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  • The Light Behind the Window

  • Written by: Lucinda Riley
  • Narrated by: Miranda Raison
  • Length: 12 hrs and 54 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (82 ratings)

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The Light Behind the Window cover art

The Light Behind the Window

Written by: Lucinda Riley
Narrated by: Miranda Raison
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Publisher's Summary

From the Sunday Times best-selling author of the Seven Sisters series, Lucinda Riley's The Light Behind the Window is a breathtaking and intense story of love, war and, above all, forgiveness.

The present: Emilie de la Martiniéres has always fought against her aristocratic background, but after the death of her glamorous, distant mother, she finds herself alone in the world and sole inheritor of her grand childhood home in the south of France. An old notebook of poems leads her in search of the mysterious and beautiful Sophia, whose tragic love affair changed the course of her family history. As Emilie unravels the story, she too embarks on her own journey of discovery, realising that the château may provide clues to her own difficult past and finally unlock the future.

The past: London 1943. A young office clerk, Constance Carruthers, is drafted into the SOE, arriving in occupied Paris during the climax of the conflict. Separated from her contact in her very first hours in France, she stumbles into the heart of a wealthy family who are caught up in a deadly game of secrets and lies. Forced to surrender her identity and all ties to her homeland and her beloved husband, Constance finds herself drawn into a complex web of deception, the repercussions of which will affect generations to come.

Note to listeners: in the US, this book is published under the title The Lavender Garden.

©2020 Lucinda Riley (P)2020 Macmillan Publishers International Ltd

What the critics say

A sweeping, engrossing work. Riley is talented, delighting in the small details of aristocratic luxury and the pastoral countryside . . . The heroines of [The Light Behind the Window] struggle to master circumstances seemingly beyond their control, a common thread in Riley's work. A tale of family secrets, wartime espionage, and loyalties gained and gambled, The Lavender Garden will appeal to fans of historical fiction, Kate Morton, and Helen Bryan (Booklist)
A fast-paced, suspenseful story flitting between the present day and World War II . . . Riley expertly weaves Emilie's story into a dual narrative . . . A real old-fashioned romance which manages to have a compelling narrative as well as something of a history lesson in the Special Operations Executive. Brilliant escapism (Red)
Two superb storylines for the price of one here. In 1998 Emilie de la Martinieres inherits her grand South of France childhood home. She begins to uncover the past and finds a tiny room hidden in the wine cellar. Why has it been sealed for 50 years? As if that wasn't enough, there's also the part set in 1944. Constance Carruthers is sent to Paris as a spy, but loses her contact and falls in with an aristocratic family involved with the Resistance. Seriously, what could be more divine? Just sink in and wallow (Kate Saunders, Saga)

What listeners say about The Light Behind the Window

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excellent

I at first thought this was going to be a sappy love story but it surprised me with its story line and twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

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A bit predictable but very engaging read.

I was definitely drawn into the book and really like the author’s style, however I did find that it was more predictable that some of Reilly’s other books. Overall still worth my time.

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Beautifully written and good preformance

This is my 2nd book by this author. The first one was the 1st installment in the 7 Sisters collection. I like Lucinda Riley's writing style. This story flows nicely even though there are a lot of characters, twists, turns, and times in history.

You may have an idea, from the start of where part of the story will go, but you look forward to finding out if you were right or not. However, she only gives you that 1st hint, you have to discover the rest.
Very enjoyable and easy to listen!

After listening to all of the books available by Susanna Kearsley, I was looking for another female author who would catch my attention, and so far I like Ms. Riley.

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Fantastic work

Loved the story and the performance/reading was just the right amount of acting and speed. Highly recommend. Great for lovers of Kaye Quinn

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A Russian Doll

Just like the Seven Sisters, this novel has stories within stories and its simply incredibly written. Not your typical war novel nor your typical love story, bur with poetic justice and closure. Simply wonderful.

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Great book!

While I thought i was growing tired of Second World War type stories, this one was definitely worth the read! Loved it!!!

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Fantastic story

This is one of those compelling stories that you can’t put down. Especially towards the end. An excellent book with wonderful character development.

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Captured my attention and then my heart.

I just love the story and the characters. The events that take place in the story were realistically portrayed and the author maintained balance btwn fact & fiction.

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Wow again

This has been another wonderful journey with Lucinda Riley. It got a little frustrating in the middle as Em matured but that is part of the journey. Thank you

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Captivating!

I loved this book so much I was sad when it ended. Such a delightful plot with twists and turns and I was completely captivated. This is my first Lucinda Riley book and I plan to read all her books. The narrator was fantastic too.

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