Shortlisted for the Popular Fiction Award at the Galaxy British Book Awards 2008.

Winner of Richard & Judy's Summer Reads 2007.

Reviewed on Richard & Judy on Wednesday 18th July 2007.

Now, if you like one of those old-fashioned, full-rounded, involved family dramas that spans decades then this is definitely for you – and, unlike so many in this area, it has a genuinely unexpected ending. Multi-charactered, all of whom are fascinating, it is both a love story and a mystery, a dual-time tale that fluctuates effortlessly producing a work of considerable appeal.

Similar this month: Judith Lennox.
Comparison: Imogen Parker, Michelle Paver, Ian McEwan.

Synopsis

Summer 1924: On the eve of a glittering Society party, by the lake of a grand English country house, a young poet takes his life. The only witnesses, sisters Hannah and Emmeline Hartford, will never speak to each other again.

Winter 1999: Grace Bradley, 98, one-time housemaid of Riverton Manor, is visited by a young director making a film about the poet's suicide. Ghosts awaken and memories, long-consigned to the dark reaches of Grace's mind, begin to sneak back through the cracks. A shocking secret threatens to emerge; something history has forgotten but Grace never could.

About the Author

Kate Morton grew up in the mountains of southeast Queensland, Australia. She has degrees in Dramatic Art and English Literature and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Queensland. Kate lives with her husband and two young sons in Brisbane.   Photograph © Martin Bleasdale More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation