The Ashford Affair, by Lauren Willig

The Ashford Affair, by Lauren Willig. There seems to be a trend in recently published books to have a dual track to the plot.  In this story one track begins in London in 1906 when a recently orphaned girl, Addie, is taken in by her father’s elitist family. Thank goodness her cousin, Bea, takes Addie under her wing and helps her.  But even that is not all good, as Addie is always the underdog to Bea.  It follows Addie’s life until she reaches age 99, but the story line is interrupted by the life of her granddaughter, Clemmie, in New York in 1999.  Addie had a long and loving marriage to Frederick, but Clemmie wonders who Bea is, when Addie starts to share information about her long ago life.  Clemmie finds she looks like this mysterious Bea, who would be a first cousin twice removed.  How is Frederick involved in both Bea’s and Addie’s lives?  What eventually happened to the mysterious Bea?  A fun plot all the way through.  There is also romance, sometimes, in Clemmie’s life, but she fights it.  9 out of 10.  For more reviews: http://queenbeewritings.blogspot.com/