Volume 3 of The Murphy-Arcadelt Chronicles
The Murphy-Arcadelt Chronicles are a family saga, telling the stories of the lives of two families, running side by side. though quite different from each other in many respects.
In the first book, Maggie's Tale, we found Maggie Murphy and Lucy Wibberley, two maids-of-all-work, linking up with The Salvation Army, when it started work in the town of Erlingford, and of how Lucy became an officer, organising a children's home in Jamaica, while Maggie made a disastrous marriage. The story ended with the death of Maggie in childbirth, and how Lucy resigned her officership in order to foster her four children.
In the second, Cosmo's Tale, we meet Cosmo Beresford Arcadelt, who gives up a life of Downton Abbey-like privilege when he joins its ranks, and learn of his marriage to Lucy; also of the growing-up of MAggie's two daughters, Bridie and 'Little Lucy'.
In the third, Harvey's Tale, we find Wendy Murphy reacting violently to his being crossed in love; Harvey making a potentially disastrous marriage to a member of one of the worst-reputed families in the town, Cora Jephcote; Cosmo and Lucy's two children Guy and Lulu growing up knowing more of their grandmother's influence, that of the redoubtable Lucinda Arcadelt, than that of their parents.
The story unfolds against the background of the aftermath of the First World War, the Wall Street Crash, and of the recession which followed.
