title: The Garden of Letters
author:  Alyson Richman 
description: <div><strong>Advanced praise for THE GARDEN OF LETTERS</strong><br /> "Richman seamlessly weaves together the languages of music and love, reaching into the heart of the reader with artful portraits of heroism, sacrifice and redemption.&nbsp; Fans of The Lost Wife will again savor Richman's ability to tell a remarkable story about people who are unforgettable and real."&mdash;&nbsp;Pam Jenoff, International bestselling author<br /><br />&ldquo;The Garden of Letters&nbsp;demonstrates artistry of the highest order. Lyrical and compelling, Alyson Richman&rsquo;s novel of a cellist coming of age in wartime Italy is as layered as a symphony. Exquisite.&rdquo;&mdash;Erika Robuck, author of&nbsp;Fallen Beauty<br /> <br /> &ldquo;A brilliant novel that will haunt me for years to come.&rdquo;&mdash;Kristina McMorris, bestselling author of The Pieces We Keep<br /> <br /> &ldquo;Alyson Richman crafts a transportive novel vivid with history and fragile with hope.&rdquo;&mdash;Jessica Brockmole, author of Letters from Skye<br /> <br /> <strong>Praise for THE LOST WIFE</strong><br />"A truly beautiful heartfelt story...I couldn't put it down once I started it. Ms. Richman is a very special talent."&mdash;New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah<br /> <br /> "Staggeringly evocative, romantic, heart-rending, sensual and beautifully written, Alyson Richman's The Lost Wife may very well be the Sophie's Choice of this generation."&mdash; New York Times bestselling author John Lescroart<br /> <br /> "Moving, unforgettable and so expertly told, you have to wonder if the author has a gift of time travel&mdash;this is storytelling at its very best."&mdash;Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author<br /> &nbsp;</div>
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  CONTENTS
  
  [Title Page](index_split_001.html#filepos1156)
  
  [Prologue](index_split_002.html#filepos2455)
  
  [CHAPTER ONE](index_split_003.html#filepos7716)
  
  [CHAPTER TWO](index_split_004.html#filepos29503)
  
  [CHAPTER THREE](index_split_005.html#filepos46373)
  
  [CHAPTER FOUR](index_split_006.html#filepos76852)
  
  [CHAPTER FIVE](index_split_007.html#filepos104175)
  
  [Alydia Rackham's Patreon](index_split_008.html#filepos159798)
  
  [COMING NEXT TO PATREON](index_split_009.html#filepos163128)
  
  [ABOUT THE AUTHOR](index_split_010.html#filepos164107)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Rooks of Misselthwaite
  
  IN THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN
  
  Book I
  
  A Prequel Series to “The Secret Garden”
  
  ALYDIA RACKHAM
  
  Copyright © 2017 Alydia Rackham
  
  All rights reserved.
  
  ISBN: 154718003X
  
  ISBN-13: 978-1547180035
  
  For Jaicee
  
  Ever
  
  And for Maegan, Julie and Lexi
  
  “God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human
  pleasures.”
  
  -Francis Bacon
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prologue
  
  “Colin?”
  
  Mary Lennox went very still, and star