A Luxembourg Experience

Rachel Bryson was born and raised in the North of England shortly after the end of World War II. She has lived a sheltered life and longs to travel in search of adventure. In 1972, her dreams are answered when she is offered a job in Luxembourg. It is here, in a small village on the banks of the Moselle River, that she finds her shangri-la.

Rachel’s peaceful life is suddenly turned into one full of mystery and intrigue after she discovers that her home on Rue du Van was once a meeting place for the resistance during WWII. Among the partisans fighting to free their country from the Germans were Sophia Basconce, who has not been seen since August 1944, and her father, Anton.

Refusing to accept that his daughter has gone forever, Anton Basconce sits in the Place d’Armes every day, scanning the faces of all who that pass by, convinced that someone or something in this place holds the secret to the disappearance of his beautiful daughter.

And who is the monk who sits in silence, watching Anton? When he does finally speak, it is to tell Rachel to find Butterfly.

Why does Rachel feel she is not alone in her new home? Does she imagine the faint aroma of jasmine perfume?

The discovery of the locket and a diary leads to more unanswered questions.

Events take a dangerous turn when Rachel is introduced to the German. He is visibly shaken by the sight of the locket around Rachel’s neck. Is he really who he says he is? Did he play a role in Sophia’s disappearance?

So many unanswered questions. Rachel feels that she is rushing down a dangerous road and there is no turning back. But she is determined to find Sophia and Butterfly.

-- Carol Ludlow