The New York Times bestselling author turns the clock back to a time when two young girls convinced the world that fairies really did exist… Arthur Conan Doyle, endorses the photographs’ authenticity, the girls become a sensation; their discovery offering something to believe in amid a world ravaged by war.
One hundred years later… When Olivia Kavanagh finds an old manuscript and a photograph in her late grandfather’s bookshop she becomes fascinated by the story of the two young girls who mystified the world. As Olivia is drawn into events a century ago, she becomes aware of the past and the present intertwining, blurring her understanding of what is real and what is imagined. As she begins to understand why a nation once believed in fairies, will Olivia find a way to believe in herself?
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I loved this books mix of factual data and fiction. A story within a story that will keep you reading late into the night, while occasionally looking out the window toward your garden – just for a possible glimpse of a Cottingley faerie!
The book held my interest to the end. End was not as I expected, but, not surprising. Interesting perspective on how folks survive difficult times.
This enchanting novel drew me in to the point that I felt I was actually in Yorkshire in that long-ago summer, cooling my feet in the beck while just out of sight, flashes of green, lavender, and yellow materialized into fairies. Altogether a pleasurable read for lovers of books and lovers of nature. The characters were appealing although at first I feared I wouldn’t like the protagonist. However, she grew on me.
Liked that it was based on a true event
While the current day portion of the book was a bit predictable, the past portion was absolutely delightful!
I am familiar with the story of the Cottingley fairies, and being a fan of all thing fairy, I found this book very inviting. The story is entertaining and well-told. The author brought me into the story to the point that I want to go sit by the beck and watch for the fairies.
I rarely abandon a book, but I’ve tried again and again, this is unreadable. Time in my life cannot be wasted like this.
Fabulous magical, and heart-stirring.
A story about photographs of fairies was it real? was it faked? and about the girls who took the photos. Another slice of history that I knew little about.
I throughly enjoyed this book. I saw the movie years ago that was made from newspaper reports. This book is more current and has an added story line of a decendant of the girls in the true story part. The author also added quite a bit of source material for further reading. Very interesting and I wish I could see the movie again now that I’ve read this book.
I love Hazel Gaynor’s writing style.
If you didn’t believe in fairies before you read The Cottingley Secret you soon will
The book was magical and charming.
The characters were well written and the story goes between the past and the present.
I had no idea that The Cottingley fairies exist and this is based on the true story of Elsie and Frances.
Make sure you read the author’s notes at the end of the book.
Great read
A surprising read – a coming-of-age story that will leave you wondering if fairies do exist.
Lost interest about halfway through.
I find it hard to stay interested ina book if I don’t like the characters – these were good characters, and I wanted to know how things worked out for them. I enjoyed the book, and I’ll watch for more by this author.
Enjoyed this read very much
If you loved Fairy Tale: A True Story (the movie), this follows that thread and beautifully weaves a continuation of the lives that come full circle.
A story that was about how a picture became a hoax. Characters drab
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about how two young girls fooled everyone with their, made to look real, photographs of fairies in the garden. These are documented photos that had the world convinced for many years.
Great historical fiction