A new book recently appearing on the New Book Shelf at the library is A

Week in Winter, by Marcia Willett.  Willett is a British author who has had several novels published in England.  A Week in Winter is her first novel to be published in the United States.

            The main character, Maudie Todhunter, is involved in several controversial family situations revolving around the selling of  a country home, Moorgate, which had been left to her by her late husband, Hector.  She had married Hector about thirty years before a year after his first beloved wife, Hilda, had died.  Hector’s daughter, Selina, has never accepted Maudie and is outraged that Moorgate is to be sold.  Selina’s twenty-two year old daughter, Posy, is very close to Maudie and tries to help them all get along better.

            A pivotal week occurs in this story which involves Rob Abbot, the renovator of Moorgate, and Melissa Clayton, who wants to buy it.  Their chance encounter turns into a week spent at Moorgate where they commit their lives to each other.  Unfortunately, events occur which seriously interfere with their plans and greatly influence the lives of several other characters.

            This book has several  stories which are unfolding simultaneously.  As it progresses, each plot line evolves to a final conclusion where everything is resolved.  Maudie has a few striking revelations along the way and is much more at peace with her life at the novel’s conclusion.

            At times it was a  little confusing trying to keep all the characters in the correct time and place.  However,  A Week  in Winter  proved to be enjoyable reading and it was

intriguing to learn how the characters were able to resolve their conflicts and reach a satisfactory conclusion.

            This book would be great reading for anyone who has enjoyed novels by Rosamunde Pilcher (The Shell Seekers) or Joanna Trollope (The Best of Friends).  It gives a colorful portrayal of contemporary life in England which still practices the time honored  tradition of afternoon tea.