Synopsis
In this Victorian dual timeline novel, Amelia Wise feels a jolt when she finds a blue perfume bottle in the overgrown garden of the house she has inherited. Several events in her life mirrors those from the past and, with the help of her newfound cousin, Olivia, the bottle’s secret is uncovered.
My review
This is an enchanting, gentle mystery, but not without some powerful emotions surfacing here and there.
The dual-timeline action takes places half a century apart in 1840 and 1893 and follows the story of the Wise family who lived at Alice Howe. The setting is comfortable middle-class Cumbria, but both branches of the family in the various time periods encounter certain hardships that are daunting but also seem to bring out the best in them.
Our protagonist is Amelia, who is a strong, likeable character, very much of her restrictive time but with rebellion bubbling beneath the surface that portends the coming twentieth century. She’s interesting and draws our interest from the first meeting with her. Some of her relatives are less appealing but nonetheless very rounded and convincing.
The novel revolves around a relatively simple device – the perfume bottle found in the garden that links the time periods – but it is so brilliantly handled by this author that it has great impact. Simplicity really can be the key to a cracking good story! That said, the plot is intelligent and intriguing, and keeps the reader riveted.
This is a very atmospheric and absorbing novel, with a strong family theme, that’s a pleasure to read.
Purchase Links:
UK – https://www.amazon.co.uk/Peacock-Bottle-Angela-Rigley-ebook/dp/B073NT79W2
US – https://www.amazon.com/Peacock-Bottle-Angela-Rigley-ebook/dp/B073NT79W2
About the author
Married to Don, I have 5 children and 9 grandchildren, I live in Derbyshire, England, and enjoy researching my family tree (having found ancestors as far back as 1465), reading, gardening, playing Scrabble, meals out and family gatherings. I am the treasurer of my writing club, Eastwood Writers’ Group, and I also write and record Thoughts for the Day for Radio Nottingham. At church I sing in the choir and am an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, a reader, a flower arranger and a member of the fundraising team for Cafod, my favourite charity. I have written hymns, although I cannot read music.
Social Media Links –
https://www.instagram.com/angelarigleyauthor/
https://www.facebook.com/angierigley/
https://twitter.com/angierigley
https://wordpress.com/view/authoryantics.wordpress.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-rigley-b0322741/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/angelarigley/pins/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14367596.Angela_Rigley
Giveaway to Win 2 x Paperback copes of The Peacock Bottle (UK Only)
*Terms and Conditions –UK entries welcome. Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/33c69494209/
Follow the rest of the tour!
