Ein Garten in Cornwall

by Liz Fenwick, Kristina Lake-Zapp (Translator)

Bitter enttäuscht von ihrem Freund lässt die junge Architektin Demi ihr Londoner Leben hinter sich und steigt in den Zug nach Cornwall. Dort hofft sie im Cottage ihres Großvaters unterzuschlüpfen. Doch diese Hoffnung zerschlägt sich. Stattdessen vererbt ihr ein gewisser Charles Lake völlig unerwartet einen Anteil an dem herrschaftlichen Anwesen Boscawen. Dessen Witwe Victoria ist alles andere als erfreut, hatte sie nach 40 Jahren Vernunftehe doch gehofft, nun endlich freie Hand über Boscawen und dessen wunderschönen Garten zu haben. Um herauszufinden, was hinter dem Testament steckt, und ob Boscawen beiden Frauen eine Zukunft bieten kann, müssen sie sich einem schmerzlichen Geheimnis aus der Vergangenheit stellen ...

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Womens Fiction, Contemporary, British Literature, Romance, Own

480 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 7, 2015

About the author

Award winning author of ten novels and two novellas. The latest is The Secrets of Harbour House out in the UK in July 2025. There are translated editions of my novels available in Dutch, German, Portuguese, French, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Estonian, Latvian, Turkish, Serbian, Czech, Hungarian, Italian, and Finnish.

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two and a half stars.
After Charles, her husband, dies Victoria thinks she has what has always been most important to her Boscawen. But her husband’s will brings more than a few surprises. I disliked Victoria from the start. Hard for some of us who have never had or needed a fortune to understand how important money is to some, where two or even four million is not enough and where property is more important than people. Victoria’s promiscuous behaviour didn’t endear her to me either.
Demi has been too easily manipulated by a selfish, uncaring abusive man and is paying the price for that relationship. Demi’s mother has recently died and she is mourning that loss. She has also lost her job and her boyfriend and so has little choice but to go to her grandfather for help it can only be a temporary home as her grandfather is due to go into a care home.
Demi is likeable enough though severely lacking in confidence after her treatment by ex boyfriend Matt. Sam, the Aussie gardener is a lovely character and Sebastian, good friend of and solicitor for Charles, is also a good character, though I struggled to see what he saw in Victoria. As well as family relationships there is a romance or two.
This was a lovely setting in Cornwall and it was interesting to see how the prologue with the child Demi, fairies and giantess is brought to light towards the end. It was an okay read though thought it could have done with some editing. There was a lot of repetition. It was rather predictable and just too neatly resolved towards the end. For me, just an okay read but I am equally sure some other readers will love it. This is my third book by this author. I enjoyed the first one but the next two not so much.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under a Cornish Sky is yet another great book by Liz Fenwick. I would place it under contemporary women’s fiction with a dash of magic and an element of romance.

The things I have grown to expect from Liz Fenwick’s books were all there. This story is set in beautiful Cornwall, there is a house of significance, and of course, a little romance to warm the cockles of your heart. What I love is trying to work out what the rest of the story will be about. Will it be magical, historical, funny or dark?

Under a Cornish Sky focusses on two women who live worlds apart. A young woman who is grieving and down on her luck, and an older woman who seems to have everything she wants and is used to getting her own way. What will happen when circumstance forces these two very different women together?

I really liked the younger woman, Demi, and felt I related to her in a way. I really wasn’t keen on the older woman, Victoria at all, but perhaps I softened towards her later in the story.

Anyone who knows me well enough, knows I love the magic of fairies, so imagine my face when I was reading the prologue and it referred to fairies numerous times within the first two pages. What a treat.

“She has been to bluebell woods before. This is where the fairies live and she must never go into a bluebell wood without Grannie and Grandad because the fairies will trap her.”

I love the way Liz brings Cornwall to life in her books. In this book it was the description of bluebells and garlic which took me to specific time and place. The wild garlic smell can be surprisingly strong down here in Cornwall. I remember when my friend, Abi and her daughter, Katie came down to stay a couple of years ago, we were sniffing plants near the edge of the woods while visiting Halliggye Fogue, to source the garlic smell.

Also loved the bit where Demi goes into the charity shop and is helped to find clothes. I love things like that. Reminds me of those feel good Christmas films I’ve had the joy of viewing over the years. Always guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

The front cover gives the impression that this would be a great summer read, but if you live in Cornwall, I would strongly recommended this during winter. It will help get you through those months of grey mizzle and remind you that Spring is just around the corner.

I’m now really looking forward to book five, which is due out next year.

[Melanie Mole · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish I really loved this book.

There is something magical about the coastline in Cornwall and this book describes it at its best.
From the breathtaking views, stunning scenery, and wonderful rivers it is romanticised in many books, and this is no exception.

In Liz Fenwick's books she uses delicious amounts of detail which ensure that the reader knows exactly what they are seeing through the pages. Each chapter builds up through a crescendo of words, viewpoints, and interesting scenarios which make the reader long to read more of her work.

Although this book is about loss it sees it from both sides, each worthy of discussion, and thought. The characters blending perfectly into the subject matter without a hitch. Enabling you to feel their raw emotion fully.

Happiness eventually comes from the loss for those who are left behind.

The most unlikely of pairings are forced to face the truth whether they like it or not, and as the story unfolds we see how each one of them cope with this.

The recent, and distant past slowly unfolds to give us a look at the history of both the buildings, and the families involved.

What initially seems like a very tangled web of circumstances, and what may seem like poor choices, unfold in a somewhat unexpected way. The results of which are quite enchanting.

The end result is one of love, insight, interest, and belonging.

I can't wait to read more of Liz's books!

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars - Nederlandse paperback

Recensie volgt later.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always wonderful picking up a book that you know you are going to love. I have collected Liz Fenwicks books- as I love Cornwall and this one picks you up and transports you there. You can then enjoy the Cornish atmosphere whilst losing yourself in the great story.

When Demi has bad news at work and comes home to discover worse news at home. She escapes to go and see her grandad in Cornwall. She hasn't seen him since her mum's funeral and his health has declined.

Victoria is living in her dream home and enjoying trying to restore the gardens to their former glory. Although 60 she still enjoys the chase of attracting younger men even though she's married. When her husband dies she just imagines her life will carry on the same way.

I loved the way that the characters stories entwined and the way you get to know them better. The other characters were also really interesting and added to the main story whilst also embellishing the lovely setting.

The house sounded wonderful and as always the Cornish setting was fabulous. I now can't wait to read the other books I've been saving!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything you could want - romance, Cornwall and a deep understanding of local myth and tradition. The characters are superbly drawn, all the more realistic for not always being 'nice', although they may redeem themselves towards the end. I enjoyed seeing how the two stories would intertwine and how the ending would unravel. It's not a romantic chick-lit book as it deals with some hard to handle issues but is all the richer for it. An interesting read and my thanks to Netgalley for allowing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Medollga · Rating 2 out of 5]

this had potential to be somewhat interesting, but it ended before the actual plot development happened🤷🏼‍♀️😅

It focuses on two women, 20-something Demelza, and 60-year old Victoria. And while Demelza, or Demi, is your typical young, morally white, a bit predictable heroine in a bad predicament: lost her job, lost her mom, boyfriend is a jerk, she's basically homeless, so she sets out on her life journey 🙃 but she was still okay to read about, and her pairing with Sam was cute.

But everything regarding Victoria made me want to puke on her 🤡🤡🤡 First thing we learn about her is that she's unhappy in her marriage, giving us weird vibes about her husband (making me think that he beats her or something, which turns out to be untrue) and is having a lover. At this point, everything is fine, you do you, boo 💀 But then we learn that the lover is 25... and she and all of her friend refer to him as 'toy boy'🤮 This is a shitty scenario for me, regardless of the genders, mkay? 🚩

Then follows a deeply disturbing and frankly predatory sequence of events: she has a young gardener Sam, working for her. The gardener is 28, while she's her boss and 60. She tried to seduce him in the past, but he declined all of her advances. Instead of taking a hint and leaving this person be, she continues to pester him throughout the book, thinking that "she never had any man refuse her and it's unimaginable to have this specimen 'untested' in her garden"🤮🤮🤮🤮 This completely gray-haired, 60-year old boss of his, stripped naked and stood in a window WAVING at him🚩🚩🚩 And every time he addressed her with her proper title "Mrs. StayInYourLAne", she sweetly replied: "Oh Sam, call me vIcToRiA!"🤣🤣🤣🤣 Lady, can you take a hint?!

If this hasn't convinced you yet, what a garbage person she is, couple hours after her husband (who provided for her every whim, stayed married to her for 40 years and was thanking her for this wonderful marriage days before his death) died, her first thought was FINALLY HE DIED, NOW I CAN SPEND HIS MONEY FULLY ON MY GARDEN THE WAY I WANT💀🤷🏼‍♀️ And later on she was shocked, that she felt a bit sad about his passing, since SHE ALWAYS thought she'd be relieved after he died!

Victoria was a heroine with no substance and no depth, yet the author clearly wanted to make her out to be this misunderstood, deep, struggling female character. For God's sake, her only motivation in life was to restore that freaking garden! She was making herself to be the victim in every situation:

1) bad daddy didn't leave her their family estate, instead giving it to her slightly younger brother - just because you were older, doesn't mean it was your right, lady, In fact, parents are not obligated to leave you anything, if they so want. it's their property - their choice

2) bad daddy refused to pay for her college education, spewing shit about women not needing it - offensive, but again: NOTHING STOPED YOU FROM GETTING AN EDUCATION BY YOURSELF 🤷🏼‍♀️👀 Instead, she CHOSE to comply, but then spend 40 years complaining about this injustice! 😬

3) bad daddy said her dreams of becoming Olympian swimmer wouldn't lead anywhere, so she stopped following her dream and AGAIN, blamed everything on her father. 🆘

4) she was in love with a guy named Sebastian, he had to leave for a year and asked her to wait for him, she married his best friend for money and then nagged all book, that her marriage was loveless 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

5) because her marriage was loveless, she slept with "so many men, most women can't even imagine the number", but she was all butthurt when she found out her husband cheated on her ONCE and had a daughter as a result 🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘🆘 MAKE IT MAKE SENCE!

6) the gardener Sam turned out to be her nephew, and her first reaction was "THANK GOD ONE OF US KNEW IT FROM THE START, OTHERWISE IT WOULD BE UNIMAGINABLE!" Implying, that if Sam didn't know they were related, he would of course go for her predatory advances 🤡🤡🤡🤡


She was a shitty character and no one can convince me otherwise. Yes, she suffered a horrible disease at the end, but a lot of good people also have it, so it's not an absolution for bad characters. Plus, she got her happy ending and SHE DID NOT DESERVE IT! 🤮🤮🤮🤮

Also, what was the point of focusing on this two women, if they only fought all the time and didn't have any decent development? And why did we spend so much time reading about their PLANS to turn the estate into a luxury hotel, without seeing the process or the end result? This book was so underdeveloped, it's a miracle I could finish it...

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book that I have been reluctant to put down at all over the last three days. IMHO it certainly represents Liz Fenwick's best work. The more she writes, the better the results.

In Under a Cornish Sky she again holds a real "sense of place". This is a book I found to have a great pace and readability throughout. In short, it's a book to read and read again.

Well developed characters, a well built and believable plot, some challenging circumstances and a satisfying outcome.

Highly recommended.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly can I just say what a great job Orion have done for the cover of Liz Fenwick's fourth book Under a Cornish Sky. Who would not want to be strolling along that clifftop path on a glorious summer's day? The colours are vivid and attractive and the beautiful flowers are an added attraction as flowers and gardens feature prominently in this book. This is the fourth book from Liz which features Cornish in the title and with each new book the author's love for Cornwall jumps from the pages. The sights, smells and sounds of the Cornish coastline and the Helford River are portrayed extremely well throughout the book with clear, concise and clever descriptions. Even though I have never visited this area it really didn't matter as I felt I was there alongside Demi as she navigates through a whole new time in her life after the death of her mother.

Under a Cornish Sky is divided into seasons and as these change so do the fortunes of our two main characters Demi and Victoria. Demi is a young woman who is having a rough time.They say good things come in threes well this is not the case for Demi. Firstly her mother has just passed away, then she loses out on a job in an architectural practice to a man who had used her ideas. The last straw is walking in on her boyfriend in a compromising situation. It's not what you think. I won't say what but fair play Liz I am sick of the usual clichés of what the reader may be suspecting in this case and for once it was something totally different if not just that little bit more creepy and disgusting. Penniless and homeless Demi turns to the one remaining person she knows will do his best to help her - that is her grandfather. So she travels to Cornwall where many surprises and secrets await to be uncovered.

Victoria Tregan is back in her childhood home after it was sold from under the family. Married to Charles she presents a well-to-do front, an upstanding member of the community but behind closed doors all is not as it seems. Victoria seemed cold to me for admittedly the majority of the novel. A woman who always got what she wanted no matter the cost but the one thing you knew she loved was the gardens and land surrounding the house - Boscawen. Victoria's garden and the estate are so important to her it slightly bordered on the obsessive and no way was she going to relinquish her hold on them. Aided by hunky gardener Stuart the author really brought these descriptions to life. Although at one point Victoria going on about fairies and beliefs surrounding a tree was a bit far fetched but on reflection this added to the book and made a whole lot more sense towards the end.

Initially I was wondering what the connection would be between Demi and Victoria but this was soon made clear and what follows is a battle of wills, although one woman more strongly than the other. Demi views Cornwall as a place to heal and reassess her life. But on discovery of her true parentage and the associations this brings make for a more than bumpy ride but she is more than determined to weather the storm as she stands up for what she believes in and by all accounts what she is entitled to. In the beginning Demi did seem a bit weak I know she had been through a stressful, emotional time as mentioned above but she needed to clear her head, help her grandfather out and get her act together. No one was going to bring her anything on a plate, she had to use her talents and know how to lay down what she wanted to Victoria. Most people including handsome, intriguing lawyer Sebastian were on her side but both Demi and Victoria had to work through their issues and establish connections and a truce of sorts.

Demi did begin to turn herself around and she does have to be admired for the way she handles the sudden discovery and subsequent loss of her father. Having to face up to the indomitable Victoria is no mean feat. It shows underneath Demi's vulnerability there is a core of strength and courage waiting to shine and be heard. It proves you can turn your life around in spite of all the obstacles that are thrown in your path. Whereas Victoria seemed to be selfish. She only thought of herself and keeping Boscawen and her heritage all in one piece for her own needs. She seemed to be defiant and thoughtless at times, to me she never really reciprocated the love Charles had for her despite so many years of marriage. At first she may have loved him but having numerous flings proved that love had diminished significantly. I will go as far as saying I disliked Victoria but then the author threw such a curve ball at her that even me who can be very cynical at times totally changed my opinion of her. She may not have totally melted but what she has to go through you would not wish on anybody. As the two women do their best to save Boscawen, a little romance is thrown in along the way but this book is not all about that but much much more and I feel Liz really has taken a step forward in her writing. This is high calibre women's fiction not chock full of the usual clichés or girl meets boy etc. Between the covers of this engaging, appealing, irresistible read is a story and a cast of characters that will stay with you long after you have read the last line.

I really loved this book and flew through it in two days. I felt the last book by Liz didn't quite hit the mark for me but this was a true return to form. The overall story was excellent and the cast of characters was well thought and each character had their pivotal role to play. I'd love to know what happened next. Was the hotel a success or did something go awry? Maybe there is not a full book in this but I know Liz is adept at slipping in characters from previous books so we might yet know how Demi and Victoria get on in the future. As we had a brief mention of Jaunty and a few others I had grown to love, so when I saw their names mentioned it just brought back great memories of the first books I had read by this author. Under a Cornish Sky was a gratifying, inviting, positive book that deserves to be in every holiday suitcase be it on a beach in Spain or while enjoying the Cornish coast. I can't wait for the next instalment in Liz's Cornish novels and can only anticipate as to who we will meet next.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I found this a very light, relaxing quick read (listen), but then it was spoiled for me by the last chapters that got corny and cheesy. Oh, woe is me!

[Sharon Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Liz' writing starting with her debut, The Cornish House, in 2012. Liz always gives such a sense of place with interesting characters and myths/legends adding another layer to the plot. Under a Cornish Sky didn't disappoint. I LOVED everything about this world Liz crafted.

An intriguing prologue leads the reader on to Victoria's life before her husband's demise and what happens to lead Demi to her grandfather's cottage. Looking back at my notes, once the surprise is out I had written 'This is going to be interesting' and it sure was! We see the best and the worst of our characters (especially Victoria) and with alternating narrations we get to explore perspectives from both our female leads.

Conflict also comes from Demi's ex Matt (made my skin crawl). I would have reacted exactly the same way ...

There is plenty of intrigue, not only surrounding Demi with her recognition of certain places but also with Sam the gardener. Who is he? Why does he know so much?

I enjoyed the historical aspect - the roots of belonging and the different plants brought back to Boscawen from those gone before. One legend from the past proves to be still valid after Sam's mistake ...

Demi's grandfather is such a sweetie, never complaining and just getting on with it and I loved Petra and her ESP. The character who we see grow the most is Demi. However, she wasn't my favourite. Victoria is a first class bitch but I thought she was amazing. I could see through her facade straight away and this meant I could forgive. Some readers might say she received exactly what was owed to her (karma!) but I thought she had a pretty rough deal since childhood. The rigid and pedantic views of the generation before setting her up to fail from the beginning - it just wasn't who she was.

It was great to see a mention of Mark Triggs and I loved seeing one of Jaunty's paintings on the wall :) (from previous novels).

The male leads are HOT. Liz Fenwick has such a skill with her characters - I felt the attraction to Sam and I was attracted to Seb. Two different age groups and different personalities but still being drawn in for those all important 'feels.'

At the heart of Under a Cornish Sky is finding out where you belong, where you fit in the world ... and fighting for your beliefs. Family, heritage, love and lust. The message is to take life's opportunities with both hands no matter you can't see the outcome. That risk might be the start of a whole new you!

I would like to thank the publishers for approval via Netgalley.

[Gina Wynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely deep story with just enough complexity—and a gorgeous cover—where Cornwall, and particularly the Boscawen estate, were important supporting characters. It tok me a few chapters to fully immerse myself in the book as scenes alternated between Demi ad Victoria, and they were short and snappy, never staying with either character for very long.

The reader meets Demi mid boyfriend-crisis, but I’m not sure I ever really bought into her issues because , although she paid them some lip-service, I didn’t really ‘feel’ them. Victoria, on the other hand, is initially happy in every aspect of her life but isn’t particularly likeable. Her character is handled very well as she remains uncompromisingly true to herself, and not at all trope-y or clichéd, throughout the book. By the end, I had a little more understanding of he, as well as some sympathy, but still no great liking.

The characters were all well drawn , and the story retained enough mystery to keep me guessing and turning those pages. I’d love to read a sequel and get back to Boscawen. The setting was realised very well, and a sense of magic lurks just beneath the surface of the story, bringing another layer to a well-told tale.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Justkeepreading · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was missing something for me. The characters didn't grab me and I didn't care a great deal for them. The story had potential it lacked grit and warmth for me. Was hoping to like this book due to all the great reviews. But just not for me

[Bertha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prachtig boek. Een echte aanrader

[Katie Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you to The Book Club for passing me this copy to review.

This is not the sort of book I usually read so I wasn't expecting to be gripped by it. But, surprisingly, I did enjoy it. The characters were well written and developed; I found myself really hoping that Demi and Sam got together. The entertwining of the plot of the two main female characters works really well. There were a couple of potentially dangerous situations that I would have liked to have been explored more - when Matt comes to find Demi - but that is personal preference and doesn't detract from the story.

It would be great to have a sequel to find out what happens with the hotel plan!

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'd read a previous novel by Liz Fenwick, The Returning Tide and enjoyed it. However, I struggled to keep picking this one up to read. I almost abandoned it, but decided to skim read through to the end once I was about halfway through. There is very little narrative tension. The plot seems to go round in circles, is cliched and predictable. The characters are two-dimensional and not in the least bit engaging. The whole novel needs a darn good edit, then it might be readable. The Cornish detail, which so many other readers seem to love, left me cold and didn't conjure up the Cornwall I know.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I liked this book because it is set mainly in Cornwall. It would be one of my dream places to live.
The main storyline was a girl down on her luck with no job and nowhere to live and then she inherits a fortune from her father.
I did feel this was all a little unrealistic situation that she found herself in, most people would just take the money and leave the house, especially as the other main character was horrible. This was why I gave it 3 stars, but apart from that it was a good read.

[Louise Pratley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is as good as the others & I enjoyed it. Love the fact that characters from her other books always pop up!

[Helen White · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. The usual mix of romance and Cornwall and houses and inheritance. Could've done with more Cornwall and some nicer characters though.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two main female characters in this book and that are the focus of the story, Demi and Victoria.

Demi is a mouselike character who lacks confidence. She has been passed over and generally ignored, and would rather be invisible than the centre of attention. She is in a rut and as she makes her way down to her Grandfathers house in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Victoria is the very opposite, she is confident and definitely knows what she wants and how to progress to get it. She is a woman who knows her own mind and is not afraid to add her voice to her thoughts.

Although the women are complete strangers they have a connection that neither knows about. When a revelation in the reading of a will comes about, well knocking the wind out of their sails, is a phrase that comes to mind. A bombshell is delivered that rocks the world both women think they know. It leaves them confused, dumbfounded and questioning what they believed. A chance for a fresh start for both of them? Well, maybe, maybe not!

This author has a fabulous way of creating interesting and complex characters, she develops there personalities and their traits, she explores their weaknesses and chips away at their strengths and wraps them in a well woven story. The characters have to do some real soul searching and dig deep for their outcomes, it’s not easy for them and there is a magic word called “compromise” that does not come easy, and is hard to do.

Using the Cornish landscape is another thing that the author uses to great effect. It is obvious from her writing alone that she has a connection to the area because it really shows in her stories. At times the landscape can mirror the characters, rugged angry cliffs and calm tranquil creeks!

There is a lot of family history in Cornwall, some families have lived in the same house, or on the same farm for generations. The buildings have altered or been added to over the years, but the land has always been. This means traditions, history and pride have a large part to play and the author nailed that sense of belonging, the feel of that is how it should be and also of things being done right.

This story is captivating and once again the author has effortlessly drawn me into her story. Fabulous descriptions of scenery and setting, wonderful characters who have more than a few surprises up their sleeves all brought together in a fabulous story line that flowed and wove it’s way to a very satisfying conclusion.

Under a Cornish Sky gets a “Definitely Recommended” from Me!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply love this book. It forms a hug around you with the right amount of knowledge of the area, history, a touch of romance, trials of family life and encompasses everything I have been looking for in a book in 2020. The characters are perfect and believable, and I was left wanting more of their story - a great skill from the writer.
Thank you

[Sophie Bessems · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vond dat er niet veel gebeurde in het boek en vrij langdradig was. Op het einde was het beter maar niet meer dan 3 sterren waard

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read all 4 of Liz Fenwick's novels and although I really liked the first three, this one was a great disappointment. It feels like Liz sent the first draft to her editor and they got confused and published it.

Publisher: "Hey Liz, we have a publication date for your novel. It's July"

Liz: "But I've only sent you the first draft!"

Publisher: "Oops! Oh well...it's too late to stop it now!"

This novel really suffers from a lack of good editing. There area grammatical errors, the wrong words are used ("the woman was made from steal"), characters leave a scene and then are back again without explanation, and some parts just don't make sense. There were several times I had to reread passages to try and make sense of them. This is very distracting and really spoiled my enjoyment of the story. This can't be explained away by problems with an electronic copy - I read the paperback edition.

The writing just doesn't flow - it's either composed of short sentences which don't flow on well from one another, or sentences which appear to have been lengthened through the addition of minor details which do nothing to add to the story. A good editor would have pointed this out and worked with the author to fix this and also iron out some of the continuity errors. People leave the room, but half a page later they are still part of the conversation, and conversely, someone appears in a conversation who wasn't previously in the room.

Another thing that spoiled by enjoyment of the novel was the characters. I just couldn't engage with either Demi or Victoria. Demi annoyed me because she was so childish and meek. Spineless could also be used to describe her. Her decisions and the way she behaved just didn't ring true for a 25-yar-old architect and I got sick of the way she just kept her mouth shut instead of sticking up for herself and then just tossed comments over her shoulder as she left the room.

As for Victoria, I understand she has emotional issues stemming from her history, but this wasn't expanded upon properly. The result was that Victoria just came across and a prickly, self-centred cow and I could never feel like I got close enough to her to like her or understand her.

The story is plausible and could have been really engaging had the writing been better. I just found it boring and couldn't wait for it to end, really. Not up to the same standard as "The Cornish Affair" or "The Cornish Stranger".

[Zwart Raafje · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zo’n twee jaar geleden las ik voor het eerst een boek van deze schrijfster. Zelf zou ik dat boek niet zo snel hebben uitgekozen maar onverwachts kreeg ik het in handen en toen bleek het best goed mee te vallen. Ik hield vooral van de beeldende omschrijvingen en de manier waarop ze haar personages had uitgewerkt. Dit keer begon ik dus met bepaalde verwachtingen aan mijn tweede Liz Fenwick-boek.

In tegenstelling tot ‘Een affaire in Cornwall‘ kwam ik dit keer niet meteen in het verhaal. Het lijkt me echt een boek waarin je meteen eventjes moet kunnen doorlezen. De kleine beetjes die ik met tussenpozen las waarin niet voldoende om snel weg te duiken in het verhaal van Victoria en Meri. Het duurde dit keer dus iets langer vooraleer ik me weer in Cornwall waande.

Een andere reden hiervoor is dat in het begin vooral de focus op het huis en de tuin wordt gericht en niet op de mooie landschappen van Cornwall. Naarmate het verhaal vordert krijgen we wel een aantam omschreven sfeerbeelden voorgeschoteld maar het landgoed Boscawen speelt dit keer toch echt de hoofdrol wat locatie betreft.

...

Mijn volledige recensie kan je hier terugvinden.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another cracking book from Ms Fenwick, beautifully written or should I say painted with words. You are drawn into the world of Boscawen and the characters that inhabit it and from its past. Secrets, challenges and stunning scenery lie within the cover to entertain, amuse and bewitch the reader; welcome to the wondrous world of Cornwall. I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy and I feel so privileged to have done so. You too can enjoy tjis book next month.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not bad in parts but weak in others, I’m not keen on the authors writing style - cringed quite a few times and couldn’t wait for it to end. I won’t be rushing to read another one which is a shame as I usually devour anything set in Cornwall

[Essie Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely summer read. Lovely, but also with a bite. Liz Fenwick really has a way of drawing you into her Cornish worlds, with a total immersion into the lives of the characters she moulds so well.

[Phillipa]

Lovely emotional Cornish story

[Shereen Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under A Cornish Sky is gorgeous, and pure escapism. I listened to the audiobook version, read by Anne Dover, and it was fabulous to leave the confines of my car during my hot, outskirts-of-London commute, and travel back to my beloved Cornwall. Demi, short for Demelza, runs away to Cornwall after the death of her mother and the breakdown of her relationship. Welcomed by her aged grandfather, she soon settles into life in Cornwall – until a revelation shakes her world once again.

Demi is a little bit irritating, I have to say. There’s not much to her – she seems to have to be guided along her path, every step of the way, and it doesn’t feel like she’s in control of her own future. She clashes with Victoria Lake, wife of Demi’s estranged father, who is an irascible, strong, fiery woman. Why is almost every character called Victoria an irascible, strong, fiery woman? Not that I’m complaining – I am all of those things – but we Victoria’s do seem to be portrayed as the she-wolves in literature. Victoria Lake is no different. Over 60, she hasn’t lost her appetite for life (or sex!), and her passion for her home, Boscawen, is infinite. Victoria is, arguably, one of the best characters, though I may be a little biased.

There are also small threads of feminism woven between these pages. Under A Cornish Sky isn’t an openly feminist book, and I don’t know what Fenwick will think of my interpretation, but there are clear messages portrayed through the characters. Brought up to believe she was worthless as a girl, Victoria was unable to inherit Boscawen, her family home. Her duty in life was to marry – and marry well – and to provide heirs. University education would be wasted on her, according to her father. Despite her anger at Demi for simply existing, she recognises that Demi has probably been overlooked and underestimated her whole life, just as Victoria had, so the bond of sisterhood is established, even amongst Victoria’s anger and despair.

Under A Cornish Sky is a brilliant read, and, in my opinion, even better as an audiobook.

[Koen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Under a Cornish sky
Written by Liz Fenwick
The edition published in 2016 by Orion Books
ISB number: 978 1 4091 4828 9
Cover image: Alamy/Getty
Cover design: debbieclementdesign.com

The story is well written with much attention for detail and the following items if found worth mentioning:
One of the main characters Demi Williams, has character traits which do not add up with her following a challenging study to become an architect. You really need perseverance and steadfastness to complete this study.
One of the other characters Victoria, displays behaviour which does not add up with her one and only goal in life: rebuilding an ancestral garden.
The book could have been shorter by at least 80 pages, contributing to a more natural flow of the story and cutting out a lot of repetition.

For me a 2,5-star reading.

A list of de main characters below:
Demi (Demelza) Williams, architect.
Josh, a colleague of Demi.
Matt, Demi’s partner.
Maia, Demi’s friend.
Peta Rowse, volunteer at the Charity shop.
Fred, a friend of Peta.
Mr. Williams, former English teacher and Demi’s grandfather living in Falmouth.

Boscawen
Victoria Lake-Tregan.
Charles Lake, her husband.
Sam Stuart, their gardener original from Australia.
Rachel, Sam’s sister.
Adam, Victoria’s lover.
Audrey, Victoria’s friend.
Hal, her husband.
Police Sergeant Simon Glass.
Constable Billings.
Sebastian Roberts, Charles’ best friend and one of Victoria’s old friends and the family lawyer.
Edward, Charles’ nephew.

Fr. Paul Boaden, one of the charity-holders of Charles and also executor of the estate of Charles Lake.
Jane Penrose, one of Victoria’s neighbours owning a Manor House and a big farm at Gweek.