Hello, everyone. Today I am reviewing The Last Camellia by Sarah Jio for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the book (from the publisher): On the eve of the Second World War, the last surviving specimen of a camellia plant known as the Middlebury Pink lies secreted away on an English estate. Flora, an amateur American botanist, is contracted by an international ring of flower thieves to infiltrate the household and acquire the coveted bloom. Her search is at once brightened by a new love and threatened by her discovery of a series of ghastly crimes.
More than half a century later, garden designer Addison takes up residence at the manor, now owned by the family of her husband, Rex. The couple’s shared passion for mysteries is fueled by the enchanting camellia orchard and an old gardener’s notebook. Yet its pages hint at dark acts ingeniously concealed. If the danger that Flora once faced remains very much alive, will Addison share her fate?
My review: This is the first book I have read by Jio. And I love a good mystery, as you well know. Jio spins a pretty neat tale with lots of twists and turns and that’s what we all want when reading a mystery. I liked the premise very much – a rare flower that is so rare that some people will do anything to protect or steal it. That’s intriguing.
I’m going to call this book a good beach read. Beach reads, by my definition, are books that are compelling enough to hold your interest but are also all about relaxing and don’t require too much of you, the reader. Beach reads are a whole genre in themselves. We’ve all packed a few books to take along to the beach, or the lake, or on a camping trip. This is one of them.
It reminds me of the Gothic Novels I used to read as a teenager. All the elements are there: the big estate in the country (in England, of course,) the mysterious housekeeper, the extensive grounds that one can wander through and that just might be dangerous, the handsome leading man who just happens to be really rich, the mysterious stranger. It’s all there. I used to love reading those books when I was younger.
Here’s what I had trouble with. The plot elements can be simplistic and clunky. Flora just happens to meet a handsome stranger within about two minutes of boarding an ocean liner. Addison, who has a mysterious past, just happens to have married a wealthy Brit whose parents have bought this fabulous estate as a weekend getaway. Flora, who works in her family’s bakery in NYC, just happens to be approached by the ringleader of a gang of flower thieves, in the bakery. I had trouble believing any of that. Things happened too quickly, there wasn’t enough writing space given to a more believable progression between, say, boarding an ocean liner and, bam!, meeting a handsome stranger. Or working in a bakery and, in the very first scene where we meet Flora, immediately being approached by the ringleader. I would have liked to have seen more time given to character development, as well.
Perhaps because I have been immersed in reading a series of mysteries written by two amazing writers who do just that, this clunkiness sticks out more than it might have otherwise. I’m not sure. I found the believability factor to be wanting. It just may not be my cup of tea. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t your cup of tea.
Having said all that, this book is a good beach read. If you want a bit of light fare (and don’t we all at times?) you will enjoy this mystery. I’ve decided that it is a Gothic Novel, with all the elements that type of novel contains. If you are a reader that is drawn to that genre, you’ll have a good time reading The Last Camellia.
About the author: Sarah Jio is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Blackberry Winter, The Violets of March, and The Bungalow. She has written thousands of articles for magazines such as Glamour, SELF, Health, Redbook, Cooking Light, O, The Oprah Magazine, Woman’s Day and many other publications. She lives in Seattle with her husband and three young children.
Good news! I can give away up to 5 copies of The Last Camellia. So leave a comment here and I’ll draw the winners on Sunday evening. Good luck!
Happy Thursday,
I have read a couple of her books and I agree with your assessment – good beach read (I like your definition)
Claudia,with all they disorganization, disarray and heartbreak, in my life right now? I can use a good Beach novel. Something that requires very little of me,Thats all I have to give! Very good job on the review! -Judy A-
Thanks for the chance — sounds like the perfect summer book!
PS loved your pictures and post yesterday…didn’t have a chance to comment then, but really enjoyed. Your kitchen looks so inviting.
Hi Claudia! Love following your blog. A good beach read is perfect for summer. The heat has been awful here. This sounds like a great book to chill out with. Wishing you well. C-:
A beach read sounds like a good diversion from the heat…anything to keep me inside! ;)
I liked one of her previous books so I plan on reading this one. Love a good beach read! Now I have to go find me a good beach to read on. I suppose my pool will do……
Have a good day,
Luanne
Sounds like fun, in spite of the apparent clunkiness. Summer is a great time to suspend belief.
Since I am pretty much trapped inside away from the heat most of the day..why not give it a try..Thanks Claudia for the chance..
The gothic elements combined with the floral,botanical aspect are intriguing although,as you so well describe, perhaps not as deeply engaging and challenging as some.Nevertheless,an enjoyable diversion can at times be just the thing:)
This book looks so interesting. I would love to read it.
Great review, Claudia. It reminds me of books I used to read when I was younger. Victoria Holt comes to mind. I know they are stored somewhere in the house, I need to find them and get back into that book style. Thanks for the chance to win a copy. Hope you get to stay home for a while. Alma
I would love a good beach read even if I am in my A/C. Thanks Claudia.
Hi Claudia: As I was reading the review I thought of another book I read set in England but the topic was the blue Rose and was a little light mystery. Valerie
I have read her other books and they are perfect for those times when I don’t want to do a lot of thinking. Yep, definitely good beach reads :)
Wonderful job on your review. I find as I get older…I like more simple books. Ones that don’t require a lot of thinking and keeping track of. This sounds like something that I might like.
Balisha
Definitely have to check it out
Always enjoy your book reviews, Claudia. You have introduced me to several new-to-me authors and book titles. Thanks so much!
I love your book reviews. If it seems interesting to me, I will head to Amazon and put it on my wish list so I don’t forget it. This sounds like one I would like. pam
Please include my name in the drawing. I always enjoy your reviews!
Sounds like a really good book. Would love to read it!
I hope it’s okay that I’m commenting on this book in hopes of winning a copy, since I won your last giveaway. (Which, by the way, I haven’t received that book. Maybe you haven’t mailed it yet – which is fine, no hurry – but if you have mailed it, I didn’t want you to think that I received it and didn’t thank you.) Anyway, I’ve read Blackberry Winter and really enjoyed it, so I would love to read another one of Jio’s books. Thanks, Claudia!
I have not read any of Jio’s books, but this one sounds like a great mystery and I’d love a chance to read it. Since mysteries are my favorite books I will be adding this author to my TBR list. Thanks for this chance.
I completely agree with your definition of a beach read , and it sounds like this is a great beach read for sure!
Thanks for being on the tour.