The Legacy - Katherine Webb

In the depths of a harsh winter Erica and Beth Calcott return to the house where they spent idyllic summers as children. 

As Erica sorts through her late grandmother's belongings, strange fragments of family history, and vivid memories. break the surface of the present day.

Memories of their cousin, Henry, who disappeared one summer long ago.

Of their grandmother, a bitter women, full of deep, dark hatred.

As Erica sifts through remnants of the past, a secret emerges, reaching all the way back to a beautiful heiress in turn-of-the-century Oklahoma. As past and present converge, Erica and Beth must come to terms with two terrible acts of betrayal - and the heartbreaking legacy left behind. 

Published by: ORION - Fiction
Year: Paperback 2010
Pages: 422
ISBN: 978-1-4091-1716-2


Summary
In the winter of 2009, following the death of their grandmother, two sisters Erica and Beth Calcott return to Storton Manor situated in the County of Wiltshire.  When Erica begins to sort through her grandmother's things she discovers an old photograph of her great-grandmother Caroline and a small child with a date of 1904 on the back, nobody know's who this child is and Erica knows that her great-grandparents did not marry until 1905 so who is this child and what became of him,  she also  finds herself thinking back to her childhood and of her Cousin Henry who disappeared one summers afternoon.never to be found.  



Conclusion

Although this is a slightly older book, I was given it  in a book swap by a work colleague who said she thought I would enjoy reading it.  I found it to be a very good  and I could see why she thought I would enjoy it.  The lies and deceit told by their late great-grandmother make a compelling story.  I liked the way in which it swapped from present day back to the turn of the century. You discover what turned a young beautiful heiress with her whole life a head of her into a bitter and twisted women full of hatred. You also get to learn about the troubled lives of the two grand daughters Erica and Beth as they unfold the truth behind the lies.  I would recommend 'The Legacy; as a good read.