In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory.' - Helen Dunmore, The TimesJust two years after the death of their mother, Hector Stewart tells his children he plans to remarry and has chosen a distant relative from Ireland to be his bride.

In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory.' - Helen Dunmore, The TimesJust two years after the death of their mother, Hector Stewart tells his children he plans to remarry and has chosen a distant relative from Ireland to be his bride.