I'll See You in Paris

Annie and her mother are preparing to go to England to sell off long-held property; as Annie's mom packs, an old book is discovered. Annie reads the book and becomes engrossed in the world of Gladys Spencer-Churchill, the Duchess of Marlborough, a real-life woman, who was mad, bad, and glorious to know. Several residents of Banbury, the English town where the duchess eventually retreated, help Annie trace the past. Another story underlies the book, involving Pru, the caretaker of the 90-year-old duchess, and Win, a writer attempting a biography of Mrs. Spencer, as the duchess calls herself. Gable (A Paris Apartment) writes an engaging story, and both worlds—Annie's in 2001 and Pru's in 1973—are easy to slide into. Readers will root for both women as they uncover family secrets and discover hidden aspects of themselves. The riddle of the story is easily guessed, but that doesn't distract from the novel's overall charm.