Stoneybridge is full of holiday-makers in summer, its beaches are full of buckets and spades and sandcastles; but in winter it's cold and wild. Few choose to walk along the fine sands, the big round pebbles and the exposed rocky promontories that make up the wind-swept Atlantic coastline. Those who do can't help but see Stone House, the big house on the cliff; once falling into disrepair it is now a beautiful hotel specialising in winter holidays. Its big, warm kitchen, its open log-fires and its elegant bedrooms provide a welcome few can resist, whatever their reasons for coming. Henry and Nicola are burdened with a terrible secret, while cheerful nurse Winnie finds herself on the holiday from hell. John has arrived on an impulse after he missed a flight at Shannon; eccentric Freda claims to be a psychic - and a part-time hairdresser. Then there's Nora, a silent watchful older woman who seems ready to disapprove at any moment ... A Week in Winter is full of Maeve's trademark warmth, humour and characters you want to spend time with.
Maeve Binchy wurde in der Nähe von Dublin geboren. Nach ihrem Studium war sie zunächst als Redakteurin für die Irish Times tätig. Seit Ende der siebziger Jahre arbeitete sie als freie Schriftstellerin. Ihre Romane, darunter Cathys Traum, Echo vergangener Tage, Der grüne See, Ein Haus in Irland und Im Kreis der Freunde wurden in mehrere Sprachen übersetzt. Maeve Binchy lebte in Dublin und London. Sie verstarb im Juli 2012 im Alter von 72 Jahren.
© Liam White Photography