From Publishers Weekly
A spectral summons leads to family secrets in Cannell's 11th beguiling outing (after The Trouble with Harriet) for British interior decorator Ellie Haskell. Ellie hasn't thought about her late grandmother Sophia's three bridesmaidsARosemary, Thora and JaneAin years. Then she receives a letter from Rosemary telling her that Sophia is trying to contact her from beyond the grave. With her saucy, uninvited helper, Mrs. Malloy, in tow, Ellie travels to the ancient Cambridgeshire village of Knells to investigate. She finds the people of Knells abuzz over the plans of social upstart Sir Clifford Heath, a rapacious financier, to buy up the town in order to turn it into a theme parkAapparently because he has a grudge against the community that snubbed him as a poor lad. From local gossip, Ellie learns that Sir Clifford has links to her own family, in particular the untimely, mysterious death of her mother. With its ancient setting, complicated story, mysterious old houses, hidden diaries, simmering passions, spooky emanations and love matches gone awry, the tale sometimes reads like Wuthering Heights on steroids. Still, Cannell's smooth narration and her appealing, smart-mouthed characters charm you into suspending disbelief. The result is a thoroughly delightful puzzle. Mystery Guild selection; 11-city tour. (June 15)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Book Description
"Rosemary, Thora, and Jane lived at the end of the lane, one was thin, one was fat, and one was very plain." This is how Ellie Haskell remembers her grandmother's three friends, known collectively as "the bridesmaids." She had once asked her mother where the nickname came from and her mother replied, "It's a long story, best forgotten." Every family has its secrets.
Now, thirty years later, a letter from the bridesmaids arrives informing Ellie that her grandmother, Sophia, wishes to make contact. This might have been heartwarming news but for one small detail: Sophia is dead. Ellie sets out to visit the bridesmaids on what becomes a life-changing journey that includes a seance, a hidden diary, and a murder that took place more than fifty years ago.
