I found this book in a place we were staying in Wales.
It’s a book that spans people and ages. Based around a house called Birchwood Manor where in the summer of 1862, Edward Radcliffe takes a group of his fellow artists to the house he has recently purchased. But one person is murdered and another disappears when a family heirloom disappears.
150 years later an archivist discovers a satchel that seemingly belongs to Edward Ratcliffe along with a sketch book that has a picture of the house which she finds strangely drawn to.
This book weaves through different characters across different times so well that I was gripped. I usually find it a struggle to follow novels with so many characters but the author Kate Morton does such a good job you really feel like you are part of the mystery within it’s pages.
Absolutely loved it. The sort of book to cosy up with on a cold winters night while drinking wine in a manor house. Read it.
Favourite quotes from the book:
Serius est quam Colitis, said the sundial in France…. Its later than you think. – page 251
Necessity was the mother of invention… and there was nothing so motivating as the need to survive. – page 252
The earth, the natural world, from which could be derived every necessity, and on which were preserved the imprints of every man, woman and child that had ever lived. – page 253
I have learned that one must forgive oneself the past or else the honey into the future becomes unbearable. – page 302
The truth depends on who it is that’s telling the story. – page 305
The very meaninglessness of life that made it all so beautiful and rare and wonderful… without the darkness one would neve notice the stars. – page 318
All human beings crave connection, even the shy: it is too frightening for them to think themselves alone. – page 343
Time is a strange and powerful beast. It has the habit of making the impossible possible. – page 572
Overall: 88%