A Novel

Note to readers: In the UK, this book is published under the title Hothouse Flower.

From the beloved New York Times bestselling author Lucinda Riley, a sweeping, moving saga that will captivate fans of The House at Riverton, Rebecca, and Downton Abbey.

The novel spans from the 1930s to the present day, from the estate of Wharton Park in England to Thailand, telling the story of a concert pianist and the aristocratic Crawford family, whose shocking secrets come to light and lead to devastating consequences.

As a child, concert pianist Julia Forrester spent many idyllic hours in the greenhouse of Wharton Park, the grand estate reminiscent of Downton Abbey, where her grandfather tended to exotic orchids. Years later, while grappling with overwhelming grief over the death of her husband and young child, she returns to this tranquil place. There, she reunites with Kit Crawford, the heir to the estate and her possible salvation.

When they discover an old diary, Julia seeks out her grandmother to uncover the truth behind a love affair that nearly destroyed the estate. Her quest takes her back to the 1940s, when Harry, a former heir of Wharton Park, married his young socialite bride Olivia on the eve of World War II. As the two lovers are cruelly separated, the impact will be felt across generations.

This atmospheric tale shifts between the magical world of Wharton Park and Thailand during World War II. Full of twists, passions, and lies, and ultimately redemption, The Orchid House is a beautifully romantic and moving novel.