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Shirley P. (Colorado Springs, CO)
I am a sucker...
...for a good story. "The Necklace" provides just that - a well written entertaining book that tells it's story from present day back to the 1920's. The necklace refers to an Indian piece of valuable jewelry given as an inheritance to present day estranged member of the Quincy family, Nell. Nell happens to be an attorney, who is well able to defend her gift from her great aunt Lou. And defend it, she must, from other family members as it becomes clear how valuable and unique the necklace is as a past possession of an Indian Maharani. How the necklace came to be a part of the Quincy family's wealth is a good part
…more of the story set in the 1920's. What it means to Nell and her eventual acceptance of the gift is the present day story. Both parts enthrall equally. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it unequivocally. (less)This is one of the best books I've read this year. The interwoven telling of the Moon of Nizam necklace and the Quincy family's secret history result in an intriguing, romantic and suspenseful mystery. I highly recommend this book.
Cabin girl
The Necklace
The Necklace was a great book. I read it in a couple of days. The writing style was very interesting. Going from 2009 to 1925 in every other chapter, makes you want to read more. You are able to figure out some of the answers to your questions as you go back in time, but you will want to keep reading to put all the family puzzle pieces together. The Indian necklace adds so much to the story. Where did Ambrose get it and why was it given to Nell? You will love reading this book.
Judith S. (Binghamton, NY)
A Lovely Read
"The Necklace" is a beautifully written novel that is elegant, witty and charming. Claire McMillan's characters are well constructed, believable and each endearing in their own way. The author skillfully and deftly transports the reader between past and present without missing a beat. A pleasure to read. One feels like a member of current and past families after delving into the book.
Marion W. (Issaquah, WA)
"All that glitters..."!
Hopping back and forth between 1925 and 2009, with various family members (would-be inheritors) vying for a spectacular piece of jewelry, we read of human frailty,competitiveness,
jealousy, intrigue, and (not to be forgotten), lust! This is an entertaining novel with believable characters and twists of plot. All that is needed is a dust jacket full-color depiction of the necklace, with its diamonds, emeralds, and "sapphire as big as a robin's egg." (Sigh.)
Betty Taylor
Unique Story
This book was a really slow start but it was worth staying with it. The writing isn’t the best, but the story is really good.
The chapters alternate between the 1920’s and the present (2009). Brothers Ethan and Ambrose Quincy want the same girl – May. It is 1925 and Ambrose is driven to travel the world while his brother stays home to run the coal mines. While in India Ambrose buys an extravagant necklace for May whom he intended to marry. However, he learns that May has married Ethan. Upon his return, Ambrose still presents the necklace to May. Thus, the love triangle builds in intensity.
In the present young
…more attorney Nell, always the outsider in the family, is called to the Quincy homestead upon the death of her great-aunt Lulu, the sister of Ambrose and Ethan. Nell has been designated the executor of Lulu’s will, and has been left a very unusual, and expensive, necklace. Cousins Pansy and Emerson want that necklace. Wanting to keep her inheritance, Nell researches the history of the necklace which leads to long buried family secrets being revealed.
I was disappointed with the ending. It seemed very contrived and quickly wrapped up. In my opinion, another couple of chapters to play out the ending would have been more satisfying. (less)This is a great beach read. It captures a snapshot of the lives of the wealthy around WW I, a time period that is fascinating. The ambiance of the story is so well created that I felt I was surrounded by the events and attitudes of 1917. The extreme wealth of one family and how the players lived in this luxurious time starts the events that play out a hundred years later. The story then moves the family to the present to play out the jealousies and family fortune through an estate. The story invokes a charming mystery about a family heirloom, the necklace. It is a rare story that has an interesting mystery that
…more does not involve murder. The adventure captured from the early 20th century gives the reader a well developed glimpse of a world from a hundred years ago. This is an enjoyable book, worth a read. (less)"Two generations of Quincy women—a bewitching Jazz Age beauty and a young lawyer—bound by a spectacular and mysterious Indian necklace." (publisher's note)
There are two alternating timelines, 1925 (May Quincy) and 2009 (Nell Quincy).
Ambrose Quincy returns from abroad bearing a valuable Indian necklace as a dramatic statement of his intention to finally wed May.
Her letters had become infrequent and he returned to find she had married his brother Ethan. The necklace was still given and a love triangle established.
In 2009, Nell Quincy is summoned home upon the death of her great aunt Loulou.
She inherits one item, a
…more valuable necklace that she must locate.
Our story weaves about aspects of the necklace, both past and present and we are privy to the intense family drama in both generations.
With respect to my usual readings, I found The Necklace unique and enjoyable. (less)
