What do you think?
Rate this book
Armstrong House #1
The House
“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, 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
504 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 12, 2012
6091 people are currently reading
2310 people want to read
About the author
A. O'Connor
22 books102 followersA. O'Connor is the bestselling author of The House, The Secrets of Armstrong House, The Left Handed Marriage and The Footman. A graduate in History and English from the National University of Ireland Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin, the author has contributed to two collections of short stories in aid of Barnardos Charity and played a key role in A.M.D's Fighting Blindness campaign. The House has been translated into German and the Russian edition is due for publication in 2016.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
December 9, 2015
I can't, I just can't.
In all honesty I was only able to get to the 2% mark before saying shoot me now.
The dialogue had me laughing out loud and not so much in a good way, more in an OMG did she really just tell her husband (whom she is--pleasantly and happily, mind you--in the process of divorcing) what it is that they both do for a living? Didn't he know? "We both work in good professions –you’re a journalist and I’m an architect,” said Nico.
And that is the only time a character says anything. The rest of the time they ask, sing, assure, insist, cry, and proclaim. What's wrong with "she said" or "he said"?
Unfortunately all the us of flowery language makes the authorial voice comes across as, well, the word pompous comes to mind.
I did try reading it with an (albeit probably badly done) Irish accent, hoping to see if it improved...But no.
Whole paragraphs switched back and forth from one speaker to another spelling out information. I had no clue whose head I was supposed to be in. (Please, please began a new paragraph for each speaker.)
I had hopes that it would be an interesting story--a house throughout several owners seemed like it could be filled with so much drama. I will never know.
I scrolled through to the end hoping the writing improved. Not much.
What I found was an epilogue followed by a first chapter of the next book. This is fine, many authors do this...Even the big publishers do this, with a tiny excerpt, a taste...I scrolled past that very long chapter, to...The first chapter of the next book...I scrolled past that, to...you guessed it, the first chapter of the next, and the next, and the next...
What a very prolific writer!
My hope is that the writing style has improved over all those words.
Unfortunately the heavy handed marketing was too off-putting for me. I won't be giving those books a chance.
Glad this was "free" for me through Kindle unlimited.
In all honesty I was only able to get to the 2% mark before saying shoot me now.
The dialogue had me laughing out loud and not so much in a good way, more in an OMG did she really just tell her husband (whom she is--pleasantly and happily, mind you--in the process of divorcing) what it is that they both do for a living? Didn't he know? "We both work in good professions –you’re a journalist and I’m an architect,” said Nico.
And that is the only time a character says anything. The rest of the time they ask, sing, assure, insist, cry, and proclaim. What's wrong with "she said" or "he said"?
Unfortunately all the us of flowery language makes the authorial voice comes across as, well, the word pompous comes to mind.
I did try reading it with an (albeit probably badly done) Irish accent, hoping to see if it improved...But no.
Whole paragraphs switched back and forth from one speaker to another spelling out information. I had no clue whose head I was supposed to be in. (Please, please began a new paragraph for each speaker.)
I had hopes that it would be an interesting story--a house throughout several owners seemed like it could be filled with so much drama. I will never know.
I scrolled through to the end hoping the writing improved. Not much.
What I found was an epilogue followed by a first chapter of the next book. This is fine, many authors do this...Even the big publishers do this, with a tiny excerpt, a taste...I scrolled past that very long chapter, to...The first chapter of the next book...I scrolled past that, to...you guessed it, the first chapter of the next, and the next, and the next...
What a very prolific writer!
My hope is that the writing style has improved over all those words.
Unfortunately the heavy handed marketing was too off-putting for me. I won't be giving those books a chance.
Glad this was "free" for me through Kindle unlimited.
October 31, 2013
This is a hard one to rate. In my mind it's a 2.5 star book and struggling to decide whether to mark up or down.
The book is very easy to read and the story isn't too bad. However it's very predictable and the writing itself is only ok. What the book lacks is any real depth of character and a lot less of the abrupt jumps that take place in terms of character changes and plot progression. It just doesn't have the feel of a book written by a fully fledged author but give him/her a few years and who knows.
Had it been less easy to read I wouldn't have finished it. And I won't bother with the sequel.
The book is very easy to read and the story isn't too bad. However it's very predictable and the writing itself is only ok. What the book lacks is any real depth of character and a lot less of the abrupt jumps that take place in terms of character changes and plot progression. It just doesn't have the feel of a book written by a fully fledged author but give him/her a few years and who knows.
Had it been less easy to read I wouldn't have finished it. And I won't bother with the sequel.
January 8, 2017
I usually love family sagas, but this was just OK. I tried to read Book 2 (of3) but I stopped reading on page 10 because I knew it would be duller than the first one. Don't bother with it unless it's the only book you can find.
June 11, 2013
Couldn't have loved this anymore. It was ssssooo brilliant and I was so ragging when it was over, I feel in love with ALL characters and ALL stories and I am still thinking of them as I read anothr book and wondering how they are all getting on and what they are getting themselves up too ha
June 27, 2017
The idea for this book was good, but the execution was poor.
There were some glaring grammatical errors, and the editing was obviously lacking. There really is no excuse for not catching errors like the author writing that a tape was put into a DVD player.
The writing was simplistic and almost child-like at times. Characters often say things that are awkward and unnecessary.
**possible spoilers**
One character states she's been driving herself since her driver went to France and got killed. Weird, and an odd way to mention his death in WWI. Another time a man mentions to his wife that their backgrounds are the same and "we're self-made". If they're married, I think she'd be aware of those things. I should've known the writing was bad when, in the prologue, a man mentions to his wife what their jobs are. Dude, she's married to you. I think she knows.
I'm a little aggravated at myself that I read the whole book, but the premise kept me hoping for better writing.
If you're looking for a story that follows a family through generations (John Jakes' Kent Family comes to mind), look elsewhere. You'll just be disappointed with this book.
There were some glaring grammatical errors, and the editing was obviously lacking. There really is no excuse for not catching errors like the author writing that a tape was put into a DVD player.
The writing was simplistic and almost child-like at times. Characters often say things that are awkward and unnecessary.
**possible spoilers**
One character states she's been driving herself since her driver went to France and got killed. Weird, and an odd way to mention his death in WWI. Another time a man mentions to his wife that their backgrounds are the same and "we're self-made". If they're married, I think she'd be aware of those things. I should've known the writing was bad when, in the prologue, a man mentions to his wife what their jobs are. Dude, she's married to you. I think she knows.
I'm a little aggravated at myself that I read the whole book, but the premise kept me hoping for better writing.
If you're looking for a story that follows a family through generations (John Jakes' Kent Family comes to mind), look elsewhere. You'll just be disappointed with this book.
September 30, 2015
I absolutely adored this book.
I love historical fiction and this book took you through 3 different centuries which each told a fascinating story. All the characters were very real and believable and I didn't want the book to 3nd. Can't wait to read the next instalment
I love historical fiction and this book took you through 3 different centuries which each told a fascinating story. All the characters were very real and believable and I didn't want the book to 3nd. Can't wait to read the next instalment
May 27, 2017
3.5
For some reason this sweeping saga which was a blend of romance and historical fiction hooked me and help me the entire time. It was a free "purchase" and the first book I have read in its entirety on my Kindle. And I enjoyed it thoroughly. Yes, there were some predictable moments and yes some "fluff" moments, which romances so often contain although they would never happen in real life, but really the stories were engaging, if a bit mindless, and provided a nice escape.
This is definitely a summer read, you aren't going to come away from The House thinking philosophical thoughts about life and love, but you might feel satisfied having read an interesting story.
For some reason this sweeping saga which was a blend of romance and historical fiction hooked me and help me the entire time. It was a free "purchase" and the first book I have read in its entirety on my Kindle. And I enjoyed it thoroughly. Yes, there were some predictable moments and yes some "fluff" moments, which romances so often contain although they would never happen in real life, but really the stories were engaging, if a bit mindless, and provided a nice escape.
This is definitely a summer read, you aren't going to come away from The House thinking philosophical thoughts about life and love, but you might feel satisfied having read an interesting story.
October 13, 2018
This was a challenge. I kept thinking that I would just quit it and then I would get interested enough in the story to see what was next. Lazy, lazy author...smirk, smirk, smirk. Everyone in this book smirked. Give me a break. And the grammar was appalling..."myself and my husband bought this house". No "My husband and I bought this house" When did "myself" become as ubiquitous as "at the end of the day". No more Armstrong books for me. I gave it 2 stars because I can't write a novel, so kudos to author who got me to finish this.
August 8, 2016
I don't understand why modern storylines have to have so much profanity. She's clearly a gifted author as she proved with the first two historical tales, but the foul characters in the last one completely ruined it.
May 28, 2017
I really liked this book. While it wasn't the typical type of story that I usually read, I enjoyed the saga of the house and the drama of the family that was its soul.
I glanced over many of the earlier reviews before starting my own. I came away not being able to reconcile many of the negatives. The editing had obviously been fixed to a large degree. And the story didn't seem disjointed to me at all. And I loved getting to know the characters, complicated that they were.
It's the story of a family- its heyday and it's downfall - and a house that holds the secrets that define the family. The story starts in the present day, with two people that don't really understand why they are no longer together - but are unwilling to try anymore. They haggle in a divorce settlement meeting over a house--whether and if it should be sold to meet their needs.
Present day dissolves into more than a century past, as the house in question begins to take shape and finally meets its family, sheltering them and discovering their deepest secrets.
I became fascinated with the story right from the beginning. The book is exceedingly long- which would be my only complaint. I enjoyed the characters and the plot- which rolled out in measures doses.
I encourage those who like historical books with mystery or family sagas to read it. If you allow it, this house will sweep you into its spell and keep you there until the last page.
I glanced over many of the earlier reviews before starting my own. I came away not being able to reconcile many of the negatives. The editing had obviously been fixed to a large degree. And the story didn't seem disjointed to me at all. And I loved getting to know the characters, complicated that they were.
It's the story of a family- its heyday and it's downfall - and a house that holds the secrets that define the family. The story starts in the present day, with two people that don't really understand why they are no longer together - but are unwilling to try anymore. They haggle in a divorce settlement meeting over a house--whether and if it should be sold to meet their needs.
Present day dissolves into more than a century past, as the house in question begins to take shape and finally meets its family, sheltering them and discovering their deepest secrets.
I became fascinated with the story right from the beginning. The book is exceedingly long- which would be my only complaint. I enjoyed the characters and the plot- which rolled out in measures doses.
I encourage those who like historical books with mystery or family sagas to read it. If you allow it, this house will sweep you into its spell and keep you there until the last page.
February 4, 2016
I love a great family saga through the decades. This story had me hooked from chapter one! This is my first time reading this author and come to find out, there is a second book in this series!
(Side note: this author needs to find a better editor. There were lots of page breaks missing. So when scenes change, it makes it hard to follow along. It's like that through the entire book. But you can't fault the story for the editing!)
(Side note: this author needs to find a better editor. There were lots of page breaks missing. So when scenes change, it makes it hard to follow along. It's like that through the entire book. But you can't fault the story for the editing!)
July 5, 2020
Finally finished this one. A free Kindle book, it wasn't especially well-written, and there were numerous typos, but the story sucked me in from the start, and as such, I stuck with it. It didn't engage me enough to pay for book #2 in the series. I loved the cover and premise (historical fiction involving multiple generations of a gentried Irish family and their grand country home), but the content was just average for me. On to the next!
December 16, 2019
Wonderful writing wonderful story wonderful everything! Three different stories centers around this house of many many memories good and bad! Off this house could just talk! It does through all these stories but you must read you will not regret it! I started and couldn't stop!!
October 14, 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction with a story set over 3 centuries. I’m looking forward to starting the 2nd book.
June 30, 2019
This was book one of a trilogy about The Armstrong House in Dublin, Ireland. It was another great book by A. O'Connor, I just love his books. In 1840 Lord Edward Armstrong built his wife Anna a magnificent manor for a wedding present, this is The House. The story follows the subsequent generations and the people who lived in this house. The characters were written beautifully and some I really liked and would like to have them in my family tree, others I didn't, they were horrible, which often happens in a real family. The black sheep members, so to speak, but they were horrible. The house goes through WWI and while some a few members of the house head out to war, others are left behind to care for themselves and the house. The author did a great job of moving the story along showing the different people who occupied it, but he also showed how decisions made in the past affected the future of Armstrong House. It starts in 1840, as I said and goes up to 2007. A lot of time passes in the house, but the book flows so nicely it doesn't seem that long. I couldn't put it down. I read this one in a day and a half and loved every page. Warning: As in many of this author's work he needs a better proofreading and editing team! I don't understand how such a good author could have so many grammatical and spelling errors in their books. This usually turns me off a book, but for some reason I am able to look beyond these errors with his books because the story's are that good. This is another great historical fiction read about a grand house and it's many occupants and their lives within it. Some happiness, some sadness, some tragedy and many different personalities all come together to make a great book. Look out for the hidden twists and turns!
July 19, 2019
I’m wayyy behind in posting my Goodread book reviews.
Nonetheless, I remember placing THE HOUSE on my Christmas wishlist for 2018 .. and my daughter pretending that it was difficult to locate a copy.
Historic fiction is my favorite reading genre .. and this narrative doesn’t disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, Anna Armstrong, Clara Armstrong and Kate Fallon. Three women whose sacrifice for love and marriage led to considerable loss, heartbreak and eventually .. freedom.
But it was the Armstrong men who held my fascination. Men filled with deep-seated resentments, fears and insecurities determined to keep a ancestral home despite cost to family and finances.
I intend to read more from A. O’Connor at next opportunity.
I consider THE HOUSE, a fine example of historic fiction at it best.
Two thumbs up!
Nonetheless, I remember placing THE HOUSE on my Christmas wishlist for 2018 .. and my daughter pretending that it was difficult to locate a copy.
Historic fiction is my favorite reading genre .. and this narrative doesn’t disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, Anna Armstrong, Clara Armstrong and Kate Fallon. Three women whose sacrifice for love and marriage led to considerable loss, heartbreak and eventually .. freedom.
But it was the Armstrong men who held my fascination. Men filled with deep-seated resentments, fears and insecurities determined to keep a ancestral home despite cost to family and finances.
I intend to read more from A. O’Connor at next opportunity.
I consider THE HOUSE, a fine example of historic fiction at it best.
Two thumbs up!
June 7, 2019
Good read
I really enjoyed this book. I particularly enjoyed that it follows the same family through 3 generations. Also, it takes place in Ireland. Who doesn't love Ireland? Overall, a very good book of fiction to help escape from reality.
I really enjoyed this book. I particularly enjoyed that it follows the same family through 3 generations. Also, it takes place in Ireland. Who doesn't love Ireland? Overall, a very good book of fiction to help escape from reality.
August 24, 2021
DNF @24%
This got some scathing reviews! I didn’t think it was exceptionally bad, just a. It plodding and dismal and I wasn’t in the mood for something like this. If I was in a different state of mind I probably would have soldiered on.
This got some scathing reviews! I didn’t think it was exceptionally bad, just a. It plodding and dismal and I wasn’t in the mood for something like this. If I was in a different state of mind I probably would have soldiered on.
September 6, 2020
I loved it! Can’t wait to start the 2nd book.
Read
September 12, 2020This was a good one - I'll look for book 2 - 8 of 10
September 13, 2020
Enchanting.
May 1, 2019
I was disappointed in this first of a series novel. The mindset and background of the piece did not take me back to Ireland in the mid-nineteenth century, but except for the mode of travel could have been yesterday, and the protagonists were, for the most part, spoiled and egomaniacal. It was not a novel I could finish.
BookBub
BookBub
June 21, 2020
The House (Armstrong House #1) by A. O'Connor
First in a series of Irish History, The House deals with three important Irish events: The Potatoe Famine of 1845 -49 (Book 1 1840 - 1848), the Irish War of Independence January 21, 1919 - July 11, 1921 (Book 2 1913 - 1922), and the great recession of 2008 (Book 3 2007 - Present) through the eyes of an aristocratic Irish family - The Armstrongs.
Starting with Lord Edward Armstrong who marries Anna Straton and builds the mansion in Castlewest, Ireland - in an estate of over 8000 acres managed by Sinclair Armstrong, Edward's brother. The second book skips three generations and deals with Clara Charter who marries Pierce Armstrong Edward's great-great-grandson. They have a terrible relationship and the house is burnt after the war of independence. The third book again skips three generations and deals with Nicholas (Nico) Collins, Pierce's grandson, and his relationship to Kate Fallon - neé Donovan and the rebuilding of the mansion. Thus the circle is completed on the Armstrong House.
Personally, I wish the author had not skipped any of the generations. She/he sort of gives us a summary of what happened as we enter new books, but I felt wanting for the details that were left out.
I like historical fiction. It was an easy, fast, and entertaining read but felt it had too much soap opera and too little history. It's narrated from the third person point of view, with an interesting plot, but the characters felt two dimensional and phony. The plot had no twists or turns and was quite predictable.
I enjoyed the book, in spite of its deficiencies and I think it would make for a great summer read.
First in a series of Irish History, The House deals with three important Irish events: The Potatoe Famine of 1845 -49 (Book 1 1840 - 1848), the Irish War of Independence January 21, 1919 - July 11, 1921 (Book 2 1913 - 1922), and the great recession of 2008 (Book 3 2007 - Present) through the eyes of an aristocratic Irish family - The Armstrongs.
Starting with Lord Edward Armstrong who marries Anna Straton and builds the mansion in Castlewest, Ireland - in an estate of over 8000 acres managed by Sinclair Armstrong, Edward's brother. The second book skips three generations and deals with Clara Charter who marries Pierce Armstrong Edward's great-great-grandson. They have a terrible relationship and the house is burnt after the war of independence. The third book again skips three generations and deals with Nicholas (Nico) Collins, Pierce's grandson, and his relationship to Kate Fallon - neé Donovan and the rebuilding of the mansion. Thus the circle is completed on the Armstrong House.
Personally, I wish the author had not skipped any of the generations. She/he sort of gives us a summary of what happened as we enter new books, but I felt wanting for the details that were left out.
I like historical fiction. It was an easy, fast, and entertaining read but felt it had too much soap opera and too little history. It's narrated from the third person point of view, with an interesting plot, but the characters felt two dimensional and phony. The plot had no twists or turns and was quite predictable.
I enjoyed the book, in spite of its deficiencies and I think it would make for a great summer read.
December 18, 2017
I almost gave up reading this book in the first section, set in the 1800's because the characters were not interesting. But I kept reading and the next section, set in the early 1900's was rather predictable, and again, there was nothing written that made me connect to any of the characters. The modern day section was a bit more interesting but what would have been interesting (when Kate and Nico get together) was completely skipped and suddenly they are getting married. It is a long book but written with very short paragraphs so it was easy to read but really not worth the time.
June 20, 2018
A house was built by a young man in love but that love couldn't provide a must needed heir.
The house conceals many secrets from the first period when it was built in the 1800's up to the present. Each person who lived there had a story to tell.
Just a bit too long leaving a few unanswered questions.
The house conceals many secrets from the first period when it was built in the 1800's up to the present. Each person who lived there had a story to tell.
Just a bit too long leaving a few unanswered questions.
June 22, 2022
Too Slow with Nowhere to Go
I wish I could say I enjoyed the story of the Armstrong's but, for me, there was always something missing. Some of the stories were too predictable... and others left unexplained.
I wish I could say I enjoyed the story of the Armstrong's but, for me, there was always something missing. Some of the stories were too predictable... and others left unexplained.
Want to read
July 18, 2018Free on Kindle
June 22, 2021
The House by A O’Connor is a story about one house in the Irish countryside and the secrets it keeps within its walls. Originally built in the 1840s by Lord Edward Armstrong for his bride, Anna, the house is a testament to the power and prestige of the Armstrong family. But their legacy is threatened when no heir is born and the Great Famine grips the country. Fast forwards to the 1910s and finds Clara lady of the manor as she married Pierce Armstrong. But life on the manor is not what she expected. When the War of Independence erupts in 1919, Clara is caught between two men, between duty and happiness. In 2007, Kate Fallon fell in love with the house. She and her tycoon husband, Tony, buy it and hire architect and last Armstrong owner Nico Collins to restore it to its former beauty. As her fascination with the house and its history grows, she begins to uncover an unknown history and the fates of its occupants from centuries past.
When I first opened The House, the sheer amount of chapters, 108 with prologue and epilogue, was intimidating! I put off reading this book until I had time to accommodate such a long book. But I didn’t need to do that because once the story starts, the drama and the intrigue flowed from the page that you don’t really notice the number of chapters. I loved the stories as the author weaves in the historical events with the manor. I enjoyed parts of the book which feature the historical events. I recognized the hints to the major historical event before the characters knew what was going on.The schemes, the plots against the occupants of the house was suspenseful. The present day part of the book was more irritating and fell flat compared to the drama of the other parts. The drama here seemed a little far-fetched with an odd ending. Overall, I enjoyed The House and I look forward to reading the other two books in the series. I recommend The House.
The House is available in paperback and eBook.
When I first opened The House, the sheer amount of chapters, 108 with prologue and epilogue, was intimidating! I put off reading this book until I had time to accommodate such a long book. But I didn’t need to do that because once the story starts, the drama and the intrigue flowed from the page that you don’t really notice the number of chapters. I loved the stories as the author weaves in the historical events with the manor. I enjoyed parts of the book which feature the historical events. I recognized the hints to the major historical event before the characters knew what was going on.The schemes, the plots against the occupants of the house was suspenseful. The present day part of the book was more irritating and fell flat compared to the drama of the other parts. The drama here seemed a little far-fetched with an odd ending. Overall, I enjoyed The House and I look forward to reading the other two books in the series. I recommend The House.
The House is available in paperback and eBook.
June 5, 2022
The House
1840 Dublin
Anna was anticipating her magnificent wedding to Lord Armstrong, and finally viewing the superb wedding gift of a wonderful mansion, a vast estate in the West of Ireland. One thing she wasn’t aware of was meeting her new husband’s cousin on the grounds when he immediately yelled at her to get off his property, not realizing she was the me Lady Anna, wife to Edward his cousin. His aggressive behaviour warned her that he would be horrible to deal with. The potato famine in Ireland caused the landowners to lose many of their tenants from starvation and caused huge turmoil with their eccentric life style. Their generation was dramatically effected.
1910 / prior to WWI / to 1922 - Clara Charter a stunning lady, married a descendant of The Armstrong Family. She received a plethora of marriage proposals from the very wealthy London gentleman, but was attracted to Pierce Armstrong from Ireland, who she was thrilled to marry. Soon after her move to Ireland she noticed the cruelty of Prudence the sister when serious problems arose with retaliation and duplicity. Clara soon realized that the Armstrong family was basically destitute and broke. During the war Clara found out a lot more about the Armstrong family which was very much a hopeless situation. Pandemonium and upheaval remained the beginning of the end for Clara.
Present Day Kate Fallon - The Armstrong mansion that was around since 1840 has quite the story. The inheritance story of patrimony and birthright to the effects of war caused the old mansion to be abandoned. Kate Fallon steps in when the mansion is up for auction. The author grabs the readers attention with the intricate and torturous stories of the family and mansion. Very interesting book, with lots of twists and turns.
1840 Dublin
Anna was anticipating her magnificent wedding to Lord Armstrong, and finally viewing the superb wedding gift of a wonderful mansion, a vast estate in the West of Ireland. One thing she wasn’t aware of was meeting her new husband’s cousin on the grounds when he immediately yelled at her to get off his property, not realizing she was the me Lady Anna, wife to Edward his cousin. His aggressive behaviour warned her that he would be horrible to deal with. The potato famine in Ireland caused the landowners to lose many of their tenants from starvation and caused huge turmoil with their eccentric life style. Their generation was dramatically effected.
1910 / prior to WWI / to 1922 - Clara Charter a stunning lady, married a descendant of The Armstrong Family. She received a plethora of marriage proposals from the very wealthy London gentleman, but was attracted to Pierce Armstrong from Ireland, who she was thrilled to marry. Soon after her move to Ireland she noticed the cruelty of Prudence the sister when serious problems arose with retaliation and duplicity. Clara soon realized that the Armstrong family was basically destitute and broke. During the war Clara found out a lot more about the Armstrong family which was very much a hopeless situation. Pandemonium and upheaval remained the beginning of the end for Clara.
Present Day Kate Fallon - The Armstrong mansion that was around since 1840 has quite the story. The inheritance story of patrimony and birthright to the effects of war caused the old mansion to be abandoned. Kate Fallon steps in when the mansion is up for auction. The author grabs the readers attention with the intricate and torturous stories of the family and mansion. Very interesting book, with lots of twists and turns.
September 12, 2025
Rich history, superficial characters
As an historical story goes, building one around an Irish manor and the generations of Armstrongs who lived there, the story line is solid. The political history of Ireland is rich as the old ways of landed gentry and peasant farmers fall away through strife and struggle over the years. Each generation of Armstrong is unique unto itself. In short, all the makings of an epic story are right there on the table.
Unfortunately…
The characters are one dimensional, generally unlikable, and the dialogue descriptives are atrocious. When you read the word ‘smirk’ seven times in one chapter, you find yourself wishing you had the author’s address so you can gift them a thesaurus.
To be clear, here’s the definition:
Smirk— Smile in an irritatingly, smug, conceited, or silly way.
If it was used for just an antagonist, the repetition would be boring, yet acceptable. Unfortunately, it was used indiscriminately for pretty much all her characters, which made them come off as petty and mean.
In more modern times, smirk was replaced by the words sarcastic and sarcastically, used just as generously as the word smirk.
One can only come to the conclusion that the author has little understanding of emotional intimacy nor the value of a good character arc that shows change. At one point I had to ask myself if the author even likes people in general?
At any rate, the Armstrong Manor has a rich and interesting history filled with people who will never touch your heart. If you like superficial, you’ll like this book.
As an historical story goes, building one around an Irish manor and the generations of Armstrongs who lived there, the story line is solid. The political history of Ireland is rich as the old ways of landed gentry and peasant farmers fall away through strife and struggle over the years. Each generation of Armstrong is unique unto itself. In short, all the makings of an epic story are right there on the table.
Unfortunately…
The characters are one dimensional, generally unlikable, and the dialogue descriptives are atrocious. When you read the word ‘smirk’ seven times in one chapter, you find yourself wishing you had the author’s address so you can gift them a thesaurus.
To be clear, here’s the definition:
Smirk— Smile in an irritatingly, smug, conceited, or silly way.
If it was used for just an antagonist, the repetition would be boring, yet acceptable. Unfortunately, it was used indiscriminately for pretty much all her characters, which made them come off as petty and mean.
In more modern times, smirk was replaced by the words sarcastic and sarcastically, used just as generously as the word smirk.
One can only come to the conclusion that the author has little understanding of emotional intimacy nor the value of a good character arc that shows change. At one point I had to ask myself if the author even likes people in general?
At any rate, the Armstrong Manor has a rich and interesting history filled with people who will never touch your heart. If you like superficial, you’ll like this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews