Short description
Still dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death and her experiences of war-torn London, Olivia Hamilton discovers her own adoption certificate among her mother's effects. She must travel to Australia to find out the truth about her birth.
Long description
In 1894 the SS Arcadia sets sail from Liverpool. On board are Eva Hamilton and her husband Frederick. A newly married couple setting off for a new life in Australia. Only, a few miles from the Western shores of Australia the Arcadia is hit by an unexpected storm...Years later, Olivia Hamilton makes the same journey under very different circumstances. Still dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death and her experiences of war torn London, she has returned to her homeland to discover the truth about her birth. For in her late mother's effects, Olivia has discovered her own adoption certificate. Although Eva was never one for hugs and kisses, Olivia had still grown up in the secure knowledge that her mother loved her. This had more than made up for the fact that her older sister had never hidden her dislike. Was these documents the cause of Irene's antipathy? Now Olivia needs Irene's help to discover the truth about her origins. Only the years have not mellowed her sister's hatred. And while Olivia's is determined to pursue her quest for the truth, like Eva Hamilton all those years ago, she has no idea where this journey will take her...
Review
A good Australian saga that will keep you happily reading all day. Woman's Weekly A gripping read. Lancashire Evening Post Fyfield at her best compelling disturbing but always elegant ... Minette Walters Her knowledge of the workings of the human mind - or more correctly the soul - is second to none. Ian Rankin
Table of contents
- Still dealing with the aftermath of her mother's death and her experiences of war
- torn London, Olivia Hamilton decides to return to her homeland in Australia
- She wants to discover the truth behind a secret cache of documents found amongst her late mother's effects, and needs the help of her family and her mother's old friends to solve the mystery
- But Olivia's older sister, Irene, has always treated her with barely disguised contempt, and the years have not mellowed her hatred
- Could these documents be the cause of Irene's antipathy? While Olivia is determined to pursue her quest, she has no idea what challenges and passions may lie ahead, or where this journey will take her