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Morland Dynasty #19
The Hidden Shore
1843 - The early Victorian era
When Charlotte's father dies she believes herself to be destitute. But a lawyer's letter reveals she is not only a part of the Morland family, but wealthy and a countess in her own right. She is expected to make a great marriage, and with her vivacious cousin Fanny at her side she is launched into her first Season. It is Fanny, the hardened flirt, who loses her heart first, while Charlotte catches the eye of Oliver Fleetwood, the most eligible man in London. But the Season ends in disillusion, and Charlotte turns away from the life of idle amusement in search of something more substantial, though it involves flouting convention.
When Charlotte's father dies she believes herself to be destitute. But a lawyer's letter reveals she is not only a part of the Morland family, but wealthy and a countess in her own right. She is expected to make a great marriage, and with her vivacious cousin Fanny at her side she is launched into her first Season. It is Fanny, the hardened flirt, who loses her heart first, while Charlotte catches the eye of Oliver Fleetwood, the most eligible man in London. But the Season ends in disillusion, and Charlotte turns away from the life of idle amusement in search of something more substantial, though it involves flouting convention.
584 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
16 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles
168 books493 followersCynthia Harrod-Eagles (aka Emma Woodhouse, Elizabeth Bennett)
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
Cynthia Harrod-Eagles was born on 13 August 1948 in Shepherd's Bush, London, England, where was educated at Burlington School, a girls' charity school founded in 1699, and at the University of Edinburgh and University College London, where she studied English, history and philosophy.
She had a variety of jobs in the commercial world, starting as a junior cashier at Woolworth's and working her way down to Pensions Officer at the BBC.
She wrote her first novel while at university and in 1972 won the Young Writers' Award with The Waiting Game. The birth of the MORLAND DYNASTY series enabled Cynthia Harrod-Eagles to become a full-time writer in 1979. The series was originally intended to comprise twelve volumes, but it has proved so popular that it has now been extended to thirty-four.
In 1993 she won the Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Novel of the Year Award with Emily, the third volume of her Kirov Saga, a trilogy set in nineteenth century Russia.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 4, 2018
Loved it and..
You absolutely can’t stop now!! Just keep reading!! On to the next book in this phenomenal family saga/ series - The Morland Dynasty
You absolutely can’t stop now!! Just keep reading!! On to the next book in this phenomenal family saga/ series - The Morland Dynasty
October 4, 2018
I adored this one. Charlotte is one of my favorite characters in this series so far.
September 25, 2015
This is the 19th book in a 35-book series about the Morland family in England. If you enjoy historical fiction, then Cynthia Harrod-Eagles's Morland Dynasty is right for you. She manages to have deeply human characters in historical settings that are far more than just balls and clothing and a few authentic bits of slang. I began with The Founding, the first book of the series, and have been reading my way through the series in chronological order - it's quite a satisfying notion to me that I still have fifteen more books to read of this calibre.
After reading the two preceeding books, The Poison Tree and The Abyss, which are very dark and foreboding, I was pleased and surprised to discover the very hopeful tone of this book. The main character, Charlotte, comes from such a very narrow life with her father and develops in a totally believable way into a strong woman who believes in making a difference - and the author has managed to still keep Charlotte totally understandable as a woman of the early Victorian era. I really dislike period fiction that has the female character thinking in too-twenty-first-century terms, because it's jarring and unrealistic. Charlotte's transformation is highly personal, and very realistic. I've read a lot of novels written in the mid-1800's, when this book is set, written by authors who were contemporary to that time, and this, I believe, is one of Ms Harrod-Eagles's strengths - she is able to get into the mindset of the people of those days. I love all the characters, all the turns that the story takes. Each book in the series seems to become better and better. I do highly recommend the entire series. Although some of the older books can be difficult to find, I've been able to get them all through Amazon - some on Kindle, some in paperback or hardback form. I very much look forward to reading the next book.
After reading the two preceeding books, The Poison Tree and The Abyss, which are very dark and foreboding, I was pleased and surprised to discover the very hopeful tone of this book. The main character, Charlotte, comes from such a very narrow life with her father and develops in a totally believable way into a strong woman who believes in making a difference - and the author has managed to still keep Charlotte totally understandable as a woman of the early Victorian era. I really dislike period fiction that has the female character thinking in too-twenty-first-century terms, because it's jarring and unrealistic. Charlotte's transformation is highly personal, and very realistic. I've read a lot of novels written in the mid-1800's, when this book is set, written by authors who were contemporary to that time, and this, I believe, is one of Ms Harrod-Eagles's strengths - she is able to get into the mindset of the people of those days. I love all the characters, all the turns that the story takes. Each book in the series seems to become better and better. I do highly recommend the entire series. Although some of the older books can be difficult to find, I've been able to get them all through Amazon - some on Kindle, some in paperback or hardback form. I very much look forward to reading the next book.
May 28, 2019
As always with this series, go back and start at the beginning or you will be terribly confused by the interrelations in the Morland family. This book takes place during the 1840s.
This is mainly Charlotte's story. All her life she has been alone except for her father and aunt. So after they die, she is very surprised to learn that not only is she an heiress, she is also a countess, and a member of the large Morland clan. In addition, her mother is still alive. The reader experiences Charlotte's emotions as she faces an entirely new life in Society, in the company of her grandmother, Lucy, and her cousin, Fanny.
In addition, back at Morland Place, Benedict makes a gruesome discovery, in addition to experiencing tragedy of his own. But unlike many of the books in this series, this one has multiple happy endings. Recommended.
This is mainly Charlotte's story. All her life she has been alone except for her father and aunt. So after they die, she is very surprised to learn that not only is she an heiress, she is also a countess, and a member of the large Morland clan. In addition, her mother is still alive. The reader experiences Charlotte's emotions as she faces an entirely new life in Society, in the company of her grandmother, Lucy, and her cousin, Fanny.
In addition, back at Morland Place, Benedict makes a gruesome discovery, in addition to experiencing tragedy of his own. But unlike many of the books in this series, this one has multiple happy endings. Recommended.
June 28, 2024
Morland Dynasty #19, 1843 - 1848?, 584 pages.
This story started off slowly, but picked up pace nicely. The character of Charlotte was extremely well developed and is one of the best in the series that I have read so far. It almost seemed as if the author was inhabiting the character somehow. The descriptions of the horrible living conditions of poor people were gritty and forthright. Ladies were not expected to venture into any places where the poor lived, or even into hospitals, which were a disgrace at the time, and were more likely to kill the patients than to heal them. Charlotte had a mind of her own, and defied expectations to fulfil her goal of helping the poor and downtrodden, using her great wealth for something other than her own pleasure.
As is usual there are romances, both successful and unsuccessful, and the social mores of the period are examined through following their progress. For example, in the aristocracy, it was quite common for a girl with wealth to marry a man with a title, considered a fair exchange. The law at the time was that all the woman's property became the property of her husband, so she was at the mercy of the man, who might be nice and steady, or be a drunkard, gambler and wastrel. One of the great moments in the whole series is where Charlotte really sticks it to her prospective husband and evil mother-in-law and avoids that fate - at least temporarily.
The author has has included some of the argot of the time, used by the working classes, and some of it is quite incomprehensible.
I am sure it would be better to read the books in order, especially when the time periods are close, with recurring characters. Don't be deterred if you can't, you will still enjoy the experience.
Although the ending is rushed, I have still rated this highly at 4.6.
This story started off slowly, but picked up pace nicely. The character of Charlotte was extremely well developed and is one of the best in the series that I have read so far. It almost seemed as if the author was inhabiting the character somehow. The descriptions of the horrible living conditions of poor people were gritty and forthright. Ladies were not expected to venture into any places where the poor lived, or even into hospitals, which were a disgrace at the time, and were more likely to kill the patients than to heal them. Charlotte had a mind of her own, and defied expectations to fulfil her goal of helping the poor and downtrodden, using her great wealth for something other than her own pleasure.
As is usual there are romances, both successful and unsuccessful, and the social mores of the period are examined through following their progress. For example, in the aristocracy, it was quite common for a girl with wealth to marry a man with a title, considered a fair exchange. The law at the time was that all the woman's property became the property of her husband, so she was at the mercy of the man, who might be nice and steady, or be a drunkard, gambler and wastrel. One of the great moments in the whole series is where Charlotte really sticks it to her prospective husband and evil mother-in-law and avoids that fate - at least temporarily.
The author has has included some of the argot of the time, used by the working classes, and some of it is quite incomprehensible.
I am sure it would be better to read the books in order, especially when the time periods are close, with recurring characters. Don't be deterred if you can't, you will still enjoy the experience.
Although the ending is rushed, I have still rated this highly at 4.6.
April 15, 2018
this was much more fun than i was anticipating. Harrod-Eagles has a wonderful sensibility for the time period and she populates her English towns and cities and countrysides with really interesting characters. this is the 19th book of a saga, but i rarely felt like i was out of touch with who was who or what was going on. i liked the character of Charlotte; she starts out kind of a wallflower and grows a spine throughout her journey.
there are some plot points that kind of seem to go nowhere, and the romantic resolution happens awfully quick (and is a bit silly), but it was overall satisfying, and i enjoyed Charlotte's struggle of trying to fit in with her newfound relations.
there's nothing earth-shattering here, but the pages just flew by for me; highly readable and very entertaining.
there are some plot points that kind of seem to go nowhere, and the romantic resolution happens awfully quick (and is a bit silly), but it was overall satisfying, and i enjoyed Charlotte's struggle of trying to fit in with her newfound relations.
there's nothing earth-shattering here, but the pages just flew by for me; highly readable and very entertaining.
November 30, 2025
Book 19 of this series that I absolutely adore. I was very glad to see the long-awaited return of the hidden heiress, Charlotte Meldon, and to follow her as she discovers who she really is and starts to mingle with society, including her family. I was so happy for the return of Lucy and Rosamund et al! What's really interesting about this book is Charlotte's philanthropy and the burgeoning ideas about what really causes disease. Brilliant!
January 16, 2020
I would just like to start by saying that I love the Morland Dynasty Saga. With that being said, this book was very light and refreshing! The beginning sucks you in; however, the middle is slow and the end is wayyyy too fast. I feel like she could have taken a bit longer wrapping up the different story lines, especially Charlottes! It was still a great installment and I can’t read the next one!
November 28, 2023
Another stunning chapter in the Morland history
As with every review i write about this stunning series, i urge you to read every book from the first. I promise you will be so glad you dud. Enjoy!
As with every review i write about this stunning series, i urge you to read every book from the first. I promise you will be so glad you dud. Enjoy!
July 24, 2024
OK, we're back on track after a somewhat disappointing previous volume in this series!
All the family are covered, but the focus is on Charlotte, who is one of the most rounded and likeable Morland character for a long time.
All the family are covered, but the focus is on Charlotte, who is one of the most rounded and likeable Morland character for a long time.
February 1, 2019
4.5. Very, very good!
December 8, 2020
i enjoyed this book but did find the ending for the two main characters Charlotte and Fanny quite predictable.
September 24, 2024
Charlotte ist abgeschottet von der Welt bei ihrem invaliden Vater aufgewachsen, durfte kaum einmal das Haus verlassen und hat es nur ganz selten gewagt, aus dem engen Korsett von Regeln und Vorschriften auszubrechen, das dieser ihr auferlegt hat. Über ihre Mutter weiß sie so gut wie gar nichts und hat auch sonst kaum Anschluss, abgesehen vom freundlichen Dorfarzt und seiner Frau.
Als der Vater schließlich an seinen multiplen Leiden stirbt, ist sie Anfang 20 und völlig ratlos, wie es nun mit ihr weitergehen soll, ganz auf sich gestellt und unerfahren in allen Belangen des Lebens. Sie hat sich schon damit abgefunden, als Dorfschullehrerin einen mageren Lebensunterhalt zu verdienen, als wie ein Blitz aus heiterem Himmel die Nachricht eintrifft, dass sie ein ansehnliches Vermögen geerbt hat und zum weitläufigen Clan der Morlands gehört.
Die adelige Großfamilie nimmt sie warmherzig auf und eröffnet ihr ganz neue Möglichkeiten, Kontakte und Zugang zu den höchsten gesellschaftlichen Kreisen. Charlotte ist zwar froh, aus der erzwungenen Einsamkeit befreit zu sein, aber nach diesem jahrzehntelangen Einsiedlerleben ist sie unsicher im Umgang mit Menschen und würde am liebsten in ihrer vertrauten Umgebung bleiben und/oder etwas wirklich Sinnvolles tun, statt in Salons Tee zu trinken und auf Bälle zu gehen. In Liebesdingen ist sie natürlich sehr unbedarft und ist, als sie zum ersten Mal Verliebtheit erlebt, völlig überrumpelt von der Intensität der Gefühle und nimmt manchmal zu viel für bare Münze.
Doch ihre unkonventionelle Großmutter Lucy ermutigt sie, ihrem eigenen Kompass zu folgen, auch wenn das bedeutet, in der feinen Gesellschaft anzuecken, und schließlich findet sie ihre Berufung an ganz unerwarteter Stelle.
In diesem Band ist im Gegensatz zum Vorgänger endlich wieder die ganze Morland-Sippe am Start, was mich sehr gefreut hat. Zwar liegt das Hauptaugenmerk auf Charlottes ungewöhnlichem Werdegang, aber wir erfahren auch, was aus Benedict, dem Erben des Familiensitzes, wird und wie es Charlottes Mutter, ihrem Onkel und ihrer Cousine ergeht. Auch im 19. Band kann die Serie immer noch überraschen, vermeidet die allermeisten Klischeefallen und bietet wie immer gute, historisch fundierte Unterhaltung, diesmal aus dem frühviktorianischen England.
Als der Vater schließlich an seinen multiplen Leiden stirbt, ist sie Anfang 20 und völlig ratlos, wie es nun mit ihr weitergehen soll, ganz auf sich gestellt und unerfahren in allen Belangen des Lebens. Sie hat sich schon damit abgefunden, als Dorfschullehrerin einen mageren Lebensunterhalt zu verdienen, als wie ein Blitz aus heiterem Himmel die Nachricht eintrifft, dass sie ein ansehnliches Vermögen geerbt hat und zum weitläufigen Clan der Morlands gehört.
Die adelige Großfamilie nimmt sie warmherzig auf und eröffnet ihr ganz neue Möglichkeiten, Kontakte und Zugang zu den höchsten gesellschaftlichen Kreisen. Charlotte ist zwar froh, aus der erzwungenen Einsamkeit befreit zu sein, aber nach diesem jahrzehntelangen Einsiedlerleben ist sie unsicher im Umgang mit Menschen und würde am liebsten in ihrer vertrauten Umgebung bleiben und/oder etwas wirklich Sinnvolles tun, statt in Salons Tee zu trinken und auf Bälle zu gehen. In Liebesdingen ist sie natürlich sehr unbedarft und ist, als sie zum ersten Mal Verliebtheit erlebt, völlig überrumpelt von der Intensität der Gefühle und nimmt manchmal zu viel für bare Münze.
Doch ihre unkonventionelle Großmutter Lucy ermutigt sie, ihrem eigenen Kompass zu folgen, auch wenn das bedeutet, in der feinen Gesellschaft anzuecken, und schließlich findet sie ihre Berufung an ganz unerwarteter Stelle.
In diesem Band ist im Gegensatz zum Vorgänger endlich wieder die ganze Morland-Sippe am Start, was mich sehr gefreut hat. Zwar liegt das Hauptaugenmerk auf Charlottes ungewöhnlichem Werdegang, aber wir erfahren auch, was aus Benedict, dem Erben des Familiensitzes, wird und wie es Charlottes Mutter, ihrem Onkel und ihrer Cousine ergeht. Auch im 19. Band kann die Serie immer noch überraschen, vermeidet die allermeisten Klischeefallen und bietet wie immer gute, historisch fundierte Unterhaltung, diesmal aus dem frühviktorianischen England.
July 9, 2013
Review taken from my Blog Post (#82) in February 2011, after borrowing the book from the library.
Continuing the story on from "The Abyss" this time concentrating on Charlotte Meldon, who is relation to Benedict Morland from Book 18. The story also covers moves the story on for Benedict after he inherits Morland Place from his horrible brother Nicky.
With no family, and kept apart from the world when Charlotte Meldon's father dies, she fears that she will be left destitute and alone. However, a letter eventually arrives from her father's man of business, where it turns out that this is far from the case....indeed, she inherits a title in her own right and vast wealth.
Eventually she learns to cope with the life-altering facts, of finding out that her mother did not die (as she'd be told since she was a child), and that she has a quite large family. Being launched on Society she becomes engaged to a Duke's Heir, Oliver Fleetwood, but is shocked to find out at almost the last minute that it is not the love match she thought it. The only thing she can do is jilt him and get on with her life.
Disillusioned she retreats to her little cottage on the Marsh and gathers her spirits. Eventually returning to London to work amid the black slums, and will change her life (and those around her) in unexpected ways.
Yet another great book by this author. They are quite long books, and take a bit of reading .... not in any hard to read way you understand, actually difficult to put down and compelling. I would highly recommend you give the series a try a 4.5 Star read.
Continuing the story on from "The Abyss" this time concentrating on Charlotte Meldon, who is relation to Benedict Morland from Book 18. The story also covers moves the story on for Benedict after he inherits Morland Place from his horrible brother Nicky.
With no family, and kept apart from the world when Charlotte Meldon's father dies, she fears that she will be left destitute and alone. However, a letter eventually arrives from her father's man of business, where it turns out that this is far from the case....indeed, she inherits a title in her own right and vast wealth.
Eventually she learns to cope with the life-altering facts, of finding out that her mother did not die (as she'd be told since she was a child), and that she has a quite large family. Being launched on Society she becomes engaged to a Duke's Heir, Oliver Fleetwood, but is shocked to find out at almost the last minute that it is not the love match she thought it. The only thing she can do is jilt him and get on with her life.
Disillusioned she retreats to her little cottage on the Marsh and gathers her spirits. Eventually returning to London to work amid the black slums, and will change her life (and those around her) in unexpected ways.
Yet another great book by this author. They are quite long books, and take a bit of reading .... not in any hard to read way you understand, actually difficult to put down and compelling. I would highly recommend you give the series a try a 4.5 Star read.
July 8, 2011
book 19 morland dynasty. charlotte meldon's father dies and she is left by herself. She takes a job of teaching some village children because she thinks she has no money but a soliciter sends a young man to find her and she is brought to london and is told that she is an heiress. She is also introduced to her family which is quite a surprise because she was told by her father that her mother was dead. W hen in london she tries to help the poor. Other things are also happening to the morland family.
February 12, 2009
In the early Victorian age, one of the Morland young women discovers that, rather than being penniless, she is indeed very rich. A London season does not satisfy her and she turns to philanthropy. Of course, other family members have other adventures in the course of the book.
January 18, 2013
Ah,it's so nice to get back to my friends in 1840s London after several months without them! Thankfully, the Kindle version of this had very few mistakes (just an occasional random page number in the middle of the text).
October 18, 2008
Reminded me of a Jane Austen book- the missing heiress returns! A welcome light relief after the more gothic episodes of late.
January 25, 2014
A nice, light Victorian breeze. A little change of pace from the heavy, gothic books in the past and it's fun to catch up with the Morland family before the Crimean War.
May 7, 2025
This book read more like a historical romance rather than a historical fiction. Quite a relief after the last couple.
February 6, 2015
The twists & turns of the Morland family. Much more satisfying than the previous episode as this brought more of the family into the story.
March 11, 2015
This is the best Morland Dynasty book I've read so far. They are all good, but this one had the best storyline and I read it very quickly.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews