The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson

The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson

Book Summary

The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson has Rebecca “Becky” Young going through mail in her mother’s flat after the funeral.  She comes upon a letter from Olivia Kitto, a cousin, asking Jenny for her help. Becky knows that her mother would want her to help Olivia, so she hops a train for Cornwall.  She arrives to find the house in a dilapidated condition.  When Becky accidentally hits a porch post, the whole thing collapses with Becky barely escaping.  Becky finds a messy house but no Olivia.  She learns from the Jem and Rosie Sparrow that Olivia is in the hospital.  Becky visits Olivia the next day and finds that despite being in her nineties, Olivia is quite alert and tetchy.  Social Services will not allow Olivia to return to Chynalls, her beloved home, until certain conditions are met.  Olivia gives Becky a list of projects that need to be done which she finds quite daunting.  As Becky begins going through the house, she discovers a beautiful gate that leads down to the sea, a tunnel under the house with an unexpected item, and beautiful treasures in the attic.  The house has held its secrets since World War II, but they are not about to be exposed.  

My Thoughts 

The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson takes readers to Cornwall where Becky Young sets out to help her elderly relative, Olivia Kitto.  It is a dual timeline novel that takes readers from the present day back to World War II.  I thought The Sea Gate was well-written with developed characters and a complex storyline.  The author is extremely detailed in her descriptions.  While this allows readers to visualize the scenes, I did find it to be too much information because it greatly slowed down the pacing of the story (needed a better balance).  I liked how the past storyline provided details on Olivia and what happened in the house.  World War II was a dangerous time in Cornwall.  There was fear that the Germans would try to invade and there was the constant threat of bombings.  The mystery was quite intriguing and multifaceted.  There were some unique characters in this story.   Olivia is a cantankerous woman who has been shaped by the past.  She is quite a character along with her parrot, Gabriel.  I liked seeing Becky develop as the book progressed.  The ending nicely wrapped up the novel.  There is foul language in the book as well as intimate situations.  The Sea Gate has a mysterious artist, beautiful paintings, a lovely bracelet, a hidden tunnel, and much more.  A few little tweaks, and The Sea Gate would have been a home run for me.  The Sea Gate is a fascinating story about courage, secrets, war, forbidden love, danger, and perilous secrets.  

The Sea Gate releases November 17 and is available from Amazon* along with other major retailers.  You can find Jane Johnson's other novels here.  Thank you for dropping by and reading my review.  I will be back tomorrow with All that Glitters by Danielle Steel.  I hope that you have a calming day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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