The Peacock Summer by Hannah Richell

THE PEACOCK SUMMER 

by HANNAH RICHELL

This is a beautifully written story about families, secrets and consequences all set within the walls of Cloudesley, a manor house hidden away in the Chiltern Hills. Richell's writing is compelling and she effortlessly weaves together the narratives of the characters, letting their stories gradually reveal themselves and then flawlessy bringing all the threads together. There's nothing more delicious than a story which is set in a large house and there's nothing more delicious than discovering the secrets of the family who lived there. Richell's novel is gorgeous, rich and well worth losing yourself in this summer! 

The Peacock Summer has two main story lines, one begins with Lillian as a young woman and then the second is about sixty years later. When we first meet Lillian, she is twenty six and married to Charles Oberon, owner of Cloudesley. Her marriage is unhappy, her relationship fraught and full of tension and Charles is a cruel husband who cares more for his status, objects and belongings than his young wife. Her only happiness comes from looking after her step-son. When Charles arranges for an artistic to come to the house and begin an ambitious project, Lillian finds herself drawn to this charismatic man and as she gets to spend more time with him, she finds herself unable to deny the attraction and emotional connection between them. And from this point onwards, things become more complicated, more threatening and more heartbreaking for Lillian as she tries to navigate her way through the dilemmas and choices that she now faces.

The second, present day story line, focuses on Maggie Oberon, Lillian's grand-daughter who is called back to Cloudesley to look after Lillian who has fallen ill. What follows is an emotional journey for Maggie as she finds the truth behind the family and realises that all she thought was real, was not actually what it seemed. And the more we learn about Maggie, the more that is revealed about her past and her problems. 

I've read both of Hannah Richell's previous novels - I love her writing and her gift for telling stories about such memorable characters. The Peacock Summer is yet another treat and I was completely caught up in the relationships and dynamics between the characters. Richell always shows such insight when depicting relationships and can convey so much through a few details or carefully chosen observations. In this novel Richell explores marriage, parenthood, relationships and the bonds between families. Lillian is a complex character who immediately gains the reader's sympathy and whose dilemmas and difficulties are conveyed with a deft hand. Maggie also shares this complexity and the way the women's lives are entwined is cleverly handled and expertly explored. Richell takes the time to establish the character's voices, making sure the reader feels part of their lives, able to relate to their situations and completely immerse themselves in the world of Cloudesley.

The prose is just as stunning as the front cover; it is as carefully crafted and as intricately woven as the designs that are painted on the wall of the house. I really enjoyed reading The Peacock Summer, it was a treat, it was a rewarding and hugely enjoyable read and I would recommend that anyone who loves novels with country houses, shadowy secrets, hidden pasts and compelling characters, put this to the top of their 'to read' list. Richell is an author I admire and now I have had my fix, I can't wait for her next book! 

The Peacock Summer is publishing on the 28th June 2018 by Orion. 

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy of the novel.