The Bolter

Last weekend, Melissa recommended the Bryant and May mysteries of Christopher Fowler. I prefer reading series from beginning to end, but the local library only had a few so I picked up The Water Room. I'm thinking I missed a lot coming in at the middle, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The White Corridor is sitting on my nightstand. If you are into British modern mysteries give them a try.

Remember Nancy Mitford's classic, The pursuit of Love, and Love in A Cold Climate? If you do, you'll remember the narrator, the niece of Uncle Davy. Her claim to fame, and shame was that she was the daughter of The Bolter. One day mom just ran off. Left husband and 3 children behind to take off with a man she hardly knew.

The character, The Bolter, was based upon the real exploits of Idina Sackville, cousin of Vita. Her father was the 8th Earl of De La Warr. Family as old as England. One of the earliest Earls was Royal Governor of Virginia, and later gave name to Delaware.

Idina was young, rich, beautiful and knew everyone. Hers is a fabulous tale. A morality tale gone wrong.

Written by her great granddaughter, the story is told with all the warts. Don't pick it up, late at night. You'll never get to sleep.

Toad