The #1 internationally bestselling author of “The Forgotten Garden” mesmerizes readers with this haunting tale of long-buried secrets and the twists of fate that can alter lives forever.It starts with a letter, lost for half a century and unexpectedly delivered to Edies mother on a Sunday afternoon. The letter leads Edie to Milderhurst Castle, where the eccentric Blythe spinsters live and where, … and where, she discovers, her mother was billeted during World War II. The elder Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives caring for their younger sister, Juniper, who hasnt been the same since her fiance jilted her in 1941. Inside the decaying castle, Edie searches for her mothers past but soon learns there are other secrets hidden in its walls. The truth of what happened in “the distant hours” has been waiting a long time for someone to find it. In this enthralling romantic thriller, Morton pays homage to the classics of gothic fiction, spinning a rich and intricate web of mystery, suspense, and lost love.
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4 out of 5 stars to Kate Morton’s The Distant Hours, a beautifully written and compelling story of sisters, mothers and daughters across two different time periods set in London and rural England.
Why This Book?
I’d read one of her other books, The Forgotten Garden, and fell in love with Kate Morton’s style, effortless reads and vivid settings …
Kate Morton is one of those authors that I love so much, I’ve committed to reading her entire canon. The Distant Hours was one of the last on my list (I still need to pick up The Secret Power of Middle Children!). It wasn’t my favorite of her novels, and actually, it took me some time to really get into the story. It slow-burned for the first half …
This book is atmospheric without being over-wrought. Kate Morton’s characters are practically alive and breathing and the story will grab you from the first page. You’re there in rural England, watching from over the hedge as the mystery unfolds…
I loved this book! Kate Morton is able to expertly weave various story lines with ease. A talented story-teller!
I love all of Kate Morton’s books — they’re like mysteries and history lessons and little family sagas all wrapped up together with gorgeous scenery and fantastic writing.
Love her books!
This author always writes her books traveling back and forth in time. Her characters are well developed and the reader is drawn into the story.
Dragged out….could have cut out about a quarter of it.
Historical Fiction based on real people. The topic of fossil collecting in the 1800’s exposed how little people knew about fossils, and the closed-mindedness of the general public. I was fascinated.
Lyrical writing, beautiful story
Enjoyed it very much. Love Norton!
This story was difficult to read and to imagine. Interesting how the dark (evil) mind of a parent on the family.
Kate Morton is one of my very favorite writers. Highly recommended.
Spellbinding stories woven together seamlessly and compelling characters . Another great read from one of today’s best.
It was an effort to read this book, but I continued because I wanted to see how it turned out. Gloomy and depressing
Did not like
Great gothic story.
The Distant Hours was picked up at the bookstore on a whim. I knew nothing of the author, the story, or how it would affect me. Just another book purchased and tucked in with others on the side table.
To say I loved this book is all wrong and somehow so completely right. This story wrecked me in ways I haven’t felt since I was young. I’m haunted …
It starts with a letter, lost for half a century and unexpectedly delivered to Edie’s mother on a Sunday afternoon. The letter leads Edie to Milderhurst Castle, where the eccentric Blythe spinsters live and where, she discovers, her mother was billeted during World War II. The castle is home to the elder Blythe sisters, who are twins, and their …
‘The Distant Hours’ is every bit as enchanting as Kate Morton’s previous novels with its unique element of wondrous mystery shrouded in a well-guarded past. For fifty years, the Blythe sisters have managed to cloister themselves in Milderhurst Castle within the shadows of their history and their father’s legacy. Until Edie Burchill decides to …