Sapphire Widow

Ceylon, 1935. Louisa Reeve, the daughter of a successful British gem trader, and her husband Elliot, a charming, thrill-seeking businessman, seem like the couple who have it all. Except what they long for more than anything- a child.

While Louisa struggles with miscarriages, Elliot is increasingly absent, spending much of his time at a nearby cinnamon plantation overlooking the Indian ocean. After his sudden death, Louisa is left alone to solve the mystery he left behind. Revisiting the plantation at Cinnamon Hills, she finds herself unexpectedly drawn towards the owner, Leo, a rugged outdoors man with a chequered past. The plantation casts a spell, but all is not as it seems. And when Elliot's shocking betrayal is revealed, Louisa has only Leo to turn to . . .

“A sweeping tale, beautifully written in a wonderful setting, heart rending yet ultimately up lifting. Gorgeous.--Katie Fforde The sights, smells and atmosphere of Ceylon are beautifully depicted. This is Dinah Jefferies at her best.--Lucinda Riley Dinah Jefferies has a remarkable gift for conjuring up another time and place with lush descriptions, full of power and intensity.--Kate Furnivall Packed with colour, history, atmosphere and plenty of twists and turns, this is a lush, escapist read-- Sunday Express on 'Before the Rains' My ideal read - I couldn't put it down--Santa Montefiore on 'The Tea Planter's Wife'”

My ideal read - I couldn't put it down -- Santa Montefiore on 'The Tea Planter's Wife' Packed with colour, history, atmosphere and plenty of twists and turns, this is a lush, escapist read Sunday Express on 'Before the Rains' Dinah Jefferies has a remarkable gift for conjuring up another time and place with lush descriptions, full of power and intensity. -- Kate Furnivall The sights, smells and atmosphere of Ceylon are beautifully depicted. This is Dinah Jefferies at her best. -- Lucinda Riley A sweeping tale, beautifully written in a wonderful setting, heart rending yet ultimately up lifting. Gorgeous. -- Katie Fforde

Dinah Jefferies was born in Malaya in 1948 and moved to England at the age of nine. She has worked in education, once lived in a rock n roll commune and, more recently, been an exhibiting artist. She spends her days writing, with time off to make tiaras and dinosaurs with her grandchildren. She has previously published The Separation with Viking, and The Tea Planter's Wife is her second novel.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.