Michael Phillips |
However, most of the action in the books cover the lives of the children and grandchildren of those twins. A lot of emphasis is placed on Christian living, although the books are well-written enough that they don't become sermonizing. But the books are more about the interactions of the family members than they are about solving a mystery. The books so accurately reflect attitudes of the era, so much so that Phillips received criticism from some women for various passages in the book. As he points out in introductions, prefaces, etc... his goal was to make the characters true to the time period, a I think he has done so.
Recurring Characters of note
Charles Rutherford, Lord of Heathersleigh Hall
Jocelyn, his wife
George, their sone
Amanda, their daughter
Catharine, their daughter
Gifford Rutherford, Charles' cousin, son of the other twin
Gregory Rutherford, Gifford's son
Bobby McFee, gardner
Maggie McFee, his wife
Timothy Diggersfeld, a pastor
#1 Wild Grows the Heather in Devon (1998)
The book begins with the birth of twins in 1829 and a secret which remains hidden for three generations.
Jumping to the 1890s and early years of Charles and Jocelyn's marriage, he is a member of the House of Commons. Jocie has never come to terms with a large red birthmark on her face. Charles becomes a Christian, and soon Jocie joins the faith. Their son George readily accepts their new lifestyle, but Amanda does not like the changes in her family which she considers to be too restrictive for the life she wants to live.
Cousin Gifford visits, demanding that they find an old Bible, but no one alive has ever seen it
This is all set in the backdrop of the political conditions of Britain and Europe prior to World War I. Amanda rebels from her family and goes to London to join the suffragette movement.
#2 Wayward Winds (1999)
Amanda is taken in by the Pankhurts and becomes embroiled in the suffragette movement. Charles, although he has resigned from Parliament, is still a well-known figure in England, especially as he and George work together to electrify rural England. Charles is recruited by a nebulous movement called the "Fountain of Light." But he resists, sensing that their motives are more subversive than noble.
Meanwhile, Amanda realizes that she is being used because of her name. She leaves the Pankhursts, only to be sucked into one of the secret groups who are also using her, although she is still too rebellious and angry to see it.
She leaves London to travel to Europe and is actually in Austria when WWI breaks out.
#3 Heathersleigh Homecoming (1999)
This is my favorite of the four books, mostly because I prefer intrigue and action to long passages about what the characters are thinking. It's mostly about Amanda
Amanda has become seriously entangled with a group that is plotting against the Allies. She finally realizes this and plans an escape. She makes it as far as Switzerland where she is protected by a group of women who are not attached to a church as a convent would be, but they challenge her to spiritually examine her life in ways she was never before ready to hear.
Charles is called back into service of the Navy, and George is stationed on the same ship.
#4 A New Dawn Over Devon (2001)
Although WWI continues, it is very far away from Heathersleigh Hall. Many changes come to the manor and the village. Telling very much about this book and period of their lives would definitely be a spoiler for the rest of the series.
The secret surrounding the twins' birth, three generations in the past, is brought to light and it has ramifications for them all.
Cousin Gifford, his wife Martha, and son Geoffrey are important characters.
