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The Secret Thread: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 30 Jun 26368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 30, 2026
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January 29, 2026
Legendary interior design queen Mimi Mott is auctioning her properties and objects which may spill the secrets of her early life. She’s not a words person and so employs Jo O’Mara as her assistant to fulfil that role of telling “A Life in Objects”. Who exactly is Mimi and how did she build her interior design empire? What lies in her past and particularly what happens in 1969 at a Wiltshire Manor House where her family work? Jo, who has secrets of her own, is drawn into Mimi‘s world and it’s an intoxicating one in which she must take risks to unravel truths, one thread at a time but she must also tread very carefully.
Although the novel doesn’t pull me in immediately, the thread works their magic and it becomes increasingly intriguing and I’m immersed. I think the premise is fantastic with the links, interconnections and threads back to 1969 and it doesn’t feel forced or unnatural. It’s very well written with the dual timelines blending well. To describe it as an atmospheric read doesn’t quite do it justice as everything relates back and centres around the beautiful, currently neglected, Wiltshire Manor House. The descriptions are colourfully vivid with the late 1960s depicted so well in the fashions, food and attitudes of the time. The characters spring to life and I can almost smell the flowers that Mimi’s family plant as the gardeners for the Caswells, the owners of the property. The Caswell siblings - Lawrence and Nancy - are both likeable, charismatic and magnetic personalities and Mimi and her sister Pamela are drawn to them like moths to a flame.
Mimi is quite simply fabulous. She’s very ambitious and driven and it’s clear from the start that she won’t be contained in Wiltshire. She’s creative, glamorous and stylish but also enigmatic which is clearly witnessed through the objects and descriptions which further deepen the mystery of the events of 1969. Everything in the present day has its origins in that year and the need to know and understand what happens becomes paramount. I also grow to like Jo very much and wish for the best for her. Her story is revealed piece by piece alongside that of Mimi.
The different types of tension build and you know it’s not going to end well as the bad vibes swirl around the beautiful Wiltshire property. The heart of the mystery within the novel is paced well, it’s complex and has complicated relationships which feel very authentic. The reveals are delivered and achieve an emotional response from me as the threads are finally pulled and tightly knotted.
It’s a full circle novel and a most satisfying read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Although the novel doesn’t pull me in immediately, the thread works their magic and it becomes increasingly intriguing and I’m immersed. I think the premise is fantastic with the links, interconnections and threads back to 1969 and it doesn’t feel forced or unnatural. It’s very well written with the dual timelines blending well. To describe it as an atmospheric read doesn’t quite do it justice as everything relates back and centres around the beautiful, currently neglected, Wiltshire Manor House. The descriptions are colourfully vivid with the late 1960s depicted so well in the fashions, food and attitudes of the time. The characters spring to life and I can almost smell the flowers that Mimi’s family plant as the gardeners for the Caswells, the owners of the property. The Caswell siblings - Lawrence and Nancy - are both likeable, charismatic and magnetic personalities and Mimi and her sister Pamela are drawn to them like moths to a flame.
Mimi is quite simply fabulous. She’s very ambitious and driven and it’s clear from the start that she won’t be contained in Wiltshire. She’s creative, glamorous and stylish but also enigmatic which is clearly witnessed through the objects and descriptions which further deepen the mystery of the events of 1969. Everything in the present day has its origins in that year and the need to know and understand what happens becomes paramount. I also grow to like Jo very much and wish for the best for her. Her story is revealed piece by piece alongside that of Mimi.
The different types of tension build and you know it’s not going to end well as the bad vibes swirl around the beautiful Wiltshire property. The heart of the mystery within the novel is paced well, it’s complex and has complicated relationships which feel very authentic. The reveals are delivered and achieve an emotional response from me as the threads are finally pulled and tightly knotted.
It’s a full circle novel and a most satisfying read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
March 12, 2026
I loved this so much. It had me hooked from the moment I started reading and I found myself immediately immersed in the story.
Despite owning and founding one of the most popular design brands in the world, Mimi Mott has always maintained an air of mystery regarding her past. When she reveals her plans to auction off her estate and finally tell her story, every journalist around is dying to be chosen as her assistant. Jo O’mara is the lucky girl who gets the job—but we quickly learn she has her own motivations for accepting the position.
Mimi’s story begins in 1969, when her family worked at Rushwood tending the gardens for the wealthy Caswells. These chapters demonstrate how Mimi was drawn into the world of opulent wealth and glamorous events—and where her love for fashion and decorating began. As beautiful and alluring as these chapters are, it is clear that they are leading towards some mysterious and tragic event.
This story seamlessly transitions between past and present, alternating POVs between Jo, Mimi, and Mimi’s estranged sister Pamela. The characters and their personalities are so well written that I could picture them all vividly. I loved seeing how differently Mimi and Pamela perceived the major events of their youth—even though Pamela’s perception annoyed me most of the time.
The writing is full of vivid imagery, palpable tension, and a horrible sense of foreboding. The numerous secrets and mysteries unfolded naturally throughout the story with some big reveals at the end that did not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Despite owning and founding one of the most popular design brands in the world, Mimi Mott has always maintained an air of mystery regarding her past. When she reveals her plans to auction off her estate and finally tell her story, every journalist around is dying to be chosen as her assistant. Jo O’mara is the lucky girl who gets the job—but we quickly learn she has her own motivations for accepting the position.
Mimi’s story begins in 1969, when her family worked at Rushwood tending the gardens for the wealthy Caswells. These chapters demonstrate how Mimi was drawn into the world of opulent wealth and glamorous events—and where her love for fashion and decorating began. As beautiful and alluring as these chapters are, it is clear that they are leading towards some mysterious and tragic event.
This story seamlessly transitions between past and present, alternating POVs between Jo, Mimi, and Mimi’s estranged sister Pamela. The characters and their personalities are so well written that I could picture them all vividly. I loved seeing how differently Mimi and Pamela perceived the major events of their youth—even though Pamela’s perception annoyed me most of the time.
The writing is full of vivid imagery, palpable tension, and a horrible sense of foreboding. The numerous secrets and mysteries unfolded naturally throughout the story with some big reveals at the end that did not disappoint.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Penguin Random House for a copy of this novel in return for an unbiased review.
The Secret Thread has secured itself firmly as a new favourite on my bookshelf. Eve Chase's ability to bring family drama, exciting twists, and a sense of English country garden elegance to a heartfelt and engaging story is wonderfully recieved by this reader.
It has all the excitement of an American hi-styled life, secured with its glitz and glamour, but secreted behind this is a real family story of loss, longing, and with the daring to be courageous, its heroine Mimi, follows her own path.
With all her mystery and her secretive past being slowly revealed, Mimi Mott delivers a powerful edge to this beautiful story.
The Secret Thread has secured itself firmly as a new favourite on my bookshelf. Eve Chase's ability to bring family drama, exciting twists, and a sense of English country garden elegance to a heartfelt and engaging story is wonderfully recieved by this reader.
It has all the excitement of an American hi-styled life, secured with its glitz and glamour, but secreted behind this is a real family story of loss, longing, and with the daring to be courageous, its heroine Mimi, follows her own path.
With all her mystery and her secretive past being slowly revealed, Mimi Mott delivers a powerful edge to this beautiful story.
May 9, 2026
A book as beautiful as its cover…
The Secret Thread by Eve Chase is a beautifully layered story told across multiple POVs and timelines, moving between the late 1960s and present day. Mimi’s chapters shift between first and third person, while Jo and Pamela’s perspectives are told in the present, creating a rich and immersive reading experience that slowly unravels the truth thread by thread.
At the centre of the story is Mimi Mott – celebrated designer, style icon and fiercely private woman. Born into a modest family as the head gardener’s daughter, Mimi always longed for more than the small, ordinary life expected of her. She had seen how the other half lived and wanted a place in that world for herself. Eve Chase captures that yearning so beautifully, alongside the tension between ambition, family and identity.
Then there’s Jo O’Mara, Mimi’s new assistant. At twenty-eight, skint, single and feeling entirely unimportant, she couldn’t be more different from the sleek and polished Mimi. Yet Jo is desperate to win her trust – while quietly hiding secrets of her own.
The writing throughout is stunning. Descriptive and atmospheric without ever feeling overdone, Eve Chase paints vivid images so effortlessly that I felt completely transported into the story. I especially loved the shifting timelines and the way the past slowly shaped the present, revealing who these characters once were and how they became the people they are now.
And Pamela… oh Pamela, you’re a bit of me. “I’d honestly rather be weeding. Or reading… does that make me a freak?” Honestly, Pamela – me too.
There’s a quiet sense of tragedy woven throughout this novel. I could feel it approaching long before it arrived, but it still left me sat frozen and emotional when it finally unfolded. Fragile family history surging with secrets, grief, heartbreak and distance. Chapter 36 genuinely brought tears to my eyes.
At its heart, this is a story about life’s fragility and the butterfly effect – how pulling on one thread can unravel everything.
A beautiful, captivating and emotionally immersive story that I was fully invested in from beginning to end.
The Secret Thread by Eve Chase is a beautifully layered story told across multiple POVs and timelines, moving between the late 1960s and present day. Mimi’s chapters shift between first and third person, while Jo and Pamela’s perspectives are told in the present, creating a rich and immersive reading experience that slowly unravels the truth thread by thread.
At the centre of the story is Mimi Mott – celebrated designer, style icon and fiercely private woman. Born into a modest family as the head gardener’s daughter, Mimi always longed for more than the small, ordinary life expected of her. She had seen how the other half lived and wanted a place in that world for herself. Eve Chase captures that yearning so beautifully, alongside the tension between ambition, family and identity.
Then there’s Jo O’Mara, Mimi’s new assistant. At twenty-eight, skint, single and feeling entirely unimportant, she couldn’t be more different from the sleek and polished Mimi. Yet Jo is desperate to win her trust – while quietly hiding secrets of her own.
The writing throughout is stunning. Descriptive and atmospheric without ever feeling overdone, Eve Chase paints vivid images so effortlessly that I felt completely transported into the story. I especially loved the shifting timelines and the way the past slowly shaped the present, revealing who these characters once were and how they became the people they are now.
And Pamela… oh Pamela, you’re a bit of me. “I’d honestly rather be weeding. Or reading… does that make me a freak?” Honestly, Pamela – me too.
There’s a quiet sense of tragedy woven throughout this novel. I could feel it approaching long before it arrived, but it still left me sat frozen and emotional when it finally unfolded. Fragile family history surging with secrets, grief, heartbreak and distance. Chapter 36 genuinely brought tears to my eyes.
At its heart, this is a story about life’s fragility and the butterfly effect – how pulling on one thread can unravel everything.
A beautiful, captivating and emotionally immersive story that I was fully invested in from beginning to end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5✨
Publication date: 28th May 2026
A page-turning, emotional but glamorous novel for readers who enjoy -
💙’The Glass House’ & ‘Midnight Hour’
🩵 Intriguing mysteries
💙 Characters that stay with you
🩵 Twists & turns
⭑ Remember to check all content/trigger warnings prior to reading!
~ plot ~
Through dual timelines & multiple POVs, we’re told the story of the glamorous, ambitious Mimi Mott, a legendary interior designer with a mysterious past. She hasn’t always lived a life of luxury & has been carrying the weight of a tragic event that drove a wedge between her & her sister Pamela in 1969. After the passing of her husband, she decides it’s time to share her story by auctioning off her estate.
Enter Jo O’Mara - a young, strong willed journalist hired by Mimi to help catalogue the items for auction. It’s the gig of a lifetime but Jo has secrets of her own, other reasons to be there & unbeknownst to Mimi, their lives are intertwined.
For every item logged, a thread in the tapestry of Mimi’s life works loose & piece by piece, the mysterious life of Mimi Mott is revealed.
~ review ~
How I’ve not read Eve Chase’s work before is absolutely criminal & I apologise profusely🫣
The Secret Thread is a beautifully captivating, vivid, atmospheric tale that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. It features exciting twists, glitz & glamour and explores grief, family drama & a tense fractured sibling relationship. It’s emotional, heartfelt & sure to leave a lasting impression.
I found Eve Chase’s writing to be extremely moving. She doesn’t just tell you a story, she envelopes you within it. Her writing is engaging, enchanting & the way in which she is able to paint such vivid imagery is fantastic. I really couldn’t put this book down.
The dual timeline format which takes place in present day London & in a remote Wiltshire manor in the Summer of 69’, paired with Mimi’s, Jo’s & Pamela’s (Mimi’s Sister) POV does an excellent job of telling a complete, thorough story. There are no holes or lingering questions & the ending delivers a satisfying resolution.
While it didn’t grab me immediately, it didn’t take long for this book to reel me in & once it had me, I was all in! The pacing was perfect, the chapter length ideal & the switches in timeline & POV were clear, well placed & easy to follow.
The buildup to the reveal of the tragic events of 1969 was executed brilliantly. There was a clear sense of foreboding throughout that keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat. I was totally invested, willed to read on & the emotional rollercoaster I went on in the process was intense in the best way possible.
~ final thoughts ~
Overall, this was an absolutely fantastic read. Captivating, magical & heartfelt with emotion that lingers. As someone with a Sister, I know what that bond means, how important it is & the redemption & reconciliation was exactly what I was hoping for. Every thread was pulled together into a tight, neat bow. The small cast of characters were well built, well introduced, easy to connect with & I definitely shed a tear or two in the latter part of the book. I’m now off to add Eve’s previous books to my TBR & I highly recommend adding The Secret Thread to yours!
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, NetGalley & Eve Chase for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily❣️
Publication date: 28th May 2026
A page-turning, emotional but glamorous novel for readers who enjoy -
💙’The Glass House’ & ‘Midnight Hour’
🩵 Intriguing mysteries
💙 Characters that stay with you
🩵 Twists & turns
⭑ Remember to check all content/trigger warnings prior to reading!
~ plot ~
Through dual timelines & multiple POVs, we’re told the story of the glamorous, ambitious Mimi Mott, a legendary interior designer with a mysterious past. She hasn’t always lived a life of luxury & has been carrying the weight of a tragic event that drove a wedge between her & her sister Pamela in 1969. After the passing of her husband, she decides it’s time to share her story by auctioning off her estate.
Enter Jo O’Mara - a young, strong willed journalist hired by Mimi to help catalogue the items for auction. It’s the gig of a lifetime but Jo has secrets of her own, other reasons to be there & unbeknownst to Mimi, their lives are intertwined.
For every item logged, a thread in the tapestry of Mimi’s life works loose & piece by piece, the mysterious life of Mimi Mott is revealed.
~ review ~
How I’ve not read Eve Chase’s work before is absolutely criminal & I apologise profusely🫣
The Secret Thread is a beautifully captivating, vivid, atmospheric tale that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. It features exciting twists, glitz & glamour and explores grief, family drama & a tense fractured sibling relationship. It’s emotional, heartfelt & sure to leave a lasting impression.
I found Eve Chase’s writing to be extremely moving. She doesn’t just tell you a story, she envelopes you within it. Her writing is engaging, enchanting & the way in which she is able to paint such vivid imagery is fantastic. I really couldn’t put this book down.
The dual timeline format which takes place in present day London & in a remote Wiltshire manor in the Summer of 69’, paired with Mimi’s, Jo’s & Pamela’s (Mimi’s Sister) POV does an excellent job of telling a complete, thorough story. There are no holes or lingering questions & the ending delivers a satisfying resolution.
While it didn’t grab me immediately, it didn’t take long for this book to reel me in & once it had me, I was all in! The pacing was perfect, the chapter length ideal & the switches in timeline & POV were clear, well placed & easy to follow.
The buildup to the reveal of the tragic events of 1969 was executed brilliantly. There was a clear sense of foreboding throughout that keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat. I was totally invested, willed to read on & the emotional rollercoaster I went on in the process was intense in the best way possible.
~ final thoughts ~
Overall, this was an absolutely fantastic read. Captivating, magical & heartfelt with emotion that lingers. As someone with a Sister, I know what that bond means, how important it is & the redemption & reconciliation was exactly what I was hoping for. Every thread was pulled together into a tight, neat bow. The small cast of characters were well built, well introduced, easy to connect with & I definitely shed a tear or two in the latter part of the book. I’m now off to add Eve’s previous books to my TBR & I highly recommend adding The Secret Thread to yours!
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, NetGalley & Eve Chase for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily❣️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I’ve read a number of Eve’s books, some I liked better than others, but her last book I loved so I had high hopes for this.
You feel it’s going to be a contemporary novel, and it is, but there’s elements of a mystery novel, an historical novel tool.
It is set in the present, but we also go back in time to the 60s which was a good way to tell the story. I did enjoy the flashbacks but I preferred the current scenes. And it wasn’t always obvious when it was a flashback and so you had to read half the chapter before you realised.
Eve has a way of crafting a story, especially one with two timelines, blending them together so they work as one but are still distinct.
The characters are not all likeable. There aren’t any villains as such, but there were certainly those I enjoyed reading about less.
Mimi is fabulous. She’s glamorous and stylish and charismatic, knows what she wants and gets what she wants. She lives in this world of luxury but that’s not all she’s ever known, there’s a hardness behind her which I liked. Our other protagonist Jo is a young lady who is a bit lost and is holding something behind. She was a great contrast to Mimi and felt very relatable. Our third POV is Mimi’s estranged sister Pamela – I won’t go into too much detail for fear of spoilers – but I found it interesting to compare the two sisters who came from the same place but lived different lives.
I loved the glamour of it all. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all glamour, there’s some difficult bits in the book, but on a shallow level I loved all the glitz. I also love an auction and cataloguing items so that really grabbed my nerdy side.
It didn’t grab me straight away. That’s not to say it started badly because it’s didn’t. but it took a bit of work to get into and it improved as it went along.
I can’t fault her storytelling and sense of space. It’s all very vivid, rich and atmospheric. The world building was good and familiar and reachable for the reader, and the details were wonderful and really made the story leap off the page.
It’s about sibling rivalry, sister dynamics, rich/poor divide, memories, regrets, trust, loyalty, grief, selfishness, love, family, friends, presence, tragedy, heartbreak, passion, secrets, desires – it’s got soc much going for it.
It’s not my favourite of her books but still very enjoyable.
I’ve read a number of Eve’s books, some I liked better than others, but her last book I loved so I had high hopes for this.
You feel it’s going to be a contemporary novel, and it is, but there’s elements of a mystery novel, an historical novel tool.
It is set in the present, but we also go back in time to the 60s which was a good way to tell the story. I did enjoy the flashbacks but I preferred the current scenes. And it wasn’t always obvious when it was a flashback and so you had to read half the chapter before you realised.
Eve has a way of crafting a story, especially one with two timelines, blending them together so they work as one but are still distinct.
The characters are not all likeable. There aren’t any villains as such, but there were certainly those I enjoyed reading about less.
Mimi is fabulous. She’s glamorous and stylish and charismatic, knows what she wants and gets what she wants. She lives in this world of luxury but that’s not all she’s ever known, there’s a hardness behind her which I liked. Our other protagonist Jo is a young lady who is a bit lost and is holding something behind. She was a great contrast to Mimi and felt very relatable. Our third POV is Mimi’s estranged sister Pamela – I won’t go into too much detail for fear of spoilers – but I found it interesting to compare the two sisters who came from the same place but lived different lives.
I loved the glamour of it all. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all glamour, there’s some difficult bits in the book, but on a shallow level I loved all the glitz. I also love an auction and cataloguing items so that really grabbed my nerdy side.
It didn’t grab me straight away. That’s not to say it started badly because it’s didn’t. but it took a bit of work to get into and it improved as it went along.
I can’t fault her storytelling and sense of space. It’s all very vivid, rich and atmospheric. The world building was good and familiar and reachable for the reader, and the details were wonderful and really made the story leap off the page.
It’s about sibling rivalry, sister dynamics, rich/poor divide, memories, regrets, trust, loyalty, grief, selfishness, love, family, friends, presence, tragedy, heartbreak, passion, secrets, desires – it’s got soc much going for it.
It’s not my favourite of her books but still very enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Secret Thread is a gorgeously crafted novel—quietly tense, richly atmospheric, and threaded with the kind of emotional resonance that lingers long after the final page. Eve Chase has always excelled at stories steeped in memory and mystery, but this one feels especially assured: a tale about identity, legacy, and the stories we choose to tell through the objects we leave behind.
Mimi Mott is a magnetic figure from the moment she appears—enigmatic, stylish, and fiercely private, yet clearly shaped by shadows she’s spent a lifetime outrunning. The decision to auction off her estate becomes the perfect narrative device, each item a doorway into a past she has never fully confronted. Enter Jo O’Mara, her new assistant, whose own secrets make her both an observer and a participant in Mimi’s unraveling. Their dynamic is beautifully drawn: wary, tender, and increasingly intertwined.
The dual timelines—London in the present and a remote Wiltshire manor in the summer of 1969—are seamlessly interlaced. The past sections shimmer with nostalgia and unease, capturing the glamour and danger of a world on the cusp of change. The mystery at the heart of that long‑ago summer unfolds with exquisite pacing, each revelation deepening the emotional stakes rather than simply delivering shock value.
Chase’s writing is luminous, full of sensory detail and quiet insight. She evokes place with painterly precision, from the hushed rooms of Mimi’s estate to the wild beauty of the countryside where everything first went wrong. And as the auction draws closer, the tension tightens beautifully—an elegant countdown to truths that can no longer stay buried.
This is a story about sisters, ambition, reinvention, and the fragile threads that bind people together. It’s propulsive yet thoughtful, glamorous yet grounded, and ultimately deeply moving.
A standout novel from Eve Chase—mysterious, immersive, and exquisitely told.
My thanks to Eve Chase, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Mimi Mott is a magnetic figure from the moment she appears—enigmatic, stylish, and fiercely private, yet clearly shaped by shadows she’s spent a lifetime outrunning. The decision to auction off her estate becomes the perfect narrative device, each item a doorway into a past she has never fully confronted. Enter Jo O’Mara, her new assistant, whose own secrets make her both an observer and a participant in Mimi’s unraveling. Their dynamic is beautifully drawn: wary, tender, and increasingly intertwined.
The dual timelines—London in the present and a remote Wiltshire manor in the summer of 1969—are seamlessly interlaced. The past sections shimmer with nostalgia and unease, capturing the glamour and danger of a world on the cusp of change. The mystery at the heart of that long‑ago summer unfolds with exquisite pacing, each revelation deepening the emotional stakes rather than simply delivering shock value.
Chase’s writing is luminous, full of sensory detail and quiet insight. She evokes place with painterly precision, from the hushed rooms of Mimi’s estate to the wild beauty of the countryside where everything first went wrong. And as the auction draws closer, the tension tightens beautifully—an elegant countdown to truths that can no longer stay buried.
This is a story about sisters, ambition, reinvention, and the fragile threads that bind people together. It’s propulsive yet thoughtful, glamorous yet grounded, and ultimately deeply moving.
A standout novel from Eve Chase—mysterious, immersive, and exquisitely told.
My thanks to Eve Chase, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In this book we meet Mimi Mott who is a legend in the world of interior design. We have caught her at a rather interesting time as she has decided to auction off a bunch of her possessions, along with their raisons d'être, and, of course, the life story that goes with. Now, where she is a whizz with design and art, she is pants with words so she advertises for an assistant... Enter Jo O'Mara, who appears to be a godsend...
We then go back to 1969 to see Mimi's early days when she was still Miriam Bramley, living alongside her sister Pamela and her parents in a cottage in the grounds of Rushwood Manor - where her parents were staff. We watch as the sisters meet the children of the estate owners - Nancy and Lawrence Caswell and how the four of them spend that summer - and, eventually, witness the tragedy that struck on the night of a big society party... and indeed its aftermath...
We also find out that Jo is not a complete stranger to Mimi, but I will leave you to discover who she really is for yourself...
This is a slow burn of a book which, through various objects and their stories, opens up layers of interest and intrigue as each one connects to and divulges more of the past. Alongside this, we also get to know Jo better and the part she will eventually play in the whole story. It's well plotted and expertly teased with just the right amount held back for maximum impact once exposed.
The characters are all well drawn and play their parts well. This is especially important as it is quite a character driven story being told and they are more than able to hold up their end of things.
And the ending when it eventually came was simply wonderful and perfect, and left me wholly satisfied.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well impressive back catalogue, most of which I have already read and enjoyed, the rest I will endeavour to bump up my tbr. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We then go back to 1969 to see Mimi's early days when she was still Miriam Bramley, living alongside her sister Pamela and her parents in a cottage in the grounds of Rushwood Manor - where her parents were staff. We watch as the sisters meet the children of the estate owners - Nancy and Lawrence Caswell and how the four of them spend that summer - and, eventually, witness the tragedy that struck on the night of a big society party... and indeed its aftermath...
We also find out that Jo is not a complete stranger to Mimi, but I will leave you to discover who she really is for yourself...
This is a slow burn of a book which, through various objects and their stories, opens up layers of interest and intrigue as each one connects to and divulges more of the past. Alongside this, we also get to know Jo better and the part she will eventually play in the whole story. It's well plotted and expertly teased with just the right amount held back for maximum impact once exposed.
The characters are all well drawn and play their parts well. This is especially important as it is quite a character driven story being told and they are more than able to hold up their end of things.
And the ending when it eventually came was simply wonderful and perfect, and left me wholly satisfied.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well impressive back catalogue, most of which I have already read and enjoyed, the rest I will endeavour to bump up my tbr. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Secret Thread by Eve Chase
The premise of this story is that a famous interior designer has decided to sell off objects from her early life which will reveal all about her hitherto hidden past. Jo, a young freelance writer, takes the opportunity to approach this legend and write the history of the objects and uncover Mimi Mott’s hidden past. Jo however has her own secrets and it is a while until we discover how important Mimi’s story is to her.
The story of Mimi’s life begins in a manor house the West Country in 1969 and gradually one thread of the story is revealed at a time. We know that there was a cataclysmic event at a party here but just like Jo we must carefully peel back the layers to unearth what is at the heart of Mimi’s life. I became fully involved with the characters and wanted to find out the secret at the heart of the story.
I loved the descriptions of the 1960’s and having been alive then they seemed very real. The gap which existed back then between the gardeners and the people who lived in the manor were evoked very clearly and it was interesting how such seemingly insignificant events could echo through the years.
The characters are vivid and engaging and Mimi’s yearning for more from life than working with the family gardening, then marrying and having babies was very powerful and reminded me how people used to worry about being “on the shelf” in their early 20’s! Jo too has here own tragedies and her story is well paced as we discover more about her background and childhood.
I will be recommending this book at my various book groups and found it well paced, engaging and with believable characters.
The premise of this story is that a famous interior designer has decided to sell off objects from her early life which will reveal all about her hitherto hidden past. Jo, a young freelance writer, takes the opportunity to approach this legend and write the history of the objects and uncover Mimi Mott’s hidden past. Jo however has her own secrets and it is a while until we discover how important Mimi’s story is to her.
The story of Mimi’s life begins in a manor house the West Country in 1969 and gradually one thread of the story is revealed at a time. We know that there was a cataclysmic event at a party here but just like Jo we must carefully peel back the layers to unearth what is at the heart of Mimi’s life. I became fully involved with the characters and wanted to find out the secret at the heart of the story.
I loved the descriptions of the 1960’s and having been alive then they seemed very real. The gap which existed back then between the gardeners and the people who lived in the manor were evoked very clearly and it was interesting how such seemingly insignificant events could echo through the years.
The characters are vivid and engaging and Mimi’s yearning for more from life than working with the family gardening, then marrying and having babies was very powerful and reminded me how people used to worry about being “on the shelf” in their early 20’s! Jo too has here own tragedies and her story is well paced as we discover more about her background and childhood.
I will be recommending this book at my various book groups and found it well paced, engaging and with believable characters.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a stunning story that I was not able to put down. Set in the past and the present, the author has skilfully created a story of love, loss, fractured families, mixing in secrets and mysteries.
Mimi Mott is a famous designer, curator and collector. She has influenced many over her life, and now she is deciding to have an auction to clear some of her things. The most personal ones come with a story; this story has never been told. It involves her past and how her once close family split, the reasons behind the split and how the lives of two families changed over one summer.
Jo O'Mara has successfully landed the job of assisting Mimi with collating and relating the stories that Mimi is going to tell for the first time. Jo is excited but also has something of her own that she needs to keep hidden until the right moment.
The author weaves the tale of a fateful summer and the present day through the stories of Mimi, introducing the characters, their positions, expectations, and how society still had a hold over what was considered to be appropriate for the time. The characters range in position, involvement and how important they are to the overall story.
In amongst this, the author tells of a wonderful summer, until everything went wrong. But the full story only emerges later in the book. A story of love and loss, of grief and separation, secrets and what really happened.
An absolutely gorgeous story that I had to read in one sitting and that I would definitely recommend.
Mimi Mott is a famous designer, curator and collector. She has influenced many over her life, and now she is deciding to have an auction to clear some of her things. The most personal ones come with a story; this story has never been told. It involves her past and how her once close family split, the reasons behind the split and how the lives of two families changed over one summer.
Jo O'Mara has successfully landed the job of assisting Mimi with collating and relating the stories that Mimi is going to tell for the first time. Jo is excited but also has something of her own that she needs to keep hidden until the right moment.
The author weaves the tale of a fateful summer and the present day through the stories of Mimi, introducing the characters, their positions, expectations, and how society still had a hold over what was considered to be appropriate for the time. The characters range in position, involvement and how important they are to the overall story.
In amongst this, the author tells of a wonderful summer, until everything went wrong. But the full story only emerges later in the book. A story of love and loss, of grief and separation, secrets and what really happened.
An absolutely gorgeous story that I had to read in one sitting and that I would definitely recommend.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mimi Mott, celebrated designer and famously private style icon, is auctioning off her legendary estate, intent on telling the true story of her life in objects.
In London, her new assistant, Jo O’Mara, is determined to win Mimi’s trust. But Jo carries a secret of her own, and time is running out to unpick the past before the auctioneer’s hammer falls.
Who is Mimi, really? A woman who rose from humble beginnings to build an interiors empire – but at what cost? What happened in that remote Wiltshire manor house where Mimi and her family worked during the summer of 1969? Who died the night of the glittering party that stole the headlines?
As the auction countdown begins, Jo is drawn into an intoxicating world of obsession, sisters and secrets – and must risk everything to unravel the truth, one thread at a time.
I think I fell in love with this story when we were told about Miriam and Lawrence's fossil-hunting trip to Lyme Regis. The language is so immersive, I could feel the heat and smell the sea and I was totally engrossed from that point onwards. The characters come to life and just stay in your head as the plot unfolds with one auction item at a time - a great way of moving the story along. A fabulous read, I'm quite bereft now that I've finished.
My thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an ARC in return for an honest review.
In London, her new assistant, Jo O’Mara, is determined to win Mimi’s trust. But Jo carries a secret of her own, and time is running out to unpick the past before the auctioneer’s hammer falls.
Who is Mimi, really? A woman who rose from humble beginnings to build an interiors empire – but at what cost? What happened in that remote Wiltshire manor house where Mimi and her family worked during the summer of 1969? Who died the night of the glittering party that stole the headlines?
As the auction countdown begins, Jo is drawn into an intoxicating world of obsession, sisters and secrets – and must risk everything to unravel the truth, one thread at a time.
I think I fell in love with this story when we were told about Miriam and Lawrence's fossil-hunting trip to Lyme Regis. The language is so immersive, I could feel the heat and smell the sea and I was totally engrossed from that point onwards. The characters come to life and just stay in your head as the plot unfolds with one auction item at a time - a great way of moving the story along. A fabulous read, I'm quite bereft now that I've finished.
My thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an ARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book
Another great book about complicated families (and which one is not?) from Eve Chase. It took me a while to get into it, but after the slow start I just couldn't stop reading. The plot was not exactly surprising, and the great mystery at the heart of the rift between Mimi and Pamela could easily be figured out, but all the wonderful relationships (the sometimes sweet, sometimes twisted sibling dynamics, the fast friendships, the budding romances) kept me glued to the page. This novel is just full of great characters, every single one of them will give you feelings. I loved how I was reading a chapter from Mimi's POV and I was like "Pamela is such an asshole" but then I was reading one from Pamela's POV and I was like "Mimi is so incredibly selfish", and then Jo in the middle of all that. I can't really talk about the ending without giving anything away, but I found it bittersweet, which I liked, and athough it was mostly satisfying, there is something that is still bothering me that I cannot let go of, hence the four stars. I just think that things got solved too easily, people too ready to let go after way too many years holding onto secrets and grudges, but maybe that was exactly the point of the whole book.
Another great book about complicated families (and which one is not?) from Eve Chase. It took me a while to get into it, but after the slow start I just couldn't stop reading. The plot was not exactly surprising, and the great mystery at the heart of the rift between Mimi and Pamela could easily be figured out, but all the wonderful relationships (the sometimes sweet, sometimes twisted sibling dynamics, the fast friendships, the budding romances) kept me glued to the page. This novel is just full of great characters, every single one of them will give you feelings. I loved how I was reading a chapter from Mimi's POV and I was like "Pamela is such an asshole" but then I was reading one from Pamela's POV and I was like "Mimi is so incredibly selfish", and then Jo in the middle of all that. I can't really talk about the ending without giving anything away, but I found it bittersweet, which I liked, and athough it was mostly satisfying, there is something that is still bothering me that I cannot let go of, hence the four stars. I just think that things got solved too easily, people too ready to let go after way too many years holding onto secrets and grudges, but maybe that was exactly the point of the whole book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ohhh, I adored this book. Fabulous characters, set in the Wiltshire countryside with a manor house, Rushwood, being the summer home of a wealthy family at the centre of the story back in 1969. Sisters Pamela and Miriam (Mimi) both lived within the manor house estate, along with their brother Alf and mum and dad. Their dad was head gardener at Rushwood with all the family helping out with all the work involved in maintaining the grounds.
Back in the present there’s Jo who has managed to gain employment working for Mimi Mott writing descriptions of the lots Mimi is putting aside for the auction and how they relate to Mimi’s rise to success in the interior design business. The story threads back and forth in time as Jo sits with Mimi, notebook in hand ready to listen to the stories behind each memento of her life she decides to auction off.
Wonderful, evocative writing with fabulous characters, there are so many emotions and story threads running through, certainly an apt title for the book. It’s a story of sibling relationships, with Pamela and Alf being twins and having the typical twin closeness, Miriam did sometimes feel like a bit of an outsider. The main mystery is what happened at that party for Miriam and Pamela to become so estranged. There are so many twists to untangle making for a very compelling read. I loved this book, all the characters, I don’t think there was a single character not to like, the narrative, everything and didn’t want to reach the end. I read The Glass House not long ago and thought that was good but this was just outstanding as I felt completely drawn into the characters lives.
Back in the present there’s Jo who has managed to gain employment working for Mimi Mott writing descriptions of the lots Mimi is putting aside for the auction and how they relate to Mimi’s rise to success in the interior design business. The story threads back and forth in time as Jo sits with Mimi, notebook in hand ready to listen to the stories behind each memento of her life she decides to auction off.
Wonderful, evocative writing with fabulous characters, there are so many emotions and story threads running through, certainly an apt title for the book. It’s a story of sibling relationships, with Pamela and Alf being twins and having the typical twin closeness, Miriam did sometimes feel like a bit of an outsider. The main mystery is what happened at that party for Miriam and Pamela to become so estranged. There are so many twists to untangle making for a very compelling read. I loved this book, all the characters, I don’t think there was a single character not to like, the narrative, everything and didn’t want to reach the end. I read The Glass House not long ago and thought that was good but this was just outstanding as I felt completely drawn into the characters lives.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Secret Thread was a fairly unique and interesting story. Jo gets a job working for Mimi Mott. Mimi owns a world-renowned designer brand of home-goods and fashion. She has come a long way from way back when her family worked for the Caswell's, a wealthy family. Mimi learned enough from that experience to know she always wanted to have money. Now in her seventies, Mimi has amassed a lot of stuff and wants to auction it all off. That is where Jo comes in. She will be categorizing everything and preparing it all. Mimi has always been very private and will now be telling her story to Jo through all of her things. One of the things that Jo learns is about Mimi and her sister Pamela back in the 60's at a high-society party, where something terrible happens and forever tears the sisters apart.
The story is told in both present-day through all of Mimi's pieces, including a missing one and 1969 where we learn about the "incident" and the repercussions still being felt today. Jo resolves to find both Pamela and the missing auction piece. I really liked Jo, Mimi and Pamela's POV's. Each has a story to tell. This is an emotional and atmospheric tale. You just know something bad is fixing to happen. This will not be my last book from Eve Chase, for sure!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Eve Chase and Ballentine Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
The story is told in both present-day through all of Mimi's pieces, including a missing one and 1969 where we learn about the "incident" and the repercussions still being felt today. Jo resolves to find both Pamela and the missing auction piece. I really liked Jo, Mimi and Pamela's POV's. Each has a story to tell. This is an emotional and atmospheric tale. You just know something bad is fixing to happen. This will not be my last book from Eve Chase, for sure!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Eve Chase and Ballentine Books for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a joy to read with great characters, evocative descriptions of beautiful houses and gardens and a gripping plot.
Set in dual timelines of 1969 and the 2020s if follows the stories of the Caswells and the Bramleys. In the 1960s both families live at Rushwood - a grand estate in Wiltshire. The wealthy Caswells live in the big house and the Bramleys in a cottage in the grounds as Ambrose, the head of the family, is the Head Gardener.
In 2023, Jo O'Hara, secures a job with Mimi Mott, a well known style icon who, is selling off some of her possessions by auction and requires an assistant to write the catalogue which will also reveal her back story which she's been mysterious about all her career.
Jo, having seen some old newspaper and magazine articles at her grandmother, Pamela's, house has worked out that Mimi Mott, nee Bramley, is Pamela's estranged sister. Jo is keen to get the job in the hope of reuniting the sisters who are now in their seventies.
The story is told in the voices of Jo, Pamela and Mimi with much drama and past secrets to unfold. The characterisation and locations was great and it kept me gripped from start to finish. With thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Set in dual timelines of 1969 and the 2020s if follows the stories of the Caswells and the Bramleys. In the 1960s both families live at Rushwood - a grand estate in Wiltshire. The wealthy Caswells live in the big house and the Bramleys in a cottage in the grounds as Ambrose, the head of the family, is the Head Gardener.
In 2023, Jo O'Hara, secures a job with Mimi Mott, a well known style icon who, is selling off some of her possessions by auction and requires an assistant to write the catalogue which will also reveal her back story which she's been mysterious about all her career.
Jo, having seen some old newspaper and magazine articles at her grandmother, Pamela's, house has worked out that Mimi Mott, nee Bramley, is Pamela's estranged sister. Jo is keen to get the job in the hope of reuniting the sisters who are now in their seventies.
The story is told in the voices of Jo, Pamela and Mimi with much drama and past secrets to unfold. The characterisation and locations was great and it kept me gripped from start to finish. With thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph Penguin Random House for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mimi Mott a legendary designer is auctioning off her properties and belongings. For the auction catalogue she hires Jo O'Mara to help with the descriptions and to tell her life story through the objects.
This is not the first time I've read a book by the author and I have really enjoyed all the ones I've read so far. The books are all very similar with a family setting with secrets, very much in the vain of Kate Morton and the like.
I really enjoy this genre of books. I like to follow the characters as the story unfolds and the secrets revealed. I really enjoyed Mimi's story as it's told through objects from her life.
Mimi story is interesting from her time as gardeners with her family for the Caswell family. Her story unfolds and leads up to what happened at the Caswell family summer party. The story didn't stop there as there were a few final secrets to be revealed. I did find a couple of the secrets a little predictable and easy to guess but it didn't spoil the story at all.
I find these type of books very comforting and find I can immerse myself into the characters world. I will certainly read more by Eve Chase.
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the book to review.
This is not the first time I've read a book by the author and I have really enjoyed all the ones I've read so far. The books are all very similar with a family setting with secrets, very much in the vain of Kate Morton and the like.
I really enjoy this genre of books. I like to follow the characters as the story unfolds and the secrets revealed. I really enjoyed Mimi's story as it's told through objects from her life.
Mimi story is interesting from her time as gardeners with her family for the Caswell family. Her story unfolds and leads up to what happened at the Caswell family summer party. The story didn't stop there as there were a few final secrets to be revealed. I did find a couple of the secrets a little predictable and easy to guess but it didn't spoil the story at all.
I find these type of books very comforting and find I can immerse myself into the characters world. I will certainly read more by Eve Chase.
Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the book to review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a heart warming and emotional story of two families and how they, and each individual, deal with an unforeseen tragedy. The descriptive narrative brings everything to life – particularly atmospheric are the manor house and gardens, they sound idyllic. I found the characters well portrayed and believable, showing them to be all too human depicting their bad points along with the good.
Two sisters are estranged by a secret, a manor house as been abandoned after a tragedy, a high-flying designer has been hiding her past, and then Jo quite by chance stumbles upon some cuttings about her family she wasn’t meant to see and sets out to discover the truth.
Loved It ̶ an absolute treat of a book. The beautiful cover inviting entrance through the gates to explore the garden first attracted me, intriguing then to delve into the pages within, especially seeing the author is Eve Chase, as I am already a fan having read most of her previous books.
Many thanks to Eve Chase, Penguin Random House and NetGalley, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read an early copy and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Two sisters are estranged by a secret, a manor house as been abandoned after a tragedy, a high-flying designer has been hiding her past, and then Jo quite by chance stumbles upon some cuttings about her family she wasn’t meant to see and sets out to discover the truth.
Loved It ̶ an absolute treat of a book. The beautiful cover inviting entrance through the gates to explore the garden first attracted me, intriguing then to delve into the pages within, especially seeing the author is Eve Chase, as I am already a fan having read most of her previous books.
Many thanks to Eve Chase, Penguin Random House and NetGalley, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read an early copy and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Mimi Mott, legendary interior designer, is auctioning off her properties and memorabilia from her early years. She employs Jo O’Mara to help her tell her life story through various objects.
Her story revolves around the country house where her family were employed as gardeners and the events of the summer of 1969.
Jo has an ulterior motive for being involved - she has just found out that her grandmother, who brought her up, is Mini’s estranged sister, about whom she never speaks. Jo wants to hear Mimi’s side of the story and must carefully draw it out thread by thread.
I was immersed in the interplay between Mimi and her siblings and the Caswell family. The preparations for the summer party were vividly portrayed until it ends in tragedy for both families. These events the affect the life of both families and cause a permanent rift between the sisters.
Told in two timelines you gradually come to understand the reasons for the rift and can empathise with Jo’s wish to heal it.
A most enjoyable and satisfying read.
Her story revolves around the country house where her family were employed as gardeners and the events of the summer of 1969.
Jo has an ulterior motive for being involved - she has just found out that her grandmother, who brought her up, is Mini’s estranged sister, about whom she never speaks. Jo wants to hear Mimi’s side of the story and must carefully draw it out thread by thread.
I was immersed in the interplay between Mimi and her siblings and the Caswell family. The preparations for the summer party were vividly portrayed until it ends in tragedy for both families. These events the affect the life of both families and cause a permanent rift between the sisters.
Told in two timelines you gradually come to understand the reasons for the rift and can empathise with Jo’s wish to heal it.
A most enjoyable and satisfying read.
March 24, 2026
Famous interior designer Mimi Mott has decided to auction off some of her personal properties and keepsakes. She is also finally ready to tell her story that has been a mystery to all. She hires a young free lance writer named Jo O’Mara to write this for her. Jo is fascinated by the glamorous designer and anxious to hear and record the memories because this is more than an assignment for Jo, it is actually personal. Mimi’s story spans through from the summer 1969 to present day. As the story goes back and forth between the two timelines, all of Mimi’s secrets are slowly revealed and the reader learns of the truly defining incident that changed her life, as well as the lives of her family members and other characters in the novel. This was such a beautifully written novel that was full of so much love, loss, longing, and ultimately forgiveness. I think this may be my favorite novel by Eve Chase. (I have read and loved them all!) a truly 5 star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first novel I have read by Eve Chase though I do have a couple of her books on my TBR pile. After reading The Secret Thread I will definitely be trying to get to those books as soon as possible.
I adored this story and all the characters in it. This dual timeline family saga starts off in the late sixties and brings the memories of interior designer, Mimi Mott back to present day as she auctions of memorabilia that will tell the story of her rise to fame and the love story between herself and her husband, Lawrence.
As Mimi tells the story of her life through each of the auction lots to Jo O’Mara, a freelance writer, secrets from the past come tumbling out. Mimi is estranged from her older sister, Pamela and as Jo becomes wrapped up in their story she has her own reasons for wanting to know more about what happened all those years ago. Even though I guessed the secret this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.
I adored this story and all the characters in it. This dual timeline family saga starts off in the late sixties and brings the memories of interior designer, Mimi Mott back to present day as she auctions of memorabilia that will tell the story of her rise to fame and the love story between herself and her husband, Lawrence.
As Mimi tells the story of her life through each of the auction lots to Jo O’Mara, a freelance writer, secrets from the past come tumbling out. Mimi is estranged from her older sister, Pamela and as Jo becomes wrapped up in their story she has her own reasons for wanting to know more about what happened all those years ago. Even though I guessed the secret this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this book, Eve Chase is now an instant "must read" for me as all of her books have been superb.
This brings a memorable cast of characters, all of whom I adored and felt immersed in their stories both through their youth and their elder lives.
The nostalgia from items that bring such crucial, poignant memories, being put in an auction that not only releases Mimi from the physical collection of 'stuff" but also the emotions they contain, was a very palpable message.
I think this transcends the usual "big house" style historical fiction novels by bringing the expected drama, mysteries and secrets, but also so much more. It has warmth, connection, glamour, and a true feeling of being absorbed in the stories.
A story that will stay with me long after reading, and I will be recommending to everyone.
This brings a memorable cast of characters, all of whom I adored and felt immersed in their stories both through their youth and their elder lives.
The nostalgia from items that bring such crucial, poignant memories, being put in an auction that not only releases Mimi from the physical collection of 'stuff" but also the emotions they contain, was a very palpable message.
I think this transcends the usual "big house" style historical fiction novels by bringing the expected drama, mysteries and secrets, but also so much more. It has warmth, connection, glamour, and a true feeling of being absorbed in the stories.
A story that will stay with me long after reading, and I will be recommending to everyone.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
THE SECRET THREAD, written by Eve Chase, follows two timelines, 2024 and 1969. In London (2024) Mimi Mott plans to auction off her possessions. I want to know what happens if Mimi hires Jo as her assistant. I also want to know about Mimi’s past.
I think the duo timeline works well. I am attracted to the writing style and find it pulls me in right away. Characters are described well, allowing me to form an image of them in my mind. The plot is engaging, and I want to know what happens. The more I learn, the more I want to know. While this book can be classified as mystery/suspense, it can also be viewed as pure literature. I look forward to reading other books written by Eve Chase. Thank you, Ballantine Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of THE SECRET THREAD.
I think the duo timeline works well. I am attracted to the writing style and find it pulls me in right away. Characters are described well, allowing me to form an image of them in my mind. The plot is engaging, and I want to know what happens. The more I learn, the more I want to know. While this book can be classified as mystery/suspense, it can also be viewed as pure literature. I look forward to reading other books written by Eve Chase. Thank you, Ballantine Books and NetGalley, for the chance to read and review an advance reader copy of THE SECRET THREAD.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I found The Secret Thread by Eve Chase to be an absorbing and atmospheric mystery woven with glamour, secrets, and family intrigue. The dual timelines slowly revealed the truth behind enigmatic designer Mimi Mott and the mysterious events of the summer of 1969, keeping the tension building throughout.
I found the writing evocative and the characters layered, especially as the story explored ambition, identity, and the hidden costs of success. The gradual unravelling of long-buried secrets kept me turning the pages as past and present intertwined.
With dual timelines, family secrets, hidden pasts, glamorous settings, and a slow-burn mystery, this will appeal to readers who enjoy The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or The Lake House.
I found the writing evocative and the characters layered, especially as the story explored ambition, identity, and the hidden costs of success. The gradual unravelling of long-buried secrets kept me turning the pages as past and present intertwined.
With dual timelines, family secrets, hidden pasts, glamorous settings, and a slow-burn mystery, this will appeal to readers who enjoy The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or The Lake House.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Our initial introduction to Jo shows us a young woman seeking a role to secure her job. Not everything is as it seems. She's on a mission and through her new role we see secrets revealed.
Family should be important and a priority but sometimes things happen to fray the threads that bind. Mimi and Pamela have lived interesting lives but their past has a lot of sadness and resentment. It's not as simple as sibling rivalry and takes time for us to learn the real reasons for the distance between the two sisters.
Jo has an important job in this and brings everything together. Her motives are innocent so you can't help but feel sorry for her as everything builds in suspense; and you wonder whether we'll truly get all of the pieces of the puzzle or whether some things will be left unsaid.
Family should be important and a priority but sometimes things happen to fray the threads that bind. Mimi and Pamela have lived interesting lives but their past has a lot of sadness and resentment. It's not as simple as sibling rivalry and takes time for us to learn the real reasons for the distance between the two sisters.
Jo has an important job in this and brings everything together. Her motives are innocent so you can't help but feel sorry for her as everything builds in suspense; and you wonder whether we'll truly get all of the pieces of the puzzle or whether some things will be left unsaid.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantyne Books for the eARC.
What a lovely book, with lyrical writing and a lot of heart.
The two sisters, who were close to begin with, lose total touch when one of them suddenly moves to America at a very painful stage in the family's life. They haven't spoken in over 5 years until the granddaughter of the sister in England starts to work with the now very successful sister when she finally returns to the UK. She keeps her identity secret but she's compelled to find out what happened to break the bond between the two sisters.
When the secrets finally come out, it's a real tear jerker
and the ending is bittersweet.
I loved that the loyal dog made it to the very end!
What a lovely book, with lyrical writing and a lot of heart.
The two sisters, who were close to begin with, lose total touch when one of them suddenly moves to America at a very painful stage in the family's life. They haven't spoken in over 5 years until the granddaughter of the sister in England starts to work with the now very successful sister when she finally returns to the UK. She keeps her identity secret but she's compelled to find out what happened to break the bond between the two sisters.
When the secrets finally come out, it's a real tear jerker
and the ending is bittersweet.
I loved that the loyal dog made it to the very end!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Many thanks to Penguin Random house for the proof copy. I totally loved this fascinating and entertaining novel. It is a beautifully crafted story of family, secrets, and a time gone by.
As Mimi Mott is getting to the end of her career as an interior designer she decides to action off a lot of her belongings with a short memory attached to each one. She employs Jo to write up her memories and just as Mimi has secrets so does Jo. It's like a thread slowly pulling you in toa world of the upper class and those below them. It's also a story of love, grief and so much more. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a family drama or an excellent read.
As Mimi Mott is getting to the end of her career as an interior designer she decides to action off a lot of her belongings with a short memory attached to each one. She employs Jo to write up her memories and just as Mimi has secrets so does Jo. It's like a thread slowly pulling you in toa world of the upper class and those below them. It's also a story of love, grief and so much more. I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a family drama or an excellent read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I absolutely loved The Secret Thread. I've read and enjoyed all of Eve Chase's books, but I think this is my favourite so far. It has just about everything. A dual timeline, secrets galore, sibling rivalry and estrangement, a country house gone to ruin, what more could you ask for? The characters are written well and although they are unlovable at times that only makes them more real. Which of us is "nice" all the time? I especially enjoyed the ending where everything is tied up and the story finished properly. A brilliant read that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
April 20, 2026
The Secret Thread had so many elements I love in a book: mystery, suspense, multiple POVs, alternating timelines, family drama and a bit of historical fiction. Set between present-day London and the English countryside in the 1960s, it follows famed interior designer Mimi Mott. Mimi came from a family of gardeners and later became an icon in the design world, though her success came at great personal cost. After her husband passes away, Mimi decides to auction off some of her personal belongings and hires a writer to help tell her story.
I was especially drawn to the dual timeline and the unfolding family secrets, which kept me wanting to know more. Definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I was especially drawn to the dual timeline and the unfolding family secrets, which kept me wanting to know more. Definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved Eve Chase's prior novel (The Midnight Hour) and so was thrilled at the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of The Secret Thread. You will be quickly drawn into the allure of Rushwood, the country estate of the well-to-do Caswell family. The alternating timelines (1969 and 2024) are perfectly executed, and the characters (and their stories) unfold at exactly the right pace. The novel is certainly full of suspense and tragedy but also reconciliation and redemption. Fans of Kate Morton will enjoy this novel.
Thank you to Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #TheSecretThread #NetGalley
Thank you to Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advance reader's digital copy. #TheSecretThread #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mimi is a design icon who has always guarded her privacy jealously. But approaching the end of a long and illustrious career, she is now preparing to auction off many of her precious possessions.
And that will inevitably bring her into the public spotlight once again and raise opportunities for the curious to ask questions - not least among whom is her new assistant Jo, who is hiding secrets of her own...
An intriguing mystery story, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
And that will inevitably bring her into the public spotlight once again and raise opportunities for the curious to ask questions - not least among whom is her new assistant Jo, who is hiding secrets of her own...
An intriguing mystery story, this gets 3.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
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