It's 1840 and 23 years after the death of Jane Austen, her sister Cassandra returns to the village of Kintbury, and the home of family friends, the Fowles.

Cassandra knows that family letters have been kept here and, as Jane's fame is growing, she wants to ensure that she protects the reputation of her beloved sister.

Academics and biographers have long puzzled over why so much of Jane's correspondence was destroyed. This novel provides a gentle, sensitive and touching interpretation of events.

The story is told both in flashback and as Cassandra reads the letters and ponders her actions. It is a believable sequence of events, which is enjoyable and thought-provoking.  A lovely read!