The Cheesemaker's House

by Jane Cable

Just think, Alice, right now Owen could be putting a hex on you! When Alice Hart's husband runs off with his secretary, she runs off with his dog to lick her wounds in a North Yorkshire village. Battling with loneliness but trying to make the best of her new start, she soon meets her neighbours, including the drop-dead gorgeous builder Richard Wainwright and the kindly yet reticent cafe owner, Owen Maltby. As Alice employs Richard to start renovating the barn next to her house, all is not what it seems. Why does she start seeing Owen when he clearly isn't there? Where - or when - does the strange crying come from? And if Owen is the village charmer, what exactly does that mean? The Cheesemaker's House is a gripping read, inspired by a framed will found in the dining room of the author's dream Yorkshire house. The previous owners explained that the house had been built at the request of the village cheesemaker in 1726 - and that the cheesemaker was a woman. And so the historical aspect of the story was born. Jane Cable's novel won the Suspense & Crime category of The Alan Titchmarsh Show's People's Novelist competition, reaching the last four out of over a thousand entries. The judges of this competition compared her work to that of Barbara Erskine, but it also resembles the more recent works of Alan Titchmarsh or Kate Mosse. The Cheesemaker's House can be enjoyed by anyone who has become bored of today's predictable 'boy-meets-girl' romance novels. "I desperately want to find out about Owen; a fascinating character...the gift here is to make you want to read on." Jeffrey Archer

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Paranormal, Mystery, Fantasy, British Literature

272 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2013

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

[Dash fan · Rating 5 out of 5]

5☆ Atmospheric, Mystery, romantic suspense

The Cheesemaker’s House is an eerie, ghostly romance that draws you in.

When Alice decides she needs to escape her previous life and her cheating ex hubby, she sets off to Yorkshire.
Where she moves into an old cottage that is need of some TLC just like Alice.

However things don't quiet go as well as she would hope when she starts hearing crying throughout the night. But where is the eerie crying coming from?

Alice also befriends Owen. The two start to become close. But as time moves on Alice starts to see Owen in places that he can't possibly be.
Which actually started to give me chills. What with the spooky crying and the Owen appearing in random places it unnerved me.

Jane created a rich atmospheric, somewhat ghostly supernatural romance. That's full of mystery, heartache and intrigue and romantic suspense.
The Cheesemaker’s House is a slower paced read that is perfect for the unravelling of the plot.

This isn't my usual type of read, but I was captivated by the blurb and the cover.
Normally ghostly stories freak me out a little. But Jane had me engrossed by the eerie goings on, I just had to find out the truth.

If you enjoy supernatural romantic suspense with a good helping of mystery and intrigue then you must give the The Cheesemaker’s House by Jane Cable a read! You won't be disappointed!

Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.


My Review is also on my Blog Website :-

https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2018/0...

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a really terrific spooky romance. I won a signed copy of this book and was thrilled as it's set in Northallerton, North Yorkshire - which is about 12 miles from my home and a place I regularly visit. I love to read books in settings with which I'm familiar.

However it's such a beautifully written, easy to read story with memorable characters that I'm sure I'd have loved it just as much wherever it was set.

The main protagonist is Alice, 30 something, recently divorced and busy settling into her new life as a newly single woman in an old cottage in North Yorkshire which she aims to renovate. She rapidly makes new friends in Owen, gentle kindly, local cafe owner with a reputation as a "charmer" which doesn't mean he's a flirt and Richard, good looking builder working on her cottage renovation. Margaret keen gardener, a vicar's wife Jane and cafe cook Adam all find places in her new life.

But all is not going quite as swimmingly as it would appear, she is frequently disturbed in the night by loud crying which she is unable to pinpoint, she begins to see Owen in places he can't possibly be, then an unsettling discovery is made during the renovation work and Alice begins to fear for her own and Owens sanity.

I found I rattled through this book in a couple of days, I was charmed by Owen, no pun intended and captivated by the gentle ghost story.

Reminiscent of books by Susanna Kearsley and Rachel Hore this is a delightful romantic read.

[Cathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When her husband left her for his secretary, Alice Hart packed up and moved to Yorkshire with William, the spaniel. Her mother and step-father have emigrated to Spain and Alice is more than ready for a fresh start and to move on with her life. New Cottage (a misnomer as it was built centuries ago to the specifications of the village cheesemaker) came with the divorce settlement but needs some TLC and Alice wants to renovate the barn that was included with the cottage, as a holiday let. She hires tall, dark and gorgeous local builder, Richard Wainwright to do the necessary work.

Despite not wanting another relationship, Alice finds she’s attracted to café owner, Owen Maltby. Owen, slightly mysterious and unpredictable, is a qualified pharmacist but gave up his career to become a healer, taking over from his grandmother when she passed away.

Even as she’s settling in and making friends, all is not as it seems in Alice’s world. Several times she’s caught glimpses of Owen in unlikely and random places but he disappears before she can reach him.

It’s not only the strange sightings of Owen, and what she can only describe as ghostly visions, that are playing on Alice’s mind; there’s also the crying at night that sounds like a baby, but she is unable to work out where the sound is coming from. Then Richard unearths a shocking find in the barn.

With the help of her new friend, Margaret, Alice researches the history of the cottage, attempting to unravel the mysteries of the confusion surrounding her. Well depicted characters drive the story, I particularly liked Alice and the way she took a portion of the blame for her husband’s infidelity, though if she did contribute to the break up, it was no excuse.

Set in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, The Cheesemaker’s House is a well written, steadily unfolding mystery with a poignant glimpse into a past which has a bearing on Owen, Alice and Richard. An engaging, intriguing and mysterious story, including romance with a strong supernatural thread, full of emotions ranging from despair and sadness to a dawning sense of optimism and love.

I love that the inspiration for the book came from a find in the author’s own Yorkshire home. A home that had been built at the request of the village cheesemaker in 1726.

[Cassandra Grafton · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say good books stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page, and The Cheesemaker’s House is no exception.

Jane Cable’s debut novel is an engrossing, beautifully written novel - both a supernatural mystery and a believable, heart-wrenching love story.

Set in beautiful North Yorkshire, it is Alice’s story of her escape there in an attempt to make a new life for herself after her husband has an affair. Amongst the new friends Alice makes are Richard, a handsome builder who takes on the renovation of the adjacent barn, and Owen, the somewhat mercurial cafe owner.

As she embarks on a relationship with Owen, Alice struggles with the strange things that keep happening: why does she keep seeing Owen in places he can’t possibly be? Where is the crying coming from that disturbs her sleep? What are the strange visions of the past she keeps experiencing?

This is a captivating ride through time, as Alice attempts to unravel the mysteries surrounding her and find her way to her true love.

I can see from the publication date that I am reviewing this book almost on the date of the fifth anniversary of its release (01/08/2013), and I’m only sorry it took me this long to discover it. Make sure you have a clear diary when you pick it up, because you won’t want to put it down!

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gentle, slow moving romance with a huge dash of the supernatural.

Alice Hart is recovering from her divorce by moving into a cottage near Northallerton. She leads quite a solitary existence until she meets two men, the first being hunky, cheeky, sexy builder Richard who is doing conversion work her and the second being Owen, local café owner and herbalist, or “charmer” as he is known locally. As she starts coming out of her shell and getting to know Owen, in particular, more she gets increasingly confused when she starts seeing him in places and at times where it is just impossible for him to be.

The story unfolds gently over a period of months into a very well thought out mystery, best described as being a “genealogical ghost story” which involves Alice, Richard and Owen. The back story which unfolds is very sad and moving but does have a satisfying ending. It was good to read a romantic suspense story that is a little different and unusual. As I have said, the story is slow moving but it does suit the tale that unfolds through the book – it is at the right pace for this story. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and would recommend it to anyone.

Thanks to the publishers for supplying an ARC of this book in return for an honest and impartial review.

[Susanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page, I was absorbed in the story, something quite rare these days, not only was the quality of writing excellent but the characters were engaging from the start. 

Jane’s writing flows easily from the page, Alice is a strong character - likeable, down to earth and no-nonsense. Her patience with the Owen went beyond mine to be honest. I did find at one point I was rather fed up with Owen’s mood swings I also never really felt Owen’s disappearance was fully explained, it was irritating and I never really understood why Alice loved him so much. But then I have never found vulnerability in men appealing.

As a hero in true romantic novel style- Owen is too weak. Yet it is the very fact that he is not perfect brings the story together - it makes Owen a human being and this novel a little less shallow than a romantic romp.

The incidents where the past and present meet - were limited to sound and vision - I would have liked them to be richer - using all the character’s senses but maybe Jane intended them to be fleeting glimpses.

That said it is a good yarn and well worth reading can't wait to read the fairie tree.

[Fictionophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Yorkshire setting and the hint of a historical mystery are what first attracted me to the novel. Plus, I’m always attracted to novels that feature protagonists who are making ‘fresh starts’.

After twelve years of marriage, Alice Hart is newly divorced and has just moved to Yorkshire. She wants to renovate the barn that came along with her cottage and soon meets the attractive Richard who is a builder. She hires him to do up the barn so that she might have a holiday let as an income source. Richard is practical, handsome, and nice, but not Alice’s type.

Her cottage was once the Cheesemaker’s House and dates back to the early eighteenth century. At first she revels in her newly single state. After her recent divorce she really doesn’t want to become involved with anyone, yet when she meets a local café owner, Owen Maltby, she falls for him – hard. She learns that Owen is a trained pharmacist who abandoned his career when his grandmother passed away. His gran was the village herbalist/healer and Owen seems to have taken up the reins after her death.

Owen and Alice begin a tentative relationship, yet Owen seems secretive and has mercurial moods. Alice begins to hear crying at night, yet she cannot determine the source. She sees Owen several times when it could not possible BE Owen. This Owen is wearing a different colour shirt than the one she knows Owen has on. He is in a different place that where she knows Owen to be…

Is she seeing ‘visions’? Having hallucinations? Or, is she losing her mind?

“Echoes from another time or place?”

Alice begins to help out in the café owned by Owen and his business partner/baker Adam. She befriends a friendly older neighbour named Margaret.

Owen gives Alice an antique charm wand.

A tiny infant’s skeleton is found beneath the floor of the barn.

Then… after an upsetting event, Owen runs off and Alice and Adam are left wondering if Owen took his own life…

MY THOUGHTS

I’ll admit that when I first read the blurb which said that Owen Maltby was a ‘charmer‘, I thought he was a ladies’ man. Once I began reading the novel, I quickly realized my error. Owen was a very different kind of charmer. He uses herbs and white witchcraft to charm people into believing what he wants them to believe. Or does he??? Owen himself denies being a charmer. He calls himself a healer and he takes his healings very seriously.

The Yorkshire village setting of Great Fencote was well described and charming.

I found “The Cheesemaker’s House” to be a very easy read. The narrative flowed smoothly and the plot held my interest throughout. It did not read like a romance novel, yet it did have romance, mystery, and more than a dash of the paranormal. I found Owen Maltby to be a very intriguing character. Owen was a profoundly kind man, yet he had many demons. At times he seemed weak, but the strain he was under would weaken any man. The whole while I was wondering if Owen had a twin, or if the second Owen was in fact a hallucination of Alice.

Alice’s character, though we don’t learn a whole lot about her, was sympathetic and I liked how she wanted to integrate herself in the village to forge a new start for herself along with her spaniel, William.

The whole mystery surrounding the tiny baby skeleton found in the barn captured my interest and I was very invested in finding out who the baby was and how the baby was connected to the Cheesemaker’s House.

All in all, I very much enjoyed reading “The Cheesemaker’s House“. A debut novel that flowed smoothly and held my interest throughout. A novel of haunted people and haunted places. I look forward to further novels by this author. I’m not always a fan of paranormal novels, yet this was written in such a way that the paranormal aspects were subtle and seemed integral to the plot. Recommended!

[LJ (ljwritesandreviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(rounded up from 3.5)

Alice’s husband ran off with his secretary leaving her single at thirty five. She decides to move to Yorkshire to an old Cheesemaker’s cottage, that she received in her divorce settlement, in dire need of renovating. She meets gorgeous cafe owner Owen Maltby who points her in the direction of handsome builder named Richard to do up the former barn in order to make it a holiday let.

Strange things start happening as the renovation progresses, crying in the night, visions of the past and someone who looks suspiciously like Owen appearing and disappearing. Alice’s feeling for Owen grow but she can’t help feeling that he’s keeping secrets from her.

A grisly discovery in the barn makes Owen’s behaviour even stranger, can Alice help him or is it too late?

So this is another of one of my breaking out of my comfort zone reads, romantic suspense is not a genre I’d usually pick up but I was pleasantly surprised.

What initially drew me into this book was the air of mystery and the hint of paranormal with ghostly sightings and strange noise in the night. Personally if I was Alice I would have been too creeped out to stay in that house on my own after dark!

Alice was a very likeable character. I felt really sorry for her because she kind of blames herself for her husband cheating on her because she thinks she’s not good at loving people. I really wanted to give her a hug right then.

Owen is a very sweet character too. He set up a cafe with his friend Adam, whom he’d saved from a life of drugs and jail, but he’s struggling to keep the place afloat. He’s also the village ‘charmer’ or healer caring for the sick and elderly. Yet when it comes to his own happiness, he’s intent on throwing it all away.

I was slightly disappointed that none of the characters sounded like they came from Yorkshire even though most of the characters had been born up that way. Also they kept using the word supper which I honestly don’t think I’ve heard a northerner say in my entire life! But this is just a minor quibble.

It was a little heavier on the romance that I would have preferred but it was written in a very captivating way that kept me reading until the end.

The Cheesemaker’s House is perfect for those readers who love romance with a dash of mystery.

[Redfox5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, totally sucked me in and read it over two days. I have rediscovered the joy of reading this week. Books like this really help!

I really liked Alice as a character. Owen was so mysterious and I thought Alice was much stronger than I would have been in that situation because I would have written Owen off as being a bit weird and avoided him, especially after all that praying at the unknown babies grave. However I needed to know what was going on with him and kept page turning!

I have another book by this author which I am planning to read soon. Really looking forward to it after reading this.

[Angela Petch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a challenging love-story with a difference.
Alice has come to Yorkshire after a broken marriage and she soon becomes involved with the villagers. Margaret, a sensible, older neighbour, Richard, the gorgeous builder who helps with the renovation of her old barn and Owen, a mysterious but kindly café owner, who is also a charmer (someone who lays hands on people to cure them). And very soon, once work is carried out on her house the visions, apparitions and strange happenings start to unfold, drawing Alice into a mystery. And we’re not sure who to believe.
The story teeters on the everyday and the paranormal and, as if to lend credence to events, the author cleverly includes churchgoing and a local vicar, Christopher, to the cast. Sensible Margaret says of Alice’s other-world experiences “…we can’t know everything. Maybe ‘ghosts’ is the wrong word – maybe paranormal is a better term – outside normality, if you like.”
Owen, in the words of his gay friend, is “fucked up”; Alice wonders if Owen is “too good to be true” and so, throughout the book, we are never quite sure for whom to cheer. Is Alice becoming involved with somebody who is a “nutcase”? She too starts to see apparitions that not everybody witnesses and the web spins on.
What stopped me from awarding 5 stars to this atmospheric read, was a weak point (for me)of the story (I don’t want to give any spoilers, so bear with the scant detail), when Alice is told Owen is dead. For me she didn’t display grief. If she was numb, then that didn’t come over sufficiently and that part of the story lost credibility.
This is an award-winning debut novel. I’ve read another book by Ms Cable and that too dips into the paranormal, so if you are a fan of this genre, follow her. (Just look over your shoulder if you do).

[Cassie May · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Blog
This book was not my cup of tea. I don’t know why, because I liked the idea, the plot and the tiny bits that made this book special, but the writing style made it a bit boring for me. It dragged on and on and on and nothing ever happened. Yes, maybe that was it. It was too slow for me.
On the positive side there were the characters. They were very well developed and it was fun to accompany them on their journey through the story. They had quirks and problems and fun and were just real in a magical way.
Magical was the plot as well. I liked how the supernatural parts were interwoven with the realistic parts and made this story so special. Also I liked the inspiration behind this book and really wished, I liked it more.
I honestly feel bad that I couldn’t connect better with the book and the characters, but it was just not my cup of tea, as I said in the beginning.
I think the book might be good for other people, for me it wasn’t. I’m sorry.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cheesemakers House
By Jane Cable
4 stars
Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Book Blog

I went in to this story not knowing what to expect, it’s the first book I have read by this author and overall I enjoyed it. The pace was a little slow for me however I thought that the plot of the story was good, my interest was kept for the majority of the time and I really liked the characters. They were really well thought out and they developed well over the story.
There were some good twists too in the storyline which I really enjoyed; I liked the different elements that the author included that made the story a little more original to read. The one character that intrigued me the most had to be Owen – I definitely went into the story thinking one thing about him and ended up changing my mind very quickly!
Overall I really good read and I would like to read more from this author in the future. A solid 4 star read!

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The Cheesemaker's House by Jane Cable, is a haunting love story that spans nearly three centuries. After divorcing her husband, Alice decides to move from Reading to Yorkshire in an attempt to make a fresh start in New Cottage, an 18th century building that had originally been the home of the village cheese maker.

Soon after her arrival in the North East, Alice meets Owen. He is the joint owner of a coffee shop in nearby Northallerton, but lives in the same village as Alice. A strong mutual attraction develops, but their path to a deep relationship is fraught with misunderstanding and difficulty.

Alice becomes increasingly aware that all is not as it seems in New Cottage. There is one particular room which is cold and makes her feel strange; she hears someone weeping throughout several nights, but is unable to find the source. There are a number of episodes when she has glimpses into the past - are these ghosts that she sees?

There are also many unanswered questions about Owen. Alice learns that he is a trained pharmacist, but she wonders why he no longer follows his profession, choosing to help people with the herbs that grow in his grandmother’s garden instead. As their relationship develops, his behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. Eventually, Alice feels that she must find the answers to the mysteries in her life and Owen’s if they are to have a chance together.

There is much to like about The Cheesemaker’s House. It is an easy read, well written, with some interesting characters. There is a strong paranormal aspect, which is an integral part of the plot. However, I am left feeling slightly dissatisfied. I think that this is connected to the pace and tone - there were times when it seemed to drag and lack intensity. On the whole, I’m glad I read the book and I feel sure that it will please many who enjoy gentle paranormal stories.

I would like to that NetGalley for this book, free in return for my honest review.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Hart moves to a small village in North Yorkshire, ostensibly to escape from a disastrous marriage breakup, but also to heal her wounds in the idyllic setting of The Cheesemaker’s House, which is ripe for renovation. Once settled into the village, Alice meets and befriends some of the locals, who are keen for her to fit into village life, but bubbling away under the surface are some strange and rather supernatural incidents which Alice finds difficult to rationalise.

Helping to keep the energy alive in this interesting and well written novel are a lovely collection of slightly quirky characters who provide a real sense of purpose to the story. There’s Richard, the canny Yorkshire builder who Alice hires to do her renovation work,Owen, a rather handsome cafe owner and local “charmer” who sweeps Alice off her feet, and Margaret her lovely neighbour who has a penchant for gardening. Together they all add a special individuality to the jigsaw puzzle until all the pieces fit together to form an absorbing ghostly love story.

I was completely charmed by this novel; for me it had a little bit of everything. A lovely Yorkshire setting, and although I’m Lancastrian by birth, I have actually crossed the Pennine border and lived and worked in Yorkshire, so I am familiar with Northallerton where the book is set. Well defined characters, who the author treats with a very subtle hand, so that they never become an irritation, and as the pages flew by, I found that I was quite engrossed in the supernatural elements, which are particularly well done and are interwoven quite seamlessly into the story.

I was surprised to find that this was Jane Cable’s debut novel as she writes with natural skill and great confidence. I am already looking forward to reading more from this talented author in the future.


*The Cheesemaker’s House won the Suspense & Crime category of The Alan Titchmarsh Show’s People’s Novelist competition, reaching the last four out of over a thousand entries*

Interview with the author and a chance to win a copy of this book

http://jaffareadstoo.blogspot.co.uk/2...

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With so many reviews praising this book, and especially it being a competition winner, I had high expectations of this – and I’m so pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed.

When newly divorced, 35 year old Alice Hart, moves into New Cottage in Northallerton with her spaniel William, to pick up the pieces of her life, she can have no idea of the dramatic events that will follow.

There are some wonderful characters here, all so expertly drawn against a backdrop of the Yorkshire countryside which is beautifully described and I was pulled into the story from the start. The enigmatic Owen Maltby, who along with Adam (the baker) is the co-owner of Café Bianco. Owen, whilst being a kind and caring character, has secrets of his own. The tall, dark and handsome (and doesn’t he know it!) builder, Richard Wainwright who is employed by Alice to renovate her barn has a cheeky manner but we later see a sensitive side too. Her elderly neighbour Margaret, who with her sensible advice becomes a good friend to Alice. Alice, who of course, is central to the story, was somebody that I could identify and engage with – she has doubts and insecurities but is also capable of surprising strength when needed.

When Alice is kept awake at night by the sound of crying together with visions of ghostly images, she decides to delve deeper into the history of New Cottage and its previous inhabitants and with the help of Margaret, unearths some deeply disturbing information. When Richard discovers something even more sinister, events are set in motion that will test Alice and Owen to the limit.

I love books that are mixture of genres and a little bit different and this one certainly doesn’t fit the usual format. Its part love story, part ghost story with an element of mystery and all three combinations made it a book that I couldn’t put down.

I would love to read more by this very talented author.

I couldn’t end this review without giving a mention to Adam and his delicious sounding cakes – this is the perfect read to accompany a hot chocolate and a large slice of something very calorific!

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher Matador for the digital copy to review.

[-Bookish Gal- · Rating 1 out of 5]

In all honesty I cannot review this book. Not really. Considering as the book was not my cup of tea I will refrain from saying anything that might be construed as negative.

All I can comment with regards to this book was it did not charm me. The characters of a book, their journey, their motivations and actions excite me as a reader. But with Alice Hart, there was no such moment of excitement or appeal that could make her interesting to me. She is recently divorced, moves into a new place where strange things happen to her. But none of them really make me feel concerned for Alice or even like her.

Reading this book, and getting to know Alice was akin to traveling in a crowded train and hearing a fellow passenger go on and on, either with someone she is traveling with or on phone. While she may believe the most exciting/nauseating/exhausting thing ruined/made her day; to me it is of no concern in the bigger picture. I cannot exactly shut her up, but after a while her voice is just one in a cacophony, one which I cannot entirely zone out . But with a little bit of exhaustion, luck and regular practice can very well ignore as mundane.

I was provided an advance readers copy for reviewing courtesy of Troubador Publishing Ltd and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review of the book. This review is in no way influenced and is solely based on my opinion.

This review can also be found at One reader A thousand lives

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Cheesemaker's House, is a ghost story. When Alice Hart's husband leaves her for another woman, she moves to the cottage they had bought in Yorkshire to attempt a fresh start.

The cottage was built in 1726 and once belonged to a woman, the village cheesemaker. Alice begins putting her energies into refurbishing the old cottage. She hires Richard to do much of the work, especially on the barn which Alice plans to turn into a holiday rental.

She also develops a friendship with an elderly neighbor, and the owners of the village coffee shop, especially Owen, the rather shy co-owner.

In addition to being a former pharmacist, Owen is also the villager charmer. In folk tradition, a charmer was a healer, who took no pay for his or her healing sessions and often used specific herbal concoctions along with laying of hands and Bible verses. Since charmers did not diagnose and took no fees, they were not accounted witches, but folk healers. The tradition in England lasted into the 1970's according to one source.

When Jane begins hearing crying in the middle of the night and seeing Owen when Owen was elsewhere, things begin to get a little curious.

This is not a typical ghost story, and there are several elements in the story that I enjoyed, but the solving of the mystery of the doppelganger gets a little lost in the genealogy.

NetGalley/Troubadour Publishing, LTD/Matador

Mystery/Supernatural. 2013. Print version: 229 pages.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Hart moves into New Cottage; The Old Cheesemaker's House. The house is full of character but also has it's ghosts.

There were many heartwarming characters in this book. "Alice" who is the main character, comes across as a kind and caring person, who always thinks of others. The sort of girl you would like to have as a friend.

"Owen" is the mysterious coffee shop owner who seems to have many secrets but also a whole load of other issues too.

"Richard" is the handsome builder, who would love nothing more than to add Alice to his list of girlfriends, but at the same time is a good and helpful friend to her but seems to have something against Adam.

"Adam" is the gay and loveable co-owner of the coffee shop who Alice becomes very fond of, and finds easy to talk to.

They are four very different people, but the author blended them and their lives together so well.

I intially thought this was going to be a love story as a love triangle seemed to be forming, but how wrong I was. The book was full of mystery and intrigue; ghosts from the past mingling with the present and lots of unanswered questions. I loved the intrigue and the way the author kept you guessing through each twist and turn. Who was the mysterious "ghost like" person who as the image of Owen?

The book makes you keep reading and I couldn't put it down. It was an excellent read.

[Helen Christmas · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I initially love about this book is its serene village setting, which instantly warms me to the characters and draws me right into their story. It is emotional and beautifully written with some lovely, evocative descriptions; at the same time, keeping me very much on edge, as the story slowly unravels. I never lost interest. It is a powerful story, which enables me to sense the characters’ anguish, leaving me quite unsettled at times; part mystery, part thriller, I love the three central characters, Alice, Owen and Richard, intrigued by their frustrating love triangle, where the hint of some ‘haunting’ influence is always looming. A well thought out plot which combines past histories with the present day.

I would recommend this to anyone, who is also partial to a hint of romance. Very enjoyable indeed.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read which balances itself on a narrow ledge between reality and the supernatural.

It is slow in the beginning as we meet Alice Hart, a thirty-five-year-old divorcee restarting her life in a small English village after being abandoned by her ex for his younger secretary.

While I didn’t always agree with her choices, I liked Alice from the beginning.

Neil was an ass—that much isn’t up for debate—but Alice admits her formative years left emotional damage and perhaps she didn’t try hard enough in her marriage. But to be fair, she believed she was being the wife Neil wanted. He didn’t speak up; she didn’t ask. Lack of communication (and Neil being a total and complete ass) equals divorce.

The divorce brings Alice a small cottage and the funds to renovate it, so she moves to Yorkshire for a fresh start, which will include a small ensemble of colorful characters, not the least of which is Richard Wainwright and Owen Maltby.

Richard is a gorgeous specimen of manhood, but it’s the soft-spoken, elusive pharmacist-turned-shop-owner, Owen, Alice is drawn to.

But pinning Owen down long enough to get to know him proves to be an ongoing problem for Alice. He disappears abruptly and shows up suddenly, keeping Alice confused and off-balance.

Combine seeing Owen when he doesn’t even acknowledge her; the mournful crying coming from her barn, and visions in her own home she’s not sure she saw, and moving to Yorkshire for a fresh start is an idea Alice Hart can toss out the window.

Or is it?

At first glance, I was put off by everyone in the story except Christopher, the vicar. They all seemed too far from center. But when a cleaned out barn becomes cluttered again, and Alice seeks out Owen with concerns about their unprotected sex, (which appeared to be a catalyst to more weirdness) The Cheesemaker’s House became unputdownable!

Already cautioned by villagers that Owen is a weirdo, Alice notes his odd behavior but it doesn’t deter her feelings for him. An aggressive move by Richard blindsides her and as she tries to put it in its proper perspective, the nightly crying… and Owen’s odd behavior intensifies.

A surprise discovery in Alice’s barn sends Owen off on a tangent and he goes missing, leaving Alice and friends to wonder if he’s reached the brink of madness… or is even alive.

It takes new friend, Margaret, and Richard’s Uncle Cyril to delve deep into this centuries-old mystery.

The weaving of the parallels between the back story and present-day is spot on and one of my favorite parts of the story. No one here is crazy. But, as humans, we feel something is wrong with us when we see or experience something we can’t explain away.

Such is the case with Owen. Right before losing his beloved Gran, his full charmer heritage showed up and not quietly. Oddly enough, he has the skill of a charmer, but not of the full acceptance of his calling. None of it makes sense to the man of science… but it is happening. However, knowing he wouldn’t be believed, Owen keeps everything to himself… and looks nuttier than a fruitcake.

Alice Hart might have gone down the same path, but she wasn’t as close to it as Owen. Her growing feelings for Owen and her need to find the truth; plus having others she trusted to confide in saved her focus. I believe it also helped her to shed the emotional damage of her childhood and her failed marriage. Alice found her inner strength and was now proactive instead of reactive.

Owen Maltby was stronger than he appeared also. He had to be. A weaker soul would have been driven to madness. Seeing people who lived almost three-hundred-years ago can do that to a person. HA!

The most curious part of The Cheesemaker’s House for me was the Owen/Richard relationship. It was supposedly antagonistic because of a woman they were both involved with. However, after Richard admits to the childhood friend they both played with, I wondered if casting shade onto Owen, in fact, made Richard feel normal? The men eventually appear to find an agreed-upon peace, but I’ll bet Owen benefits more than Richard.

However, everyone in this story benefited because of Christopher. One would expect a typical man of the cloth and representative of the church to denounce and deride every word out of these character’s mouths. While maintaining a biblical focus, Christopher was the voice of reason. He was invested in the mystery but never got lost in the mania. Kudos to him.

The Cheesemaker’s House is an engaging, detailed read which pulled me right in. I was invested in the future of the characters as well as the plot. I applaud the story’s close because it doesn’t deliver an unrealistic pretty package, but instead, it ends on a high note of hope. I believe readers of mysteries, historical fiction, and women’s fiction will get lost in this supernatural mystery and the love story which comes with it.

Enjoy!

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

I am going to admit something to you now. I only started this book last night at about 10pm, as I fell asleep in the early evening and then panicked as I realised my review was due today! Mass panic, so once I calmed down and opened the book, then next thing I knew was it was 12:45am (!) and I had finished the book. From the opening pages, I got goosebumps, I was drawn into this slow burner. I had so many questions throughout this book, and the story of Alice and Owen would not let me rest even if I wanted to sleep.

This review may be vague because there is so much that I can't say. When I picked up this book, I did so without reading any reviews and I am quite glad I didn't, I didn't want anything taken away from this experience and I don't want to ruin yours. There is so much more to the story than the blurb lets on, and even that does not do it justice.

Alice escapes to North Yorkshire, her husband left her after getting a young spritely receptionist pregnant, and she needs to escape. She moves into New Cottage, and it sounds perfect, albeit needing work. She pops into the town and finds a cute coffee shop hidden away where she meets Owen. Owen then gives her the number for Richard who can help with refurbishments required at her cottage. We have Margaret, an elderly lady who is Owen's neighbour and Adam, Owen's best friend, all are integral to the story and I loved each and every one of the characters in this book.

As we progress further into this beautifully haunting book, things start going awry, when Alice hears the incessant heartbreaking sounds of someone sobbing, but not able to pinpoint the location (cue the goosebumps). Richard and Alice see Owen in places he really couldn't be, and secrets are kept. Things are just not what they seem in New Cottage and they test Alice and Owen to the limit. The one clue I can give is this book reminded me of one of my favourite films based in a hotel with Steve Guttenberg, Daryl Hannah and Peter O'Toole (I am not naming the film for the fear of giving too much away) but there is some likeness between the two.

I love this book is based on a real place that the author fell in love with, and from the beautiful description we are entrusted with in this book, I can easily see why. In my head this place is perfect, and the historical element had me intrigued.

This book is a slow burner, but again as I gush over it, it is a  beautiful story spanning decades. When we arrive at the end of the book, I cried, the conclusion was loving, heartwarming and just a little bit tragic, but to me, perfect.  I am adding Jane's other book the Faerie Tree to my list to read, as I absolutely love her writing.

I think this might just be one of my favourite books of the year so far.

[Nicola Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cheesemaker's House is a lovely romance story. When I say that, don't think it's all hearts and flowers because it's far from it, but it is a love story with a part-historical element to it.

Alice Hart's husband is a cliché - he's had an affair with his secretary. Alice ends up with their second home, New Cottage in a North Yorkshire village, whilst he keeps the marital home. Needing a fair bit of work doing to it, Alice gets local man Richard, a bit of a charmer, to do some work on the house and on the barn that comes with it. She also meets Owen and she finds herself very taken with him indeed. He's part-owner of the local cafe and she keeps seeing him everywhere. Or does she? And there's the crying she keeps hearing. Is somebody nearby really unhappy or are echoes from the past seeping through into the present?

Jane Cable draws on her own experiences with this novel. Her own cottage, and New Cottage, were the local cheesemaker's house centuries ago. And the cheesemaker was a woman. I found this aspect fascinating. There are strong women at the heart of this story, both in the past and present. This is not a dual timeline or a time slip novel. It's as I said, the past is seeping through due to unresolved issues.

Owen is a lovely man but oh boy, I could have shaken him and slapped him at times. Instead of confiding in Alice as their relationship grew, he pushed her away. I think she was a saint to put up with him at all most of the time, but there was a real connection between them and Alice was determined to find out more about the 'other' Owen that she kept seeing around the village. I liked Alice a lot and really enjoyed her wit, her spirit and her determination. I also liked Richard as, despite his almost lecherous ways, he was a pretty good sparring partner for Alice.

I flew through this book in the space of a day. It's engaging on so many levels. I loved the way the past was intertwined with the present in lots of different ways. There's a slightly spooky element to the story and the historical aspects were so interesting as Alice tried to make sense of events. It's got some lovely relationships at the core of it, both with strong existing friendships and with new ones that are formed.

I've had this book for four years and only wish I had got around to it a bit earlier as I really loved it. It's utterly delightful and a complete page turner.

[Fraser's Fun House · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cheesmaker’s House tells the story of Alice Hart, 30-something divorcee who has decamped to her holiday home, New Cottage in North Yorkshire, after discovering her husband had an affair. Built in 1726, Alice’s new home is steeped in history like author Jane Cable’s own dream home which provided the inspiration for the historical aspect of the novel.

Initially a fish out of water, Alice soon begins to meet and befriend the locals starting with mysterious Owen Maltby whom she meets at the local church. When new friend Owen recommends local builder Richard to help renovate the barn adjoining Alice’s home a shocking discovery under the barn floor kickstarts a series of strange events.

It soon becomes clear to Alice that things in the village and more specifically with Owen might not be quite what they seem. Ex-pharmacist Owen has a reputation locally as a ‘charmer’, something he seems unwilling to discuss with Alice despite their developing relationship leaving her wondering if the strange things she is experiencing are down to him. What is the secret Owen is hiding and can their relationship survive it?

When I began reading this book I thought it was going to be a love story as the initial chapters seemed to indicate a love triangle between Alice, Richard and Owen but I couldn’t have been more wrong! It’s hard to pinpoint a genre, the best way I can describe it is as a historical, paranormal romance. It’s extremely well-written with reasonably short chapters that allow the story to flow, keeping me utterly gripped.

Alice is a fantastic strong female protagonist, however I personally found Owen rather annoying at times and felt he needed a good shake as he is a bit of a drip. His character did improve, and he did ‘man up’ a bit as the story progressed, but I still felt something was lacking which I can’t quite put my finger on.

Full of suspense and mystery this book has plenty of twists and turns along the way which kept me guessing until the very end. The historical aspect was woven cleverly into the story with everything being tied up perfectly at it’s conclusion, allowing me to make sense of the snippets of information I had gleaned throughout. The Cheesemaker’s House is an intriguing story of the past colliding with the present. I thoroughly enjoyed it unable to put it down until I had discovered its mysteries. **I can highly recommend reading this on the beach, it made the perfect holiday read!*

[Sara Nesbitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

WARNING: Contains spoilers

I wanted to like this book. Really. The description built me up to liking it. However, the book was a disappointment. I give it two stars only because I pushed through and finished it.

Alice, the main character, has a slew of insecurities following her divorce that she hasn't worked out, yet. She needs a therapist, not alcohol.

Owen, her love interest, is a walking red flag. About three times I wanted to scream, "Woman! If your dog is growling at a guy, you don't bring him into your house!" Owen wasn't cool. He wasn't romantic. He wasn't strong. The entire novel he's worn down, tired, insecure, and assures Alice continuously that he's not good enough for her, and he'll hurt her. Well, guess what? He's not, and he does. Most of the novel sees Alice either anxious about where she stands with Owen, worried about his health, or angry because he's ticked her off, interspersed with scant moments of sexy bliss or dog walking.

Adam is a complex character who Cable doesn't treat well. She obviously struggles with striking the balance in a character between the hardness of an ex-con and recovering addict with the sensitivity of an out gay man looking for love.

There were ghosts, but Cable's inclusion of the ghosts doesn't build anything in the reader. There's no creep factor, no interest, no suspense. They're here, they connect the past and the present, but that's it.

All-in-all, I found the writing to be tepid and the characters completely unsympathetic; there was nothing about any of them that made me want to care about them. When I finished the book, it was with relief that it was over--not sadness that I had to leave these characters or any sense of satisfaction in the ending.

[Kate A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book wasn’t what I expected but in the best way.

It has an element of mystery the whole way through but in a subtle way that makes you desperate to put the pieces together whilst keeping you totally gripped in the story. It also fascinated me finding out about who had lived there before and why it had had such an effect on Alice.

The chapters are short and snappy which really helps with the pace, it wasn’t the type of book that I felt rushed through but before I knew it I was getting to the end and I’d been reading the day away without noticing.

I’m kind of glad that I totally got the wrong impression of Owen from the blurb, I thought charmer in a very different way, so I’m glad that he was actually this enigmatic but slightly strange guy who seemed different every time Alice met him. I was very intrigued by him and hoped that Alice would get to the bottom of his secrets.

I enjoyed getting to know Alice, she was witty and kind and it was interesting trying to figure out if she was inventing things that weren’t there. It was also nice hearing about the area, there was a lot of rich description that really made the place come alive.

This is a book that you will easily while away the hours with, with a captivating plot and beguling characters. I’m looking forward to my next Jane Cable read.

Originally posted on everywhere and nowhere

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a really enjoyable mix of drama, supernatural, history and romance - a little bit of something for everybody!

The story was inspired by a framed will in the dining room of the authors' dream Yorkshire home, and it has led to a fascinating story full of domestic drama and eerie goings on!

Alice Hart is beginning her life again since her husband ran off with his secretary, so Alice and her dog move up to Yorkshire where their retirement property is to become her new home. It needs quite a bit of renovation but she's willing to take that challenge on and finds a local builder to help.

She soon settles into village life and becomes a frequent visitor to a small local cafe, and becomes a little transfixed by the owner Owen. He soon becomes central to her life, but not in the way that you think! She keeps seeing him in different places, but then he's gone! Is her mind playing tricks on her?

Life in her new home also has an unsettling atmosphere as she keeps hearing crying but is unsure where the noise is coming from. A chance discovery in the barn she is renovating soon brings some clarity to events though.

I really enjoyed the gentle pace of this story and the short chapters. It was the perfect read for a sunny afternoon, but would work just as well as a rainy day read!

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an utterly charming and unique read!!! It is a romance with a sprinkle of paranormal that makes this an addictive read.

Alice seeks comfort and solace in a North Yorkshire village after her husband runs away with his secretary. I admire a woman who pulls herself up after her life is turned upside down, and that is exactly what Alice does. Her life isn’t perfect, and she is lonely, yet she continues her journey to being whole again. She meets new people, but one man affects her more than any other, Owen. He is kind and sensitive with a bit of mystery about him. Alice has no clue of the journey that Owen will take her on.

Oh my goodness, there is so much going on within the pages of this book. It’s one of those that pulled me in and really put me right in the middle of the story itself. It’s well-written. Every single one of the characters are extremely well-developed, and each adds something pivotal to the story. As much as this is told in Alice’s voice, I also discovered so much about Owen through her eyes. When you add in the mystery, the historical elements, and the paranormal aspects, along with a beautiful scenery, it’s quite a read!!!!

[Donna Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really enjoyed the writing style in this book and it has some brilliant characters.

The story flows very well and I loved the setting, Yorkshire is absolutely perfect for this story and it is certainly one that will stay with me. It is a haunted romance that completely captivated me.

I loved how the story spread over the centuries but I did find the pace to be quite slow and personally, whilst it is in keeping with the plot, I do wish it had been slightly faster to keep me fully engaged throughout.

It is very well written and despite the pace being much slower compared to the books I usually read, I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. 4.5 stars from me for this one rounded up to 5 stars on Goodreads and Amazon – very highly recommended!!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cheesemakers House was an absolute delight to read. It was unusual and quirky which made it intriguing.
Jane has a real knack of mixing mystery, romance and a touch of paranormal magic, which I always enjoy. The historical aspect of the story really captivated me, Jane has obviously done her research. Learning about Owen being a charmer (someone who uses herbs, charms and some white magic to heal people, not a ladies man!) was a something that intrigued me.
When a book transports you to another place you know it's a hit, The Cheesemakers House definitely did that to me. The descriptions of Great Fencote were so vivid I felt as if I'd visited there. I'd love to read a sequel to this story.
I'm now off to download Jane's novel Faerie tree, don't wait up 😉

[Patricia Stoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jane Cable is good at ghosts. Having read two of her books now, I can say this with confidence. Her ghosts are romantic, sexy, demanding and, of course, mysterious. Not least because she keeps you guessing: is this a ghost? Who is the ghost? Is it Owen – affectionate and caring one minute, moody and distant the next? Is it Alice, channeling a tragedy from the past? This is a switchback of a story, and every time you think ‘Got it. I know what’s going on,’ you can be sure you’re wrong. But there’s one thing you can be sure of: this is a good read from start to finish, with an ending which is satisfying without being sentimental.