The Memory Garden - Rachel Hore

Lamorna Cove - a tiny bay in Cornwall, picturesque, unspoilt. A hundred years ago it was the haunt of a colony of artists. Today, Mel Pentreath hopes it is a place where she can escape the pain of her mother's death and a broken love affair, and gradually put her life back together. Renting a cottage in the enchanting but overgrown grounds of Merryn Hall, Mel embraces her new surroundings and offers to help her landlord, Patrick Winterton, restore the garden. Soon she is daring to believe her life can be rebuilt. Then Patrick finds some old paintings in an attic, and as he and Mel investigate the identity of the artist, they are drawn into an extraordinary tale of illicit passion and thwarted ambition from a century ago, a tale that resonates in their own lives. But how long can Mel's idyll last before reality breaks in and everything is threatened?

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK - Kindle Edition
Year: 2012
Pages: 430
ISBN: 1849835322

Summary

Mel Pentreath works as a University Lecturer, but takes some time out to carry out research on the Cornish Artists of Lamorna Cove in Cornwall. She hopes that it will help her recover from the death of her mother and the ending of a long term relationship. She rents a cottage in the grounds of Merryn Hall owned by Patrick Winterton.  Mel has a passion for gardening and in between working on her research offers to help her landbord to rediscover the overgrown gardens.  Together they unfold the mysteries of the gardens and discover the identity of the artist responsible for paintings discovered in the attic and the sad life of a young servant girl of Merryn Hall.  Inevitably there is an attraction between Mel and Patrick but will their pasts allow them to be happy together.  Well if you want to know that you'll have to read the book.

A good summer holiday read.  Not too taxing on the grey matter.  Not one that grips you so much that you can't put it down but an easy read.  

Show More

Show Less