Uncovering secrets that span generations, Rachel Hore delivers intriguing, involving and emotive narrative reading group fiction like few other writers can.
Nancy Foster has harboured a devastating secret that shattered her professional and personal life. On meeting her, journalist Stef Lansdown realizes that she has the power to restore Nancy’s reputation and to heal the wounds, if only Nancy will trust her. But someone else wants to get to the bottom of the story first, someone who doesn’t want it to be told.
Set in the beautiful environs of the Norfolk Broads in 2010, and in London in the '40s and ‘50s, when life for career-driven women was so different, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is Sunday Times multi-million copy bestselling author Rachel Hore’s utterly compelling new novel, interweaving the past and the present.
What did I think?
This is the first book by Rachel Hore that I have read and I absolutely loved it so I'm already looking to add more of her books to my TBR. The writing is exquisite and it completely captivated me from start to finish.
The story revolves around two women: Nancy and Steph. Steph is writing a book and wants to tell Nancy's story but Nancy and her family are suspicious of Steph's intentions. There is no hidden agenda to Steph; she simply wants to tell Nancy's story and Nancy soon begins to trust Steph and open up to her.
I loved the Norfolk community spirit that weaves its way through the story; although they aren't quite so welcoming to Steph at first, but then she is a journalist. There are a lot of intriguing elements to the plot, both past and present, and I couldn't tear my eyes from the page.
I was halfway through when I felt that it had a distinct ring of truth about it so I wasn't surprised to learn that the author was inspired by a story from her own family. It's just so infuriating to read how women were treated in the not so distant past. I mean things just as simple as referring to a woman who has earned the title of 'Doctor' as 'Miss' - it's so patronising and misogynistic. Nancy definitely needed one of those mugs with "It's Dr, actually" printed on it!
So beautifully written, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is a powerful, thought-provoking and completely mesmerising novel. I adored it and would highly recommend it.
I received an ARC to read and review for the blog tour and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
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