| Title | : | The Girl in the Painting (The Rossetti Mysteries, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 239 |
| Publication | : | Published February 29, 2016 |
Whilst standing engrossed in her favourite Pre-Raphaelite painting – Millais's Ophelia – Cori catches the eye of Tate gallery worker, Simon, who is immediately struck by her resemblance to the red-haired beauty in the famous artwork.
The attraction is mutual, but Cori has other things on her mind. She has recently acquired the diary of Daisy, a Victorian woman with a shocking secret. As Cori reads, it soon becomes apparent that Daisy will stop at nothing to be heard, even outside of the pages of her diary …
Will Simon stick around when life becomes increasingly spooky for Cori, as she moves ever closer to uncovering the truth about Daisy’s connection to the girl in her favourite painting?
The Girl in the Painting (The Rossetti Mysteries, #2) Reviews
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4.5 stars - This is a story that weaves together romance, mystery, obsession and ghosts. Along with a time-slip feature, this one has it all. Cori is a very likable lead and Ms. Ferry pulled me in right from the beginning. I enjoyed learning more about the art world of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and Ms. Ferry shows us in an interesting and intriguing way.
The "ghostly adventures" that Cori is lead through is so well described...very intense! A great read for me from start to finish.
**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.** -
Thank you to Netgalley, Choc lit and Kirsty Ferry for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On Goodreads from today under Karen Whittard and on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date.
What if you thought that you knew a secret that could change history? What would you do? Would you keep it hidden or would you do something about it?
While Cori is busy staring at her favourite picture the Millais Ophelia she is being watched by a member of staff at the Tate who thinks that her resemblance to the beauty in the artwork is breathtaking.
Cori feels the pull between them too. It she is more interested in the diary that she has found which tells the tales of a Victorian woman who has a shocking secret.
As Cori reads more and more of the diary. Daisy the lady from the diary seems more and more determined to get her point across even if it means reaching outside the Wall of the diary.
But will Simon the worker from Tate stick around while things get ET for Cori or will he make a run for it? What is the secret connection of Daisy and the girl in the painting?
This is a great spine fingerling read. It had me looking behind me and I didn't really like reading this one before bed as I found it a little creepy. It moves along really quickly and is ingageing and keeps the reader interested and intrigued all the way through.
I always do enjoy a book that is a bit different from the Norma and something that has diary entries and split times are always a win for me. I really enjoyed this book.
Happy reading everyone -
First book by this author and it was great. Story moved along and kept you very interested and engaged. I liked that it was in London and that Cori had moved there to follow her dreams and to get away from a bad break up while Simon lives there but was also trying to get over a bad break up. Their friend Lizzy tries out her match making skills on them but they are already attracted to each other. Both love art and especially the PBR era and Cori resembles “the girl in the painting”, hence the title of the book and she even might have some ancestry thru a great-great-great- great aunt’s involvement. Cori is given a diary of Daisy’s and the story takes off from there and just gets better and better. This is a ghost story, love story and mystery all rolled into one. I would like to thank the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
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In The Girl In the Painting, Kirsty Ferry too me into a world of art and intrigue! Kirsty writes an intricate tale that took me on a very unexpected journey in The Girl in the Painting.
I really liked the hero and heroine. Simon is an artist working in the Tate gallery who is attracted to Cori from the moment he sees her. Cori has moved to London, following her dreams after heart break with no intention of getting together with anyone else for the time being. Circumstances draw Simon and Cori together though, and the attraction that I could feel between them slowly grows. I liked how they were together and how their relationship evolved. They have a common interest to start with, and from there everything intensifies.
And intensify it does! The world of art is also a world of mystery and secrets at times, and when Cori begins following a long ago trail that starts with a woman in a painting, the pace of The Girl in the Painting really picked up and sucked me in. Trying to find out the truths of the past starts getting scary though, and soon Cori's experiences become exhilarating and thrilling. Kirsty weaves in a big spook factor in a way that makes you think it just might happen... I liked how this was done. The twists in the plot were unexpected and exciting in all the right ways. The mystery of the past draws Cori and Simon closer, as well as a group of friends, and I liked how these people interacted with each other and within the plot of the story. I also really love the setting of this book, and parts of London come to life and are easy to visualize.
The different angles of the plot weave together well, and the pace is great. I felt like nothing else could surprise me in this story, but Kirsty still manages to do just that and draw everything to a powerful, heart fulfilling conclusion. I'd recommend The Girl in the Mirror to any romance reader who likes some supernatural and suspense blended in!
I received a free copy for an honest review. -
Cori starts a new life in London and is renovating a property and planning her future. She is very interested in the Pre-Raphaelite exhibition at the gallery. She meets Simon there and they are instantly attracted and meet each other when she spends time studying the paintings she loves.
The book tackles friendships, romance and a ghostly element and ties them all together really well with the past lives. The story surrounding the original artist and subject were fascinating and I loved the way the story weaved the connections between all the characters and setting.
With many thanks to Choclit and Net Galley for the chance to read this one. I will look out for more by this author. -
4.5 stars
Engrossing time-slip mystery with a focus on Rossetti and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. If you have interest at all in this, it's a must read. I didn't know much about it, but it didn't detract from my enjoyment and I found it a great read. In fact, I learned a little :)
Cori was a likable character under attack from a ghostly presence. You really feel her anguish and confusion as she tries to figure things out and regain her regular life. The mystery was compelling with unique historical details. Recommended!
Reminded me a little of a Susanna Kearsley book.
**Many thanks to NetGalley and ChocLit for the opportunity to read and review this book** -
I really enjoyed this ghostly story. It's the second in the Rossetti mysteries series, but can easily be read as a standalone, although if you have read the first one (Some Veil Did Fall), you will meet some familiar characters again. Looking forward to reading book 3.
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This book was a lovely little gem!
I have never read any books by Ms. Ferry before and requested this one based purely on cover love and the mention of the magic Pre-Raphaelite trifecta of Rossetti/Millais/Hunt. If you are not familiar with the artists – no worries – Ms. Ferry gives you all the pertinent information cleverly interwoven into the story. In spite of the painters from the past and the little time slip to the mid-19th century I would not classify this as straight-up historical fiction or a time travel book. And, even though it does have a healthy does of romance it is definitely a giant step above “chick-lit”. And, yes there is a ghost and some definite “tingle” moments but it’s not just a ghost story either. “The Girl in the Painting” is a book anyone who loves one, some or all of the above can enjoy.
Cori Keeling has had a fascination with the Pre-Raphaelite painters for as long as she could remember. It could be because of family rumor that a great-great (oh so many greats ago) relative had an affair with Dante Rossetti. In fact Cori had been named after this wayward relative, Corisande and bore a striking resemblance to Millais’ Ophelia. As the book begins Cori had been living in London for almost 5 weeks and had not yet gone to the Tate to see the paintings she loved.
The Pre-Raphaelites had a penchant for painting redheads, so when Cori was standing in front of “Ophelia” and looking so similar to the model, Simon Daniels couldn’t help but notice her. Soon enough they find themselves enjoying a coffee together when they discover they have a mutual friend Lissy, who went to University with Cori and works with Simon. Lissy is well aware of both Simon’s and Cori’s love of the “Ophelia” painting and surprises them with the news that a diary has been found that may call into question whether Lizzie Siddal (favorite Millais model and wife of Dante Rossetti) may not be the model for “Ophelia”. This could be scandalous as Lizzie Siddal has been referred to as “the face of the pre-raphaelites”.
Cori comes into possession of the diary and something seems to posses Cori at the same time. Daisy Ashford is one restless spirit and for some unknown reason is bound and determined to haunt Cori until the circumstances surrounding her life and death are resolved. This plays havoc not only with Cori’s physical and mental well-being but with her budding relationship with Simon.
Can Cori survive being haunted by Daisy?
I wasn’t more than a few pages in and I was quickly hooked. This little book had everything you could want in a wonderful Sunday afternoon read … a likeable female lead, romance, a little trip back in time, some wonderful art, a bit of art history and a vengeful ghost and, always a bonus, is well written too. I mean, what else could you possibly ask for?
I fun, light read that I am glad I picked. This is the second book in Ms. Ferry’s “Rosetti Mysteries” series. I am definitely going to try and get my hands on the first book “Some Veil Did Fall”.
I received this book at no charge from the publisher, Choc-Lit via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
I’m one of those girls that when I hear the name ‘Rossetti’ I get all fangirly and swoony. I make no apologies for this. Being born in the wrong century, I think it’s only fair that my celebrity crushes tend to focus on men from different eras. So when I started reading ‘The Girl in the Painting’, I was excited!
I should also point out that at the slightest mention of Dante Rossetti loving somebody more than Lizzie Siddall, I get very defensive and start war crying “I SHALL GO DOWN WITH THIS SHIP!”, so there were some evocative emotions I was experiencing when immersing myself into Kirsty Ferry’s fantastic time-slip novel.
I adored the contemporary scenes with Cori and Simon, and the return of the brilliant characters from the first book ‘Some Veil Did Fall’. They were all necessary to bring the story together and it was great to see how they are interacted with each other, and worked together to solve the mystery of Daisy. In turn, the historical scenes, where we see Daisy’s embellishment in her diary of her relationship with the Pre-Raphaelites, and Lizzie Siddall, were heartbreaking and I couldn’t stop thinking about them long after I finished the book.
Kirsty Ferry did a brilliant job by bringing together the many elements of Victorian life and weaving them into her story and characters. Daisy’s addiction to laudanum highlighted a huge problem in society, and showed how damaging it could be to mental health as well as physical. To see the truth behind her story, her relationships with the members of the Pre-Raphaelite brothers, her devotion and awe of Lizzie Siddall, and how this all lead to her downfall ripped at my heart because of how true it could have been.
With brilliantly connected contemporary and historical scenes, eerie ghostly sightings and hauntings, stories desperate to be told, and romance that keeps people together as well as tears them apart, this is a novel that you will devour from start to finish, and then feel empty as you leave the artistic world behind.
5 Stars! -
Wow! This had everything - love stories, ghosts, obsessions..... It's a time slip/ghost story involving the present day and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Having long been a fan of all things PRB and having been to see their paintings more times than I care to think about, I was really looking forward to this book.
And I certainly wasn't disappointed. Kirsty weaves the story really cleverly and Cori makes for an interesting and different heroine. The gradual disintegration of her mental and physical health as the integration of Daisy into her mind occurs is so well described - and very tense!
Simon is perfect as the hero - romantic and understanding, but a little out of his depth, especially with all the things "going bump in the night"! And Lissy links all the characters perfectly.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and will look forward to Kirsty's next book.
Received an ARC from Choc Lit and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. -
Wow, what an amazing story. I love the fact it is set in the Tate Briton, which I used to visit with college when I was studying art. I remember we used to have to sit on the floor and sketch some of the paintings. Not something a teenager fancied doing but we all did.
The story is built around the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and a famous painting of Millais Ophelia, a Shakespeare character painted by Sir John Everett Millais, Bt. It begins with Cori who has moved to London to begin and new life. One day she visits the Tate and becomes in engrossed in the painting. Simon an artist working there spots her and is immediately taken aback by her resemblance to the girl in the painting. Both are trying to get over break-ups but it's Cori's friend Lizzy who tries to match make.
This leads to the discovery of Daisy's diary after a trip to Whitby and Cori becomes obsessed with it. Through reading the diary she meets the ghost of Daisy who takes her on a journey to show her the truth of her story and the connection to the girl in the painting.
This book is brilliantly written, it sucks you, not just with the writing style but with the descriptions, not only of the characters but of the landscapes and buildings to, I actually thought at one point I was in Cori's house and hoped I could have a place like that one day, or being stood in front of the painting in the Tate Briton oblivious to what is going on around you. What's more, is that this story has everything, it has ghost stories, it's a timeslip piece, it has a mystery to solve, it also reminded me that paintings aren't just paint and canvas but have a story of their own to tell. But what I loved most of all, it shows love conquers all and how if two people are meant to be together they will find a way, or something will help them, like perhaps a ghost.
And one last thing, wouldn't it be amazing to find love in an art Gallery? Perhaps I should go to more exhibitions and hope Mr Right will turn up. -
I’m always a total pushover where time slip stories are concerned – but they do need to be well constructed, with a seamlessness and ease around the transition from modern to historical. And this book gave me everything I wanted. There’s a really strong modern story – Cori and her marked resemblance to Lizzie Siddall, her rather eccentric (and so well described) home, her love of Pre-Raphaelite painting (which drove me on-line to find the artworks), her visits to the Tate, her developing relationship with Simon, the finding of Daisy’s diary, the re-introduction of some characters I enjoyed in the first book in the series Some Veil Did Fall, and the mystery behind the model for Millais’ Ophelia. Then there are the supernatural elements, as Daisy (of the diary) intrudes on Cori’s life, putting her in danger by sharing her experience of laudanum abuse. And then there’s the journey back in time to uncover the truth about Daisy’s involvement with the Pre-Raphaelite brotherhood. When I read Some Veil Did Fall (you’ll find my review here), I wasn’t entirely happy about the historical story being presented as a single block, mainly because I found it a bit of a wrench from the modern story – in this book that approach works quite perfectly, as it resolves the issues at the heart of the story.
The research behind this book shines from every page – you don’t need to be an art lover to enjoy it, but I doubt you’ll find much to criticise. The characters – major and minor – are well drawn and engaging, the romance is convincing, and the supernatural elements mildly unsettling and very believable. Kirsty Ferry writes extremely well – the pages of this book turned very quickly, and I was totally immersed in the story throughout. I really enjoyed this one… I don’t often read a series (and should add that these books can comfortably be read as stand-alone stories) but I’m really looking forward to the next! -
Chic lit with a touch of the supernatural. Based around Millais' "Ophelia" and three red heads. Cori present day, Lizzie Siddal and Daisy Ashford in the past. Their lives and loves are linked through similarities and lookalikes. Lizzie was the Model for Millais, Daisy wanted to be Lizzie. Cori gets taken over by Daisy through her diary.If it shows one thing it's that drug abuse and mental illness are not just a modern day issue. Both were addicted to laudanum, Daisy delusional and mostly in a drug induced haze. If you like ghostly goings on you'll probably enjoy this but it's not entirely my cup of tea.
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Three and a half star rating.
Cori moves down to London, is fascinated by the PRB and consequently meets the lovely Simon and then Daisy who goes on to make her presence felt in many ways. This is a good mix of art, obsession, ghosts and two different timescales featuring ladies who resemble Ophelia, told in an easy restful way. Perfect book for people who like romantic mysteries, with amusing characters, just the sort of thing to take away on holiday! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. -
Sorry but not for me - think I'm too cynical and non-believing to enjoy romance and ghosts
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In the beginning it drew me in, however by the time I was halfway through I wanted to erase it from my kindle. Rambling and disjointed and wrapped up abruptly! Cannot recommend this book to anyone.
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One of the best books I've ever read :)
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Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
The Girl in the Painting is one of those stories that will appeal to many different types of readers, and can be enjoyed by all. If you enjoy the thrill of a time slip story got that covered, enjoy having tingles go down your spine from a haunting got that as well, do mysteries to be solved make you long to dive into a book well here’s one for you, are you a lover of art and can spend hours in galleries and museums then you’ll be right at home here, do you absolutely love a good romance no matter what time frame it’s placed in then you’re in for a special treat. It’s difficult for me to put this story in one category for there are so many delightful genres woven expertly throughout the telling of this tale. So you aren’t reading only one genre here, you’re being invited into a journey to find the truth and sometimes you have to touch on the past to understand the present.
Lissy, a friend of Cori’s, has come into the possession of a diary that would be of great interest to Cori since it involves not only her favorite time period, but makes references to one of her most favorite paintings as well – plus some shocking claims, if true. Soon Cori will begin to experience things she never believed possible or real. She’ll have to make choices as well, some easy others, more difficult. And a romance that could lead to a very happy future is also pulling at her heart among all the others happenings around her.
There are stories where the explaining of them should be left up to the author completely – and I believe that The Girl in the Painting is one of those stories. There are magical and amazing discoveries to be found in this story, and the different genre merge into a lovely woven pattern that makes up the fabric of this story. I was captivated and engaged throughout this tale, even though I’m of the “I know what I like” type of art lover, I was impressed by the art knowledge and lore.
I believe this is a story that many readers, of varying genre preferences, will enjoy. At the heart, it’s a Contemporary Romance with touches of other genre that combined tell an intriguing story. Take a chance, step out of your comfort zone and give The Girl in the Painting a try, you’ll be sure to find something to enjoy about this story.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.* -
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review via Netgalley.
This book was a game of two halves for me. I enjoyed reading about Cori, her interest in the Pre-Raphaelites and art. I liked her lovely name (Corisande) and that she loved the Tate.
Simon was a good character also, Tate employee, artist - both burned by relationships going spectacularly wrong. It was good to see Jon, Becky and Lissy again and I liked the ghostly elements regarding the Victorian diary.
What I did not enjoy so much was Daisy. I found her troubles and obsessions a bit much to take at times and struggled to feel for her situation. This at least, along with Cori was resolved well.
The painting at the end was a bit of a curve, as we mostly study Ophelia but I'm looking forward to more books in this intriguing series. -
Oh, of course I was going to adore a novel featuring the Pre-Raphaelites, ghosts, time-slip elements, the Tate, and a cast of beautiful red-haired muses. Of course I was. That Kirsty Ferry has deftly woven all of the above into a tale replete with dark obsession, mystery, romance and Victorian substance abuse simply makes the prospect even more delicious.
Cori moves to London from her native Northumberland and before she's even finished unpacking, begins to haunt the Tate Britain and the art of her beloved Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood and in particular Millais' Ophelia (something I do, too, whenever the opportunity arises). The paintings aren't the only draw; curator and artist Simon, with his navy blue eyes and paint stained fingers, also proves to be an attraction. Fortunately, the attraction is mutual - how could it not be, with Cori's resemblance to Lizzie Siddal and fascination with the painting which bears her likeness, shared by Simon. But the discovery of a diary belonging to nineteenth century stunner Daisy Ashford casts a new light on the pair's beloved Ophelia and threatens their budding relationship, Cori's sanity and ultimately, her life.
In The Girl In The Painting, Kirsy Ferry has crafted a wonderfully ethereal and original tale which will delight anyone with a fascination for all things Pre-Raphaelite. However, you don't need to have spent Saturday afternoons attempting to dye your hair autumn sunset with limited success (just me?!) to thoroughly enjoy it. In Cori, Ferry has created a thoroughly likeable and credible heroine complete with her own family connection to Rossetti, and her cast of friends - particularly the wonderful Lissy - hit the perfect pitch, anchoring Cori in the twenty-first century when slipping back to the nineteenth century seems inevitable. The portrayals of the Victorian ladies in the tale really shine: Lizzie Siddal's tragic life is beautifully and sensitively drawn and impeccably researched, and Daisy's descent into obsession, laudanum abuse and madness is tensely and terrifyingly real. The present-day sequences involving Daisy's influence on Cori are tautly written and chilling - more than once when reading them, I had to stop and reassure myself that yes, whatever that was in the corner of my eye was just a trick of the light. Or was it? The reader is rewarded with a satisfyingly tense dénouement which will haunt long after the last page is turned.
The Girl In The Painting is a sumptuously haunting tale, rich with period detail. I devoured it, and can recommend it unreservedly to all with a penchant for Rossetti et al, dark Victorian obsession, ghostly goings on or just deeply satisfying, delicious stories. Wonderful. -
Synopsis: What if you thought you knew a secret that could change history? Whilst standing engrossed in her favourite Pre-Raphaelite painting – Millais's Ophelia – Cori catches the eye of Tate gallery worker, Simon, who is immediately struck by her resemblance to the red-haired beauty in the famous artwork.
The attraction is mutual, but Cori has other things on her mind. She has recently acquired the diary of Daisy, a Victorian woman with a shocking secret. As Cori reads, it soon becomes apparent that Daisy will stop at nothing to be heard, even outside of the pages of her diary …
Will Simon stick around when life becomes increasingly spooky for Cori, as she moves ever closer to uncovering the truth about Daisy’s connection to the girl in her favourite painting?
Me: This is the second in the Rossetti Mystery series and like it's predecessor it's a delightful tale of love and mystery but this time with a but of Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood thrown into the mix. It's a fast paced story taking place in London this time and keeps the reader engaged right from the beginning.
Cori and Simon meet in one of my favourite place the Tate Britain gallery but their blossoming romance is derailed by the ghost of Daisy Ashworth; muse and model from the past. Kirsty effortlessly mixes together past and present and the couple together with friends come together to discover who the mysterious Daisy really is and why her story is just as tragic as her far more successful counterpart Lizzie Sidall.
Fully rounded, likeable characters and having read many of Kirstys books I love the way they weave in and out of each others lives and stories. Bit player in this one Becky is the heroine of the first in the series who helps tell the hidden secrets of her own ghostly passenger.
It's a wonderful series and I would heartily recommend them :) -
An intriguing and interesting read set around Millais's famous painting of "Ophelia" which hangs in the Tate Gallery in London.
This cleverly plotted novel brings into question who Millais's model for Ophelia really was. Was it Elizabeth Siddal (Lizzy) as history has told us?
Cori Keeling has always had a fascination for the Pre-Raphaelite painting, perhaps because Cori's great great something aunt was Rossetti Dante's lover (Corisande) and Cori does bear a great resemblance to Ophelia in the painting.
Her enthusiasm does not go unnoticed by painter Simon Daniels and the spark of a love affair begins.Simon's friend (and ex-classmate of Cori) Lissy not only fans the love affair but also discovers a diary from that period written by Daisy Ashford that calls into question whether Elizabeth Siddal was in fact the model, or was it someone else?
For art lovers, you'll enjoy this perfectly researched book. If you know nothing of the 19th century Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (which included Millais and Rossetti) and the Ophelia painting no problem for they are cleverly wound into the story, keeping the reader wondering.
I devoured the book. It was an education and had a spot of everything I could ask for: romance, intrigue, suspense, time-slip and there's even a ghost of Daisy Ashford (a contemporary of Rossetti and she of the diary) who haunts Cori, affecting the poor girl to the extent that she is (paranormally) drugged up with laudanum, putting her budding romance with Simon in danger.
Beautifully written, I recommend this book and I'm going to get Ms Ferry's first novel, Some Veil did Fall. -
I had to look up Millais' painting of Ophelia and reacquaint myself with Ophelia's role in Hamlet as I was reading this novel. What appears to be at first a simple love story between present day Cori and Simon, becomes more complex and sinister after Cori is given a copy of a diary written by Daisy Ashcroft. Cori is interested in the text because Daisy claims to be the muse for the painting of Ophelia, but on reading it she finds Daisy's live spiralling out of control as she becomes obsessed with the pre-Raphaelite brotherhood and in particular Rossetti and his wife Lizzie Siddal.
Through the medium of the diary Daisy seeks out someone whom she can tell her story to. Daisy and Cori's lives become intertwined as Daisy tries to explain herself to Cori and make her understand how, she, Daisy feels.
A romance, a time-slip and a ghost story all in one, The Girl in the Painting is an absorbing read, with an interesting background and well-defined characters.
I found the story slow to begin — the first section sets up the relationship between Cori and Simon — but I loved the next part set in Victorian London as Daisy tries to ingratiate herself with the PRB.
A good read on several levels. I shall now have to backwards and read "Some Veil Did Fall", the first in the series of The Rossetti Mysteries.
Free copy of the book received in return for an honest review. -
Review featured at
www.books-n-kisses.com
4.5 Hearts This is the second in the series and I am most certainly going back to pick up book 1( Some Veil Did Fall). I won’t say this book is perfect. It isn’t. It can be a little jumpy and some things move fast and others slow but something about this book pulled me in within a couple of pages and I just kept wanting to read it. But honestly I can’t pin down what it is.
Cori is obsessed with a painting and meets Simon at the museum. Then she is given the diary of the person who may be the girl in the painting (hence the title). The issue comes when Daisy (the author of the diary) comes to Cori in spiritual form and Cori freaks out, rightfully so. Simon is by her side throughout the situation but so is Lissy, Becky and Jon from book 1.
I have to say that I believe it was the writing that pulled me in. The story is interesting and the characters are good, the romance is ok and the setting is common but something about this story was just so wonderful.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. -
This book is based around the painting Ophelia by Millais and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, to which he belonged. The basic story is that Cori is a modern day Daisy who was painted by Millais as Ophelia's replacement when his wife became ill.
It is part historical novel, part ghost story and all enjoyable and interesting.
Without knowing anything about the book or the author I was very surprised when it changed from love story to ghost story but I did really enjoy the novel and I will now keep my eye open for anything else by Kirsty Ferry.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
