The narrator, Beth Johnson, tells her story mostly in two segments-1968 and before, and the setting is for the most part in Dorset, England. Beth is living a peaceful life with her farmer husband, Frank, in 1968 until her old lover, Gabriel, and his son, Leo, return to Dorset. When Beth and Gabriel get together again, events occur that no one could have possibly imagined.

Clare Leslie Hall’s first novel to be published in The United States is a good, easy read. Part mystery, part love story, part family saga, Broken Country has interesting, yet imperfect characters and a well paced plot.