The Orchid House

Author: Lucinda Riley
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Atria Books, 2012
Pages: 464
Rating: Highly Recommend


Synopsis: Spanning from the 1930s to the present day, from the Wharton Park estate in England to Thailand, this sweeping novel tells the tale of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets are revealed, leading to devastating consequences.

As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the hothouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate where her grandfather tended exotic orchids. Years later, while struggling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There she reunites with Kit Crawford, heir to the estate and her possible salvation.

When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to learn the truth behind a love affair that almost destroyed the estate. Their search takes them back to the 1940s when Harry, a former heir to Wharton Park, married his young society bride, Olivia, on the eve of World War II. When the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt for generations to come.

This atmospheric story alternates between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II. Filled with twists and turns, passions and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a beautiful, romantic, and poignant novel.

Review: FABULOUS. What an amazing story. No wonder it's an international best seller. I wish I had Lucinda Riley's talent for storytelling.

Mystery, romance, adventure. This book has it all.

I rarely scramble to read an author back-to-back, but I'm wondering how I'm going to wait for her next novel which isn't due out until October.