the young poet R.S. Hunter, allegedly committed suicide at Riverton. Grace hints throughout the narrative that no one knows the real story, and as she chronicles Hannah's schemes to have her own life and the curdling of younger Emmeline's jealousy, the truth about the poet's death is revealed. Morton triumphs with a riveting plot, a touching but tense love story and a haunting ending. (Apr.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Participants Ray:

1. mafarrimond UK (EU-shipping)
2. Icila France (thank you for shipping int'l)
3. Maranlin Canada (thank you for shipping int'l)
3. emmmersss USA (thank you for shipping int'l)
4. iwillrejoice USA (shipping in North America)
5. valpete USA (thank you for shipping int'l)
6. Hayes13 Italy (EU-shipping)
7. Qantaqa Germany (EU-shipping but would prefer to be last)

The book starts its journey tomorrow. Hope you all enjoy it.

I had forgotton about the ray and have bought myself a copy in the mean time. I will send it directly onto Icila as soon as I get an address.

Thank you for sending it on to me.

Posting on to Icila. Enjoy!

My mailwoman delivered it this morning. Thanks !

From the first page the book reminds me of Rebecca, the author herself tells us that she read a lot of Daphne du Maurier.
Very interesting work about the gap between the classes until the preWWII.

On its way under care of the post office.

Received the book today in the mail. Thanks, Icila! I am finishing another bookring and will read this one next. Looking forward to it!

I really enjoyed reading this book. As the mystery unfolded, especially towards the end, I found it hard to put down. Thank you for including me in this bookray. I am still awaiting the mailing information for the next reader.

I didn't hear back from the next reader, emmmersss for a few days. Turns out she was having internet issues. She has asked to be skipped. Therefore, the book has been mailed today to iwillrejoice in Florida. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. Thanks, LilyKip for sharing.

Received this in today's mail - Thanks! I'm looking forward to reading it!

I enjoyed this book, but I will say that, at least in the beginning, I thought it must be the basis for the television series "Upstairs, Downstairs," as some scenes in the book were pretty similar to scenes in the show.

Good story. Thanks for letting me be a part of your book ray!

I'll PM valpete for her mailing info, & send it on as soon as I hear.

Released to valpete in California as next in this book ray. Happy travels, book!

I received this today. I won't be able to get to it for a while, since I have a few before it. If I keep it too long, please send me a reminder, and I'll send it on its way.

M apologies for keeping this so long. Unfortunately, life got in the way.

I've now read it (mildly enjoyed it) and have sent a PM to the next reader. Soon to be on its way again. Thanks for including me in this Ray and for being so patient!

Hayes13 asked to be skipped, so it's off to Qantaga.

For your holiday reading...Enjoy!

The book arrived safely, thanks a lot for sending and for the book ray! I enjoyed "The Forgotten Garden" a lot, so I'm very much looking forward to reading this book.

The book is here with me now - qantaqa is dismounting her personal MTBR ;-)
I have read this book (a different ring then) some while ago - so I will see what happens with this one!

And now it will be going as a RABCK over the ocean to the US -
enjoy!

Apparently I have had this book for quite some time and never journaled that I received it.

I enjoyed the way the story unfolded, between the past and present. The story was engaging as the mystery of the dead poet slowly began to unravel. I can't say I was completely surprised by the ending, as I had somewhat figured out what had happened. Although I hadn't fully figured out the "why" until those details were revealed.

Adding to the first sentence Wrap it Up Bookbox. The first sentence:

"Last November I had a nightmare."

From the first sentence book box.
I might like this.