Lies and Loyalties [Paperback]

Rachel Billington (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2009

One cool March morning in London, Member of Parliament Leo Barr is told that his brother, Charlie, is dead; he has hanged himself from a chestnut tree in the grounds of a mental hospital. His family reacts in different ways: Charlie's mother, Imogen, sees no point in pretending that life is still worth living (he was always her favorite); Leo and his lawyer brother Roland fight, as they always have over Charlie; the fourth brother, Ron, a Catholic priest, must break the news to Charlie's wife, currently in prison. In the days following Charlie's death the conflict builds among members of this diverse and complex family. Above and between them all is the larger-than-life figure of Charlie, who follows no rules, even in death. It becomes clear that his tragedy is only part of a web of mystery and deceit that connects the family—one divided by rivalry and frustrated love and forced, at last, to learn the truth about themselves.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"a gripping tale to satisfy all lovers of a finely twisting plot" DAILY TELEGRAPH "This beautifully written family saga is a poignant read...deals with real issues facing families in Britain today" EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS "An exceptional novel with everything it takes for an intirguing and gripping storyline" TELEGRAPH & ARGUS "This powerful human drama deals with some pressing issues" GOOD BOOK GUIDE

About the Author

Rachel Billington is former president and current vice president of English PEN. Her previous titles include Emma & Knightley, One Summer, The Space Between, There's More to Life, and A Woman's Life.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Orion Publishing (April 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0752893874
• ISBN-13: 978-0752893877
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,500,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Family secrets, September 15, 2008

By 

Beverley Strong (Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lies and Loyalties (Hardcover)

When British MP, Leo Barr is informed of the death of his younger brother, Charley, he rushes to the mental hospital where Charley was a patient, to be told that he had hanged himself from a tree in the garden of the hospital grounds. Upon viewing the body, he is relieved to see that it definitely not Charley, but that Charley is missing and wanted for questioning by the police. Poor brilliant but very loosely hinged Charley had been certain that someone was trying to kill him because of information about a very senior MP which he had passed on to Leo. Leo is convinced that this MP is crooked and feels sure that he will be able to provide proof of the minister's skullduggery. The Barr family consists of mother Imogen, a former Dior model and loved all of her life by many men, her husband Esmond, possible father of all of the children and now bordering on the edge of sanity, top barrister Robert who has his own secret life, MP Leo, Charley, whom Imogen adored, Father Bill, a catholic priest who was given away as a baby to a devout catholic couple and the only girl, Portia. This is a most complex family, each having his own personal problems with just a hint of mental instability running through all of them. It's a well written and interesting book so I must now find others by this excellent writer.