ONE LAST DANCE by JUDITH LENNOX

ONE LAST DANCE

BY JUDITH LENNOX

THE BLURB:-

As the twentieth century draws to a close, Esme Reddaway knows that she must uncover the truth. A truth that began during the First World War when Devlin Reddaway fell passionately in love with Esme's elder sister Camilla, and promised to rebuild his ancestral home, Rosindell, for her.

But the war changes everything and Devlin returns to England to find that Camilla is engaged to someone else. Angry and vengeful, he marries Esme, who has been secretly in love with him for years.

Esme tries to win Devlin's heart by reviving the annual summer dance. But as the years pass she fears that Rosindell has a malign influence on those who live there, and the revelation of a shocking secret on the night of the dance tears her life apart. Decades later, it is she who must lay the ghosts of Rosindell to rest.

THE REALITY:-

Another great read from the pen of Judith Lennox. I've read most of her books and whilst I don't think this is her best novel, it's certainly not her worst- but then again, she's never written anything that could be described as “rubbish!”

Her style appears to have changed- or maybe evolved would be the better term, as all writers grow and develop over time. She uses the present tense in certain parts of the novel, which some readers have criticized. I personally think that, in the broader sense of the book, it works.

She uses the theme of two sisters becoming involved with the same man. I've seen this thread used before in her novels but in reverse, with a main female character having a close friendship with two brothers both in Written On Glass and, to a lesser extent, in The Shadow Child. I guess that if you are a successful writer who has written loads of books, then you are going to end up repeating some circumstances, especially if those circumstances are close to your heart or seem to “work” for you.

I wonder if the writer was trying to evoke Rebecca-esque feelings, as this novel was set in The Devon countryside (I've never been to Devon- note to self, make the time to holiday in both Devon and Cornwall) and Rosindell Hall ended up being set alight and almost destroyed in a blaze. Whether yes or no, the ghostly Rosindell and its location were very atmospheric and interesting.

There were many characters in this novel and sometimes too many were introduced at once, making the story confusing. I liked the slutty (and heartless) Camilla- every book needs a villain, and it's good to find a female version of one! I could also associate with the almost Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Zoe, with her need for solitude and order and her lack of spontaneity and hate of disorganization. Some of us like to work out exactly what we will be doing at the beginning of each day and don't like changes to routine, and feel threatened by the concept of adventure, so there!

The “secret” part of the story was all too predictable, as was the final ending and revelation of truth. But, all in all, a fantastic and very highly recommended read.