Two sisters living in a remote farmhouse on Bodmin Moor, commission painter
and photographer Rose Trevelyan to paint their portrait.
This book was intriguing from page one. Although I am not as a rule, one for long descriptive passages, reading mysteries for the puzzle, I found the description of the bleakness of driving over Bodmin Moor invoked memories of Cornwall, where I lived for a number of years.
Back home in the fishing community of Newlyn, in South Cornwall, Rose teaching art at an evening class is asked by one of her pupils, who shows particular talent and wishes to pursue a career in art, to speak to his father on his behalf. Casual conversation elicits the information that two of his close relatives disappeared over a year ago. When these two relatives prove to have a direct link with the two sisters Rose's interest is aroused.
Still vulnerable from the death of her husband, Rose is uncertain how she feels about her sometimes lover DI Jack Pearce. With things uneasy between them, Rose pursues her investigations of the missing relatives and as Christmas approaches ponders her feeling towards Jack, which are about to become complicated.
An enjoyable book, particularly if, as I have, you have visited all the places
mentioned.
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Lizzie Hayes
March 2001