“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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Enjoyed the story of each family and how their lies continued. Some good twists.
The House was exciting to read – the transition of the past into the present. I wanted more and found the next in the series that I am reading now. The Secrets of Armstrong House.
Was very easy read . Like it
Interesting to read historical novel from the perspective of a home instead of one family. This house has many occupants and their stories meld and branch off but the house remains, tho changed thru the years.
This book is a fun read and a great beginning to a 3 book series.
Got this one free and loved it so much I actually purchased the 2nd book in the series (which by the way was just as good as the 1st!!)
It was second in a series – and I liked the historical storytelling. Her books seemed to have a template – the relationships play out over and over. Will have to say, this one had me at the realization of who did what!
I thoroughly enjoyed it until the modern day part. Then foul language was added and it disgusted me. Needless addition to an intriguing story.
great read with unexpected ending!
Good family saga
I checked informative because when we think of times past even tho they didnt have conveniences we have today there were good times and still traveled had wonderful parties, still things are not what the outsider sees there are the same problems we have today and mostly go unexposed. It is an excellent read it will open you eyes to the fact …
i didnt like the way it was going so i quit reading
Left me wanting to know more about the family who lived in this house for generations.
You wanted to know what happened next.
Great series!
great historical novel, loved the characters!
Relaxing read
would recommend and would like to read the next in the series.
Great start but I would have preferred one well-developed story of just one generation as opposed to three partial stories across multiple generations.
I like the way the author uses tho house to tie together the unrelated owners through the generations. It give a great look at the history of the area