Secrets of Swanfield House by Elayne Grimes

 

Marcie has made a life for herself in London, very far from her Scottish Highland roots and her grandmother. Reaching the village only after her grandmother had passed on, Marcie has now got to get to grips with her uncle Callum who seems distant and unwell. Her uncle had been very close to her but he seems to be pushing her away, and is distinctly antagonistic especially after they both are told that Marcie inherits the estate in total and Callum has been disinherited.

Marcie also has to deal with her friends in Strathkin two of whom are failing financially in their businesses because Strathkin is dying with tourists dwindling. It is only Dina now married to Marcie’s first love who is thriving. Her friends are not happy with her windfall and on to top it all, a strange young man has become a fixture in her uncles life and seems to be able to influence Callum to be uncharacteristically angry with Marcie.

Uncovering Brodies long term plans is difficult because he is viewed with favor in the village and Marcie is seen as the Londoner who is benefiting from her grandmothers death. Marcie has to work alone, even her fiancée Simon not believing her feelings about the threat posed by not just Brodie but his friends and even her own friend Heather.

How money can corrupt people, even friends and how relationships can fracture under the weight of wealth. It does not always help everyone when one persons wealth creates feelings of envy.

The story was set in beautiful surroundings which added interest to the story.

Sent by Storm Publishing for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.