The Woman in the Painting
In 1645 Islip, England, Catherine has been raising her daughter alone for the last two years, ever since the death of her husband, John. She is quite unprepared for the attentions of Thomas Marlow, the son of a titled landowner. Despite her protests, Thomas gives Catherine a ring, a talisman of protection, and their attraction begins to grow. As Catherine faces her feelings for Thomas and tries to deal with the backlash from both of their families and the whole town, she continues to wear his ring around her neck.
In the present day, Hannah finds a ring buried in her yard during a construction project. She is not only intrigued but seems to have a physical connection to it. As she begins to investigate the history of the ring, new people enter her life, and strange things start to happen. Is Hannah in danger? And who can she trust?
The Woman in the Painting is an intriguing dual-timeline novel. The characters come alive, especially Catherine, and the setting in I645 Islip transports the reader to that time and place. The love story between Thomas and Catherine is beautifully told. Themes of love, loss, trust, and starting anew are adeptly woven into this heart-touching story. I felt that the 1645 timeline was stronger and more compelling than the present-day timeline, but the book works well overall. The descriptions of life and customs in 1645 make the whole town spring to life. The novel is well-researched, and the English Civil War is incorporated skillfully into the story. Recommended to fans of romance and British history.
