I used to think the past was dead and gone, that time erased memories ...
An unexpected visitor to a cocoa estate on the island of Trinidad triggers buried memories of the mysterious deaths that plagued a prosperous French Creole family who once lived there. Now a near ruin, the once "Great House" was where Joe, the housekeeper's precocious eleven-year-old son, bore witness to half-understood incidents and undercurrents in the lives of its residents. Decades later, his reawakened memories begin with the arrival of a handsome young stranger to the property-a catalyst which sets off a train of tragic events with consequences that reach into the present day.
Rich in historical and geographical detail, Palmyra chronicles a time when an educated elite rose from the ashes of slavery and indentureship to challenge the ruling white plantocracy and create an independent nation.
A part coming-of-age story, part Gothic mystery, Palmyra conjures a world teeming with divided loyalties, family secrets, and ambition.
Compelling Sense of Place and Time
"In the interests of full disclosure, Karen is a very dear friend and used to lead our bookclub in Australia many moons ago. I really enjoyed reading Palmyra as it gave me a very real sense of place and time. It was a unique and unusual story - a great mix of mystery and history, with a sprinkle of supernatural thrown in for good measure. I can't wait to read her next novel."
