Irish novelist Maeve Binchy (http://www.maevebinchy.com/) was consistent throughout her writing career in delivering tales of warmth and humour, often set in small town Ireland. Shortly before she died in July 2012 she had just completed her final book A Week in Winter. The tale is set in Stoneybridge. The seaside location is full of holiday-makers in summer, its beaches are full of buckets and spades and sandcastles; but in winter it’s cold and wild. Few choose to walk along the fine sands, the big round pebbles and the exposed rocky promontories that make up the windswept Atlantic coastline. Those who do can’t help but see Stone House, the grand property on the cliff; once falling into disrepair it is now a beautiful hotel specialising in winter holidays. Its big, warm kitchen, its open log-fires and its elegant bedrooms provide a welcome few can resist, whatever their reasons for coming. Henry and Nicola are burdened with a terrible secret, while cheerful nurse Winnie finds herself on the holiday from hell. John has arrived on an impulse after he missed a flight at Shannon; eccentric Freda claims to be a psychic – and a part-time hairdresser. Then there’s Nora, a silent watchful older woman who seems ready to disapprove at any moment…Allow Binchy to entertain you with this cast of charaters at the Winter seaside.
480 pages in Orion paperback edition
ISBN 978-1409117940
Maeve Binchy