The Umbrella Tree tells the story of Helena Wolff, who grew up on a coffee farm in Kenya, together with her brother Horace. As an adult, she settled in an affluent Ireland, where her quiet and seemingly normal life in Wicklow is undermined by the tragedy and violence of her past. In this deep, yet often humorous novel, twists and turns culminate in a shocking and unexpected ending.

About the Author:

Mary Stanley has published six novels: Retreat (2001), Missing (2002), Revenge (2004), Searching for Home (2005), The Lost Garden (2006) and The Umbrella Tree (New Island, 2009). In 2008, she published a novella, An Angel at my Back in the New Island adult literacy and ELT series, Open Door.