It has been ten years since the publication of Rosamunde's Pilcher's great family novel, The Shell Seekers. In honor of this beloved novel's tenth anniversary, Rosamunde Pilcher has written a new introduction in which she recounts the tale of how The Shell Seekers came to be. Set in London and Cornwall from World War II to the present, Rosamunde Pilcher tells the story of the Keeling family, and of the passions and heartbreak that have held them together for three generations. The family centers around Penelope, and it is her love, courage, and sense of values that determine the course of all their lives. One of Penelope's most treasured possessions is The Shell Seekers, which her father painted and left her as a remembrance and a legacy. It is this painting that symbolizes to Penelope the ties between the generations. It is the link between the past, the present, and the future. But it is the fate of this painting that just may tear the family apart.