Synopsis
A bright new architect betrays the only woman he ever loved for the opportunity to build a grand hotel and then, years later, rushes to her aid and sacrifices everything to repay her for his dishonor
Reviews
British writer Goddard ( Into the Blue ) is a notably literate and imaginative practitioner of the novel of romantic suspense. His books generally feature a long-buried, often tragic secret that is brought to light after complex twists and turns of fate. The narrrator of this increasingly suspenseful story is Geoffrey Staddon, a successful London architect whose soul is scarred by shame over an act he committed a decade before. Having fallen in love with the beautiful Brazilian wife of Victor Caswell, for whom he was designing a sumptuous country residence, Geoffrey reneged on his promise to run away with Consuela after being offered a commission that would bring him wealth and public acclaim. Now, learning that Consuela has been accused of the death of her niece and attempted murder of her husband, Geoffrey sees a chance to redeem his craven betrayal by proving her innocence. Becoming once again involved in the affairs of the Caswell family, Geoffrey is drawn into a snare of lies and evil deeds, and participates in events that threaten his own life. Goddard is a fluent writer adept at character portrayal and scenic description (London, Hereford, Cap Ferrat). Though his plot here seems overloaded with loathsome, amoral and ruthless characters, his urbane narrative skill will keep readers happily absorbed.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
A sleekly overstuffed period thriller (England, 1923-24) setting failed architect Geoffrey Staddon the job of making up for having seduced and abandoned Brazilian beauty Consuela Caswell, his first important client's wife, a dozen years before, by getting her off from the charge of having poisoned her niece Rosemary while trying to kill her hated husband Victor. As he outlines the airtight case against Consuela, Staddon interrupts himself to recall happier times before he threw her over to avoid losing the commission to design the London hotel that marked the beginning of his premature professional and personal decline--the hotel was destroyed in the war, and Staddon married his client's narcissistic daughter Angela. Called to action by Consuela's young daughter (and maybe his own), Jacinta, Staddon runs up to mellow Clouds Frome in Victor's absence, barges in on the domestic staff, antagonizes Rosemary's retiring father Mortimer and malevolent brother Spencer, and contrives a meeting with Victor at Cap Ferrat just in time to allow Victor's scoundrelly friend Major Royston Turnbull to seduce Rosemary. From that point on it's a story all too familiar to readers of Goddard's Painting the Darkness (1989), as Staddon's determination to clear Consuela's name (although she's forbidden him even to visit her in prison) leads him to lose everything he's taken for granted--his wife, his home, his peace of mind (he'll discover that Victor knew about his affair from the beginning), and eventually his freedom, as he's threatened with jail for theft (a break-in to Clouds Frome with the help of Consuela's penny-dreadful brother Rodrigo) and homicide (as somebody finally succeeds in poisoning Victor)--all served up in a heady brew of legal maneuvering, midnight assignations, wicked servants, domestic conspiracies, and plummy prose (``To lose Consuela or to sacrifice fame. Each chalice was poisoned, each decision foredoomed''). Irresistible hokum. -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
The year is 1923 and prominent London architect Geoffrey Staddon is amazed to read in the newspaper about an old friend, Consuela Caswell, who is accused of poisoning her niece and attempting to murder her husband. Thirteen years earlier, Geoffrey had designed and built a magnificent manor home for the Caswells where he fell in love with Consuela. A beautiful Brazilian, Consuela's marriage to Victor Caswell was an arranged and unhappy one. Desperate to escape her unbearable life, Consuela and Geoffrey planned to run away together, but at the final moment, Geoffrey betrayed her for his career. Now it is up to Geoffrey to repay his debt to Consuela by proving her innocent of a crime he is certain she did not commit. The characters in Goddard's ( Painting the Darkness, LJ 9/1/89) taut, well-crafted tale are credible and the unexpected twists in the plot will keep readers turning the pages. Highly recommended.
- Maria A. Perez-Stable, West ern Michigan Univ. Libs., Kalamazoo
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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