Ethan Brown is a gentleman farmer, a strong silent type, and a lawyer. Annette Zeldin is an outsider, back from Europe to settle her mother's estate. She has a small, vulnerable daughter. The setting is the majestic Flint Hills of Kansas, with vast vistas of open space and horses by the herd. Sound familiar? Even the blurb admits it, comparing Firebird with The Horse Whisperer. But don't be put off: Graham has a good story to tell and her book is a page-turner par excellence. Makes small demand on the little grey cells, but is a nice, big, cosy read.
By Vincent Banville
