Judith Kinghorn

In the summer of 1914, Clarissa Granville falls in love against her parents' wishes with Tom Cuthbert, the housekeeper's son, and finds the relationship further tested by the harsh realities of World War I and the post-war dark years.

The Last Summer

"Within weeks letters would be burned, pages torn. Promises would be broken and hearts betrayed. But for now the countryside languished, golden and fading; Cecily Chadwick is idling away the long, hot summer of 1911 when a mysterious countess moves into the large, deserted country house on the edge of her sleepy English village. Rumors abound about the countess's many husbands and lovers, her opulent wealth, and the tragedies that have marked her life. As Cecily gets to know her, she becomes fascinated by the remarkable woman-riveted by her tales of life on the Continent, and of the famous people she once knew. But the countess is clearly troubled by her memories, and by ruinous secrets that haunt her; Staying with the countess is a successful novelist and dear friend who has been summoned to write the countess's memoirs. For aspiring writer Cecily, the novelist's presence only adds to the intrigue of the house. But it is the countess's grandson, Jack, who draws Cecily further into the tangled web of the countesss past, and sweeps her into an uncertain future"--

"Cecily Chadwick is idling away the long, hot summer of 1911 when a mysterious countess moves into the large, deserted country house on the edge of her sleepy English village. Rumors abound about the countess's many husbands and lovers, her opulent wealth, and the tragedies that have marked her life. As Cecily gets to know her, she becomes fascinated by the remarkable woman--riveted by her tales of life on the Continent, and of the famous people she once knew. But the countess is clearly troubled by her memories, and by ruinous secrets that haunt her.... Staying with the countess is a successful novelist and dear friend who has been summoned to write the countess's memoirs. For aspiring writer Cecily, the novelist's presence only adds to the intrigue of the house. But it is the countess's grandson, Jack, who draws Cecily further into the tangled web of the countess's past, and sweeps her into an uncertain future..."--

The memory of lost senses

An absorbing, evocative and rich period drama of buried secrets and lost love. When a mysterious countess arrives late in life to live at a large, deserted house on the edge of a sleepy Hampshire village, the local tongues start wagging. No one is more intrigued than Cecily Chadwick, idling away the long, hot summer of 1911 with nothing much to do. Cecily is fascinated by the exotic elderly lady and, as she gets to know her, is riveted by her tales of expatriate life on the continent, and of whom she once knew. But the countess is troubled: by her memories, her name, and by anonymous threats to reveal a ruinous secret... It is, she has decided, up to her close friend, a successful novelist who has come to stay for the summer, to put the record straight. For aspiring writer Cecily, the novelist's presence only adds to the intrigue and pull of the house. But it is the countess's grandson, Jack, his unanswered questions about his grandmother's past and his desire to know the truth, that draw Cecily further into the tangled web of the countess's life, and the place known as Temple Hill.

The Memory of Lost Senses

A sweepingly epic and gloriously intimate commercial debut - a beautiful and haunting story of lost innocence and a powerful, enduring love. Clarissa is almost seventeen when the spell of her childhood is broken. It is 1914, the beginning of a blissful, golden summer - and the end of an era. Deyning Park is in its heyday, the large country house filled with the laughter and excitement of privileged youth preparing for a weekend party. When Clarissa meets Tom Cuthbert, home from university and staying with his mother, the housekeeper, she is dazzled. Tom is handsome and enigmatic; he is also an outsider. Ambitious, clever, his sights set on a career in law, Tom is an acute observer, and a man who knows what he wants. For now, that is Clarissa. As Tom and Clarissa's friendship deepens, the wider landscape of political life around them is changing, and another story unfolds: they are not the only people in love. Soon the world - and all that they know - is rocked by a war that changes their lives for ever.

Some sacrifices must never be revealed... In 1914, despite the threat of war in Europe, Pearl Gibson’s future is bright. She has secured a desirable position as a lady’s maid for Lady Ottoline Campbell. Her new role sees her transported from a life of drudgery to the Campbell’s vast Scottish estate. Pearl is quickly drawn into a whirlwind of intrigue, glamour and scandal, as she realises her job requires her to become her lady’s confidante as well as her maid. In the confusing world of the upper classes it is Ottoline’s cousin, Ralph, who Pearl comes to rely on, trust – and love. But when violence erupts in Europe, Pearl and Ottoline’s world is irrevocably changed. As the men in their lives are called to the front line, shocking events unfold at home that both Pearl and Ottoline vow never to reveal. They share a secret that will test their loyalty to one another to breaking point, and will bind them together forever... A captivating story of love and loss set on the eve of the First World War, perfect for fans of Rachel Hore and Penny Vincenzi. Praise for The Echo of Twilight ‘An enchanting, atmospheric work of historical fiction that is a rich blend of Downton Abbey and Jane Eyre. The Echo of Twilight is a wonderful novel to curl up with this winter’ Booklist ‘Kinghorn carefully weaves a story of love and self-discovery... to tell this immersive and historically sound coming-of-age tale’ Publishers Weekly Praise for Judith Kinghorn ‘A sumptuous absorbing tale of love in a time of war’ Rachel Hore ‘An enchanting story of love and war, and the years beyond’ Penny Vincenzi ‘An epic and enthralling love story set against the backdrop of the Great War’ Fanny Blake

The Echo of Twilight

I was almost seventeen when the spell of my childhood was broken...It was the beginning of summer and, unbeknown to any of us then, the end of a belle epoque... In July of 1914, innocent, lovely Clarissa Granville lives with her parents and three brothers in the idyllic isolation of Deyning Park, a grand English country house, where she whiles away her days enjoying house parties, country walks and tennis matches. Clarissa is drawn to Tom Cuthbert, the housekeeper's handsome son. Though her parents disapprove of their upstairs-downstairs friendship, the two are determined to see each other, and they meet in secret to share what becomes a deep and tender romance. But soon the winds of war come to Deyning, as they come to all of Europe. As Tom prepares to join the front lines, neither he nor Clarissa can envision what lies ahead of them in the dark days and years to come. Nor can they imagine how their love will be tested, or how they will treasure the memory of this last, perfect summer.

Can love overcome fate? As Christmas 1926 approaches, the Forbes family are preparing to host a celebration and Eighteen-year-old Daisy senses change in the air. Overnight, her relationship with Stephen Jessop, the housekeeper’s son, changes and by the time the festivities are over Daisy has received a declaration of love, a proposal and a kiss – from three different men. Unable to bear the confusion, she flees to London. By the following summer, Daisy is engaged to the man who to proposed to her the previous year, but when the family reunite for a party and she is brought face-to-face with Stephen once more, it becomes clear to Daisy that she is committing to the wrong person. Will love conquer all, or is Daisy’s fate already written? A beautiful story of enduring love and heartbreaking choices, perfect for fans of Penny Vincenzi and Rachel Hore. Praise for The Snow Globe ‘Kinghorn's novel paints a vivid portrait of love and its perplexing complications... Historical fiction fans will not want to miss this gem’ Renée Rosen ‘An absolutely delicious book... the period is beautifully observed, and we are expertly drawn into a suspenseful blend of tangled relationships and shocking discoveries. Daisy's coming of age in the 'brave new world' of post-war England had me holding my breath. Elegant and evocative to the last word.’ Elizabeth Cooke Praise for Judith Kinghorn ‘A sumptuous absorbing tale of love in a time of war’ Rachel Hore ‘An enchanting story of love and war, and the years beyond’ Penny Vincenzi ‘An epic and enthralling love story set against the backdrop of the Great War’ Fanny Blake 'Judith Kinghorn is one of the best historical fiction writers' Petra I Love to Read

The Snow Globe

1911. A country house. A long, hot summer. A story of love... From the author of The Snow Globe, comes an absorbing, evocative and rich period drama of buried secrets and lost love in an Edwardian summer. The Memory of Lost Senses is perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Rachel Hore. 'Witty, clever and compelling, with a beautiful love story at its heart' - Jane Harris When a mysterious countess arrives late in life to live at a large, deserted house on the edge of a sleepy Hampshire village, the local tongues start wagging. No one is more intrigued than Cecily Chadwick, idling away the long, hot summer of 1911 with nothing much to do. Cecily is fascinated by the exotic elderly lady and, as she gets to know her, is riveted by her tales of expatriate life on the continent, and of whom she once knew. But the countess is troubled: by her memories, her name, and by anonymous threats to reveal a ruinous secret... It is, she has decided, up to her close friend, a successful novelist who has come to stay for the summer, to put the record straight. For aspiring writer Cecily, the novelist's presence only adds to the intrigue and pull of the house. But it is the countess's grandson, Jack, his unanswered questions about his grandmother's past and his desire to know the truth, that draw Cecily further into the tangled web of the countess's life, and the place known as Temple Hill. What readers are saying about The Memory of Lost Senses: 'Oh, how I loved these characters when the story was lifted from the pages to me, crafted in Judith's clear narrative voice' 'A story of love, passion and memories - often unreliable - beautifully told with an effortless languorous feel as the history and drama unfolds' 'A well-structured novel that has been so beautifully written it is well worthy of five stars'

An unforgettable novel of buried secrets from the past

Die letzten Tage des Sommers offenbaren eine Liebe, die gegen alle Regeln ist England 1914. Clarissa Granville ist fast 17, als der Zauber ihrer Kindheit zu verblassen beginnt. An einem der letzten goldenen Tage trifft sie bei einer Gartenparty auf Tom Cuthbert, den Sohn der Haushälterin. Sie verliebt sich Hals über Kopf. Tom ist attraktiv, intelligent und weiß genau, was er will. Und er will Clarissa. Während ihre Liebe langsam wächst, überschlagen sich die politischen Ereignisse, und schon bald wird die Welt von einem Krieg erschüttert, der auch das Leben des jungen Paares für immer verändern wird ...

Judith Kinghorn

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