“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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Loved the whole series! Anything by this author is wonderful to read.
This book had an original storyline but it seemed that the author had to “quick finish it.” Loose ends were tied up without the quality of the rest of the book.
It’s always interesting to trace the history of a house and the characters that inhabit it. Some characters quite unlikable and the plot and details could use some streamlining. One can hope for a happy ending but that’s not often case but that makes for a more interesting book.
Slow at times, but still an interesting read. The whole story was pretty tragic and you felt awful for the main characters.
I enjoyed this whole series
Love the generational stories of the house as told by the main character in each generation. Characters and their faults were so interesting, I found myself wondering how someone could be that way, and how someone else could live with the,. The house itself as a character with its own history has not yet been fully revealed in this book. Look …
Grammatical errors, almost no research into propriety of mid-19th century Ireland, and the dialogue…. I had read similar reviews on Amazon & Goodreads, but held out hope. This would make great reading for teenaged girls who consider “Twilight” one of the ‘classics.’
The relationships between husbands and wives through the generations is explored. The challenges, the frustrations and the resolutions give the reader an insight into the characters and the world n which they live. Different times allow for different outcomes and it all circles around one geographic architectural location. A read which brings …
Loved this story about the family members who lived in a house. Through the generations there are highs and lows.
Literary pablum, but fine for reading on an airplane (which I did). This is the first of a series, but I won’t bother with the rest. The story concerns an Irish big house and its occupants from the time of the potato famine through current times.
Incredibly slow moving storyline, Excellent descriptions of architecture and countryside, Character development; not so much.
Loved this author’s trilogy on the Armstrong House. All three books took you through the history of a home built for the original owner’s wife. The generation of characters from that dynasty was so entertaining. Loved every book. Great reads.
The writing is somewhat dry and detached, but the story of the house and it’s inhabitants kept me turning the pages. I didn’t think I would miss this book but find myself considering another book in this series to continue the storyline.
An interesting review of characters who inhabited a house over several generations. Lots of twists and turns in the plot.
The entire series was a fascinating fictional family history couched in the history of a house from Victorian times forward.
truly is a story of the lives of the wealthy…marriages of love were not common, betrayal and obsession with wealth was very common. I liked the way that generations who lived in this mansion were followed . well written
Very good read. Good enough that I had to find the follow-up and read that one immediately. Entertaining, some really smarmy characters! I recommend this to anyone who like semi-historical type of books.
Interesting characters
The reader is given unexpected plot twists and who can one trust?
How could a mother treat her children in this fashion. Greed and evil.
Good historical fiction