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Thursday, July 28, 2022

Book review of A Summer of Castles by Rachel Walkley

French Village Diaries book review A Summer of Castles Rachel Walkley
A Summer of Castles by Rachel Walkley


A Summer of Castles

A Summer of Castles. A secret in ruins.

 

At the beginning of the sultry 2003 English summer, Robyn Yates quits her job to photograph fifteen castles for a man she’s never met. A man who won’t tell her his real name. 

 

What motivates her is an unusual ability she can’t explain nor understand. Somebody does though and is keen to exploit her secret.

 

But Robyn isn’t alone on her journey. An artist is painting pictures of the same castles. Wherever she goes, so does he, like a stalker. But is he dangerous? And could this man be the same person who wants her photographs? 

 

She decides to challenge him, never anticipating that the confrontation will change the path of both of their lives.

 

The stifling summer will eventually end, but will Robyn find out the truth in time?



French Village Diaries book review A Summer of Castles Rachel Walkley
A Summer of Castles by Rachel Walkley

 

My Review 

This book might not have a French twist, but as part of my summer working in the chateau, I couldn’t resist a book all about a summer spent visiting and photographing chateaux sorry castles in the north of England.

 

This book had a strong sense of place, with the sticky summer heat, the hard, cold stone, and the often remote locations photographer Robyn is sent to. The backdrop of the ancient castles perfectly matched the mystery and intrigue, that grabbed me from the start and which I found quite dark in places too. I enjoyed the slow unfolding of the story as we got to meet the characters of Robyn and the artist, and I became as desperate as she was to understand the link between their reasons for being where they are this summer.

 

It is the stones and structures of old buildings that talk to me, for Robyn, it was something entirely different, that I won’t spoil here, but I will say, her ‘gift’ added an extra layer of enjoyment and interest for me. Likewise, the snippets of history from the old guidebook she carries with her, that were slotted neatly into the chapters.

 

This book might not have been what I was expecting when I began reading it, but I certainly enjoyed the surprises and twists. If you are looking for a summer read with a bit of a difference, take yourself away with Robyn in A Summer of Castles.


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French Village Diaries book review A Summer of Castles Rachel Walkley
Rachel Walkley

 

Author Bio 

 

Aspiring writer who pens Women's Fiction and magical tales about family secrets.

 

What else?

 

An East Anglian turned Northerner - almost.

 

Information professional, always.

 

Biologist, in my memories.

 

Archivist, when required.

 

Amateur pianist and flautist.

 

Reluctant gardener.

 

Scribbler of pictures.

 

And forever.... a mother and wife.

 

Oh, not forgetting, cat lover!

 

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