Present Day London and the South of France

To describe this as a rather lovely novel would be to grossly understate the case. It is utterly charming. The story begins with our heroine, Penny Nichols, working on the French Riviera as historical researcher and set design consultant for Pentathlon Productions. They are wrapping up their latest cable TV movie about historical women when Penny receives an urgent call from her mother in the States. Penny's Great-aunt Penelope -- for whom she is named -- died, and Penny must go to London for the reading of the will. As a child of nine, Penny's parents took her to England to meet her mother's family, and Penny spent happy days there together with her Cousin Jeremy. Jeremy is now an attorney and makes all the arrangement for Penny's trip to London.

Penelope Laidley was Jeremy's great-aunt, also, and her surprisingly large estate is to be divided among Penny; Penny's mother; Jeremy; and Rollo Laidley, a nephew of Penelope's. Now, Rollo is a dissipated character who lives off whichever of the family will fund his vices, and he's not happy with his share of the spoils under either will, the English or the French. He believes he has the ammunition to contest the French will that leaves a villa in the south of France to Jeremy and the contents of its garage to Penny.

A RATHER LOVELY INHERITANCE is told entirely through Penny's voice as she and Jeremy bounce back and forth between England and France investigating their windfalls. Penny is a spirited, intelligent woman of thirty whose failed past relationships have left her a bit hesitant, but not bitter. If she sometimes longs for the elegance and civility of the past she researches, she doesn't hide from the present. She's a good daughter and a warm friend -- something Jeremy will need before it's all over, whether asks for it or not. Penny is not at all self-centered and she's a keen observer. That and the excellent characterization and dialogue are why the first person point of view works so beautifully in this case. A RATHER LOVELY INHERITANCE is definitely not chick lit; no obsessing over weight or shoes here. No bed-hopping, either, only a sweet touch of romance. If a novel can be both gentle and lively, surely this is one.

A RATHER LOVELY INHERITANCE tantalizes and entertains with its mystery and skullduggery, inner and exterior conflicts, and interesting characters, including the late Penelope, a hero whose image of himself and his place in the family is severely challenged, and a perfectly lovable heroine. It's a rare gem of a book that leaves behind a feeling of pure pleasure. For these reasons, I'm awarding it a Perfect 10.

Jane Bowers