The Family Divided

An atmospheric, romantic story echoing back to WWII

The fourth of The Guernsey Novels, covering both contemporary Guernsey and the time of the Occupation. Likely to appeal to fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

One family, divided by death – and money

Andy Batiste, at loggerheads with his degenerate cousin, seeks to discover the truth of his family history. Why was his pregnant grandmother forced to flee to France? What really happened to her husband during the German Occupation, sixty years ago? Who accused Edmund, the elder son and Batiste heir, of being an informer? Was he really a traitor – and who murdered him?

With Edmund’s brother Harold now head of the family, enjoying the wealth which ought to have come to Andy’s father, the family is forever divided. Andy yearns to clear Edmund’s name and restore his father to his rightful inheritance.

Andy is introduced to Charlotte Townsend, newly divorced, lonely and struggling with writer’s block and the consuming threat of impending loss. They meet when she returns for healing at Guernsey's natural health centre, La Folie, and Charlotte becomes involved in Andy’s family history.

Together they embark on a hunt for the truth…

REVIEW

"Sit back and prepare to be effortlessly transported once more to the beautiful island of Guernsey, this time in autumn, for the fourth tale in Anne Allen’s much-acclaimed Guernsey Novels series. Each successive book features, in cameo roles, characters from previous novels but each story nevertheless stands alone as a jolly good read and “The Family Divided” is no exception.

At the heart of the story is Andy, whose father lost his chance of inheritance due to a mysterious family scandal during WWII. Frustrated at not knowing the full story behind his father’s reluctance to pursue his rightful claim to land and riches, Andy accepts an offer of help with research from Charlotte, a woman for whom a life of luxury in England has always been the norm. In spite of her very comfortable lifestyle Charlotte is feeling bruised and battered after her divorce and the death of her beloved father, and her relationship with her mother is not an easy one. In an attempt to find some peace and stability – with a bit of pampering thrown in – Charlotte books a short break at La Folie, a health spa in Guernsey. Whilst on the island Charlotte encounters old friends and new challenges and her original short stay extends into a longer one ...

I liked Ms. Allen’s gradual unraveling of the main plot and the satisfying final tying-up of all the various threads in the story. I particularly appreciated her descriptions of Guernsey in autumn, which further enhanced my mental picture of the island that I’ve never visited but which I now feel that I know quite well, having read all four of Ms. Allen’s books. I also enjoyed her description of Charlotte’s London home scenario and her efforts at becoming a domestic goddess on Guernsey in order to change her outlook on life. I am now hoping that Charlotte features in a future Guernsey Novel so that I can see how she’s getting on!

As ever, the author shows great skill in portraying the occasional difficulties of interpersonal relationships, especially during times of stress. She has a great understanding of the human psyche and this contributes valuably to her writing. Well done yet again, Anne Allen!"

"Love overcomes and a painful past is revealed in this poignant romance set on Guernsey" Gilli Allen, Author of Fly or Fall