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- Romance - |
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Thyme Out |
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| Thyme Out by Katie Fforde Century 384 pages, 2000 ISBN 0712680950 Reviewed by our South African Editor, Merilyn Tomkins adams.west@saol.com - Adams Bookshop, Durban, SA Thyme Out is Katie Fforde's sixth novel. When 29 year-old Perdita Dylan delivers her vegetables to a local hotel and finds that her ex-husband Lucas has taken over the kitchen as the new Chef, she is horrified. More so when she learns that he is to become the latest celebrity chef and needs her picturesque, if primitive cottage and Perdita herself, in supporting roles. Perdita's life is further complicated when Kitty, her 87-year-old friend and support, has a stroke. Is Lucas really such a villain? Can she cope with all this alone? Or should she face up to the fact that one can't cuddle lettuces? Katie Fforde is accurately described as a "Joanna Trollope crossed with Tom Sharpe". Her perception of human relationships is realistic and down-to-earth. Lucas left Perdita for an older woman. The experience leaves her cynical about men and their reliability as husbands. Known to have a green thumb, Kitty donates her land to enable Perdita to run Bonyhayes Salads. Kitty and Perdita live as neighbours and see each other daily. When Kitty returns from the hospital following her stroke, Lucas comes to visit bringing tasty dishes, and they soon become firm friends. Perdita's animosity gradually dissipates and she finds she still has feelings for Lucas. A long-lost nephew arrives when he hears of Kitty's illness, hovering around like a greedy vulture waiting for Kitty to die so he can inherit. Thyme Out delivers a very good plot and a solid story line. An enjoyable read. |
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