The Forgotten Garden (↑)

I've finished another novel. It's a mystery. But not like others I've read which are about solving the mystery of a serial killer, or something. It's more the unravelling of an unknown past. I'm always amazed at authors and how they are able to create intricate stories in a way that I wouldn't be able to. I've tried writing stories, but most of mine tend to be fluff, no real substance, no intricate details, or twisting plot lines. I suppose if I had a really vivid imagination, or just put my mind to it, I'm sure I could come up with a lovely little tale, but I really have no urge. Anyway, this novel didn't really have many faults. Sometimes I found that it dragged on, and it was one of those books that you really have to read about 100 pages before you're really into the book. I also found at times that it was a tad long (500+ pages), but I wasn't ready to count down the pages when I was nearing the end.

I guess I should introduce the novel by saying what the title was and the author's name. It's The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton. The novel follows a woman named Cassandra who is attempting to unravel the unknown past of her grandmother after she passed away. It starts out in Australia, but moves to a coastal fishing village in Cornwall. It involves the story-telling of 3 generations of that family, and it switched between 3 times: early 1900's, 1970's and the present (well 2005). It's told incredibly well, and has many twists and turns along the way. Although it was a mystery, I figured out the main mystery quite easily and before the main characters, but of course, I found out mostly because I had the background story to go from, unlike Cassandra who only had information of family members, and other minor characters to go from. The minor details I didn't figure out until the very end, not that that really mattered much.

All in all, it's a well written novel and I would recommend it to friends who want a good old fashioned family mystery novel. Anyway, until next time, Happy Reading!