Castignac, a beautiful farmhouse in the South-West of France, is a shared holiday home for a group of Brits. The shocking death of Ian, one of the group’s members, taints the happy memories of the house and the group decides to try and sell it on. However, another member, Tessa, senses secrets and endeavors to find out more…
The present-day story is interwoven with chapters about the past, and the life story of the Castignac farmer is revealed through flashbacks to the First World War. The hidden history of this farmhouse is brought further into question when Tessa unveils a drawing of a
wild orchid, called the ‘Hanged Man’ in French.
There’s one person that holds all the answers, but they’re hiding a secret of their own. Can Tessa discover what really happened at the farmhouse and in doing so, free it of its demons?
My Thoughts
A group of English friends purchase an old farmhouse in France as a holiday home. Prior to the purchase, Castignac had been in the Lordat family for over 400 years, although the house the group purchase only dates to 1860. In the grounds is an old abandoned building, the former farmhouse with a pigeon loft tower. Two of the friends, Tessa and Ian, are drawn to it more than the others, and the discovery of an orchid growing near the building, the flowers of which resemble a hanged man, adds a sinister touch and gives credence to a past tragedy.
When Ian dies in the abandoned building, the group consider selling Castignac. Tessa is reluctant to sell and her obsession with finding out what happened to Ian threatens to alienate her from the rest of the group. Her doggedness, however, uncovers the past of the Lordat family, with secrets reaching back through two world wars.
From the description of the house and gardens, the attraction of the property is apparent. An idyllic summertime haven, selling would be a wrench no matter whether the property had been owned for centuries or just a short time.
At times, I didn't like Tessa. Her determination to find out what happened to Ian showed a lack of sensitivity towards his grieving family and her pursuit of Jacques Lordat, the old farmer and previous owner of Castignac, for his story, bordered on harassment. Nevertheless, I could understand her motivation. A strong natural connection to the place meant she didn't want to let it go without a fight and finding out what caused Ian's death could convince the others not to sell.
The mention of World War I and II drew me to this novel and it was those sections that appealed to me more than the present day ones; they were more emotionally engaging. Events that occurred during the German Occupation had far reaching consequences, amongst them ostracism, shame and the lifetime pain of a tragic decision.
The book's classification as a mystery and thriller led me to expect a different type of story. It falls short of being a thriller, but could have gone down that path quite easily; all the right elements were there. Instead, the story develops at a gentle pace, smoothly switching between the present and the past, with tantalising revelations to keep the mystery alive until the significance of the 'hanged man' is finally uncovered.
The Hanged Man is a well-told story. While it wasn't the thriller I'd anticipated, I enjoyed it and hope to read more from this author.
Thank you to Troubadour/Matador via Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
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