The Gate House by Nelson DeMille
When I began reading this book, I didn’t realize it was a sequel to DeMille’s bestseller, “The Gold Coast.” I read that book 18 years ago, and I remembered I liked the book, but didn’t remember enough of the book to make the connection. DeMille usually has some type of wise-cracken protagonist in his novels, and he follows that format with John Sutter.
John Sutter comes home from London after 10 years to clean out his belongings from the gate house of the estate he used to live on. Ethel Allard, the maid to the estate is dying and he is her estate attorney. She has allowed John to store his belongings at the gate house and to use it while she waits to die in the hospital.
John had sailed around the world for three years after his wife shot and killed their neighbor, a Mafia don, Frank Bellarosa, whom she was having an affair. John then settled in London for another seven years before returning home. As John packs up his belongings and visits Ethel, memories flood him as he tries to stay away from his old life, especially his ex-wife Susan. Susan got away with killing Frank Bellarosa, and had remarried and moved with her parents to Hilton Head. After Susan’s second husband died she returned to the Gold Coast and bought the guest cottage that she and John had lived in during their marriage, which is located on the same estate as the gate house. The estate originally belonged to Susan’s parents.
DeMille is a favorite author of mine, but I thought this book was long. I love his tough-talking cops or his wise-assed attorneys, and he does deliver that, but it just wasn’t enough for me. My favorite DeMille books are “The General’s Daughter,” “The Lion’s Game,” and “Up Country.” I couldn’t put them down; they were hold-onto-your-seat and strap-in kind of books. So, DeMille has spoiled me, and now I’m a little bit of an adrenaline junkie when it comes to his novels.
“The Gate House,” did not fill that adrenaline rush for me that I have come to expect, even with the revenge-seeking Mafia son as a posing threat. However, it might be a good selection for book club because of the interesting aspect of John and Susan reuniting after an adulterous affair and murder. Would you take back your ex-spouse after 10 years, murder and infidelity? Would you work for the Mafia? Book clubs could have fun with the aspersions DeMille makes on the lofty Gold Coastites (or anyone believing they are of higher standing than the rest of us). And, last but not least – parents, especially Susan’s!
Rating: 6.5