Why a Booktrail?
1765, 1996: A dress, over the centuries, has the power to affect those who wear it
The Woman In The Lake
What you need to know before your trail
1765: Lady Isabella Gerard asks her maid to take her new golden gown and destroy it. Its shimmering beauty has been tainted by the actions of her husband the night before.
Three months later: Lord Eustace Gerard stands beside the lake looking down at the woman in the golden gown. As the body slowly rolls over to reveal her face, it’s clear this is not his intended victim…
1996: Fenella Brightwell steals a stunning gown from a stately home. Twenty years later and reeling from the end of an abusive marriage, she wonders if it has cursed her all this time. Now she’s determined to discover the history behind the beautiful golden dress…
Locations
Reset- England - Wiltshire - Swindon
- A: Lydiard House
- B: Lydiard Park House
- C: Forest Cafe
- D: Lydiard Millicent Parish Hall
- E: High St
- F: Holy Rood Church
Travel Guide
Travel BookTrail style to Lydiard House, Wiltshire
The story of Lady Isabella Geradl was inspired by that of Lady Diana Beauclerk, nee Spencer, widely known in Georgian society as ‘Lady Di’. Born in 1734, Lady Diana’s colourful life encompassed two marriages, a scandalous divorce and a successful career as an artist.
Lydiard Park is a stunning historical estate which used to be one of the ancestral homes of the St John family. You should definitely go and visit it but whatever you do, don’t do what the woman in the novel does, for goodness sake. Just take a look at the dresses etc on display and wonder what secrets they hold….
The author was also keen to uncover secrets from the town of Swindon itself and this is woven into the novel throughout. Visit the High Street and the church where someone in the novel is buried….
Trail Gallery
BookTrail Boarding Pass: The Woman in the Lake
Destination: Swindon Author/guide: Nicola Cornick Departure Time: 1765, 1996
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