"With each book I try to create a world that is exotic, sensual and full of colorful characters,” says author Santa Montefiore. “I'm not a mystery writer. I like to think I write about love. However, a little mystery gives me pleasure, as I hope it does my readers!”

Sea of Lost Love is set at the end of the summer of 1958 at Pendrift Hall, the Montague family estate. The celebration of Archie Montague’s fiftieth birthday turns tragic. Archie’s younger brother Monty, Celestia’s father, disappears.

All the signs point to suicide, but Celestia doesn’t believe that. The trail leads Celestia to Italy’s southern coast. She falls in love with more than the location. She finds the love of her life.

Montefiore’s descriptions are vivid. You almost feel as though you’re there with the characters. She turned to psychologist John Stewart to help her delve into the minds of her characters. “This was the first time I researched my characters’ psychological states with a professional,” says Montefiore.

“When I began my fifth book, Last Voyage of the Valentina, I added a thread of mystery,” says Montefiore. “I so enjoyed it that I did the same for The Gypsy Madonna and Sea of Lost Love. I think it adds another level to my stories.”

Sea of Lost Love is a romance and mystery, but not in the sense that you have dead body every few pages. It’s more of a thinking mystery. We get to follow the growth of Celestia and other characters in the book. Montefiore’s writing is enchanting. No mater what class of people she’s writing about, you feel compassion for what they’re going though. The story sweeps you in from the beginning.

That Celestia talks about money so much may have been a character device to show that she’s more American then British, but was over-used.

Santa Montefiore has written nine books, selling over two million copies in 20 languages. Sea of Lost Love is her seventh novel. Montefiore is a member of British high society and best known as the sister of high society writer and former drug addict Tara Palmer-Tomkinson. She is married to the writer Simon Sebag Montefiore and the couple are close friends of Prince Charles and Camilla.

Sea of Lost Love, Trade Paperback, 437 pages, Publisher: Touchstone (April 2008) Language: English ISBN- 978-1416543732 $15.00, 437 pages,

Gabrielle Pantera is the book reviewer for the British Weekly and a screenwriter.