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Overview
During a weekend in the country, David and Joelle Owain explore an abandoned village - and discover that its last living inhabitant is distantly related to David. Lacking other family, the young couple embrace Gwendolen, and soon the independent old woman has set up housekeeping near their home. Gwendolen keeps a watchful - perhaps too watchful - eye on the Owains. Joelle feels that Gwendolen is judging them, their friends, and their business associates. At the Owains' annual barbecue, Gwendolen serves special cakes, made from a secret recipe. Before long that recipe is the only secret left unrevealed. One party guest, Bill, a TV star, finds that his hidden contempt for other people can no longer be contained - it spills uncontrollably from his mouth until one of his victims brutally slashes Bill's face, forever ending his television career. Another of the Owains' friends, the driver of a commuter train, long-convinced that his wife is having an affair, kills her supposed lover and himself in a horrible train crash. A third man decides his family must not suffer the shame of his bankruptcy and the criminal charges sure to follow - even if he has to kill them to keep them safe.After finding Gwendolen, a long-lost relative, David and Joelle invite her into their family with a barbeque. Gwendolen makes special cakes from an old, secret recipe. Before long, the guests are revealing all their hidden secrets and fears. As death and destruction follow in Gwendolen's wake, David must confront the mysterious woman and learn what has been lost.
Book Details
Published
December 31, 1996
Publisher
New York : TOR, 1994.
Pages
448
Format
Paperbound
ISBN
9780812550863