A Step in the Dark [Paperback]

Judith Lennox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007

A powerful family drama set in India and Scotland, this novel follows young Bess Ravenhart, recently widowed, as she sails from India to Britain to set up a home. Though Bess makes a new life in Edinburgh and knows the joy and pain of motherhood, she can't forget about the boy she left behind in India. When Frazer, the man she left her son with, travels to Scotland 20 years later, it seems Bess's dreams of a reconciliation will come true. But Frazer trails danger in his wake, and soon he and Bess and her whole family will live to rue the day of his return.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The unforgettable story of the secrets that can bind a family or ultimately destroy one' -- Reading Evening Post 20060831 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Shirley Hughes is an illustrator and writer. She is the author of Lucy and Tom's Day.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: Headline Book Publishing (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 075533132X
• ISBN-13: 978-0755331321
• Product Dimensions: 1.5 x 5.2 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #743,290 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful!, June 29, 2008

By 

S.H. "tris" - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Step in the Dark (Paperback)

I bought this book a year ago and fell in love with its characters. It's practically in tatters now from how much its been passed around with friends and family. I couldnt beleive it when I saw that it had yet to be reveiwed! It's an uplifting story filled with the happiness and sorrow of a woman in the early 1900's. Her ability to cope with the difficulties thrown her way is almost inspirational, and many other characters in the book are not only endearing, but complex. Its easy to place youself in their shoes and get lost in the story. A wonderful read and a truly beautiful book overall!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From colonial India to a whodunnit, September 5, 2009

By 

Sarakani (Harrow United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Step in the Dark (Paperback)

From the moment I picked it up, I could not put it down. Hard though it was, I was compelled to finish it off from one afternoon to the next morning at the cost of a few social engagements. Bess Ravenheart is guilt ridden at having abandoned her son to Cory Ravenheart, who steals him away from her. A loss that Bess will regret to the end of her days. She remarries again and again producing a happy brood of children with tales of romance largely set in Edinburgh. Her son returns to her unexpectedly with a brooding castle in Perth as part of his inheritance. Into this steps his grown up half sister and tales of passion as Britain drifts towards the second world war.

Weaving the backdrop of history from Colonial India to the First World War, to the strikes and the economic depression of the 30s, Lennox weaves a rich tapestry of information centered on families, romance and relationships. The one point I may question is her assertion of the Luftwaffe bombing radar stations - had they invented radar that early?

Convincing, page turning moving from romance to a detective tale and satisfyingly, the ends are all tied together, almost too late as the book draws to a close given its long rambling, yet good humored style.

Lennox writes with the skill of Iris Murdoch, a tale of India, cold Scotland, a large estate and the chief protagonist, Bess from around 1914 to perhaps 1965 or so. This book is about the UK, about the British at their best except for when they seem to drink too much. There is much darkness and intricate beauty in the characters, especially the female ones that Lennox skilfully conjures up.

Yes, she conjures most of it up cleverly, in a rich, historic yarn of love and colour.

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, as always, June 22, 2011

By 

Marilyn F. Champine - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Step in the Dark (Paperback)

I haven't read a Lennox book that I haven't loved from beginning to end. I only wish there were more.