The Book of Hours

     The Book of Hours, by T. Davis Bunn, is a tale of hidden agendas, fleeting time, and treasure hunts. Brian Blackstone has finally come to claim the manor left to him by his wife's adopted aunt, but trouble is afoot.
      For the past two years Brian has avoided visiting, only to find out now that it is up for auction to pay for the incurred taxes. Brian has only two weeks to call it his.
      When a surprising letter is found among the china, Brian and the few people who call Castle Keep home are sent on a full-blown treasure hunt. Heather has left a secret, and wishes for him to find it. With the help of Dr. Cecilia, Arthur and Gladys, and Pastor Trevor, he sets out to do so. But what they find......is beyond their wildest imaginations. Heather's prize is astounding; but the REAL discovery.......
       "....Brian turned back to watch their expressions as they passed through the ancient portal. To his immense satisfaction, Percy and Gerald looked utterly stunned. Percy walked straight up to the front altar and said, "Do you have any idea what you've uncovered?"....
        ....Brian cast a look back to where Cecilia watched him, then he unwrapped the top item and stepped back. "Oh my dear sweet word," Percy breathed. "Gerald, your camera!"....
        ...."Take a look at what's underneath," Brian said. The vicar and the auctioneer gave him an astonished look. "There's more?" "We saved the best for last," Brian affirmed....
        ....Cautiously Percy pried open the lid, set it aside, and breathed, "I am well and truly amazed." "What is it?" Trevor demanded. Percy gently lifted out what appeared to be a cloth-wrapped bundle. "This is the reason I have spent my entire life dedicated to the past."...."What this is," Percy repeated, "is every historian's dream. The dream of a lifetime.".....
       I always enjoy books about old manors and the like, but this book was especially good. Definitely one I intend to add to my own book collection.