Season of Storms. Finished 10-7-18, 4/5 stars, romance, pub. 2001

First published in 2001, this lush novel of romantic suspense from Kearsley (The Splendour Falls) intertwines contemporary and historical narratives in northern Italy. In 1921, actress Celia Sands disappears for good just before opening night of the play written for her by her famous lover, Galeazzo D’Ascanio. Some 50 years later, the writer’s wealthy grandson, Alessandro D’Ascanio, decides to produce the play in the same setting: the theater his grandfather built on the family estate, Il Piacere. He invites a struggling young British actress also named Celia Sands, in homage to the earlier performer, to play the lead. Celia arrives at Il Piacere to find that two of its servants have gone missing, her predecessor’s ghost walks, and many of those around the estate—including D’Ascanio, to whom she’s strongly attracted—conceal dark secrets. The rich historical mystery and brooding atmosphere more than compensate for the improbable, overly elaborate premise. Agent: Shawna McCarthy, Shawna McCarthy Agency.

Any book that takes me to Italy starts as a winner and when Kearsley does it, well, don’t talk to me until I’ve turned the last page.  This one felt different than all of her others, there was a gothic atmosphere that I always like.  As much as I liked the setting and the dark nature of it, I do agree with the agent who wrote the summary above, it may have been overly done.  Still Italy and Kearsley will always save a bad day and I’m glad I read it.

I know these ‘reviews’ are very short and not really helpful to you but I’m trying to get them all done before the end of the year when I start to do summaries and favorites lists. This is the last one I’ve finished this year although I’m guessing I’ll finish one, maybe two, more.  How many do you think you’ll finish in the next week?