She met him at a wedding she had gone to only because she needed a husband and a wedding wasn't a bad place to begin looking.
This is where Hannie Bennet's story begins. She meets Ned Renvyle, an older Irish writer. Hannie is desperate to be married again. She needs money, she needs a home for her teenage son and she needs to leave scandal behind in Africa.
Ned weds Hannie and moves her to his rustic Irish farm. Once settled, Hannie sends for her son, Joss, who's been attending school in Africa. Examples of his troubling behavior are evident almost immediately.
Winter sets in and the days get grayer and more depressing. Hannie has trouble blending in with Ned's friends who question her intentions. She eventually realizes her marriage of convenience keeps her imprisoned.
The relationship and the story gradually darken. Joss's elusive behavior becomes harmful. Hannie has many secrets of her own. Eventually Ned questions his own choice to rush into marriage. These elements of love and betrayal are chronicled in A Winter Marriage by Kerry Hardie.
The author paints a vivid picture of the Irish countryside. The grays and browns also set the tone for the tale. The characters are very complex and their emotions are played out in extensive detail.
The lives of the cast unravel slowly until a shocking development is revealed in the last quarter of the novel. The pace of the story parallels the events. It drags at points until reaching the gripping end.
A Winter Marriage sometimes depressing. Its complexities demand all of the reader's attention. You won't find this book at the grocery store paperback rack. Kerry Hardie's debut novel is best suited for those with more complex literary preferences.
