A Rather Lovely Inheritance (Penny Nichols Series #1)

by C. A. Belmond

Overview

After her Aunt Penelope dies, historical researcher Penny Nichols is astonished to learn that not only is she a bona fide heiress-but she's also been invited to put her research skills to work. This time, the history she's researching happens to be her very own. What she discovers about Aunt Penelope-a pair of wills, double lives, secret histories, and a family tree of vultures-is about to sweep Penny and a long-lost relative across France, over the hills of Italy, and throughout half of Europe on the adventure of several lifetimes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780451220523
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/02/2007
Series:	Penny Nichols , #1
Pages:	384
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 7.91(h) x 0.85(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

C. A. Belmond was awarded an Edward F. Albee Foundation Fellowship and was twice a Pushcart Press Editors' Book Award finalist. A writer in residence at the Károlyi Foundation in the south of France, her original screenplays were shortlisted at Robert Redford's Sundance Institute and at the Eugene O'Neill National Playwrights Conference. Belmond has written and produced television dramas and documentaries, and taught writing at New York University.

Editorial Reviews

An entertaining yarn with family drama and intrigue aplenty.

Booklist

Belmond's debut novel combines suspense, romance and crafty wit. The protagonist is a character to cheer for, and the mystery subplot will keep readers turning the pages.

Romantic Times Book Review

A Rather Lovely Inheritance tantalizes and entertains with its mystery and skullduggery, inner and exterior conflicts, and interesting characters, including the late Penelope, a hero whose image of himself and his place in the family is severely challenged, and a perfectly lovable heroine. It's a rare gem of a book that leaves behind a feeling of pure pleasure. For these reasons, I'm awarding it a Perfect 10.
— Romance Reviews Today

Jane Bowers

Plucky American tracks down an unexpected European inheritance in Belmond's debut. For most of her adult life, Penny Nichols has spent her days in a small New York apartment making ends meet on a freelancer's meager salary. As a researcher, Penny's job entails unearthing tiny facts and trivia about important female figures in history. While working on a film in France, Penny gets the news that her great-aunt has died. Penny is summoned by her relatives to London to be present at the reading of the will. Great-Aunt Penelope (Penny's parents smartly named their only child after the wealthy dowager) has bequeathed her fortune to Penny and her two British cousins, Jeremy and Rollo. The split of the inheritance stirs up jealousy and a bit of intrigue: Rollo contests the will. Jeremy and Penny haven't seen each other in more than a decade, but both harbor sentimental remembrances of past family gatherings. Based on her instincts, Penny forms an alliance with Jeremy to fend off Rollo's advances-Rollo will use any means necessary to secure the valuable assets (including a priceless 15th-century painting and a vintage automobile). As Jeremy and Penny battle Rollo's attacks, they discover family secrets that threaten to destroy their bond. The very reserved Jeremy and the rather spastic Penny must learn to trust each other and work as a team in order to solve the mysteries surrounding Penelope's life, and protect their rightful inheritance. Belmond throws in everything-mystery, romance, a whirlwind tour of Europe's hot spots-but the story fails to generate heat. A pleasant jaunt through Europe, ruined by a gimmicky plot. Agent: Jennifer Unter/RLR Associates

Kirkus Reviews