The house of hope

"When Marianne goes to Hope Grange, it's to take up her job as a maid in the household of Hugo Lacey. But it is not the grand house she is expecting. Hope Grange is a crumbling wreck and a house of ghosts, whispers and secrets. Living there are seven-year-old Gerald and his grandmother. Forced to sell his home, Hugo's behaviour becomes more irrational and descends into madness. Marianne finds herself in a perilous situation and, fearing for her safety, she decides to leave. Then Franz, a German prisoner of war, comes to work in the garden and everything is changed"--Page 4 of cover.