Mandarin Summer

Heinemann Publishers, Auckland, 1981. First edition. Dustjacket spine very faded from original colour, with minor wear at spine extremities, foxing to page edges.

The year is 1946. Constance Freeman and her eleven-year-old daughter travel to a small Northland community to join Constance's husband Luke who has purchased land, unseen from Brigadier Frederick Barnsley. Forced by circumstance to live and work at Carlyle House the Freemans become more and more deeply enmeshed in the incestuous lives of the Barnsleys and the unlikely members of their household. The bizarre unfolding of events will haunt Emily for the rest of her days.