When Catherine de Costa, a wealthy Manhattan matron. learns she has only a short time to live, she realizes that her family tree will die unless she passes on its legacy and traditions to her granddaughters. But Suzanne and Francesca, beautiful young women caught up in trendy causes and ambitious careers, have no interest in the past. Catherine almost despairs until one night she is visited by the ghost of her family's ancestor, an indomitable Renaissance businesswomen named Hannah Mendes.
The Ghost of Hannah Mendes
by Naomi Ragen
St. Martin's Press
2001; new edition 2010
The ghost of Hannah Mendes encourages Catherine to use every trick in the book to coerce the granddaughters to journey across Europe and acquaint themselves with their roots. While the sisters honor their grandmother's request out of loyalty. They believe the quest is futile - until it starts to uncover ancient pages from Hannah Mendes' fascinating memoir, and brings new loves into their lives.
In 1553 a Portuguese woman came from Venice to Constantinople with her daughter and attendants. The Jews seemed to feel she is a very important person. She is reported to have escaped from Portugal with great wealth. The Jews are proud of her and call her Senora. She is said to have been formerly a Christian who defied herself with Mosaic depravities. profaning the sacraments of the Holy Mother Church. and performing witchcraft, until finally declaring herself a Jewess. All her life she has lived two lives. In public a christian - in darkness (underground) a Jewess worshiping her God in the Jewish tradition. Maybe here she can live in the open.
The street felt cold. Catherine de Costa crossed her arms hugging her coat around her, but this did nothing to stop the chill running up and down her spine. It wasn't t fair, she thought. a single tear sliding down her cheek. Catherine is devastated - she is dying. She closes her eyes, made breathless for a moment by a stab of pain from the stranger who has moved from rudeness to brutality. Despite the little green pill, the pain chopped like a machete through her delicate nerve ends, But this time, it is accompanied by a sensation that, for a woman like Catherine de Costa. is rare and even more painful: guilt.
Later that night in her apartment the results finally hit her - she really is dying - hot tears sting her eyes..A drowsiness born of exhaustion and a certain deep melancholy washes over her - her eyelids droop - suddenly she is freezing. When she looks up a woman is standing in the doorway - someone she doesn't know. Hannah tells her she must convince Suzanne and Francesca to find her book. Hold your death above their head - use their pity and greed - tell them about your will. Suddenly Catherine wakes up - was it all a dream.
Suzanne and Francesca have been offered a job by Catherine. A little research of the family history, traveling over Europe., find the missing pages of a manuscript written by a distant Spanish ancestor - Dona Gracia Mendes. that has been in the family for hundreds of years. Departure day arrives and Francesca and Suzanne are on the plane rushing down the runway. Thus begins a journey that will change their lives forever. Arriving at the airport in London they are surprised to find Catherine waiting for them.
Their first stop next morning is to visit Serouya and Company, Dealers in Rare Books and Manuscripts. Suzanne and Francesca are flabbergasted to learn that Catherine and Alex Serouya, owner of the bookstore, were once crazy in love - engaged even,. But Catherine called off the engagement three weeks before the wedding - she had married their grandfather Carl instead. They also meet Marius , Alex's nephew. who will have an lasting effect on Francesca. Catherine can't believe her eyes - Alex has found pages of Dona Gracia Mendes' memoirs. The original pages are to be shipped home, but she will take copies of the translation with her. Her morning has been successful - far beyond her wildest imagination. At dinner later that day they accidentally run into Marius who introduces them to Dr. Gabriel Fonseca. As Suzanne is coming from the ladies' room she runs into Gabriel. Without speaking a single word, both of them turn and disappear. Francesca is furious, but Catherine is radiant. The grandson of Antonio de Silva - yes, Suzanne has better things to do.
Just hours before they are scheduled to leave for Spain, Catherine announces she is going home - Francesca will have to carry on alone. Spain, however, presents a challenge - she cannot speak the language., and she misses Suzanne. Marius to the rescue. He and Francesca will embark on a journey that will confuse her, frighten her and completely change her attitude toward Donna Gracia Mendes,
They seek help from Senor de Almazan, professor of history at the local university and visit churches that were originally Jewish synagogues. In the Church of Santa Maria la Blanca, as in a dream, a woman's voice whispers a prayer in Francesca's ear. From then on things really begin to heat up. Through it all, something keeps telling Francesca to go to Venice. Leaving Marius behind, she makes her way s to Venice. Suzanne is becoming disillusioned with Gabriel. She too feels the need to go to Venice. When the two girls meet, something extraordinary happens.
Suzanne has found true love - there is a wedding and a baby on the way. Francesca must come to a decision regarding Marius. Does Catherine obtain the Mendes manuscript and live to attend Suzanne's wedding.: One must read the book to learn answers to these questions. You will love Hannah;s story.
This is an amazing book. Ms. Ragen brings the characters to life right before your eyes. You feel as if you are making the journey with Hannah Mendes - feel her pain and frustration. The book is a page-turner - one you will cherish. Direct quote from Jacqueline Park - "If you love history and romance, this is the book for you."
Highly recommended. Ms. Ragen is an excellent writer of historical romantic fiction.
