If you read my review of Danielle Steel's Answereed Prayers you will see that I thought it was badly written and that Steel's editor had either been sacked or was having an off day when he got to that book! Sunset in St Tropez is a much better book. Sunset has a more tightly constructed plot, there is no ghost that hangs over the entire story like the ghost in Prayers: there is a ghost, don't get me wrong but she doesn't pervade every last bit of the action.

Three couplesf orm the core of this story: six people who have been friends for decades. Successful medical practitioners, lawyers and the like who always get together for Christmas and New Year and all of the other major holidays. Good people whom Steel introduces and develops with a good eye for detail and the story.

Then Steel kills off one of the six: a woman who dies of a heart attack in the middle of the night just after they had all made plans to go to St tropez for the summer.

The story then surrounds that trip to France and whether the crestfallen widower will go or not ... then lo and behold he's seen in a restaurant with a woman much younger then himself and isn't hs beloved wife only just growing cold in her grave? The tongues wag and a party is arranged to learn more about this woman, this interloper.

The woman in question turns out to be a glamorous film star and the widower is smitten. They all go to France to meet two stunning French characters that would have filmgoers on the edge of their seats if they could be transferred from page to screen with at leat a modicum of success.

Widower announces that his new friend will be joining them, separate rooms of course, for a few days if that's allright with everyone. The knives come out: the men are equally smitten, the two remaining women are protective of their friend and the memory of his belove wife. Will the film star stay the course? Is she having a fling only to leave the widower in a heap on the floor? Or is there a love divine all loves excelling in the offing? What about the sleeping arrangements is that just a sham?

At this stage the story can probably go in at least two directions and Steel takes it in the only direction that I imagine her readers could accept ... a happy ending. That's enough: I will say no more.

There is some repetition in this book where Steel has her characters referring back to the deceased at the drop of a hat but it is by no means as all pervasive as it is in Answered Prayers. Steel's fans will love this book no doubt and if you are looking for an easy to read story to fill a few hours then give it a whirl!

 

Duncan Williamson
15 February 2004