Quentin and Lottie Bredin, like many modern couples, can't afford to divorce. Having lost their jobs in the recession, they can't afford to go on living in London; instead, they must downsize and move their three children to a house in a remote part of Devon. Arrogant and adulterous, Quentin can't understand why Lottie is so angry; devastated and humiliated, Lottie feels herself to have been intolerably wounded.

Mud, mice and quarrels are one thing - but why is their rent so low? What is the mystery surrounding their unappealing new home? The beauty of the landscape is ravishing, yet it conceals a dark side involving poverty, revenge, abuse and violence which will rise up to threaten them.

A fascinating insight into family life and what happens when everything falls apart.

I apologize but I was unable to get into this book so have not left any public reviews. I am removing older books from my profile and I am sorry that I was unable to read more of them. I will be more judicious in the future about which books I request and will keep up with publishing my reviews.

The story starts off in London and we follow the fortunes of Lottie and Quentin Bredin. Quentin has had a number of affairs and the couple would divorce but Quentin has just arrived back from America without a job and Lottie has been made redundant. Lottie has a teenage son by a previous relationship and Lottie and Quentin have two young daughters.

The family decide that they are going to rent out their very large London house and rent a smaller cottage in Devon. The cottage is offered at a very low rent and it turns out that this is because the previous resident was murdered, beheaded in fact. The body was found at the cottage but the head was never found.

The family settle into country life. Lottie is offered a position as an architect. Quentin works freelance as a journalist but his dislike of country living is apparent. Their daughters soon adapt to attending the local primary school. We follow the fortunes of the family members and meet various residents of the village.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It starts at a cracking pace and there are some beautiful descriptions of the countryside. I felt that the book meandered a little half way through but it finished strongly with some surprising twists and turns.

Kanga

Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review

Good story of how life takes many turns and how you must adapt to them. Liked the character of Lottie, even though she was controlling.

This book brings up the age old question.....what is best....love or money. Is there ever 100% true happiness in either without the other. This was a great read and the mystery of why this family moved to where it did was what kept you reading. Loved watching these families and their lives entwine.

Lottie and Quentin Bredin are at a crossroads in their relationship. Quentin has been unfaithful and Lottie wants a divorce but although on paper they appear comfortable, their only major asset is their house in London and bother have recently lost their jobs. Renting out the house and moving to Devon seems to be a compromise but as Lottie gains her independence, Quentin is tied to his dying father. Meanwhile there is the matter of the murder that took place at their rental...

In theory this book shouldn't work at all, Craig has managed to cram in every cliche about modern life into one volume. Racism in the country? Migrant workers from Eastern Europe? Factory food? Infidelity? Child abuse? Murder? The truth about the rural idyll? Even broadband issues get a look in. Yet it works incredibly well simply because Craig is an engaging writer.

An interesting idea. I must have misread the blurb as I got the impression there may be a more ghostly element to the novel. This did not detract from the novel, which was engaging and well written. The multiple narrators did not seem to add anything and were confusing at first, however, the reasons for this became clear even if I remain slightly unconvinced. At first I was not keen on any of the main characters, however, they wormed their way into balanced characters with flaws but also insecurities which made for an interesting read.

This story of the secrets and lies in a marriage was well written, but I feel like I have read the same kind of story many times before. That said, there were lots of intriguing plotlines. I would recommend this to readers of novels by writers like Helen Dunmore, Joanne Harris and Gail Godwin.

Have you been there? No longer in love with your spouse, but unable to divorce because of financial reasons? It’s more common than people think and in this story, Quentin and Lottie Bredin, who both lost their jobs, can’t afford to live in London anymore and must find a place for themselves and their three children to live. Quentin is a rotter and Lottie has come to hate him, but needs must, and they find a bargain priced house to rent in Devon. It’s not the greatest house, but more disturbing than its physical condition are the rumors surrounding it. This is a story that defies genre typing, all I can say is that once you start it, you’ll be compelled to finish