The Long Shadow — Anna Gilbert

Hannah Medlar was raised by her strictly pious brother Joseph and his wife, Zilla whom she idolized. On April day in 1852 after having taken a wrong turn in their pony trap, she and Zilla arrived by chance at a village wedding where Zilla recognized the bride as an old friend. Hannah would remember this as the first in a series of events that would destroy the quiet happiness of her home.

Hannah Medlar was brought up by her strictly pious brother Joseph and his wife Zilla whom she idolised.

One April day in 1852, having taken a wrong turning in their pony trap, she and her sister-in-law arrived by chance at a village wedding where Zilla recognised the bride as an old friend.

Hannah was to remember this childhood incident as the first in a sequence of events which ultimately destroyed the quiet happiness of her home.

These included the terrifying visits of the rag woman; the inexplicable arrival of Jessie Willow, a strange, unattractive girl whom Hannah pitied and resented; and the tragic fate of Zilla.

Hannah's own dreams of happiness centred on her friendship with Caroline Rudyard and her brother Adrian.

Their home, Withy Grange, secluded in its deep meadows, symbolised for her a more gracious way of life which she hoped to share as Adrian's wife; until a ruthless hand unexpectedly intervened…

As her hopes are dashed, she forges a new life for herself, until finally -- through luck and old connections turned new -- the missing pieces of this intriguing puzzle fall into place…