When Kate Fansler’s niece Leighton becomes interested in the disappearance of a woman from her usual haunts, Kate agrees to look into the matter, especially as there is a connection to modern English writers. Tracing the woman’s path through her diaries and the novels of the author with whom she was associated, Kate is soon led into a tangle of intrigue, passion and the importance of the solitary life in the modern world….I had difficulty getting into this novel, the eighth in the Kate Fansler series, this time set around the mid-1980s. I’m not sure what put me off, but the story felt disconnected somehow, more a collection of anecdotal meetings and events than an integrated novel. The writing is as crisp and sharp as ever, however, and I will continue my quest to read the entire series; this one so far stands as my least favourite, unfortunately. ( )

another precocious precious dialogue but with a refreshing character in what turns out not to be a murder mystery

okay ( )

This is probably my favorite Amanda Cross book, just because it ended so surprisingly. I grew to like Winifred through Kate. ( )

Loved it! I just love her writing, the dialogue, her ways of looking at life, relationships, academics, etc. If a reader isn't in it for those things, I could see that this book might not hold your attention. I happen to think the ending is perfect. Cross is usually giving us her views about various cultural phenomenon in the process of telling her story and I always find that aspect as if not more interesting than the story itself. In this case she reflects on friendships between women and between women and men. And it is always wonderful to read about strong, smart, independent women. ( )