Just finished this great book yesterday. I really enjoyed it. Three elderly sisters with a major secret live in a castle in Kent. An entrepid journalist whose mother was evacuated to the castle during World War II, returns to the English countryside to learn more about her taciturn mother, and ends up learning a lot more than she bargained for. Great read.
One reviewer on Amazon says "A rundown castle, tightly held family secrets and a literary mystery lie at the center of this novel. Throw in a long lost letter, forbidden romance, family madness and ghostly whispers in the dark and you get a gothic style mystery which would be the perfect book to read by the fire on a stormy night". Uh huh. That's right.
This author, Kate Morton, wrote The Forgotten Garden and The House at Riverton, also terrific books. Her books are sort of gothic, usually historical, always mysterious. One fun fact about the author, who speaks with such authority on all matters "English", is that she is from Australia! This woman does her research, that's for sure.
As I read in one review, Kate Morton's books "celebrate the imaginative lives of children, and the role that books and family legends play in inspiring their creative life".
So, pick one up if you haven't read any of her three books. I think you will be glad you did!
21 Responses
I recently read The Secret Garden and really enjoyed it, I think I’ll go and search this one out now. Thank you Nicole 🙂
Book sounds like a real page turner! Have to check it out after Christmas, when I’m not so crazy busy. When I start a book, I cannot put it down! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Nicole, I’ve read the other two and I’m certainly going to track this one down now!
Sounds like one I’d like.
I am just reading the Secret Garden and have the next 2 on reserve at the library. I hope to read them over Christmas when there is more down time.
Loved the Secret Garden!! Have her other book on my wish list and now will add this one…Thanks for the review..
I have it on order from my library, but I’m pretty far down the wait list. Good to know it will be worth the wait.
Thank you! I was wishing for a good book recommendation. Hmmm, now if you could get busy on the REST of my wishes!!!
Oh! Thank you for such a good and intriguing suggestion! These books will make good winter reading!
Hugs!
Thanks for the great recommendation Nicole. I’m a huge fan of the gothic/historical/mystery/romance genre. I just picked up the Forgotton Garden last week and can’t wait to start it. Glad to hear they’re worth the read!
Thaks for the recommendation. It sounds like a great book for my book club. They pick some really off the wall books and this sounds so much better.
Sounds like A good one Nicole. I dont seem to have time to read Always busy doing something else.My daughter Beth loves gothic books so I am sure she will read it.Have A good weekend.
Hugs Mary.
My mom and I have both read her earlier 2 books, and I have this new one ready to give mom for Christmas. When she’s done I will borrow it!
I loved the other two books…this is the next book I am going to download to my Nook
I have read her other two books and loved them both. This one is on my book list to read too. She is a terrific writer.
Happy quilting- I do love seeing all your projects – You do get so much done.
Thanks for sharing.
Regards.
Anna
Thanks for the great review! This is an author that I have not read. I’ve requested this one from our public library. Sounds like a wonderful read for cold winter nights.
I was mistaken yesterday when I called the book I read the Secret Garden….it was the Forgotten Garden and it was excellent. I’ve recently read the Wildacre Series by Philippa Gregory, I’m abit on the sensitive side and found them abit disturbing but my 21 yr old dtr tells me that they are pretty accurate for the time period so if you are into historical reading its a recommend.
I’ll read it! Have you read The Thirteenth Tale? It has the same sort of gothic feel. And some of the best literary quotes I’ve every read.
I loved Forgotten Garden and The Thirteenth Tale is a close runner up. I have been using the library a lot. I love being able to look at a cookbook before I purchase it.
I just bought this book yesterday. and since everyone else on this post seems to like her work, I’ll probably buy her other books after Christmas when I have more time to read. Thanks for the recommendation, Nicole.
Thanks for the book review, love looking at all your inspiring projects and now a book review..loving u….:)…got a Nook for xmas and it is the first down load I made… thanks L