I picked this book up at Chapters sadly in the bargain bin for $7CDN. Truthfully the cover attracted me along with the title obviously. The book is set in WWI and is about a woman by the name of Francesca Hatton whose parents were killed in a car crash while in Canada when she was a child. She is adopted by her grandfatther, Francis Hatton who also has adopted the five children of his other son who died in an unmentionable situation. Her five cousins are sent off to war and all five are reported as killed in action. First her cousin Simon (the warrior) then Robin (the practical one), Freddy (the musician), Peter (the engineer) and finally Harry (the charmer). Finally her grandfather suffers a stroke and falls into a state of destitution. With his granddaughter by his side, Francis Hatton finally passes on leaving his entire estate to her along with all of his problems and grudges that were held against him.
Soon an ex-soldier, Richard Leighton comes knocking on Francesca’s door determined that her grandfather killed his mother, Victoria Leighton. Shocked at this accusation, Francesca immediately tells him to leave her house. At the funeral, many strangers show up asking for debts to be repaid and property to be returned. After this she starts to consider the possibility that perhaps her beloved grandfather kept many secrets from his family.
The story continues on with Francesca trying to discover the truth about Francis Hatton and his involvement with Victoria Leighton all the while Richard Leighton is not far behind her. Slowly the two make an agreement to combine forces to solve this mystery and they find each other draw to one another, but still disliking each other for the sake of family pride.
Leighton is injured by a deserter from the war shooting him in Francesca’s back yard near the infamous Murder Stone (named by Francesca’s cousin Simon). Leighton is forced (on doctor’s orders) to remain the care of the Hatton residence until he is well enough to move on. During this time someone attempts to sneak into Francesca’s house and Leighton is there to protect her. Finally Francesca discovers the awful and unspeakable truth about Victoria Leighton, Francis Hatton and consequently Richard Leighton.