Review: Swallowtail Summer

Swallowtail Summer by Erica James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Alistair Lucas is a 60 year old retired lawyer, he inherited a gorgeous old house in the country from his Aunt Cora and he and his two best friends, their wives and children have spent idyllic weekends and holidays at Linston End. After Alistair's wife Orla dies tragically Alistair left England to travel, but now he has returned and his plans will shock and disturb his friends.

Sorrel and Simon Wyatt and their two children Rachel and Callum have spent every holiday at Linston End, except one disastrous summer when Sorrel insisted they went to Brittany, it was an unmitigated disaster and since then there has been no further dissent. But Sorrel bears grudges against Alistair and Orla and the way in which her family has idolised the two of them.

Danny and Frankie Fielding and their daughter Jenna make up the third family. Danny and Frankie have a perfect marriage but after Danny's recent heart attack and enforced retirement their marriage has become a minefield of fear and secrecy.

As the families gather for one last weekend together secrets are spilled, and a catalyst threatens to destroy a friendship that has lasted for fifty years.

This novel was reminiscent of the novel Rebecca, or at least Alistair's wife Orla and the stranger that comes to Linston End both remind me of the first Mrs de Winter, callous, self-absorbed, the life of the party, needy. I also can say that I pretty much disliked every character in this novel, their so-called lifelong friendship seemed based on nothing more than self-interest.

Overall, I thought this novel meandered slowly through the twists and turns of this weird group of so-called friends but the outcome was fairly obvious right from the start and frankly the destination wasn't worth the journey and I was left with a sour taste in my mouth.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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