The Secret Life of Violet Grant

Passion, redemption, and a battered suitcase full of secrets- the New York Times-bestselling author of A Hundred Summersreturns with another engrossing tale.

Manhattan, 1964. Vivian Schuyler, newly graduated from Bryn Mawr College, has recently defied the privilege of her storied old Fifth Avenue family to do the unthinkable for a budding Kennedy-era socialite- break into the Mad Menworld of razor-stylish Metropolitanmagazine. But when she receives a bulky overseas parcel in the mail, the unexpected contents draw her inexorably back into her family's past, and the hushed-over crime passionnelof an aunt she never knew, whose existence has been wiped from the record of history.

Berlin, 1914. Violet Schuyler Grant endures her marriage to the philandering and decades-older scientist Dr. Walter Grant for one reason- for all his faults, he provides the necessary support to her liminal position as a young American female physicist in prewar Germany. The arrival of Dr. Grant's magnetic former student at the beginning of Europe's fateful summer interrupts this delicate détente. Lionel Richardson, a captain in the British Army, challenges Violet to escape her husband's perverse hold, and as the world edges into war and Lionel's shocking true motives become evident, Violet is tempted to take the ultimate step to set herself free and seek a life of her own conviction with a man whose cause is as audacious as her own.

As the iridescent and fractured Vivian digs deeper into her aunt's past and the mystery of her ultimate fate, Violet's story of determination and desire unfolds, shedding light on the darkness of her years abroad . . . and teaching Vivian to reach forward with grace for the ambitious future - - and the love - - she wants most.

Praise for A Hundred Summers

'This year's big beach read . . . Elegant, old-fashioned delayed-gratification seaside romance with a flavour of Daphne du Maurier.' Kirkus Reviews

'Summer of 1930- A scandalous love triangle and a famous hurricane converge in a New England beach community. Add in a betrayal between friends, a marriage for money, and a Yankee pitcher, and it's a perfect storm.' Good Housekeeping

'A Hundred Summersdelivers swoons and intrigue against the backdrop of the 1938 New England hurricane. . . . Williams evokes the era effortlessly and delights in ripping the rug out from under the reader just when the riddles seem easiest to solve. Filled with delicious scandals, catty socialites, and true love, this beach read deserves pride of place in every vacationer's tote bag.' Shelf Awareness

'Williams' sweeping saga of betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption trenchantly examines the often duplicitous nature of female friendships and family friendships.' Booklist

'Smart, delicious writing . . . Williams adds a signature touch of historic drama.' Library Journal

'Novels as masterfully done as A Hundred Summerscome along only about that often. Beatriz Williams delivers an intricately woven tale of friendship, betrayal, old families, and closely guarded secrets. It is what every beach book should aspire to be - smart and engrossing.' Elin Hilderbrand, author of Beautiful Day