A Rather Lovely Inheritance

October 23, 2006
Belmond gets her story off to an appealing start by tapping into the near-universal fantasy of a distant, elderly relative leaving behind a pile of loot. Penny Nichols (yes, she hates her silly name) is toiling as a low-paid historical researcher on film sets when she learns her Great-aunt Penelope—whom she met only once—has died and left her, well, something. Her parents dispatch her to London for the reading of the will, where she is reintroduced to her dashing cousin Jeremy. Penny gets left the contents of a garage adjoining her aunt's villa in the south of France and travels there with Jeremy to discover it contains a rare antique car. It doesn't take long for the family to split into factions competing for greater shares of the estate, which provides the narrative with an oversize share of twists and turns, especially concerning Jeremy's true parentage. It's evident from the moment of Penny and Jeremy's first encounter as adults that they will end up together, and the thin obstacles the author places between them quickly become tedious. Luckily, Belmond's spirited heroine is likable enough to guide readers through the wobbly plot.

Fans of light mysteries are sure to enjoy this fairy-tale indulgence. Katherine Kellgren portrays Penny Nichols, a struggling American who receives an unexpected inheritance from her English great-aunt that makes her wealthy beyond her wildest dreams. A cast of English, French, Italian, and American characters gives Kellgren the opportunity to display her talent with accents as Penny finds herself in the middle of a family squabble over the inheritance. Kellgren's enthusiastic narration sweeps listeners through the beautiful French countryside, the Riviera, and the busy streets of London while making details of vintage cars, clothing, and art history sound utterly enchanting. A little suspense and romance, complete with a happy ending, make for rather lovely listening indeed. M.M.G. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine