Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

Reclusive author Vida Winter, famous for her collection of twelve enchantingstories, has spent the past six decades penning a series of alternate livesfor herself. Now old and ailing, she is ready to reveal the truth about herextraordinary existence and the violent and tragic past she has kept secret forso long. Calling on Margaret Lea, a young biographer troubled by her ownpainful history, Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good. Margaret ismesmerized by the author's tale of gothic strangeness -- featuring the beautifuland willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess,a topiary garden and a devastating fire. Together, Margaret and Vida confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.

Average Customer Rating:

A perfect read...get your tea cup and plate of cookies on the table by your side and curl up for a great read!	Customer Rating:
I have recommended this book to all of my friends, and to random strangers as well! This is one of the most original plots - grabs you from the start and holds on for a wild ride. You will not want this book to end. It's one of those that calls to you from wherever you are..."read me, read me...". You might as well give up and just read the whole thing, cover to cover, as fast as you can!

The end ruins it	Customer Rating:
There were some very good aspects to this book. Unfortunately, the COMPLETELY implausible ending ruined it. Who could think that made any sense?

Brilliant

Customer Rating:

The moment I began to read, I felt like I'm suffering from an addiction. Addicted to the story that made me lost track of time. Time which seems to flow like fluid. As I move reluctantly towards the end of the novel, I tried to take it slow but it's just impossible. When you're suffering from an addiction, you crave for more, isn't it? The story is about twins, but towards the end there is a major twist. Best book I've read in 2008

Great read, involves and entertains, great for a book club	Customer Rating:
This book was recommended to me by a teacher who used it for a book club discussion. I had never heard of it but got it from the library. It was wonderful, involving, and entertaining. You became invested in the characters, and I feel it would make a wonderful movie as well. I now have purchased it for a Christmas gift, I know my recipient will be pleased.

Great Gothic Tale!

Customer Rating:

I must admit that this book is not my typical reading material but I was intrigued by all the fuss and good reviews. Although it started off a little slow, patience proved to be a virtue as the story soon found its stride. The story is tightly plotted with wonderfully drawn characters. The ending was quite satisfying - I find that I am often disappointed in "mysteries" when the ending comes out of nowhere or is too simply concluded.