From Publishers Weekly
Upcher provides more star-crossed lovers in her latest, which is not quite sure whether to be a romance or a mystery. The helpless Orlando, beloved godson of popular writer Victoria Hissey, marries an ambitious young publishing executive named Lindy, whom he meets on holiday. He's her prince charming, but they only know each other a week before they tie the knot. Back in England, Victoria is not sure this is the right move for Orlando. As she puzzles over the relationship, her housekeeper, Peg, struggles to keep Victoria's homes Laybridge House and the Cottage in order and to squelch her daughter Rose's love for Orlando. Creating further difficulty is Orlando's devilishly attractive uncle Bruno, long in love with Victoria but afraid to commit. The novel's ostensible mystery centers around the deaths of Orlando's parents and a "Visitor's Book" kept by former mistresses of the Cottage, but these side plots are only window dressing. The real mystery is whether Victoria and Bruno will ever be on the same wavelength and how long it will take Orlando to discover his true feelings for Rose. For from the first weekend at the Cottage, Lindy does not fit in and has no use for Orlando's life, his friends or his habits. Readers may find themselves sympathizing with brash Lindy rather than with spoiled Orlando or self-absorbed Victoria, but to her credit, Upcher crafts well-rounded if not always likable characters. In spite of the slight disjointedness of the plot and the uncertainty of the story's direction, this is a satisfying read.
Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
Weekends at "The Cottage" are hedonistic retreats for Orlando and his snooty London friends. Everyone does what they want, when they want to, and the only rule is that there are no rules, so when Orlando introduces his demanding and domineering new bride, Lindy, into this sybaritic atmosphere, sparks are bound to fly. As Lindy alienates Orlando's condescending pals, she endangers her nascent marriage, a development eagerly anticipated by Rose, the cook's daughter, who has lusted after Orlando since childhood. Located on the grounds of Laybridge Estate--the mansion belonging to Orlando's romance-writing godmother--life at The Cottage resembles a soap opera, replete with deceitful betrayals, ancient secrets, and mysterious deaths. Indeed, producers of daytime dramas would do well to look to Upcher's labyrinthine novel for inspiration. Amid the bed hopping and back stabbing, Upcher, author, too, of Grace & Favor [BKL Jl 01], populates this fast-paced story with memorable, if rather two-dimensional, characters (assertive, determined women; spoiled, selfish men) whose weekend escapades make for tantalizing reading. Carol Haggas
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
