It is always good to have a book recommended by a friend as this was. I looked up the author and discovered she taught creative writing at the University of a Kent in Canterbury.
And then I turned to the first page. My friend had not mentioned that this book, primarily about friendship of various sorts, was suffused with music. That was a rather lovely surprise and I read on.
After a few chapters I thought I had a good grasp of the story and knew where we were headed but I was wrong. There are several twists and turns in this story which are well crafted, jolt the reader and definitely hold your interest.
It is in many ways a modern story where people can find solace and happiness in slightly less than usual circumstances, where you can be accepted and welcomed whilst not being part of a conventional couple and I suppose where you can find some self-belief. All this is surrounded by music, mostly string music as Grace Atherton is a luthier and Nadia, the school girl who works at the shop part time, is a gifted violinist.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Paris, the scene of a disastrous love affair, and I could almost feel the Italian heat as the story moves to Cremona, the home of string instrument makers.
At the end of the book is the first chapter of Anstey Harris’ next novel. I just might read it.