The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall

by Cathy Hayward

She loved her mother, but did she really know her?

As their mother Milly lies dying, the four Highdown Hall sisters gather at her bedside. For months, the youngest daughter, Zoe, has cared for Milly in the family home. The older sisters all have homes of their own, so Zoe will inherit the crumbling manor house and continue their mother’s legacy.

But then they read their mother’s Zoe is cut out of Highdown Hall entirely—the house goes to her sisters. Zoe is utterly shocked and devastated—did she not know her mother at all?

With tensions rising between the sisters, Zoe begins sorting through Milly’s belongings, trying to find something to help her understand. When she discovers a mysterious iron key that fits no door, she is left only with more questions. What was this terrible secret her mother could never speak about?

As Zoe begins to dig into the past, she tries to hold onto her memories of the mother she loved. But what could have been so devastating that Milly kept silent her whole life? And if Zoe uncovers the truth—will it destroy her forever?

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

I write historical fiction often set in dual timelines between the past and the present day. I love stories about family secrets and intrigue (think Kate Morton) which it why I write about them. My debut novel The Girl in the Maze comes out in autumn 2021

I trained as a journalist and edited a variety of trade publications, several of which were so niche they were featured on Have I Got News for You. I then moved into the world of PR and set up an award-winning communications agency Magenta Associates.

Devastated and inspired in equal measure by the death of my parents in quick succession, I completed The Creative Writing Programme with New Writing South out of which emerged my debut novel The Girl in the Maze about the experience of mothering and being mothered. It won Agora Books’ Lost the Plot Work in Progress Prize 2020 and was longlisted for the Grindstone Literary Prize 2020 and Flash500 2020.

When I'm not writing (or reading) in my local library, I love pottering in second-hand bookshops, hiking with my husband and our Hungarian Vizsla and wild camping. I live in Brighton – sandwiched between the Downs and the sea – with my husband, three children, dog and two rescue cats – one of whom thinks he’s a dog.

You can buy The Girl in the Maze here: https://linktr.ee/cathyhayward

And you can find out more about my writing journey here: https://cathyhayward.co.uk

Please do get in touch and ask me a question. I read (and respond) to all my reviews and love chatting to readers.

Reviews

[Becky Q. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I tried SO hard to put this book down when I had important things to do but the just-one-more-chapter bug won every single time. This book was SO good! It was so layered, so emotional, AND family centered (my favorite!). These types of books are absolutely my weakness. Like I genuinely feel like I am the target audience for these types of stories. The atmosphere of Highdown Hall, the complicated sister dynamics/relationships, the family secrets...There was no way I could NOT be invested!

What I loved most was how emotionally messy and human everyone felt. None of these characters are perfect and the family relationships in this story are incredibly complicated. I really liked the kind of slow unraveling of all the years of trauma, resentment, love, and grief and I just generally loved being immersed in these characters' lives! Some of the reveals felt predictable but honestly that never bothers me as long as the journey getting to them is entertaining and this journey was SO freaking emotional and upsetting (at times) so the predictability did not matter at all to me. I love a good character driven, reflective family drama and this fulfilled that for me so perfectly.

Audiobook Thoughts: I had a really great experience with the narration for this book! I listened while reading along and the audiobook added so much more emotion to a lot of the parts of the book. The tones and being able to hear the dialogue made it so much better though I am 100% sure this book would be amazing without the audio as well. I liked that hearing the audio made it so much easier to understand the emotions and intent behind a lot of the scenes/dialogue and I think I'm now completely obsessed with immersive reading! I loved that the voices were distinct and even when a couple characters sounded somewhat similar to me at times, I never felt confused because the writing and narration made conversations really easy to follow. I ended up listening at 2.5x speed by the end and still found everything extremely clear and easy to understand. I love when a good narration can make the tension and atmosphere of the story feel more real!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

[Deborah Medlycott · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tedious book that went nowhere. I was seriously tempted to DNF but I persevered. I found most of characters irritating & I could not engage with them. It was a free Amazon book. Glad it's finished

[Angelie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful and emotional story! This is a slow burn two timeline family saga full of secrets and full of drama. One timeline focuses on a fractured and angry relationship between teenager and mother, and the other timeline slowly unveils the mystery held among four siblings following the death of that same mother.

I really enjoyed this story on audio. The high and low emotions were well captured, the layered mystery kept the pace moving along, and there was a denominator of hope that was felt in all the characters, whether you liked them or not.

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing | Brilliance Audio for providing the ALC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.

[Catherine (catisbookedup) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Cathy's writing is very elegant in tone.
A compelling read with an interesting premise and family dynamics set in a dual timeline and POV with Zoe in the present and Milly (the mother) in the past.
As a main character Zoe was a very sympathetic protagonist, her situation felt very unjustified having cared for her dying mother alone (when she had 3 older sisters) to the detriment of her entire life (career, relationship and future) only to be left out of the inheritance by her mother. The mystery surrounding why kept me going even though unlimately I did figure it out before the actual reveal.
As the secondary main character, Milly ( the mother) starts off as an unlikeable character in my opinion, I did find her self-centred and dismissive, however as the storyline with her eldest daughter Steph unfolds I found myself drawn in even though I personally wouldn't have reacted as secretive as she did. I have a son with this similar aggressive outburst ADHD type and I wouldn't just hide the physical abuse it does not help, although I understand the 80s and 90s was a different time and wasn't understood.
I would have preferred a little more character development with the other sisters also and the pacing seemed a little off especially towards the end as it seemed to drag on a bit unessesarily, but otherwise a very solid, emotionally deep and enjoyable story that will most likely stay with me long after unlike a lot of other books I read. I would definitely like to read more from this author.

Many thanks to the author Cathy Hayward for providing me with a copy of the book for review. All opinions are my own.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burn mystery that had me guessing the whole way through. This is a story about a family with secrets.

What would you do if you found out your parents are not the people you thought they were? And what if you didn’t find out until after their deaths? That is the scenario our main character finds herself in after the death of her mother whom she cared for in love dearly.

The audiobook narrator is fabulous!

[TheGood ByeGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, while I did guess about Zoe's relationship to Steph, I didn't see the other twist, very well done.

A thought provoking book after my own mother dying & things discovered after she died.

[Jilly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good family saga with a little bit of mystery thrown in. 5 stars.

**************************

She loved her mother, but did she really know her?

As their mother Milly lies dying, the four Highdown Hall sisters gather at her bedside. For months, the youngest daughter, Zoe, has cared for Milly in the family home. The older sisters all have homes of their own, so Zoe will inherit the crumbling manor house and continue their mother’s legacy.

But then they read their mother’s Zoe is cut out of Highdown Hall entirely—the house goes to her sisters. Zoe is utterly shocked and devastated—did she not know her mother at all?

With tensions rising between the sisters, Zoe begins sorting through Milly’s belongings, trying to find something to help her understand. When she discovers a mysterious iron key that fits no door, she is left only with more questions. What was this terrible secret her mother could never speak about?

As Zoe begins to dig into the past, she tries to hold onto her memories of the mother she loved. But what could have been so devastating that Milly kept silent her whole life? And if Zoe uncovers the truth—will it destroy her forever?

[Kristen Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many times during this story I wanted to DNF the book, it was verrrrrrry boring for more than 90% and then the ending just ended with like absolutely nothing else given. I think the story would have been brilliant it just wasn’t executed properly in my opinion. I guessed the plot line two chapters in and really just wanted to finish to see if I was right. I landed on three stars because I liked the writing, and the plot wasn’t terrible, just overall not a winner of a book.

[ssloves books - Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this family drama full of secrets. I love when there is a big house, a family who have secrets and slowly the story unravels.

I loved the timelines in this book, present day and in the past when the children of the house are growing up. A lot of the story in the past focused on Steph, a strong willed passionate teenager who cannot keep her anger at times. Her relationship with her mother is fractured and over time it deteriorates.

In the present tense we witness the four sisters back at heir family home after the death of their mother. As the will
Is read and the sisters starts to go through paperwork it becomes clear that the past is not what they thought it was.

I loved the suspense throughout the book as the secrets slowly started to be revealed. I guessed the plot line of the story and that only brought joy as it all became apparent what had happened in the past.

This is wonderful book about family, the love of a father and father who are trying to do the right thing, the bond of sisters and how things in the past resonate in later life. It’s about family secrets which are kept hidden and it’s one that I found hard to put down. Read it in two sittings.

[Nessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been an absolute pleasure to read, the story was captivating and well written throughout. Certainly kept me engaged and turning those pages quickly.

I enjoyed getting to know all of the characters within the two times lines, one in 1990 and then the one in present day. I do love a dual timeline story as you really do get a feel for the characters, seeing them develop and how their lives have changed.

Some parts of the story were hard to read, some of the things that the characters had to go through or certain events that took place, but then you do expect that with these sorts of stories, plenty of drama, emotions and the occasional shocking revelation.

I really did enjoy this story, the author clearly put a lot of thought and research into it. Cathy Hayward is still a relatively new author (and yes I have read her first book, which I do recommend if you haven’t already read it) but I am excited to read her books in the future as and when they are published.

[Sheri Meier]

Good with some plot twists

[Zarina Jones · Rating 1 out of 5]

Predictable story and very annoying to drop a page in blaming the actions of the violent daughter on neurodivergence. The lack of accountability on the part of the eldest daughter and winding up blaming the dead mother was astonishing. Also, the lazy way the author skirted over the age gap between the daughter and her "boyfriend" and the fact he was a criminal? Awful book, sorry I bothered to read it

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The Last Daughter Of Highdown Hall by Cathy Hayward

I totally enjoyed reading this historical family saga which is set at Highdown Hall, in a small village and has been in the DeProse family for a few generations. Zoe is the youngest daughter of Milly and she gave up work to become her carer before the nurses took over when her health deteriorated further, then she passed away. Zoe contacted her sisters. Steph, who is the eldest, Fiona comes after her and then Sara. Zoe is expecting a share of the house, the same as the others but when they find a copy of their mum's will, the house is divided between her three sisters and she is excluded. This comes as a bombshell to them all. They can't understand it. They want to contest the will. Fiona takes charge and arranges everything although Milly has stipulated her funeral arrangements in her will. They start sorting through Milly's jewellery in the safe and find envelopes for each of them. Once the safe is empty of boxes, there is an envelope at the back with the name ‘Kai’ on it with a big large key in it. Who was this? No one recognised the name so Zoe pocketed it. She would have a look around. Why wasn't she included by her mother? She felt so unloved by her mother but she had said there was something she wouldn't like. Perhaps her mother meant this? This story was a brilliantly crafted masterpiece of ‘now’ and ‘then’ which had me in such suspense I read the book in two sittings. Some of it was heartbreaking but it got the tricky teenager which nowadays would be diagnosed by a doctor. The four sisters are different and Zoe realises she doesn't actually know them. The characters are intriguing and superbly plotted just like Milly is, who never gives up but is always there for her family. The author did some wonderful research for this book which shows in the information contained within the story. The multiple povs, Zoe, Milly and Steph really helped to tell and develop the story. Also, I liked the dual timeline of the story being told in the past and the present. I liked the plot twist that was thrown into the story as that was an excellent touch! I would like to thank the author for letting me be part of their tour which I have greatly enjoyed.

Blurb :

She loved her mother, but did she really know her?
As their mother Milly lies dying, the four Highdown Hall sisters gather at her bedside. For months, the youngest daughter, Zoe, has cared for Milly in the family home. The older sisters all have homes of their own, so Zoe will inherit the crumbling manor house and continue their mother’s legacy.
But then they read their mother’s will: Zoe is cut out of Highdown Hall entirely―the house goes to her sisters. Zoe is utterly shocked and devastated―did she not know her mother at all?
With tensions rising between the sisters, Zoe begins sorting through Milly’s belongings, trying to find something to help her understand. When she discovers a mysterious iron key that fits no door, she is left only with more questions. What was this terrible secret her mother could never speak about?
As Zoe begins to dig into the past, she tries to hold onto her memories of the mother she loved. But what could have been so devastating that Milly kept silent her whole life? And if Zoe uncovers the truth―will it destroy her forever?

[Bookfan36 · Rating 4 out of 5]

What It’s About

When their mother Milly dies, the four Highdown sisters return to the family home. Zoe, the youngest, has been caring for Milly for months and fully expects to inherit Highdown Hall. Instead, she’s completely cut out of the will. Shocked and hurt, she starts digging into her mother’s past — and what she uncovers forces the whole family to confront long‑buried secrets, trauma, and the different ways they each remember the same childhood.

Review

This book leans much more into contemporary drama and emotional depth than mystery, and it really focuses on how families work — or don’t. It’s about how people can share the same history but experience it in completely different ways, and how grief, trauma, and old wounds shape who we become.

The characters are complex, layered, and very realistic. I didn’t always like them, and sometimes they were hard to relate to, but that actually made them feel more human. Their reactions, flaws, and emotional messiness felt believable, even when they were frustrating.

The writing is strong and thoughtful, and the story flows well, but it’s definitely not a light read. It deals with heavy themes — grief, loss, domestic violence, emotional trauma — and I found the book stayed with me for a while after finishing it. There’s a weight to the story that lingers.

What stood out most is how well the author captures the emotional dynamics within a family: the misunderstandings, the resentment, the loyalty, and the pain that sits just under the surface. It’s a story that makes you think about how complicated families can be, and how healing isn’t always straightforward.

Overall, it’s a powerful, well‑written book — just one that leans into heavier emotions rather than comfort.

My Rating

Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
A strong emotional storyline centred on family, memory, and trauma.

Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
Complex, flawed, realistic — not always likeable, but very human.

Writing – 4 out of 5 stars
Clear, emotional, and well‑crafted.

Enjoyment – 3.5 out of 5 stars
A compelling read, but heavy and not always easy to sit with.

Overall – 4 out of 5 stars
A thoughtful, emotionally layered story about grief, trauma, and the complicated ties that bind families together.

Recommended For

Readers who enjoy emotional, character‑driven fiction

Stories about family dynamics and long‑buried secrets

Contemporary fiction with heavier themes

Readers who appreciate flawed, realistic characters

Anyone interested in how grief and trauma shape relationships

Review copy provided through NetGalley at no cost to me.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Daughter of Highdown is a beautifully layered, quietly devastating novel about mothers and daughters, the weight of inheritance, and the truths we only uncover when it’s almost too late. From the opening pages, there’s a tenderness to the storytelling that makes Zoe’s journey feel intimate and deeply human.

The novel’s emotional centre lies in Zoe’s heartbreak as she discovers she has been cut out of her mother Milly’s will—a decision that feels both inexplicable and cruel after months of devoted care. The shock of that moment reverberates through every chapter, colouring her memories and forcing her to question the woman she thought she knew. The tension between the four sisters is drawn with nuance: old loyalties, unspoken resentments, and the complicated love that binds families even when they fracture.

Highdown Hall itself is wonderfully atmospheric—crumbling, storied, and full of shadows that seem to whisper of the past. As Zoe begins sorting through Milly’s belongings, the discovery of the mysterious iron key becomes the perfect catalyst for a slow unravelling of secrets. The mystery is handled with restraint and emotional intelligence; each revelation feels earned, and the past is never sensationalised. Instead, it’s treated with the same compassion the novel extends to its characters.

What stands out most is the way the story explores the duality of memory: how we hold onto the versions of people we need, and how painful it can be when those versions are challenged. Zoe’s determination to understand her mother—truly understand her—gives the novel its beating heart. The final truths are poignant, surprising, and ultimately healing.

Elegant, atmospheric, and quietly gripping, The Last Daughter of Highdown is a moving exploration of family legacy and the secrets that shape us. A perfect choice for readers who love emotional depth woven through a compelling mystery.

With thanks to Cathy Hayward, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Lexie Mackey · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’ve ever wondered what Downtown Abbey might be getting up to in the 21st Century, this is the book for you! “The Youngest Daughter of Highdown Hall” is full of secrets, scandal, worry of public opinion, all set against the backdrop of the crumbling estate called Highdown Hall.

3.5⭐️- rounded up

2025- Zoe is struggling after being left out of her mother’s will, despite being the only one of her sisters to completely take care of her mother in the end. Now in the aftermath, Zoe is forced to confront her family’s past and also try to bond with her sisters before the ties that hold them together dissolve.

1980s- Millie struggles with infertility, motherhood, social image, and an obstinate teenage daughter. Despite doing everything she can to hold on to everything at once, she worries how long can she go and how much can she hide.

While in the end I felt very satisfied, I felt very frustrated throughout the rest book. I found it really hard to like any of the characters, except Zoe. I sympathized many times with the others but I was absolutely appalled by their actions. I do think this book is very well written and I did enjoy the plot, I felt angry at the characters a lot of the time reading.

The audiobook narrators were absolutely fantastic. I loved that there was a different narrator for each POV, that helped a lot when distinguishing who was talking, but additionally I loved the way that each narrator really revealed how each character viewed the other characters! For instance, when Steph gets her mother’s voice in 1990, I can hear contempt and a coldness in her mother’s voice, but when Millie narrates she always sounds so loving. I think they did a great job of showing that each character’s POV is biased just in their voicing. For that reason, I recommend listening to the audiobook.

Thank you Lake Union Publishing for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHY do we not have Kindle First down as a selection when it's a pre-release book ? Sort it out, Goodreads....loads of people I see reviewing use that !! But no, we have to go through an inquisition first these days before we can write a review !
I didn't realise this had even downloaded the day it did. Not quite sure how it happened but upon checking the other selections I think it would have been my choice, anyway. I noticed later I'd also read another by her before, also as a Kindle First read !
I learnt something in this one-what a Baker Day is ! I'd never heard this expression before.
I struggled a lot with this story because the author only shared in dribs and drabs how old the daughters all were. That drove me to distraction attempting to figure out how old they were in present day and then again when we went back in time. She finally told us around 40% into the story what years they were all born......but there was no reason not to share this earlier and make us attempt to figure it out ourselves !!
I thought Steph's behaviour was appalling and they really needed to stand up to her when she first played up the way she did and draw a line in the sand. Not quite sure why she behaved this way, and nor was it ever really explained as she wasn't mistreated or anything. Just a nasty piece of work a lot of the time, yet she loved animals....go figure !!
Two things the family did I wasn't impressed by. One was keeping their mum's wedding ring and then a name being altered. I didn't "get" the reason behind either action.
I put all the secrets and lies together before the end but that didn't spoil anything.
The only error I spotted was a missed comma here-"...since Alice left probably" and that was it so presentation was superb. My only niggle really was the matter of their ages so that's why I knocked it down 1*-aggravation penalisation !!

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

STORYLINE :
The storyline was intriguing and filled with family secrets and drama, and I thought it was right up my alley. The last child of Wright family, Zoe, cared for her mother all alone until her death. Yet, when the will was read, no portion of the house she loved was left for her. But her three sisters who were nowhere close to their mon got the house.
The book was narrated in two timelines and different POVs. The storyline was okay, but I was annoyed with the ending. There was no closure. A character was violent and abusive, but even she refused to admit it even when she was older, which was really annoying. I felt like she was not punished for being violent, and nothing justifies her bouts of violence, nothing!
I admit that what the mother did was wrong, but there were two wrongs, and only one was focused on.

CHARACTERS:
The characters were not too bad. I would have preferred it if all the sisters had given their POVs, though. Zoe was my favourite while I didn't like Steph.
Steph was a shitty teenager who abused her own mother. And, no, I won't take she's autistic or has ADHD as an excuse. She acted like the abuser that she was. Always assaulting her mother when she's alone. The most annoying thing is that she didn't realise how wrong she was even after being an adult. I hate how Milly, her mother, was made to be the villain. Then she grew up to slap her own daughter, too. Disliked her!!
The fact that she didn't see Patrick as the predator he was and was even giving me excuses.

WRITING STYLE:
It was okay.

SETTINGS:
I liked how the High down Hall was described. Most of the scenes in the book were set there.

OVERALL:
I liked this book enough until the last couple of chapters. Anyway, it was a fast and easy read.

[mrsbookworm5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Synopsis -She loved her mother, but did she really know her?
As their mother Milly lies dying, the four Highdown Hall sisters gather at her bedside. For months, the youngest daughter, Zoe, has cared for Milly in the family home. The older sisters all have homes of their own, so Zoe will inherit the crumbling manor house and continue their mother’s legacy.
But then they read their mother’s will: Zoe is cut out of Highdown Hall entirely—the house goes to her sisters. Zoe is utterly shocked and devastated—did she not know her mother at all?
With tensions rising between the sisters, Zoe begins sorting through Milly’s belongings, trying to find something to help her understand. When she discovers a mysterious iron key that fits no door, she is left only with more questions. What was this terrible secret her mother could never speak about?
As Zoe begins to dig into the past, she tries to hold onto her memories of the mother she loved. But what could have been so devastating that Milly kept silent her whole life? And if Zoe uncovers the truth—will it destroy her forever?
#mythoughts This was an intriguing premise that immediately drew me in—four sisters, a family home full of memories, and a will that changes everything. As their mother Milly lies dying, tensions quietly simmer, especially for Zoe, who has devoted months to caring for her… only to be completely cut out of the inheritance.

The story unfolds as Zoe begins searching for answers, and I did enjoy the mystery element, particularly the discovery of the iron key and the secrets hidden in the past. It kept me curious enough to keep turning the pages, even if it didn’t fully grip me throughout.

For me, the pacing felt a little uneven at times, and while the family dynamics were interesting, I didn’t completely connect with all of the characters. Zoe’s situation was compelling, but I found myself wanting a bit more depth and emotional impact in places.

That said, there were some engaging moments, and the underlying themes of family, secrets, and betrayal added a nice layer to the story. The mystery itself was interesting, although slightly predictable in parts.

Overall, this was an enjoyable, easy read with a steady build of intrigue—but it didn’t quite have the impact I was hoping for.

[cosylittlereadingcorner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highdown Hall is a family home, which has been owned by the DeProses for generations. Zoe, the youngest daughter of Camilla, believes she will inherit the now somewhat crumbling family home when her mother dies. She has, after all, been the one who has given up everything to care for her ailing mother and tried her best to keep the house running despite the financial constraints. But when her mother dies and the will is read out, Highdown Hall is split equally among her three sisters, leaving Zoe shocked and devastated. As they try and sort through their mother’s belongings, tensions start to rise between the four women and as Zoe tries to work out why her mother cut her out of the inheritance, the sisters are about to uncover a truth that will change everything they thought they knew about each other and their mother.

Whilst I guessed some of the story early on, it didn’t take anything away from the enjoyment of this novel. The story not only examines the relationships, which can exist between mother and daughter and how parenting can change with each child’s arrival but also the damage long held secrets can cause.

I really liked the dual timeline of this novel and if you are a fan of multigenerational stories with a secret or two at its centre, then this one is definitely for you.

[M.L. Sizemore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for an ARC of this book.

This was such a beautiful story. I loved the writing, the overall plot, and getting to know each of the four sisters. The novel captures how profound grief and the loss of a loved one can both fracture and reconnect a family, showing how something beautiful can emerge from tragedy, a family finding its way back to one another.

The author does an exceptional job weaving together multiple perspectives and revealing the complexity of the characters. Just when you think you’ve identified the villain, the narrative shifts and invites empathy instead. By the end, no one is entirely innocent or entirely wrong; rather, each person is shaped by their own experiences and doing what they believe is best.

The story is perfectly paced and offers a moving portrait of a family trying their best to navigate loss, love, and connection. The writing is beautiful, the story is deeply compelling, and the audiobook narrator is absolutely fantastic. I found myself genuinely missing these characters once the story ended, which is always the sign of a memorable read. And I found myself cheering for Highdown Hall to carry new memories and being restored to its glory. I highly recommend this book, and I’ll be looking for more Cathy Hayward novels.

[sclx.archives · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️ 3.75/5

The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall felt less like reading a mystery and more like sitting quietly inside a family unraveling in real time. It’s one of those stories where the emotional tension matters far more than the twists, and honestly, that’s what stayed with me most after finishing it.

I really felt for Zoe. After spending months caring for her dying mother, being completely excluded from the inheritance was such a brutal emotional blow, and the hurt, confusion, and resentment between the sisters felt painfully believable.

Nobody in this book is perfect, and that actually made the characters feel more authentic to me. They misunderstand each other, hold grudges, avoid difficult truths, and carry old wounds in ways that felt very human.

The hidden key and family secrets add intrigue, but this is ultimately a story about grief, memory, and how differently people can remember the same childhood.

Some parts moved a little slower than I would’ve liked, especially in the middle, and the heavier themes made it emotionally draining at times. But it’s thoughtful, well-written, and emotionally honest in a way that quietly lingers.

One of the emotional undercurrents is that Zoe, despite being the caregiver, had built an idealized image of her mother. The investigation forces her to confront the fact that parents can be loving and deeply flawed at the same time. The sisters also begin realizing how differently each of them experienced their upbringing—some remembering warmth and stability, others recognizing fear, favoritism, neglect, or emotional distance.

The inheritance twist ultimately connects to Milly’s complicated attempts to preserve the family while also shielding Zoe from becoming trapped by Highdown Hall the way she herself was. The house is less a reward and more a burden tied to generations of unresolved pain.

By the end, the story becomes less about “who gets the house” and more about understanding trauma, forgiveness, and whether healing is possible once long-hidden truths finally surface.

Thank you to Cathy Hayward, NetGalley, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Leslie E · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall is a heartfelt family drama filled with secrets, complicated sibling relationships, and an atmospheric old manor setting that pulled me in from the start.

When Zoe discovers she has been unexpectedly cut out of her mother’s will, she begins searching for answers, uncovering long-buried family truths along the way. The mystery unfolds slowly, but the real strength of this novel lies in its characters and emotional depth. The sisters felt authentic and flawed, and the exploration of grief, resentment, loyalty, and forgiveness was handled with nuance and compassion.

I especially enjoyed the atmosphere of Highdown Hall, which felt almost like a character itself. While some of the twists were predictable, I remained invested in the journey and the relationships at the heart of the story.

This is a thoughtful, character-driven read that will appeal to fans of family sagas, generational secrets, and emotional women’s fiction. A satisfying and engaging story about family, legacy, and discovering that those we love often carry secrets of their own.

Recommended for readers who enjoy family mysteries, sister dynamics, and emotionally rich stories.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

📆 dual timeline.
👀 multi POV
🐢 -🐇 slow-paced
💬 "Maybe there's too much to say and it's impossible to know where to start"

As soon as I saw the title of this book on an email asking if I'd like to review it, I wanted to know more. Basically because my secondary school was called Highdown, and the main building used to be a large house,which is now a listed building. Then I saw the cover and fell in love. It's so beautiful!

When I started reading, my heart went out to Zoe, imagine being the only daughter not to share the inheritance. I always wonder what it is about inheritances and heirlooms that make people lose all sense of fairness. And yet it happens time and time again. I did guess pretty quickly what the big family secret was, but I loved discovering why. And there was another secret that I didn't see coming!

The writing was just perfect. Wonderfully descriptive, genuine characters and a real sense of family. Families are often messy and complicated, and Hayward has captured that perfectly.

I was utterly captivated from start to finish, although cried through a large chunk of the end of the story. So maybe grab some tissues before you start this one!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of their mother, four sisters reunite at their childhood home for the funeral and reading of the will. Little do they know what will come to light when the family home is only bequeathed to three of the four sisters, with the youngest sister Zoe being left out.
The story is told mostly through two POVs - Zoe in the present and their mother Millie in the past.
Millie's storyline was quite confronting at times and I think the author did justice to the lack of assistance that was available in the late 1980s/early 1990s when it came to the mental health of young teens and their families.
I really liked this audiobook. The narrator was excellent working with both viewpoints and multiple characters, the audio kept the story moving along well and the interest and speculation building. The only regret i have is that I would have liked an epilogue as although there were no lose ends, the story seemed to finish very quickly.
Thank you to Netgalley and Brilliance Publishing for the audiobook for review.

[Elizabeth Currie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall is a dual timeline story, the story of a family, a house that has been passed down the generations - and some pretty devastating secrets.

Four sisters with a complicated relationship reunite at Highdown Hall following the death of their mother Milly. It is youngest daughter Zoe who has taken care of their mother as her health declined - and she is understandably devastated and mystified when the house that she considers home has been left to her sisters, excluding her. And as they sort through her mother's belongings, it becomes clear that this is a family harbouring secrets ...

As we go back to hear from Milly when the girls were young, we learn just how complicated the family are - and how hard it is when perceptions of those we love, and long held family dynamics, are challenged.

Whilst I guessed some elements, this didn't impact on my enjoyment. It's an engaging read, a story of the complexities of families, choices made and their enduring impact.

[Kate Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story revolves around Zoe, her three sisters and the death of their mother. I thought it started well and was enjoying the emerging relationships between the sisters and the mystery surrounding their mother’s decision not to leave their huge family manor to Zoe, the youngest daughter who had nursed her through her final illness. This was all entertaining enough, but it then got quite repetitive and bogged down, with not much character development and predictable plotting. I found myself out of sympathy with Millie, the mother, on almost all counts, and not feeling very convinced by the behaviour of Steph. It also niggled me that a pivotal plot device wasn’t logical - ie that Millie had to leave Zoe out of the will because of the prenuptial agreement that the manor could only be left to her children - when she’d done a perfect fake around Zoe’s birth, including birth certificate, and there was no outside imperative not to continue with it.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall by Cathy Hayward is an emotional family mystery filled with secrets, betrayal, and conflict.

The story follows Zoe, the youngest of four sisters, who has spent years caring for their dying mother at Highdown Hall. After their mother passes away, her sisters return home, bringing tension, regret, and blame with them. Zoe is shocked to discover she has been cut out of her mother’s will and cannot understand why, especially as Highdown Hall has been her home while she devoted years to caring for her mother.

The book alternates between Zoe’s present-day story and her mother’s perspective during the sisters’ childhood, gradually revealing long-buried family secrets.

At its heart, the novel explores mother-and-daughter relationships, complicated sister dynamics, and the lasting impact of secrets within a family.

[Sharon Greenwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Last Daughter of Highdown Hall started well with an intriguing premise, but it quickly became tedious as the plot lost its momentum. While the author clearly tries to tick all the neurodiverse boxes to add contemporary relevance, the execution feels forced within a story that is ultimately bland and predictable. Although I could relate to some of the sisters' life choices and their family dynamics, the lack of real tension makes this a mediocre three-star read.

[Amazon First Read choice April 2026]

5 Excellent read, loved it.
4 Enjoyable read, Liked It.
3 Average read, OK and passed the time
2 Below average read, MEH
1 Regrettable read, nearly a DNF

[Susan Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Source: Amazon First Reads

2.5 stars

I started off quite engaged, but when the book went back to the past (as many do), I just thought "who cares about this?", there was nothing catchy at all. I still gave it a go, but then the same thing happened again.

This book took so long to get to the point, and it didn't build up in an interesting way.

Maybe the theme is just really not one I enjoy, but I found myself skipping pages at one point, and I missed nothing by doing so.

I'm glad I read it until the end, though, as I got to understand what the book was about - but it could have been a much shorter book than it was.