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Das Geheimnis von Winterthorne

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Ein altes Herrenhaus, gefährliche Familiengeheimnisse und eine verbotene Liebe

1924: Der glanzvolle Sommerball von Lord und Lady Kearsley ist in vollem Gang, als sich ihre Tochter Xanthe zu einem heimlichen Rendezvous in das Gartenlabyrinth des Anwesens schleicht. Am nächsten Morgen ist das Herrenhaus niedergebrannt, und zwei Tote werden aus den Trümmern geborgen. Niemand wird je erfahren, was in jener Nacht in Winterthorne geschah.
2024: Juliet Stewart fällt aus allen Wolken, als sie von einer entfernten Verwandten ein Cottage in Winterthorne erbt, einem Dorf hoch an der felsigen Küste von Yorkshire. Als sie dort auf die Ruine von Kearsley Castle stößt, erfährt sie von dem Brand, der die Familie, die dort lebte, vor hundert Jahren ausgelöscht hat. Ihre Neugier ist geweckt, doch je tiefer sie in Xanthes Geschichte eintaucht, desto näher kommt sie der Gefahr.

505 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

79 people are currently reading
258 people want to read

About the author

Zoë Marriott

17 books802 followers
Zoë has known that she wanted to be a writer since she read 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton at age eight. She's never changed her mind in all the years since then.

She completed her first manuscript - a truly embarrassing romance novel - at age sixteen, and kept on writing books and submitting them until she had collected rejections from nearly very publisher in the UK and two in Australia. She eventually got her first publishing contract when she was twenty-two - but had to wait until she was twenty-four to see that book published (The Swan Kingdom). Her books have been longlisted for the Branford Boase Award, shortlisted for the Leeds Book Award and the Lancashire Book of the Year, and have won a Junior Library Guild Selection, a USBBY Outstanding International Listing, the Hillingdon Book Award and the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation Prize. Over the years she's worked as an admin assistant, a dental nurse, a civil servant, and a reader for a literary scout. She has designed and run over one hundred creative writing workshops in schools and libraries, and from 2017-19 she was the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at York St. John University.

She lives in a little house in a town by the sea, with a manic spaniel called Ruskin (otherwise known as Demon Dog, Trash Puppy, Snaggletooth, or the supervillain in training) and far too many books. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Creative Writing at the Open University, and working on her first novel for adults.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
Profile Image for Justyna.
71 reviews1 follower
September 22, 2024
"...you have a chance, here on this earth, to make a life that is about love. Not some grand, romantic love, but the kind of love that encompasses everything, that makes a person joyful, and generous, and brave."
"The Moonlit Maze" by Zoe Marriott

Dual timeline enchanting story set in a small seaside village. It's so hard to describe this book without spoilers but authors choice of words used along with mesmerising style literally transports you to beautiful castle and gardens in 1924 giving you a peek into a lavish and entitled lifestyle. We are a witness of first love, grief, violence, and so much more... In the other timeline we meet a young girl who is on the verge of giving up as nothing goes as planned until one letter arrives...
Both timelines blend very well and once we realise what they have in common the story becomes more magical than ever.. Then there is the ending, the last chapter that it makes it even more beautiful
I feel very lucky to be chosen by Netgalley and Headline as one of the first recipients of early copy. I'm definitely going to get a printed version of it once it hits the shelves in JUNE 2025..
Profile Image for The Addiction of Fiction.
30 reviews
December 6, 2024
‘People aren’t what you can see on the surface. Every one of us is a whole universe, galaxies and worlds and colliding stars hidden under the skin.’

What a beautifully written and unique story this is. The characters jumped off the page for me. The setting was vividly and beautifully described. The prose was evocative and I felt truly transported. The blurb really caught my attention but I wasn’t expecting the unusual direction the book took at all. This is a duel timeline storyline which is easy to follow. Both timelines are well written and I found the storyline engaging, perfectly paced, thrilling and really, quite magical. I couldn’t put it down.

I was reminded of ‘Shadows in the Moonlight’ by Santa Montefiore. The storyline is not the same but it evoked similar feelings for me when reading.

I was delighted to be approved by NetGalley for an ARC of this lovely book. Thank you to them and Headline Books.

Publication date: 5th June 2025
Profile Image for Trina Dixon.
1,023 reviews51 followers
April 13, 2025
The beautiful cover draws you into the book, the enchanting story keeps you there.
A dual timeline novel sees Xanthe in 1924 and Jude in 2024 with a connection through time.
Xanthe is stifled by her family constraints and wishes in wanting to marry her off to the insufferable Jonathon. Her heart is with Tom, but it's an ill-fated love as her family see him as beneath them, his father is the estates gardener.
Jude is alone in the world, with little prospects, until she discovers she's been left an inheritance from a Great Aunt she never knew. The visit to the cottage in Winterthorne brings their lives together.
I loved this book, the writing and story were emotive and captivating. A story of enduring love bringing the past and present together seamlessly.
Profile Image for Christina.
Author 35 books369 followers
June 5, 2025
THE MOONLIT MAZE by is a sweeping dual time story based on an intriguing premise – that different periods of time might be occurring simultaneously. And that occasionally we could somehow pull aside the veil that separates us from other eras and experience them for ourselves. This book kept me spellbound throughout as the two heroines – Xanthe in 1924 and Jude in the present – battled to find love (not just the romantic kind), acceptance, happiness and contentment. To be allowed to live their lives on their own terms, and to learn to accept that which they had no power to change. Xanthe (who is autistic and not like everyone else) has struggled all her life to fit in, while Jude has had to fight her way back from the brink due to grief and losing everything and everyone she loved. The two stories were emotional and atmospheric, and the setting – a little Yorkshire village on the coast – was perfect for the Gothic feel of these tales. Highly recommended for fans of slightly spooky, mysterious and thought-provoking reads that keep you on the edge of your seat!
Profile Image for Amanda.
274 reviews11 followers
October 28, 2024
Amazing, and in totally unexpected ways. I thought this would be an interesting story going by the blurb, but I wasn't prepared for the brilliant direction it took - no spoilers, you just have to read it!

Xanthe and Jude are fantastic characters to read. They both give the reader an insight into their lives, which then forms the backbone of the story.
Around them, the story becomes stimulating and engaging, with the result of it being incredibly hard to put down. I wanted to read it all in one sitting, but that sadly was not possible, so I had to read it whenever I could. I did, however, make excuses so that I could get back to it quickly. The pages kept on turning as I became more invested.
I couldn't describe what I liked best about this story - it was all so fascinating and very well presented.
Profile Image for Sophie.
Author 2 books95 followers
December 28, 2024
I loved the premise of this book – I loved the small, seaside village of Winterthorne – I loved Xanthe and Jude, the heroines of this story – but most of all I loved how the author wove their stories together. I sometimes find with timeslip novels (or novels that follow two protagonists) that I have a favourite, and I want to “get back” to the other part of the story. With this novel I was hooked throughout, and I think that’s because the writing was just masterful – and the characters were so well fleshed out. Every scene was another piece of the puzzle, another clue for the reader to try and solve – and I found myself staying up WAY past my bedtime for “one more chapter… or maybe TWO more chapters…”

An enchanting read!
114 reviews1 follower
January 21, 2025
Worked in 2 timelines, this novel had 1920s Xanthe - being pressganged into marrying her vile cousin Jonathan and in modern times -Jude who is having flashbacks and seeing Xanthe’s story unfold.

Twisty and characterful. This was a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy to review.
Profile Image for Mr Pink Ink.
485 reviews27 followers
September 22, 2025
Many thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

In 1924, Lord and Lady Kearsley’s Summer Ball promises a glittering night of music and mischief — until their daughter Xanthe slips into the maze for a secret meeting. By morning, the house lies in ruins, two bodies are removed, and the truth burns away with the embers.

A century later, Juliet Stewart inherits a mysterious cottage in Winterthorne and finds herself drawn into Xanthe’s story. The ruins of Kearsley Castle still whisper of tragedy, and the strange gifts turning up at Juliet’s doorstep suggest that history isn’t done repeating itself.

Marriott spins a dual-timeline gothic mystery full of atmosphere and secrets, though it’s definitely a slow burn. The pacing lingers until the final act, which suddenly bursts into an action-packed ending. I adored both the characters and the setting — Winterthorne drips with moodiness — but I’ll admit the title feels a little misleading. The maze itself only appears five or six times, which left me wishing for more of its shadowy presence.

Still, this is a striking example of the “history repeats itself” concept done right. If you’re a fan of Kate Morton, Eve Chase, or even Emilia Hart’s The Sirens, you’ll find yourself happily lost in Winterthorne’s secrets.

3.5 stars
Profile Image for Monika Caparelli-Hippert.
277 reviews3 followers
January 20, 2025
What a beautiful cover that immediately conveys an enchanted atmosphere, and a promising blurb! I like dual-timeline stories, and I personally really like the era of the 20s and 30s of the last century. So: I was excited! I didn't know the author yet, and I was prepared to be surprised.

First of all: it was great :-) ! What a wonderful, exciting and emotional novel. I really liked it.

This is what it's about: We are in 1924 with Xanthe, the daughter of Lord and Lady Kearsley in Winterthorne. Xanthe is the only daughter, but as a girl she is not the heir; Cousin Jonathan is intended for this....a corresponding marriage is also planned, but Xanthe is a modern young woman with her own ideas about life.... At a summer ball, an accident occurs: while Xanthe is meeting in the labyrinth near the orangery for a secret rendezvous, the mansion burns down completely - but the case is never fully solved....

In 2024, we are with Juliet, also in her early 20s, in London. Juliet, called Jude, has no family left when she unexpectedly inherits a cottage in Winterthorne. She doesn't even know her deceased great-aunt, and is curious about her inheritance. Jude rearranges her life and is fascinated by the history of the place and the great fire of 100 years ago....and she feels a strange connection to Xanthe, who is long dead.

So we have two stories in Winterthorne, which are connected by Jude and Xanthe; and this is where it gets exciting and a mystery element is added, because the two women actually get closer and the boundaries between the ages become permeable. And I thought that was really well done; this is where fantasy comes into play, but this element creeps into the novel and thus gains credibility. Can Jude warn Xanthe about the fire? Is it even possible to intervene in the past? Or is she perhaps just imagining everything?

The protagonists around Jude and Xanthe are also exciting. Of course there is at least some romance, that can't be missed :-) , and an interesting subplot and warning, mini spoiler; there is also a connection between Jonathan in the 1920s and a friend of Jude's in the 2020s. I thought that gave the novel a special touch, I thought it was cool.

There isn't much more to say about the content without really spoiling it, so I'll just say this much: the author has combined mystery, romance, crime and woven big themes like friendship, love, family and self-esteem into a fascinating novel. The result is a book that I couldn't put down and that got me thinking.

I also found the writing style very pleasant. On the one hand, it's super fast and pleasant to "browse through", a real page-turner, but on the other hand it's also eloquent and the language is a little more sophisticated. I'm not a native English speaker, I always notice things like that, the author expresses herself quite elegantly, sometimes I even had to look up a word or two - which rarely happens to me. That's totally fine, don't get me wrong, I generally prefer a more eloquent style :-)

The ending is also surprising. I won't give anything away, just this much: I didn't expect it to be like that and it touched me again!

I was rooting for Xanthe and Juliet and am giving them 5 out of 5 stars! Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the review copy!
Profile Image for Anna Tan.
Author 32 books177 followers
May 23, 2025
I'm beginning to think that timeslip novels are just not for me. In concept, it's cool, but for some reason, there's always something that leaves me not-quite-satisfied.

What's there not to love about this story? There's modern-day Juliet (Jude) Stewart inheriting a cottage in a cozy British village giving her enough money to turn her life around and a chance to catch her breath. There's young Lady Xanthe Kearsley in the 1920s torn between her betrothal to horrid cousin Jonathan (who will inherit all her father's possessions due to entailment) and wanting to live her life on her own terms.

Two separate, entrancing stories, connected by space (Winterthorne) and somehow bleeding through time. I should have loved it, but...

In Elaine Chiew's The Light Between Us, I felt I couldn't quite grasp how the two protagonists were connected by time travelling letters with a fancy mathematical theory, so I quite appreciated the simplicity of this connection through time - and even the lack of any solid explanation. There's a mystical quality to how Jude keeps dreaming of Xanthe, and how Xanthe catches glimpses of Jude at odd times.

There's enough in both timelines to keep me going - rooting for Jude as she tries to figure out her future and being angry on Xanthe's behalf because she's stuck in a society with little options. And Jonathan is a manipulative abuser being enabled by Xanthe's parents - there, I said it. You want to believe that Xanthe will overcome, that Jude will somehow find a way back in time to help her...

One little thing that really bothered me was the strange love triangle between Jude and the two men in Winterthorne, where for a moment it was like Jude HAD to fall in love with one or other of them because a woman cannot just be friends with a man!!! Marriott resolves this as part of the plot, but it was just very annoying while it was happening.

The ending itself - and its revelations - felt satisfying to me. Like yes I'm glad it resolved that way.

I want to say I loved this story. And yet... like I said, maybe I'm not configured to really enjoy timeslip stories, the same way time travel and multiverses give me a headache (looking at you, Avengers: Endgame).

Note: I received a digital ARC of this book from Headline via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
138 reviews6 followers
December 11, 2025
Zoe Marriott has made a career of writing young adult fiction but with ‘The Moonlit Maze’, a novel that took her ten years to write, she has successfully branched out into adult fiction, with a magical twist.
How many of us have felt that phenomenon of ‘déjà vu’? You’ve been here before, you know that person and yet, they aren’t part of your landscape at all. It’s a different matter when these people and places enter your dreams, become so real that they inhabit your waking hours, push you to explore a ruined house, to try and draw the story from the very earth and wrecked stones that remain, and the local myths that swirl. It’s a maze of secrets that are calling to the young Juliet Stewart to unravel.
Marriott uses that sense of unknown connection to great effect, weaving a tightly bound spell that twists and meanders over 100 years. You’re kept guessing as you switch from the heady days of 1924, the days of balls and stately homes, an imagined seaside setting of Winterthorne, and Xanthe, rebellious redheaded daughter of the wealthy Lord and Lady Kearsley. Bound to defy her aristocratic parents love, tragedy and evil intersect in the Maze – the place of trysts, secrets and danger.
And across the years to 2024 when the orphaned Jude, struggling to make a living, see a future, is the beneficiary of an unexpected legacy from an unknown relative. A cottage on an estate, a family connection that leads her into a psychological maze of questions, helpful neighbours and an entity that clearly doesn’t want her there.
As we look into the depths of these novels they are revealing in the subject matter imagined – trauma, bittersweet love, revenge – perhaps a more palatable way of working through those tough times. Reality is sidelined as we dip into a absorbing tale, that of course is what a good read is about. Marriott is a masterful storyteller, the drawing together of these two lives expose so much that we absorb into our own psyches. The lush writing will take you around some surprising corners as you, the reader, negotiates the maze of history, complexity, relationships, connections and ghosts. I was reminded of ‘The Lost Love of Akbar Manzil’ by Shubnum Khan as the forces that live on in the ruins of a home push the story forward.

616 reviews8 followers
June 11, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Headline for this eCopy to review

From the moment I stepped into the eerie ruins of Kearsley Castle, I knew The Moonlit Maze was going to be an unforgettable journey. Zoë Marriott masterfully blends historical mystery, gothic suspense, and quiet supernatural intrigue, crafting a novel that lingers long after the final page.

The story unfolds across two timelines:

1924 – At Lord and Lady Kearsley’s grand Summer Ball, their daughter Xanthe sneaks into the maze for a secret meeting. By morning, the house is in ashes, two bodies are removed, and the truth of that night is buried forever.

2024 – Juliet Stewart, struggling to make ends meet, unexpectedly inherits a cottage in the cliff-top village of Winterthorne from a relative she never knew. As she explores the ruins of Kearsley Castle, she becomes entangled in the mystery of the fire that destroyed the family. But when disturbing gifts appear on her doorstep, Juliet realizes someone doesn’t want her uncovering the past.

As Juliet delves deeper into Xanthe’s story, she discovers that danger lurks not only in history but in the present as well.

Marriott’s prose is atmospheric and immersive, weaving a tale that is both emotionally gripping and subtly eerie. The dual timeline structure is executed beautifully, allowing the past and present to intertwine in unexpected ways.

The novel’s themes of grief, control, and resilience add depth to the mystery, making Juliet and Xanthe’s journeys equally compelling. The supernatural elements are intriguing rather than overt, adding a quiet unease that enhances the gothic tone.

If you love timeslip mysteries with gothic undertones, The Moonlit Maze is a must-read. Marriott delivers a haunting, beautifully crafted novel that keeps you guessing until the very end.
Profile Image for Turn On The Light Pins.
526 reviews19 followers
August 19, 2025
I started off this book thinking that the author must have been struggling through grief because I felt it through every word, every sentence and every page. Which was confirmed when I reached the end and got to the author notes. (I am sorry for your loss)

This is a hard one for me to review because I am not entirely sure what to say and that has had me holding off on writing this. To be fair, I think the concept of this is great. Incredibly intriguing and took my attention away from the romcoms that I had been consuming.

I read quite a few of Zoe Marriotts books when I was a teenager, particular favourites were The Swan Kingdom, Daughter of the Flames and Frostfire. So, I knew that the writing would likely be something that would keep my attention, and it did, and it didn't at the same time. There were so many parts that I loved but there were so many parts that left me with pressing questions that I don't personally feel were answered by the conclusion of the novel.

I am not going to say what they are due to the fact that they would spoil the book for those who haven't read it, but I did feel very dissatisfied by the ending. I also found it hard to connect with the characters because it kept jumping back and forth between the past and the present but that is probably more of a me problem, than a problem with the book. I do tend to find that sort of thing very jarring in books.

All in all, though, I think if this was ever made into a movie, it would help flesh out the bits that made me tilt my head and think huh and I hope that it will be because seriously, I love that concept. Such a fascinating connection through history that makes it feel like the connections we make with those we love never truly fade.
Profile Image for Valerie Thirkettle-Kayser.
178 reviews3 followers
July 2, 2025
When, in 2024, Juliet learns that she has inherited a cottage in a village, she decides to visit and feels she has arrived in her dream place. But her exploration of the nearby ruins of Kearsley Castle, the behaviour of some of the villagers and disturbing recurring dreams connect her to the past. Connections emerge between her life and that of Xanthe, the daughter of Lord and Lady Kearsley.
This is an original and very nicely written time slip novel that explores the weight of the past and how events that have occurred can have effects on people for ever. I read about transgenerational trauma some time ago and this book resonated a bit with this topic. As I was reading this story, it reminded me of stories of my childhood in villages of Provence where something happened a long time ago but the lives of those left behind are still somewhat determined or influenced by what happened.
I could not stop reading to find out the whole story. The plot is unveiled slowly, maybe too slowly for some readers, but for me it was part of creating the uncomfortable and mysterious atmosphere of the book. I thought it worked well. I liked the characters of Xanthe and Juliet, the descriptions of the locations, the vibes of the village and I enjoyed reading the author's note at the end.
Writing this book took a long time, and it was worth it. A puzzling, immersive and excellent read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for giving me the opportunity to review this book. All opinions are my own.
235 reviews
June 6, 2025
The Moonlit Maze was my first read by Zoe Marriott and what a great read it was.

In 1924 Lady Xanthe is attending her parent;s summer ball and sneaks out to meet her lover, Tom the son of the head gardener, and then tragedy strikes, her family home is burnt and two bodies are removed. The tragedy and secrets from that night will bleed through the years and through time itself.

2024, Jude Stewart is barely eeking out an existence. She lives on her flatmates couch and works two jobs to try to make ends meet. Her flatmate informs her that she is moving her boyfriend in and Jude will need to find a new place to live, still grieiving the death of her mother, Jude does not know how she will survive, then she receives an extraordinary letter, a great-aunt that she has never heard of has died and left her a pension and a cottage. The cottage is in the village of Winterthorne overlooks the ruins of a great house. There is a mystery here, what happened to the house and it’s inhabitants? Why is Jude so drawn to the ruins and the story of the family that lived there?

This was a great timeslip novel that kept me guessing until the end, both Xanthe and Jude were sympathetic characters and I enjoyed the mystery and descrptions of Winterthorne and the supporting characters of both timelines.

Thanks to Netagalley, Headline publishers and the author for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Profile Image for Lily.
1,399 reviews12 followers
August 7, 2025
In this intense and fascinating new historical fiction novel, readers alternate between Xanthe Kearsley’s life in 1924 and Juliet Stewart’s new life in Winterthorne in 2024 as strange things begin happening to them. The day after the family’s famous summer ball, Kearsley Castle will burn down and two people will die, but the details of the event and what happened to Xanthe will be lost. Juliet, having inherited a cottage from a distant and unknown relative, is slowly adjusting to her changing life, but disturbing gifts on her doorstep reveal that someone has ill intentions for Juliet. As she slowly discovers Xanthe’s life, Juliet will also be faced with new challenges in 2024 that threaten both the past and the present in some fascinating ways. The characters are absolutely the stars of the book, and the incredible details, beautiful setting, and occasionally eerie atmosphere add drama and tension that readers will absolutely enjoy. Winterthorne and Kearsley Castle, both as a house and as ruins, are whimsical, magical, and emotionally charged settings that are a great reflection of the larger story, and the details are just incredible. Emotional, intense, and exciting, readers will love this brilliantly written dual timeline historical fiction novel and Juliet and Xanthe’s fascinating stories.

Thanks to NetGalley, Headline, and Headline Review for the advance copy.
Profile Image for Amelia.
23 reviews
June 4, 2025
A clever timeslip novel with great characters.

I discovered fairly recently that timeslip novels really appeal to me, but I read one or two duds so I was a bit apprehensive when starting this one. I needn't have worried: it delivers on all fronts. The timeslip is believable, the characters in both timelines are engaging, and the ending pulls everything together in a fantastic way.

I think I did slightly prefer the modern day characters but mainly because a lot of the 1924 ones were deeply unpleasant. Both Jude (Juliet) and Xanthe were brilliant heroines, and the way everything came together at the end was very satisfying. I'd have liked an epilogue with a bit more about Jude's life after the events of the novel, but that's a minor gripe and it could have spoiled the impact. I guess I just didn't want to let her go!

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read and I definitely recommend it. 4.5 stars

I had an advance copy so thank you very much to the publishers and Netgalley, it is much appreciated. My review is unbiased and all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Nessa’s Book Reviews.
1,420 reviews70 followers
July 4, 2025
This dual timeline mystery really worked for me.

I loved how the story unfolded across a century—1924 to 2024—and how Juliet's present-day discoveries echoed the tragedy of the past.

There’s something deliciously gothic about an old estate, a mysterious fire, and secrets buried (literally and emotionally) in the bones of a ruined castle. That alone sold me.

I was especially drawn to Xanthe’s chapters, there was this simmering tension and sense of doom that kept me turning the pages.

The whole maze sequence? So vivid, like a dream you’re not sure is a nightmare until it’s too late.

Juliet made for a solid modern lead, though it was the creepy little touches (those strange gifts, the village unease) that really got under my skin. I wouldn't call this a horror, but it did make me turn on a few extra lights at night.

If you like your mysteries with gothic vibes, slow-burning tension, and a dash of historical scandal, this one’s worth getting lost in.
Profile Image for Lindsey Pope.
144 reviews4 followers
April 18, 2025
Set over duel timelines a century apart, this is a beautiful story of two women, Xanthe in 1924 and Jude in the present day.

Present Day: When Jude discovers she’s been left a house by an unknown great aunt she goes to the town of Winterthorne to sort out the house. What she finds are answers to questions from her past and a mysterious pull towards the ruins of a stately home.
1924: Xanthe is living with her parents Lord and Lady Kearsley and her awful cousin Jonathon. Her parents want her to marry her cousin (eww) but she cannot put the local gardener’s son out of her mind.

This is a beautiful story that I could not put down. The dual timeline weaves in and out seamlessly and completely draws you in. Absolutely loved it.

With thanks to NetGalley and Headline Publishing group for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for VickydpBooks.
564 reviews7 followers
June 4, 2025
I enjoyed this book


1924. Lord and Lady Kearsley's glittering Summer Ball is in full swing when their betrothed daughter Xanthe slips out of the Orangery and into the maze for a secret encounter. By the next morning, the grand house will be in ashes and two bodies removed, but no one will ever know what happened that night in Winterthorne.

2024. Juliet Stewart discovers she has inherited a cottage in the cliff-top village of Winterthorne from a relative she never knew existed. Stumbling upon the ruins of Kearsley Castle, she learns about the fire that destroyed the family. Puzzled by the disturbing gifts appearing on her doorstep, Juliet realises that someone doesn't want her in Winterthorne. But as she becomes drawn deeper into Xanthe's story, she discovers that danger lies not only in uncovering the past, but in the present too...
Profile Image for Sharon Valler:  Live Love Read Review.
1,027 reviews17 followers
May 30, 2025
An incredible book, beautifully written and captivating, with a fascinating speculative element of the story devoted to the possibilities of time periods co-existing, crossing over through parallels and being influential in reverse; we know the past influences the future, but could the present day change the past?

I loved it! The character development was exemplary and the immersive writing kept me reading on and on. I would have loved more at the end - maybe a novella sequel about what Jude learns from the book she discovered? Fabulous!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Zoe Marriott and Headline for an ARC of this book.
500 reviews
June 5, 2025
The story is told over dual timelines. We meet Lady Xanthe Kearsley in 1924 at her home, where there is a glittering Summer Ball happening. Xanthe slips away and is never seen again. In 2024, Juliet (Jude) Stewart inherits a cottage from her Great Aunt, Anne Erskine that she didn't know about. Jude decides she will move to the cottage at a small village called Winterthorne. What happens next is a delightful story where we learn about their lives told in their voices. It was a story of betrayal, where secrets and lies are uncovered. It was well written, entertaining, emotional, full of twists and turns, which came to a dramatic ending.
Profile Image for Jane Hunt.
Author 3 books114 followers
June 10, 2025
Engaging and ethereal, this dual-time novel takes the reader on a journey across time bound by love and secrets. In 1924, a young woman leaves a Summer ball to meet her lover, an encounter that ends in tragedy. In 2024, another young woman receives a timely, if unexpected, legacy that leads her on an emotional and perilous adventure. Lyrically written, it connects the two women in an ethereal way, culminating in a dramatic and mystical conclusion. I like the two female protagonists and their emotional connection, the web of secrets, the hint of menace, and the love that holds it all together. It's an engaging and emotive read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
2,438 reviews27 followers
July 1, 2025
What a fascinating story this was! Yes, it was a dual timeline story but it also mixed the two eras. Xanthe was the main character in the earlier time. She never felt as though her parents understood her and felt as though she couldn’t be herself. Jude was in the present day and she hadn’t had an easy life. I did like both main characters and the way they tried to solve their problems. Most of the action took place in Yorkshire, near the coast. There was a tense atmosphere at times and some connections that were difficult to figure out. It was a story that kept me reading until the end. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Gem ~.
961 reviews45 followers
December 14, 2024
I am torn between a 3 and 4 star rating for this book.
It has a gripping beginning, with a dual timeline where both main characters are introduced in intriguing and instantly likeable ways, I certainly felt drawn to unearth what would happen to both of them and find where their stories are connected. This was the area that I found a little disappointing as the ending wasn't as explanatory as I'd hoped and also I felt I had to reread chunks to grasp what was happening. The conclusion is dramatic, emotional and with a mystical air but I just felt I needed more of the dots connected clearly.
Profile Image for Sarahlovesbooks76.
764 reviews18 followers
April 22, 2025
1924, Xanthe is determined to live her own life. 2024, Jude hears she had inherited a cottage from a relative she never knew she had. When reaching Winterthorne, Jude's life mixes with Xanthe's - but how is it happening and why?

I really enjoyed the dual timeline nature of this book, especially when the characters linked through time. It was a unique idea, and I really liked trying to figure out what was happening alongside Jude. It was well written, with beautiful descriptions, very emotive and engaging.
464 reviews3 followers
May 14, 2025
This was a gripping, engrossing read. It’s a dual timeline novel where the modern day character relives through dreams events that happened in her village 100 years previously. The focus of her dreams was a woman caught in an intractable situation where she was being forced to marry a person she hated and sought to escape her prospects to find a meaningful life. The modern day character was struggling to come to terms with a string of tragedies but in coming to this village finds healing and wholeness. While there is some speculative science the two tales are woven together in an excellent storyline. The book emphasises the power of love as the driving force behind a satisfying life, something we could all remember.
Profile Image for Christina Maria.
339 reviews15 followers
June 22, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Review for my copy of The Moonlit Maze by Zoë Marriott.
Jude is running out of luck, her flatmate is getting married and needs her to find somewhere else, her job is hanging by a thread.
She has no one and nowhere to go until she gets the letter.
All her prayers have been answered, but is anything as good as it seems.
The story flits effortlessly between Xanthe in the early part of the 20th century to now with Jude.
Suddenly their lives are colliding.
A very enjoyable read. Perfect for lovers of Barbara Erskine and Kate Mosse.
457 reviews15 followers
June 24, 2025
At first I could not get into the book but as the book went on I really enjoyed it.

The book is a dual timeline I thought it was very atmospheric and certainly mysterious. There was a bit of a mystery with the story and also suspense with wondering if the outcome would be tragedy or will be alright.

I liked the characters and the two main ones worked well together. The book deals with the after affects of the War and how it certainly was traumatic how the soldiers never get over it.

A wonderful book.
Profile Image for Renita D'Silva.
Author 20 books409 followers
September 25, 2024
What a beautiful, beautiful book! Wow, I am completely blown away by it! So beautifully written - an absolute masterpiece! Such evocative prose and such stunning writing. Each sentence needs to be savoured and re-read. The setting, Winterthorne, comes alive through the vivid, beautiful descriptions. This was a unique, original, wonderful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. Transporting. Stunning. Just lovely. Loved it so much and will be recommending it to everyone.
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