“Downton’ fans, you’ll love this big house, Engrossing and imaginative” – Irish IndependentBetrayal, deceit, revenge, obsession – one house, one family, three generationsCan a house keep secrets?1840’s – When Lord Edward Armstrong builds the house for his bride, Anna, the family is at the climax of its power. But its world is threatened when no heir is born. Anna could restore their fortunes, … born. Anna could restore their fortunes, but it would mean the ultimate betrayal. Then the Great Famine grips the country.
1910s – Clara finds life as lady of the manor is not what she expected when she married Pierce Armstrong. As the First World War rages, she finds solace in artist Johnny Seymour’s decadent circle. Then the War of Independence erupts and Clara is caught between two men, deceit and revenge.
Present Day – When Kate Fallon sees the house it is love at first sight. She and her tycoon husband Tony buy it and hire the last Armstrong owner, architect Nico, to oversee its restoration. As Kate’s fascination with the house grows, she and Nico begin to uncover its history and the fates of its occupants in centuries past. But then, as her husband’s business empire faces ruin, Kate realises that they are in danger of losing everything.
“Skillful and original plotting kept me enthralled until the final page of the story” Rosemary McLoughlin author of Tyringham Park
“An irresistible mix of history, drama and intrigue that entertained and enthralled me in equal measure!” – Bord Gáis Energy Book Club
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Period novel that will make you thankful for our current equality & marital status gains. Sad look at times of old laws & customs of inheritance & the rights of women.
The story of a house and the people that lived in it. Also a tragic look at upper society and the old world rules people were made to live by.
Not the kind of thing I usually read, but it was very good. I also enjoyed how the author tied in a little bit of history.
This was one of those books you just can’t put down. Many times you are holding your breath waiting to see what happens next.
I enjoyed this book a lot. It takes place over several generations. I loved learning about the area in Ireland where it is set. It’s sort of like a Downton Abby. The original owners of the Great House owned most of the land in the area. The people of that area rented from them. The lives of a hand full of people from commoners to the Lady of …
This is a really good book one of A.O’Connor’s best.
Brain candy book- interesting story about the men/women who lived in the House- dialogue was not natural but the plot was simple enough.
Fairly predictible
Really enjoyed this book looking forward to reading the next one.
I liked it so I bought the next one In the series. And I liked it also.
Couldn’t get past the first 30 pages or so. Terrible dialogue and cardboard characters.
This book was predictable in the plot twists and turns. there were two foci: adjusting to the loss of a loved one and; a vengeful ghost. I felt it was written on a teen and young adult level, for it seemed to reflect the thinking , emotions, and actions of this population.
only read about 6 pages….ploddingly slow.
Liked the book so much, I borrowed the second in the series, that was just as good.
I did not care for this book. I was not expecting happily ever after for all the characters but I did not expect everyone to be star-crossed.
starting from Edward and anna to pierce and clara.
long and drawn out. difficult to enjoy.