The history of the Alardyce family is fraught with scandal and intrigue.
But after her eldest son Robert leaves the country, finally Amy Alardyce can enjoy some peace.
Robert is wanted by the police for some unspeakable crimes, and his family hope he has run far enough and never looks back.
A decade after his disappearance, Robert has forged a successful life for himself, making his fortune from the diamond and gold mines of Africa. But when he sees a death notice in the newspaper, the call to go home to Scotland grows ever louder.
At Alardyce House, there are big changes too, and the fragile peace the family have enjoyed for so long is feeling more fragile than ever. And as the past comes back to haunt Amy and her children, will she have to finally accept that the curse of the Alardcye family can never be outrun…
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Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books – predominantly in the crime fiction genre.
Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Her gangland series for Boldwood, set on the fictional Gallowburn estate in Glasgow begins with the title Blood Brothers.
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My thoughts: eventually Robert had to come home. Twelve years after fleeing to South America and then to South Africa, he returns to Scotland. To the Alardyce estate and to the scene of his terrible crimes. But things have changed. His younger siblings are no longer children, awed and delighted by him, his wife wants a divorce and his daughter doesn’t know him. Even his mother Amy is no longer always on his side.
He must show that he has changed, redeemed himself, is no longer a monster. But can he before tragedy sweeps the Alardyce family once more?
This series has some shocking moments and this book is no different, there’s some really sad ones too as some characters reach the end of their lives and the family mourns. Robert expects to walk all over the family, but finds that he’s no longer able to sway everyone.
Amy’s long and difficult life is coming to a close and she is prepared, as long as the sinister ghost of Matthew isn’t there to claim her for his afterlife. Can she do battle with him a final time?
There’s a few endings but also beginnings as the younger generation, raised without so much violence and tragedy, but with love and kindness, come to the fore. They could change the destiny of the Alardyce family for ever. I’ve really enjoyed this series and I’m glad so many loose ends are tied up.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 