J
Janet MacLeod Trotter
The Secrets of the Tea Garden
Synopsis
After the Second World War, Libby Robson leaves chilly England for India, and the childhood home where she left her heart—and her beloved father, James—fourteen years ago. At first Libby is intoxicated by India’s vibrant beauty: the bustle of Calcutta, the lush tea gardens of Assam. But beneath the surface a rebellion is simmering: India is on the brink of Independence, and the days of British rule are numbered. As the owner of a tea plantation, James embodies the hated colonial regime, and Libby finds herself questioning her idealised memories—particularly when she meets the dashing freedom fighter Ghulam Khan. As Independence looms, life in India becomes precarious for Libby, James and even Ghulam. And when James reveals a shameful family secret, Libby is forced to question her past—and her future.
Genres
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to read the previous books in the India Tea series to understand this story?
The narrative is designed to be accessible as a standalone experience, as the author provides sufficient context for new readers to follow the character arcs and historical backdrop without prior knowledge of the earlier installments.
Is this book based on real historical events?
While the characters and their specific personal journeys are fictional, the setting is grounded in the authentic political climate of the Indian subcontinent during the lead-up to Partition and the final years of British colonial rule.
