Even though she loves her life in the house she lives with her husband, she is sad she’s not had any kids for over 12 years. The only problems the two ever experienced in their lives were miscarriages and a stillbirth she had eight years ago. In 1985, a family tragedy changed everything, and she now draws on the experience of loss in her writing, infusing love, loss and danger with the seductive beauty of her locations.

The Hidden Palace (The Daughters of War, Book 2) - Kindle

Dinah Jefferies is a Malaysian historical and romance author known for her 2021 book series, Daughters of War. Life moved on with Gwen loving Ceylon and her marriage to Laurence moving on swiftly, with the occasional family problems quickly sorted out. While Elliot is charming and doesn’t have to try too much, she creates friendship easily, and people flock around him. She is published in 29 languages in over 30 countries and lives close to her family in Gloucestershire. Dinah Jefferies did an excellent job in world-building, creating a beautiful Ceylon landscape with all the hustle and bustle of the city, its people, and its colors.

But her recent engagement to Laurence meant leaving her home in London and joining her husband in Ceylon where he owned a fertile plantation. As a reader, you will be able to visualize the markets where Louisa explores, constant chatter, laughter, and noise hum, and the port wall where she walks.

The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies | Waterstones

Dinah Jefferies created a unique yet captivating drama of deception, jealousy, guilt, and a fateful decision that will impact the lives of Gwendolyn and her husband and everyone around them. Elliot was always absent from their marriage and home, being busy with work-related meetings in Colombo and working at a nearby cinnamon plantation where he had some shares. The death of her 14-year-old son in 1985 profoundly influenced her writing as she drew on that experience as a mother and some of her childhood memories in Malacca in the 1950s.Once again, Dinah Jefferies has woven an evocative story that will sweep in all the intrigue, mystery and betrayal that oozes from every pages. A faded last letter from Rosalie is Florence's only clue, the war an immovable barrier - and time is running out. The book explores some serious themes of British colonialism, racism, and the working conditions of the time. And soon some strange things began happening- a grave was discovered in bushes near the house, a car trunk full of musty old clothing and a nearby waterfall where Gwen was never allowed to visit. Additionally, all the characters in the story are well drawn, especially the heroine, who matures fast and finds her inner strength.

The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies - Goodreads Editions of The Hidden Palace by Dinah Jefferies - Goodreads

In her 2015 novel, The Tea Planters Wife, Dinah Jefferies introduces us to her main character, Gwendolyn Hooper. To access you ebook(s) after purchasing, you can download the free Glose app or read instantly on your browser by logging into Glose. But Louisa always missed her husband, and even though she tried not to worry about it, she was deeply worried about a reoccurrence of their problems a few months before. While Louisa’s husband’s sudden and unexpected death took her by surprise and took her to deep holes of grief she had never experienced before, the discoveries that she would later make about her husband’s life would tear her to the very last bit.

Dinah does a fantastic job of creating vivid imagery to allow the reader to quickly understand how the place may have looked at the time. The resentments, unique cultures, racial prejudices, and political unrest all add to the element of danger and unease to the tale. Born in Malaysia, she moved to England at the age of nine, and went on to study fashion design, work in Tuscany as an au pair for an Italian countess, and live with a rock band in a commune in Suffolk. To read more about the site or if you want a graphic to link to us, see the about page for more details. At last I have had my first cataract successfuully removed last week, after waiting over a year, and have a backlog of books to catch up on.