'The Legacy' is one of the latest books in a fairly ubiquitous genre of novels involving a dual narrative; following both a contemporary story and a narrative focusing on the past. As a genre (or sub genre?) this is absolutely my favourite style of novel when it is in done well. I absolutely love the unravelling of the past, the family secrets, the romance, the mystery and, of course, the presence of a big house full of servants and scandal. It is kind of like reading an old fashioned classic (such as 'Jane Eyre') but in easier to read English, and with the presence of a contemporary tale too. As I said, however, this is my favourite genre when it is done ...  Read the complete review

The Legacy is one of the TV book clubs Summer Reads so I bought it expecting it to be a stonking good read and I did enjoy it but it wasn't as good as I thought it would be. At the time of reading I was reluctant to put it down, and every chapter ended with something that made me want to read on, but I have since read another book from the same list and find that this one is now not as good in comparison. THE STORY Actually this book is two stories in one. Each chapter is split into two parts, the first half of each chapter is set in modern day Wiltshire and the second half in early 1900s America. In modern day Wiltshire Erica and her older sister Beth ...  Read the complete review

When Erica and Beth Calcott's domineering grandmother dies, it falls to them to sort through her belongings at Storton Manor; their late grandmother's home and the house the girls have not returned to since their cousin Henry disappeared when they were children. As the sisters discover more about their grandmother and her history they have to come to terms with the repercussions of a decision made years before and an act of betrayal centred on the sisters themselves. A second narrative running parallel to the main story follows the life of the sisters' great grandmother Caroline and the tragic events that brought her from America to the English stately home of ...  Read the complete review

This story is a tale of family secrets and how they can effect generations of the same family. It is split between the early 1900's and present day. The main characters are Erica and Beth Calcott and their great grand mother Caroline. The story of the sisters centre's around Storton Manor, the house they have inherited from their grandmother, and is infused with chapter's about Caroline's life. The sisters know nothing about Caroline's life and have no idea that what she did many years ago would intertwine with their lives now. Caroline is portrayed by the main character Erica as a bitter and twisted old woman that she only saw a few times during her ...  Read the complete review