Thomas, Rosie

With its ensemble cast of old friends and frenemies in an English country house as the seasons change, this comfortably familiar story of aging couples and widows weathering change will appeal to fans of British Aga sagas (think Joanna Trollope and Rosamunde Pilcher) and Deborah Moggach's The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

Thomas (The Kashmir Shawl) does her best with the romantic story, creating a brooding hero and plucky heroine who historical romance fans should enjoy cheering for. The rest of the plot unfortunately feels underdeveloped in comparison, and the novel could have ended much sooner than it does. Thomas's vivid characters and lively pace combined with well-chosen details of theatrical life at the close of the 19th century, however, make this a generally enjoyable lighter read for historical fiction fans with an interest in the late Victorian era or in the lives of "show folk."

Thomas (Lovers and Newcomers) brings India to glorious life in this utterly engrossing and beautifully written epic novel, a best seller in Britain. She moves the story from past to present with ease, never allowing one story line to overwhelm another. Her characters are so interesting and realistic that readers will be reluctant to let them go. Fans of Joanna Trollope and Mary Wesley will enjoy this moving work. [Library marketing.]