The Lost Heir: An enchanting dual storyline with a supernatural twist

by Jane Cable

A beautiful Cornish-set time-shift romance! Perfect for fans of Sarah Burton, Stacey Halls, Jessie Burton and Kate Mosse.

Two centuries separate Carla and Harriet … but will something shift to bring their stories together?

Cornwall, 2020

Teacher Carla Burgess is using her time in solitude to revaluate her life. She loves living on the beautiful Cornish coast, but she no longer enjoys her job, and it’s certainly time to kick her on-off boyfriend, Kitto, into touch.

With lockdowns forcing her to spend most of her days indoors at her parents’ family farm, she joins her father in researching their family history, and she discovers the first Burgess to farm Koll Hendra was actually a smuggler. And when Carla finds a locked Georgian tea caddy in the barn, the secrets of the past start to encroach on the present…

Cornwall, 1810

Harriet Lemon’s position as companion to Lady Frances Basset has been the ideal cover for their clandestine romantic relationship. But when Frances is raped and falls pregnant, their perfect happiness is shattered. The lovers are desperate to remain together, but they will need to conceal Frances's baby.

They hope to hide the pregnancy and place the baby with adoptive family, but the only person who may be able to help them is Frances’s childhood friend, William Burgess, a notorious smuggler. William has secrets of his own he needs to protect. Will he be willing to risk his own neck for the sake of the two lovers?

THE LOST HEIR is a beautiful time-shift romance set in Cornwall between the Regency era and the modern day. It is part of the Cornish Echoes Dual Timeline Mystery series.

‘A wonderfully evocative dual timeline’ - Christina Courtenay

‘Beautifully captivating, insightful and evocative ’ - Kitty Wilson

‘ One of those books you really feel ’ - Being Anne Book Blog

‘ A captivating read from the outset’ - Pickled Thoughts & Pinot Book Blog

‘A fascinating tale of ancestry, love, loss and new beginnings’ - Heather Adores Books Blog

‘ A stellar page-turner that nearly severed my heart-strings’ - Bookish Jottings Blog

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, British Literature, Historical

274 pages, Paperback

Published August 9, 2023

About the author

I write emotional romances with a hint of mystery - often a little ghostly - but all the same my books are a million miles from paranormal.
It was reaching the final of The Alan Titchmarsh Show’s People’s Novelist competition in 2011 which made me take my writing seriously. The Cheesemaker’s House saw the light of day in September 2013 and I was delighted when it received great reviews from book bloggers and, just as importantly, from the people who bought and read it. My second novel, The Faerie Tree, came out in March 2015 and is a suspenseful romance about the tricks memory plays.
In 2017 I signed to Sapere Books for two contemporary romances looking back to World War Two, Another You and Endless Skies. My first dual timeline novel will be published by them in 2021, set in Cornwall in 1815 and 2015.

Reviews

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐
Genre ~ historical fiction
Publication date ~ August 11, 2023
Page Count ~ 264
POV ~ single 1st & dual 3rd
Featuring ~ 7 part story, dual timeline ~ 2020 & 1809/1810, off page r@pe, no steamage

We get to know Carla in 2020 at the beginning of the pandemic. Carla meets, Mani, an American in Cornwall on business and now stuck there due to the lockdown. They form a friendship and share an interest in family history and begin researching their roots together.

Then we're brought back to 1809 and meet Harriet & Lady Frances, better known as Franny, who are in a secret romantic relationship. Franny is r@ped and gets pregnant, so her father sends her off to give birth in seclusion with Harriet by her side. William, Franny's best friend and half brother (not the rapist), played a big part in the story as a smuggler and a savior.

I like that it wasn't a back and forth with the timeline, but a few chapters in one before moving onto the other, which gave me an opportunity to really get to know the characters. I could do without Covid talk in my fiction, however I thought the author did a great job of depicting what it was like to live through it ~ from lock-down to social distancing to virtual learning to wearing masks to social butterfly's having a difficult time adjusting...nearly nothing was left out.

Overall, historical fiction is not my go to genre, but I found myself immersed in this story. The timelines are brilliantly woven together to bring us a fascinating tale of ancestry, love, loss and new beginnings. Interestingly, I enjoyed the historical timeline a smidgen more, but also enjoyed the mystery in the present.

*Thanks to the author and Rachel's Random Resources for the ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

With a dual-timeline, romance and a seaside setting, I liked how this read was blended together, finishing off with a sprinkling of the supernatural. It was an unexpected combination and I liked how Cable created this story without it seeming far-fetched.

At first I thought this book would not be for me, considering that the modern timescale is set during the pandemic. A sensitive subject at best, Cable focuses on the lesser painful aspects of what happened in the UK and I could not help but smile at some of my own recollections… the unusually warm spring, the chance to re-connect and escape the daily grind. Yet, the loneliness of isolation and family bubbles are also acknowledged with some of the minor characters and I appreciated this balance, showing it was not just a forced holiday for the country.

Carla’s run-in with an American stranger sets off a chain of events that sees her exploring her family past, especially when an unusual tea chest is discovered in storage. The connection with Cornish mining and land ownership drives this narrative and this then ties in with the nineteenth century plot. It was the historical element that I struggled to get into the most, finding the number of characters a bit confusing and the development a bit slow. Once it was clear how this aspect of the novel was progressing, I became more curious about how it linked to Carla’s family heritage.

The theme of the supernatural adds another element to the story and I think the writer could have expanded on this further. For the most part, it is Carla’s ability to see some people’s aura’s around them. It spooks Carla but she doesn’t really explore this further, remembering that her Gran also claimed to have this power. It is only until the closing of the story that this becomes more significant and when I reached this point, felt that Cable could have developed this element further, adding a more ghostly presence to the novel.

Overall, I enjoyed this dual-timeline with a mix of modern and Regency romance. The idea of lost heir was really interesting and I felt invested in the discovery of old family connections, just like Carla.

With thanks to Sapere books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Heir is a wonderfully evocative dual time story, filled with love, secrets, smugglers and ancient Cornish magic – I loved it! In the past, we follow Franny, a rich heiress whose mind does not work the same way as normal people’s, and her faithful and loving companion Harriet. When an enemy of Franny’s father takes advantage of her naiveté in the worst possible manner, the consequences are far-reaching. Poor Franny struggles to understand what has happened to her and why it should matter in terms of her reputation. Those who love her have to rally round and help her as best they can, but in the process they take away that which is most precious to her and she swears her soul will not rest until the truth comes out. In the present, Carla has become disillusioned with her teaching job and wants to focus on setting up her own business making beautiful objects out of glass. Covid lockdown gives her the breather she desperately needs, and when she makes friends – at a distance – with an American man, Mani, who has recently come to Cornwall, her life and priorities begin to change. But he is only staying for a year and Carla has realised that she wants more out of life than just meaningless flings so she tries to resist the attraction that seems to be simmering between them. Meanwhile, they begin a quest to find out more about their ancestors as Mani’s family came from Cornwall originally, with surprising results. The secrets they uncover have been buried for centuries, but someone will not give up until they have all come to light. This story is a real page-turner and I simply couldn’t put it down!

[Zoé-Lee O'Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know when I read a book by Jane, I am going on an adventure and I will be taken back in time. This book was no different. I could have happily read this book all day every day. I don't think I would ever be bored of the story of Mani, Carla, Harriet, and Franny. There is so much packed into this beautifully woven story, I would love to have more! I would love to continue to read more about Franny!

Present and past are interwoven in this tale, just like the ones Jane has written before (The Cheesemaker's House is still my fav!), I was pulled in. A shocking prologue and then a present-day story. This is a somewhat slow burner, but it has to be. There are so many details and descriptions you need in this book to show the beauty of it all. The love stories are beautiful, and the friendships woven in are precious. You really feel the isolation in each of the tales spun in front of us. The time period for each storyline played perfectly to this, but I am not going to tell you why because I think that will spoil it. But it aided the story, it gave the characters a chance to discover themselves as individuals and with other people.

I really did thoroughly enjoy this story, I loved the characters. I did expect a bit more of a supernatural element, but I also felt that it was enough for the present-day characters to get some closure and answers.

This is definitely a great book and I lost my heart in 1810.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dual timeline story set in 1810, and the present set at the start of lockdown.

In the past, Frannie finds herself pregnant but can’t understand how as she does not have a husband. She was raped by a friend of her father, but she did not realise what had happened. Being neuro diverse, the world looks different to her. With the support, and secret love, of her companion Harriet, she is sent away to Devon to give birth. When they are in Devon away from prying eyes, Frannie and Harriet can be together in a way which is unacceptable at that time.

In the present, Carla is getting fed up with her job as a teacher and wants to set up a business from the barn on her parents farm. Then she meets the gorgeous Mani, who has moved back to Cornwall where his ancestors lived before emigrating. There are obvious feelings there, but Carla wants a forever man not someone who will be moving back to America. Especially since she has looked him up in social media and found he is engaged. Within the strict constraints of lockdown, we follow them as they become friends and begin to investigate their ancestry.

I enjoyed joining Carla and Mani as they dug deeper into their family tree, the findings they were reaching being played out in the 1810 timeline.

[Anne Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and well told dual time story, the perfect Cornish setting, romance and forbidden love, a mystery at its centre, a touch of the supernatural – this was a book I knew I was going to love.

The present day story is set during lockdown – a time I always thought I wouldn’t want to be reminded of, but it’s particularly well handled as Carla, unable to work as a teacher, has the space and time to think about her future, and whether she can make a successful business out of her passion for creating art from glass. Much of that contemplation is during her daily clifftop walks, where she meets Mani, an American staying in the area and taking his own regular runs – remaining firmly within the rules, they develop a friendship, and slowly uncover the possibility of a shared history that intrigues then both and makes them want to investigate further. There’s a lovely focus on family, Carla’s farming parents struggling financially and hoping for the promised government assistance, while and she helps where she can and watches her dream career move ever further out of her reach. At the same time, she’s struggling to extricate herself from her (perhaps unwise) relationship with the hapless Kitto – a fisherman living alone, struggling to abide by the restrictions, and reluctant to let her go.

The nineteenth century story focuses on Lady Frances Bassett (Franny), heiress to the estate at Tehidy, and her relationship – a forbidden love – with her companion Harriet Lemon. Franny sees the world a little differently, literal in her interpretations and naive about life’s realities – Harriet is her protector in many ways, but that doesn’t prevent her being assaulted while protecting her beloved horses, or the pregnancy that follows. Sent to a cottage in Torquay to see out the pregnancy away from public gaze, the couple enjoy the freedom it allows their relationship – but despite Franny’s overwhelming love for the child when born, their time together will have to end, and the child found a suitable home. But there’s also a parallel story, and one with more than a touch of drama – of Franny’s childhood friend William, a former groom with hidden connections to the Bassetts, now heavily involved in the dangerous smuggling trade, who uncovers their story and hopes to offer his support.

I’m always a fan of a dual time story, but sometimes find an alternating chapter structure a little repetitive and metronomic – and something I particularly enjoyed about this story’s telling was that both timelines were given time to unfold over several chapters and for the characters to develop, the links particularly natural and smooth as the discoveries in the present day were played out in the historical story. I enjoyed too the way the timelines were drawn together – the discovery of the tea caddy, its contents providing some of the missing details needed to finally resolve the intriguing mystery. The characters were excellent – I had a particular affection for Franny with her particular vulnerability, could feel Harriet’s bravery and love, and William’s exceptional loyalty and the complexities of his character were beautifully captured. And that applied to the present day story too – the developing relationship between Carla and Mani was very real, and one I entirely believed in.

The Cornish setting is stunning – I guess most of us will have ridden across those same clifftops with Poldark, but the author includes a level of detail and description that entirely captures its wild beauty. And I must mention the supernatural elements. Carla’s has an ability to see auras, one inherited from her grandmother, and the darkness around Mani takes a while for her to understand – and the feeling of dread and appearance of strange orbs is particularly chilling, but very much part of the fabric of the story.

Emotionally, I thought the whole book was perfectly judged – one of those books you really feel, wanting to get to the bottom of the heartbreaking story that slowly emerges, knowing it won’t be possible to write your own ending, but wholly satisfied (and wiping away a tear) at its conclusion. This was a book I so enjoyed – and one that I’d very much recommend to others.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cornwall, 1810

The clandestine relationship between Lady Frances Basset and her companion Harriet Lemon is put to test when Frances falls pregnant. Needing to keep the pregnancy a secret but keep their relationship alive, they are sent away until the baby can be adopted. When Frances’s childhood friend, William Burgess, discovers the truth, will he keep their secret?

Cornwall, 2020

Lockdown has led teacher Carla Burgess to reevaluate her life. After falling out of love with her profession, she has dreams to set up her own business but lacks the confidence to make the next step. With time on her hands, she becomes interested in her family history, in particular stories of a smuggler that have been passed down the generations. With a new friendship promising to be much more, can she take the leap in both her personal and professional life?

The Lost Heir is a great dual timeline novel, the two lead characters showing us the differences between how society views women in different eras. In 1810, we have Franny, a woman who, due to her class, should have been expected to marry a man of equal standing. It soon becomes apparent, however, that her special needs set her apart from other women of the time and her lack of understanding when she falls pregnant is heartbreaking. Carla, on the other hand, is living in a time where women have a lot more freedom but the Covid pandemic is preventing people from living their lives as they would like to.

The historical aspect of the story is fascinating as we are taken back to the days of smuggling and the risks that were taken. The characters were strong and it was interesting to read that many were based on real people. There is also a very accurate depiction of life as a teacher during the recent Covid pandemic and of the several books that I have read that are set in 2020, I feel that this one captures the mood perfectly.

The Lost Heir is a satisfying read for anyone who is a fan of dual timeline novels and those with an interest in genealogy will enjoy the family history references.

[Wendy(Wendyreadsbooks) Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really enjoyable dual timeline story with a little mystery thrown in.
I loved Franny and Harriet’s relationship- so honest with eachother, they had to hide their love from everyone else. Harriet’s love and devotion to her friend was so wonderful and emotional.
Carla’s timeline during covid lockdown was written sensitively and showed the need for the support of small communities during this time. Her inherited sight from her grandmother added that little bit of magic to the story and I found hers and Mani’s tracking of their family history fascinating

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a fabulous dual-timeline story based on old family secrets, and The Lost Heir did not disappoint.

In 2020, at the beginning of lockdown during the COVID pandemic, we meet Carla, a teacher in rural Cornwall. She is disillusioned with her job, and the restrictions give her the chance to reevaluate her life – both regarding her work as well as her relationship with her on/off boyfriend, Kitto, a local fisherman.

On one of her exercise walks in the remote countryside she meets Mani, an American of Greek-Cornish heritage, in Cornwall for work and to trace his family roots. They start chatting, socially distanced, of course, and realise they get on well. Over Zoom sessions, they share each other's cooking and begin to chat. Slowly, Carla starts to fall for the handsome American, but the dark shadows of his aura worry her.

Carla has psychic tendencies, inherited from her grandmother. She can see aura, energies – and orbs, as it turns out to be. She's intrigued and scared at the same time about what she may uncover if she gets to know Mani better. The constant (unalloyed) visits from Kitty grate at her nerves, and when it transpires that he's been visiting other ex-girlfriends, she's raging. Carla takes the lockdown rules seriously, as she doesn't want to endanger her parents on whose farm she lives in an annex.

Back in the early 1800s, we meet Franny, sole heiress to her father's titles and lands, and her companion – and secret lover – Harriet. Franny is a simple girl, with what we would now consider learning difficulties, although she can sketch beautifully. Franny's world is straightforward, and she doesn't do imaginary things.

When Franny is raped by a cousin (a scene we don't see), she doesn't realise what happened to her, but her family arrange for her and Harriet to stay in a secluded cottage, under false names, until the baby is born. The child was to be given away for adoption, but when Franny sees her daughter, Eliza, she is smitten and refuses.

A solution is found, but will their secret be uncovered?

The Lost Heir is a clever family mystery set in beautiful, rugged Cornwall. The author sets the scene perfectly, and we can well imagine the countryside, the sea, and Franny's fabulous home – which has become a ruin by Carla's time. I loved the description of the woods, the coastline, and the manor, and I felt myself taken on a delightful journey to Cornwall.

I didn't warm to Carla, perhaps because she was overly careful and also indecisive. She came across as a weak character, which, in my view, didn't change much through the book. I found her budding romance with Mani slow at times (possibly due to the realistic depiction of the pandemic rules). For me, she was the weakest part of the novel.

We discover Mani's story through Carla's eyes only, and perhaps that's a limitation to the modern-day plot. I liked him. He was direct, but not imposing, and his own experiences are revealed through the plot.

I thoroughly enjoyed the historical part. Franny is a wonderful character: naive, kind, determined, utterly guileless. She loves Harriet who has to work out clever excuses for them to hide their relationship, and to deal with the birth and aftermath. Then there's Franny's illegitimate half-brother William, a ’free trader’ (smuggler) and cordwainer. Their father ensures he lives in a nice cottage on their estate with his wife, Mary, and their children. I liked William a lot. His struggle between his lust for adventure and his responsibility towards his family is real, and we get a great sense of his dilemma.

The Lost Heir is a wonderful family mystery in a gorgeous setting, sweeping and intriguing. Fans of dual-timeline novels and historical mysteries will love it.

Note: I received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.

[Book Escapes Babs · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do find the dual timeline aspect of Jane’s writing to be both atmospheric and enchanting. This story is an excellent addition to her catalogue and is another truly gorgeous story. Once again, I struggled to choose between the two timelines with one offering romance and the other forbidden love.
In this Century, we meet Carla and Mani. Set during lockdown, it was a good reminder of why we would never want to return to those restrictive times. I witnessed, first-hand, how difficult it was to embark on any kind of courtship during those seemingly endless months. However, whilst following the strict rules, Carla and Mani grow ever closer and find themselves bound by a connected history.
In the 19th Century, the focus is on the forbidden love between heiress, Lady Frances Basset, more affectionately known as Franny, and her companion, Harriet Lemon. Their secret relationship would have devastating consequences if word got out, but even worse would be if unwed Franny’s pregnancy became public knowledge, or the fact that her pregnancy was the result of being raped.
As I have come to expect, there is an additional element as Jane brings the landscape to life with her attention to detail as she describes each scene’s setting. I have never been to Cornwall but can now imagine the exact area that was so perfectly described.
Mani and Carla felt fated to be together. As they unpicked the details of each other’s family tree and saw the ways in which they were connected, it seemed only natural that they had been drawn to each other. The discovery of the tea caddy and its contents beautifully drew the two timelines together.
My heart went out to Franny, described as being different to other young women, I felt sad as I considered the lives of those who would now be considered to be neuro-divergent; how they suffered at the hands and minds of those ignorant to their very special gifts. Harriet’s love and William’s loyalty gave her everything she needed, except to be keep the love of her forbidden child.
Once again, Jane Cable has produced a fantastic book. I loved every minute and was quite saddened when it ended.

[Laura K-W · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Heir is a dual timeline story that flits between Regency Cornwall and Cornish life in 2020. For the historical element, Jane Cable has taken her location and characters straight out of the Cornish Archives and built a world around them that you can absolutely believe to be true, or at the very least, wish it was. Having read the novel and then learning that these people did live in these places and at this time gave an additional thrill, even if the story itself is fictional.
Jane Cable meshes history, romance, and the supernatural and touches on subjects that are far from easy to write about, rape, the scandal of illegitimacy, the limitations placed on women in Regency times, the lockdowns of recent years; and yet each and every storyline is written with an insight and sensitivity that pulls the reader thoroughly into the world inhabited by these characters. It is the descriptions of Cornwall however that set this book far above others of a similar vein. Jane Cable never fails to create a setting so richly drawn that you can see, smell and hear the very places in which her characters stand, and this novel is chock-full of the most evocative descriptive writing it is possible to find. I was galloping across the cliffs with William, sat with Harriet as the oil-lamps flickered and I found myself escaping to this book whenever I had a few spare minutes, racing through the story desperate to know how Franny would resolve her situation, keen to know if the modern-day romance could possibly play out as I wished it to. It’s clear that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and if you too want to escape to Regency Cornwall, then I highly recommend that you do so with this beautifully captivating, insightful and evocative book.

[Jan Baynham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Heir' is another excellent story from Jane Cable. I was engrossed from the opening of the intriguing prologue to the last page of its 2020 story conclusion. I found myself snatching any odd times I could to sit and read what happened next. The book has all the ingredients I look for in a novel - a dual timeline, well-drawn characters that I believe in and get to know, forbidden love and a sense of time and place that transported me straight to Cornwall in both the early 1800s and 2020. I wasn't sure about being reminded of the awful times of isolation during the pandemic, but three years on, I found I was ready and the author handles it in a sensitive way, concentrating on the positive aspects of a community working together, the glorious weather and the slower pace of life. The prose is beautifully written, especially when describing the Cornish landscape. As someone who is interested in family history, I loved the way the two stories were woven together around secrets and decisions made by one generation and the resulting link with Carla and Mani. I particularly liked the character of Franny. She fascinated me with her gifts and her different take on life. Through her and Harriet, the reader learns a lot about the plight of women in those days. With some touches of the supernatural, the novel is steeped in history and I was fascinated to read in the notes that many of the characters and events were historically accurate. What makes it a great read is the way Jane Cable has created her story around the facts.
Thank you to Sapere Books and NetGalley for an ARC.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two centuries separate Carla and Harriet … but will something shift to bring their stories together?

I have been eagerly awaiting this book and anything with Cornwall has me immediately drawn in. I wasn't totally disappointed but with the present day timeline set during the lockdown, the constant mention of COVID, panic buying and all that went with it kind of dampened my excitement a little. I was over COVID and all its drawbacks at the time...I didn't need reminding of it again. lol

However, that aside, the story is a sweeping dual timeline tale incorporating the present day 2020 with the past regency era of 1810. The two timelines are expertly woven together through present day Carla and Harriet in the past. Carla researches family trees while the past characters lived the history that the present day could now only read about.

I didn't like the supernatural aspect, as I am not a fan of these in novels.

Not a bad read but given I've read two by this author and I wasn't overly grabbed by either tale, I don't think I will read her again.

I would like to thank #JaneCable, #Netgalley, #SapereBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheLostHeir in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Lost Heir by Jane Cable is a compelling dual timeline novel. It is the second book in The Cornish Echoes Dual Timeline Mystery series but can be read as a stand-alone.
The novel is set in the early nineteenth century and 2020 as lockdown begins. It evokes memories within the reader of isolation, food shortages, 2m rules, daily exercise and meetings via computer. We see strangers meeting on daily exercises who then find unique ways to connect.
A ‘gift’ passed down from her grandmother plagues a character as she tries to cope with daily life.
Characters in present day find links to the past as they search for their family trees. We all want to know where we have come from.
We witness the sense of loss in both time periods. Ties to our loved ones remain strong.
The Cornish landscape is dark and brooding at times, mirroring the action.
All the characters are well drawn. Some were actual people as Jane Cable has woven her tale around them.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Lost Heir. It was a unique plotline and well executed.
I received a free copy via Rachel’s Random Resources for a blog tour. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

[Luisa Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in a day and would give it 4.5 stars if I could. It’s as beautifully written as I’ve come to expect from Jane Cable, with gorgeous descriptions of Cornwall, especially the colours of its seascapes and countryside.
I liked the characters in this book and enjoyed reading in the author’s note about which aspects were based on fact and which were fiction. Carla’s emotional arc was particularly satisfying.
Both timelines worked well and I liked that they were in satisfying chunks and not constantly back and forth. The only aspect I was slightly less keen on was the mystical bit, which I felt made the conclusion come just a little too conveniently. Still, that’s just personal taste.
There was lots to think about in this book, especially about the more positive aspects of lockdown (it’s acknowledged that it was much harder for some people), and the place of women and illegitimate children in nineteenth century society.

[Crystalrainbow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Cable captures the time of the Covid era lockdowns, which caused many people to re-evaluate their lives and make changes, as does the modern day character of Carla in The Lost Heir. As a family historian myself, I enjoyed the research Carla and Mani’s research adventures. I liked the present day story, even though I wasn’t sure I wanted to read about Covid times when I started reading the book, and would really like to know more about what happened to these characters after the end of this story.

Franny in the historical story, with her different way of seeing the world and her companion, Harriett, is a very complex character. I loved the secrets and risks surrounding William.

Loved the fact that Carla had inherited her grandmother’s skills for seeing auras and presences. Fascinating to read in the notes to the book about the inspiration for the story and the research done by the author.

All in all, a great read.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
This dual timeline story set during the first period of COVID and 200 years earlier, follows the loves and loves of 2 leading ladies in Cornwall.
I'm grateful to SAPERE books for sending me a copy to read and review.
Both stories, although linked worked well on their own, and the historical details were really good, it's clear the author had done lots of research.
My only reason for knocking off half a star was that I found both stories ended slightly abruptly, and left me thinking but what about....
Overall though very enjoyable and would recommend.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cornish Escape

This is a pleasant escape novel set on the Cornish coast. The dual timeline offers a bit of mystery, genealogy, and romance with just a touch of paranormal too. The present-day timeline is set during the beginning of COVID which almost made me put the book down due to the memories of losing my sister. But this isn't about the pandemic, it's just a timeframe. This is an easy read and a good escape...we can all use one of those, right?

[Rose Weiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a duel shifting novel set between 1800’s and 2020. Numerous topics and themes are covered in this book including same sex relationships in 1800’s to the Covid 2020. This was an entertaining and enjoyable read that is easy to finish quickly. However I was disappointed at the end of the book. I wanted more depth and further character development and felt there was so much more that could have been revealed. There was too much who and why at the end.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Am excellent read.

A well written dual timeline set in coastal Cornwall; it flows effortlessly between the early 1800s and the present day.
During the Covid lockdown of 2020, Carla and Mani meet while out exercising, and form a friendship.
Mani is from the US and is seeking information of his Cornish ancestors; Carla assists in his search, and they discover some uncanny links to both families, and a few hidden scandals.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and happily recommend it.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in both the 19th and 21st centuries, this is a lovely, though sad at times, tale of different generations of a Cornish family. It goes seamlessly between the two eras telling of love and hate, rape and compassion and gives a good insight into the life of landowners especially in the 19th century.
My only personal downside , is that it finished too quickly !!

Thanks to Sapere books for the ARC to review.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually really like this author’s books but for some reason this one wasn’t my favorite. I had a hard time getting into the book and to keep mentioning Covid was a big turn off.
I haven’t been a fan of any book that has Covid in it.
The story is told in dual timelines and does have some secrets in it so that was good.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy

[Di Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable book. I enjoyed both timelines equally. My only criticism is that I wanted to know more about each of the protagonists' stories ... I felt that they ended too soon. This is the second of the series, each one an independent story, and I look forward to the next one. My thanks to Sapere Books for giving me the opportunity to read it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

… as past and present come together.

It’s so enjoyable to not only read a great story, but to feel as though you’ve visited a new place! The scenery, I could imagine from the description, sounds just lovely. Once again great dialogue and characters I cared for, and wished for their happiness!

[Vicky Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read that mentioned the COVID-19 pandemic, which just happened to play into the story well. I enjoyed the dual timelines of the story and how the characters were flawed and likable. Even though this is the 2nd book in a sort of series by the author, I haven't read the 1st and don't feel that there is a need to have to enjoy this one.

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. I sometimes found it a little hard to keep track of who everyone was. I found I didn't like the reminders of covid times, thinking back to some of the rules made me really sad. When I reached the end, I didn't realise I had reached the end- the story felt like it could have gone further, further with the past, future & lights.

[Claire Dyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As ever Jane Cable gives us a wonderful story with colourful characters and a thrilling sense of place. The dual timelines are woven together so expertly, showing us how the past informs the present and how we're all linked in some way to those who have gone before. I loved it.

[Sian · Rating 3 out of 5]

.5


My review of The Lost Heir can be found on my blog...


https://quirkybookreads.wordpress.com...

[Avalon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cornish families

The Cornish seaside, a local village, cheating boyfriends, family bonds, ancestral history, friendships and new love. Lovely read. Most enjoyable

[Mrs. Kath Mudie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intricate and interesting novel that I have enjoyed reading. I recommend it.