February 2010 is the release date for the third Bellehaven House mystery. It
will be the final book in the series. Rebecca Kent will lay down her pen for the last time. Since so many
of you wrote to say how upset you were at the abrupt ending, here is a wrap-up of the character's lives. I hope
it answers all your questions.
Meredith was bewitched by Stuart’s flamboyant charms, but being the sensible
woman that she was, she eventually chose the staid but faithful Inspector Dawson. When he proposed, she retired, and lived
out her life quietly with him in the beautiful village of Crickling Green. Unfortunately they were unable to produce children
and consequently adopted a brother and sister from the orphanage.
Felicity took over as head mistress of Bellehaven,
and served happily until a heart attack took her at the age of seventy-two.
Essie married Will Barnard, the nephew of
the rich widow in Finished Off. They returned to London where Will built a successful export business and Essie was able to
enjoy a privileged life once more.
Felicity fired Monica Fingle, and Mrs. Wilkins took over her duties. Monica moved
to London where, it is rumored, she became housekeeper to an elderly aristocrat who treated her abominably. The gentleman
died suddenly and in mysterious circumstances, leaving Monica the bulk of his fortune.
Grace Parker married the local
butcher and produced seven children, all of whom married and between them gave her forty-two grandchildren.
Olivia Bunting
moved to London and got a job with a national newspaper. She became a fearless reporter, and traveled the world on assignments.
Sylvia Montrose caught Stuart Hamilton on the rebound after he lost Meredith. They were married, but Sylvia was never
able to trust her husband and suspected him of having affairs. She focused on their four children and lived a comfortable,
if unhappy life in Crickling Green. She refused to acknowledge Meredith on the rare occasion they met, being fully convinced
that Stuart had never got over his passion for the ex-head mistress of Bellehaven Finishing School for Young Ladies.
