Davenport House is the first book in a family saga following the wealthy Davenports and their servants in 1915 America.Mary Davenport is a 22-year-old idealist who worries that the world in the Progressive Era is leaving her behind. She lives isolated in the Pennsylvania countryside with her affluent and secretive family. When her father dies suddenly, Mary becomes pained with grief and … and increasingly suspicious of those around her.
A humble servant girl has the chance of a lifetime to become a lady’s companion. Costly dresses, exquisite rooms, and fine dinners are pleasant distractions from what is really happening in the house.
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not the best book but it still held my interest. wanted to read book 2. it was cheap so I did. Books 3 and beyond, not as cheap so not that interested.
I have read the first three books, and look forward to continuing. Great details in Historical Pennsylvania, starting in 1915. Silk is a new author for me, and I have the whole series lined up for me to read. Wonderful details about clothes, history during that time, and the ways of life in that period. I highly recommend it. The characters and story are very engaging!
Great book, you will want to read more.
Very stilted, unnatural choice of words & sentence structure. Makes it too irritating to read. Obviously in dire need of editing/rewrite to make it readable.
Did not read all of it.
Liked the storyline but the writing was not up to my standard.
Just low quality.
It was an entertaining easy read, just seemed to be a little rushed.
Miss Mary, our heroine, failed to engage me – she’s a privileged daughter of a doting father and a spendthrift, dissolute ass of a brother. Plot twists involve that brother and their despicable mother and the local doctor. It’s a quick read. The writing style was akin to a high school essay, describing rooms and historical references: Wannamaker’s department store and automobiles, with ill defined scene separations and segues.
It is a definite read over
Good read early 20th century. Irish characters Give you an impression of rural life before the Roaring 20’s
Interesting with points of view from rich and poor.
A good story but the words do not paint a picture or evoke emotion.
I didn’t hate this book…I even read the next installment hoping I would like it better but the characters are shallow and it reads too much like an TV episode recap…the plot was tolerable, though mediocre and predictable. It didn’t make me feel anything. I wasn’t transported to that world. The language was uninspiring. I finished the book not really caring what happened to the characters. It was better than most of the romantic drivel out there…barely.
The storyline is interesting. However, the short sentences make it a bit of an odd read. Each sentence is a statement, i.e. Mary opened the door. The room was empty. The whole book was written as though it were for staging directions.
It was a little too predictable, but still entertaining
NO!
The overall feel of the writing was immature. Story line felt predictable.
Enjoyed the characters
I liked this book because it was nice to read something that was a fast read.