The Boat House

Fans of traditional mysteries will welcome British author Oldfield's elegant historical, set in 1912. Georgina Matlowe deems the newly employed governess, 24-year-old Marianne Lefevre, "eminently suitable" for Georgina's two orphaned granddaughters, twin sisters Emmie and Edie. As for Marianne, she looks forward to a new, carefree life at the Matlowe estate on the Thames near Henley after recently nursing her parents through their last illnesses. But what is Marianne to make of Emmie and Edie's tales of seeing a ghost near the boat house? She also begins to hear disturbing stories about Georgina's son and the pregnant bride he brought home from America, both of whom mysteriously disappeared. Meanwhile, PI Donald Watson reopens the case of the missing Matlowes at the request of a family member, but every lead turns out to be a dead end. Oldfield (Truth Will Out) doesn't offer any startling twists or turns, but memorable characters and a juicy family drama will satisfy most readers. (Oct.)