The Garden of Lost and Found
Nightingale House, 1919. Liddy Horner discovers her husband, the world-famous artist Sir Edward Horner, burning his best-known painting The Garden of Lost and Found days before his sudden death.
Nightingale House was the Horner family's beloved home - a gem of design created to inspire happiness - and it was here Ned painted TheGarden of Lost and Found, capturing his children on a perfect day, playing in the rambling Eden he and Liddy made for them.
One magical moment. Before it all came tumbling down...
When Ned and Liddy's great-granddaughter Juliet is sent the key to Nightingale House, she opens the door onto a forgotten world. The house holds its mysteries close but she is in search of answers. For who would choose to destroy what they love most? Whether Ned's masterpiece - or, in Juliet's case, her own children's happiness.
Something shattered this corner of paradise. But what?
I really liked the synopsis of this book, but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations.
I don't care for books that jump back and forwards between time zones, the only purpose that seems to serve is to make for a longer book. The book was supposedly 320 pages, but I think it was twice this length.
The characters were confusing, who was related to whom. I didn't particularly like any of them, none of them stood out. All this, my love, darling etc became rather nauseous after a while.
It was a shame as the idea was good, but poorly executed. It didn't grip you, and for a book that length it really does need to.
My copy of the book was full of typos and badly formatted. One word on a line and then when conversations were going on, both on the same line. Confusing, but maybe that will be sorted for the production copy. Another big bug bear is lots of use of Italics. Very difficult to read for some people. The book also finished rather abruptly, and felt very odd.
My copy was provided by NetGalley for review.