Take No Farewell by Robert Goddard is one of those books that causes strong feelings in the reader. The writing is masterful, the story intricate and the tone suspenseful. For me, this was a difficult read as I disliked most of main the characters from the start. For me, if I connect with the character, I can overlook many shortcomings in a story but, conversely, if I despise most of the characters, it often overshadows the best features of the book.
Geoffrey Staddon is a London architect. He’s commissioned to build a country estate for Victor Caswell who left England decades earlier for South America and made his fortune prior to returning. Now, Victor wants Staddon to design and build him a home befitting his wealth and to showcase his beautiful wife, Consuela.
During the design and construction of the home – Clouds Frome – Staddon works closely with Victor’s wife, eventually falling in love with her and beginning an affair. Consuela is unhappy in her marriage and the couple makes plans to run away together. However, Staddon ends up turning his back on Consuela and leaving her to her loveless marriage.
Now, twelve years later, Staddon reads that Consuela is on trial for murder and attempted murder. Knowing that the woman he once loved and betrayed cannot be guilty of such a crime, he sets out to prove her innocence.
Rating: 3.5
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