Saturday, November 15, 2008

Another sequel




I read "The Gold Coast" back in 1990. Needless to say I don't remember anything about it. Nelson DeMille has written a sequel to it called "The Gate House." Fortunately he filled in all the blanks that would otherwise have driven me nuts. I could not put this book down. I've always enjoyed DeMille's books and this was excellent. The main character us John Sutter who has just returned from many years in London to his former residence and that of his ex-wife. She's from a wealthy Gold Coast family on Long Island. Their marriage ended 10 years prior to this when she had an affair with a Mafia Don and when it ended she killed him. For some reason she escaped punishment and continued to live her life as a rich socialite while John decided to take his wounded pride and leave the country on his sailboat and spent three years sailing the world then running out of money and staying in London to work as a tax attorney for misplaced Americans. He's now returned to say his final goodbye to a former family servant of his former in-laws. She's dying and he's her attorney. She lived in the gatehouse of his wife's former family mansion with a life tenancy. His wife is living in the guest cottage which was their home for 20 years and it is just a stone's throw from the gatehouse where he's taken up residency while his client lives her last days in hospice. Upon his first meeting with his former wife they decide that they can bury the last 10 years and start fresh but not without some roadblocks along the way. Her parents and their hatred for him for one but the major one is the son of the former Mafia Don who is suddenly out for revenge. DeMille's humor makes this book even better. I found myself chuckling out loud. I would say if you haven't read him then get a copy of "The Gold Coast" and then read "The Gate House."

No comments: