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The Lost Château
Not yet published
Expected 4 Jun 26A secret lies behind every door… The Dordogne, 1936
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 4, 2026
About the author
Dinah Jefferies
25 books1,324 followers*Breaking News* Richard & Judy pick THE TEA PLANTERS WIFE for their autumn bookclub 2015. Here's what Santa Montefiore said: ‘My ideal read; mystery, love, heart-break and joy – I couldn’t put it down.’
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What It’s About
In 1936, with Europe becoming increasingly unstable and the Spanish Civil War unfolding, Thirza Caruthers travels to the fading Chateau Rousseau to care for her great‑aunt. The chateau is full of secrets — forbidden love, betrayal, and the mystery of a vanished child — and as Thirza begins to uncover the truth, the house’s past intertwines with her own emotional struggles in unsettling ways.
Review
I have quite mixed feelings about this book. It’s beautifully written, and the atmosphere is incredibly strong — dark, heavy, and slightly haunted. The setting and tone are vivid, and the emotional tension is crafted so well that it lingers long after reading. In that sense, the writing is very effective. The fact that it created such strong emotions is a confirmation of how well written it actually is.
But despite the strong writing, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The characters are layered and realistic, but most of them are emotionally damaged in ways that made them feel distant. Thirza arrives at the chateau already unsettled — she loves her husband, but she doesn’t feel emotionally supported, and his daughter treats her unkindly. That insecurity shapes her whole perspective and adds to the overall heaviness.
Bernice is even more deeply traumatised: scarred by domestic and emotional abuse, grieving the loss of her daughter, and hidden away from society for years. Her presence casts a long emotional shadow over the story. Once I stepped back, I could see that the characters’ behaviour makes sense — they act the way they do because they’re traumatised — but that realism also made it harder for me to connect with them.
The only character I truly related to was Valentina. She’s sweet, genuine, and once she steps out of her sister’s shadow, she really comes into her own. She felt like the one warm, relatable presence in a story otherwise filled with people carrying heavy emotional scars.
Overall, I didn’t dislike the book, but I couldn’t fully enjoy it either. It left me feeling unsettled, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why at first. But reviewing and analysing it afterwards has given me a new appreciation for it. It’s a well‑written, atmospheric novel that evokes strong emotions — just not always comfortable ones.
My Rating
Plot – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Strong themes and potential, but it didn’t fully come together for me.
Characters – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Complex and realistic, but emotionally distant. Valentina was the standout.
Writing – 4 out of 5 stars
Atmospheric, unsettling, and emotionally effective.
Enjoyment – 3 out of 5 stars
A compelling idea, but not an easy or comforting read.
Overall – ⭐️ 3.5 out of 5 stars
A well‑written, emotionally heavy story that stayed with me, even if I couldn’t fully connect with it.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, slightly gothic historical fiction
Stories set in the tense pre‑WWII years
Books exploring trauma, emotional wounds, and family secrets
Fans of slow‑burn, character‑driven narratives
Readers who appreciate mood and psychological depth
Review copy through NetGalley at no cost to me.
In 1936, with Europe becoming increasingly unstable and the Spanish Civil War unfolding, Thirza Caruthers travels to the fading Chateau Rousseau to care for her great‑aunt. The chateau is full of secrets — forbidden love, betrayal, and the mystery of a vanished child — and as Thirza begins to uncover the truth, the house’s past intertwines with her own emotional struggles in unsettling ways.
Review
I have quite mixed feelings about this book. It’s beautifully written, and the atmosphere is incredibly strong — dark, heavy, and slightly haunted. The setting and tone are vivid, and the emotional tension is crafted so well that it lingers long after reading. In that sense, the writing is very effective. The fact that it created such strong emotions is a confirmation of how well written it actually is.
But despite the strong writing, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The characters are layered and realistic, but most of them are emotionally damaged in ways that made them feel distant. Thirza arrives at the chateau already unsettled — she loves her husband, but she doesn’t feel emotionally supported, and his daughter treats her unkindly. That insecurity shapes her whole perspective and adds to the overall heaviness.
Bernice is even more deeply traumatised: scarred by domestic and emotional abuse, grieving the loss of her daughter, and hidden away from society for years. Her presence casts a long emotional shadow over the story. Once I stepped back, I could see that the characters’ behaviour makes sense — they act the way they do because they’re traumatised — but that realism also made it harder for me to connect with them.
The only character I truly related to was Valentina. She’s sweet, genuine, and once she steps out of her sister’s shadow, she really comes into her own. She felt like the one warm, relatable presence in a story otherwise filled with people carrying heavy emotional scars.
Overall, I didn’t dislike the book, but I couldn’t fully enjoy it either. It left me feeling unsettled, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why at first. But reviewing and analysing it afterwards has given me a new appreciation for it. It’s a well‑written, atmospheric novel that evokes strong emotions — just not always comfortable ones.
My Rating
Plot – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Strong themes and potential, but it didn’t fully come together for me.
Characters – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Complex and realistic, but emotionally distant. Valentina was the standout.
Writing – 4 out of 5 stars
Atmospheric, unsettling, and emotionally effective.
Enjoyment – 3 out of 5 stars
A compelling idea, but not an easy or comforting read.
Overall – ⭐️ 3.5 out of 5 stars
A well‑written, emotionally heavy story that stayed with me, even if I couldn’t fully connect with it.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, slightly gothic historical fiction
Stories set in the tense pre‑WWII years
Books exploring trauma, emotional wounds, and family secrets
Fans of slow‑burn, character‑driven narratives
Readers who appreciate mood and psychological depth
Review copy through NetGalley at no cost to me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Lost Chateau ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dinah Jefferies has done it again. Richly atmospheric, emotionally gripping and utterly transporting, this was one of those rare books that completely swept me away from the very first page. Although connected to The Greek House, it also works beautifully as a standalone novel.
I absolutely devoured this book in under 48 hours because I simply could not put it down. Moving effortlessly from the sun drenched beauty of Corfu to the haunting elegance of a crumbling French château, the story is layered with family secrets, betrayal, mystery, heartbreak and forbidden love. Every setting felt vividly alive, so beautifully described that I felt completely immersed in the world Jefferies created.
The characters were wonderfully drawn, complex and believable, with relationships that felt authentic and emotionally charged. I especially loved how the story slowly unravelled its secrets, keeping me invested until the very last page. Alongside the mystery and family drama, there is also a poignant undercurrent of loss and hope set against the tension of pre war Europe, which added even more depth to the novel.
Dinah Jefferies has such a gift for writing historical fiction that feels both sweeping and intimate at the same time. Her storytelling is elegant, evocative and utterly absorbing. Fans of historical fiction filled with atmosphere, strong emotional depth and beautifully crafted settings will adore this book.
Without question, one of my favourite reads of the year and a book I will be recommending widely. Highly, highly recommended.
Publication date: 4th June 2026.
Dinah Jefferies has done it again. Richly atmospheric, emotionally gripping and utterly transporting, this was one of those rare books that completely swept me away from the very first page. Although connected to The Greek House, it also works beautifully as a standalone novel.
I absolutely devoured this book in under 48 hours because I simply could not put it down. Moving effortlessly from the sun drenched beauty of Corfu to the haunting elegance of a crumbling French château, the story is layered with family secrets, betrayal, mystery, heartbreak and forbidden love. Every setting felt vividly alive, so beautifully described that I felt completely immersed in the world Jefferies created.
The characters were wonderfully drawn, complex and believable, with relationships that felt authentic and emotionally charged. I especially loved how the story slowly unravelled its secrets, keeping me invested until the very last page. Alongside the mystery and family drama, there is also a poignant undercurrent of loss and hope set against the tension of pre war Europe, which added even more depth to the novel.
Dinah Jefferies has such a gift for writing historical fiction that feels both sweeping and intimate at the same time. Her storytelling is elegant, evocative and utterly absorbing. Fans of historical fiction filled with atmosphere, strong emotional depth and beautifully crafted settings will adore this book.
Without question, one of my favourite reads of the year and a book I will be recommending widely. Highly, highly recommended.
Publication date: 4th June 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a sequel to the Greek House which I read a while ago so I was familiar with the characters. It would still be possible to read it as a standalone but I think it would be more enjoyable to read it in sequence.
In this book Thirza, her daughter and step daughter go to France to look after an ill great aunt who lives in a chateau. There is a mystery surrounding Aunt Berenice’s past which Thirza endeavours to unravel- a husband who has disappeared and a child who drowned at a young age.
Whilst this is going on. Her Italian husband, Emilio has to go to Spain to look for his other daughter who has run away to join in with the Spanish Civil War.
As Thirza gets to know the people in the French village she is attracted to one of her neighbours whilst pining for her husband.
I enjoyed the book although I found Thirza rather self centred- she was so much in love with her husband yet she is easily persuaded to look elsewhere- slightly strange in my opinion.
The mystery about Aunt Berenice was interesting and finally revealed towards the end of the novel. There were flashbacks that explained about Berenice’s life as a young bride and mother.
The inter war years were well described although I did feel that the book was setting up the reader for a third book- possibly set during WW2.
All in all it was an enjoyable if not spectacular read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
In this book Thirza, her daughter and step daughter go to France to look after an ill great aunt who lives in a chateau. There is a mystery surrounding Aunt Berenice’s past which Thirza endeavours to unravel- a husband who has disappeared and a child who drowned at a young age.
Whilst this is going on. Her Italian husband, Emilio has to go to Spain to look for his other daughter who has run away to join in with the Spanish Civil War.
As Thirza gets to know the people in the French village she is attracted to one of her neighbours whilst pining for her husband.
I enjoyed the book although I found Thirza rather self centred- she was so much in love with her husband yet she is easily persuaded to look elsewhere- slightly strange in my opinion.
The mystery about Aunt Berenice was interesting and finally revealed towards the end of the novel. There were flashbacks that explained about Berenice’s life as a young bride and mother.
The inter war years were well described although I did feel that the book was setting up the reader for a third book- possibly set during WW2.
All in all it was an enjoyable if not spectacular read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💛 Blurb -
A secret lies behind every door… The Dordogne, 1936
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
💙 Review -
I have enjoyed other books by the author and The Lost Chateau certainly didn't disappoint. I loved the author's writing style as I feel like they can whisk you away to the place settings in the story and make you feel like you are on a journey with the characters too. I found the story was easy to follow and beautifully written and had a great cast of characters. I also loved the place settings in the story. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Harper Collins/ Harper Fiction, the author Dinah Jefferies and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A secret lies behind every door… The Dordogne, 1936
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
💙 Review -
I have enjoyed other books by the author and The Lost Chateau certainly didn't disappoint. I loved the author's writing style as I feel like they can whisk you away to the place settings in the story and make you feel like you are on a journey with the characters too. I found the story was easy to follow and beautifully written and had a great cast of characters. I also loved the place settings in the story. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Harper Collins/ Harper Fiction, the author Dinah Jefferies and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2026
Dinah Jefferies is one of my favourite authors and she hasn’t failed with The Lost Chateau. It is the second book in a series, the first one being the Greek House, although both can be read as a stand alone novel. Thirza lives in Corfu with her family, but has to leave to look after her Great Aunt Berenice who has been in hospital in France.. Thirza takes her daughter Romi and her stepdaughter Valentina to France with her. Her other stepdaughter Lucia has run off to join the fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and Emilio, Thirza’s husband, has to go to Spain to find her instead of supporting his family now in the Dordogne, staying at an old crumbling chateau. The chateau has lots of secrets and Thirza wants to unravel them all. The characters are all believable and the place descriptions feel so true, you can imagine you are sitting there looking out the window,
Dinah has an easy style and it is difficult to put the book down. I really enjoyed it, and have nothing but the highest praise for it.
My thanks go to NetGalley, Dinah Jefferies and Harper Collins for an arc of this enjoyable book
Dinah has an easy style and it is difficult to put the book down. I really enjoyed it, and have nothing but the highest praise for it.
My thanks go to NetGalley, Dinah Jefferies and Harper Collins for an arc of this enjoyable book
May 8, 2026
Another fabulous read from Dinah Jefferies where we again meet with Thriza from The Greek House, this time travelling the Dordogne.
1936 and Thriza travels from Corfu to France to care her poorly Great Aunt Berenice, who needs help after time in hospital.
Thriza is accompanied by her step daughter Valentina and daughter Romi. On arrival the state of the house concerns them and the noises and sounds in the night are very alarming and it becomes very quickly apparent the Chateau and her Great Aunt have many secrets from the past which need put to rest.
An absolutely captivating read, with wonderful characters and a heart wrenching story.
Highly recommended and I look forward to where Dinah will take us travelling next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy.
1936 and Thriza travels from Corfu to France to care her poorly Great Aunt Berenice, who needs help after time in hospital.
Thriza is accompanied by her step daughter Valentina and daughter Romi. On arrival the state of the house concerns them and the noises and sounds in the night are very alarming and it becomes very quickly apparent the Chateau and her Great Aunt have many secrets from the past which need put to rest.
An absolutely captivating read, with wonderful characters and a heart wrenching story.
Highly recommended and I look forward to where Dinah will take us travelling next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy.
May 14, 2026
A book of secrets and lost loves. It captures the times shortly before WWII which is interesting in itself, the characters are multi faceted from the sweet Valentina in 1936 to the more complex characters in the past. It travels between the two timelines with ease. However I found myself skimming the final few chapters as it became obvious what had happened. Thirza was such a complex character and I found her somewhat selfish with her needs and feelings.
I loved the first book in the series and all of this author’s other books but found this one lacking a bit, difficult to connect to. However it’s still a lovely read and captures corfu and France and the turbulent times beautifully
I loved the first book in the series and all of this author’s other books but found this one lacking a bit, difficult to connect to. However it’s still a lovely read and captures corfu and France and the turbulent times beautifully
April 25, 2026
Lovely read that takes you from Corfu to a dilapidated chateau in France. This is the story of Thirza Caruthers who arrives to care for her great-aunt when she falls ill. This is a story of a devastating secret, a lost child and a love not to be accepted but never forgotten. The chateau starts to give up its secrets but can Thirza keep faithful to her husband who it is struggling to bring his missing daughter back from pre-war Europe.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Publishers HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins for the opportunity of the early read.
My thanks as always to NetGalley and to Publishers HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction | HarperCollins for the opportunity of the early read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Lost Chateau is a sweeping atmospheric historical read set in 1936 Dordogne .It is a follow up book to The Greek House but is a good standalone book. Thirza Caruther arrives at a crumbling Chateau Rousseau with her daughter and stepdaughter to care for her ailing Great Aunt only to be drawn into a web of betrayal hidden histories and a vanished child .Told in two timelines This is Dinah Jeffries at her best I just loved the story and the descriptions made me feel I was there.so immersive and gripping .Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A historical fiction book with a bit of a mystery to solve. I actually enjoyed this book more than the first one in the series (and you do really need to have read that one before you read this one). Maybe it’s because I already knew the cast of characters but I found that the story moved at more of a pace. It also offered an insight to the between war years and how different countries in Europe were dealing with different issues. A good read.
May 4, 2026
The Lost Chateaux by Dinah Jefferies ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a follow up book to The Greek House however it is easily a standalone read too. I devoured this in 48 hours. This book whisks you from Corfu to France, a cast of characters that come to life, beautifully written. Secrets, family feuds and a mystery. I love Dinah Jefferies books and this does not disappoint. Highly Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Fiction for an advance copy.
Publication date 4th June 2026.
This is a follow up book to The Greek House however it is easily a standalone read too. I devoured this in 48 hours. This book whisks you from Corfu to France, a cast of characters that come to life, beautifully written. Secrets, family feuds and a mystery. I love Dinah Jefferies books and this does not disappoint. Highly Highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Fiction for an advance copy.
Publication date 4th June 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I still really enjoy Dinah Jeffries’ books and this was a great addition to the series. A gentle tale of turbulent family life between the World Wars set between Corfu and France. The weaving of a previous tragedy throughout adds an additional layer of intrigue and you don’t need to have read the previous book to understand and enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free DRC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free DRC in exchange for my honest review.
May 18, 2026
Thoroughly enjoyed this book as I knew I would as love this authors historical fictional stories.
The Lost Chateau is set in multi countries, Greece, France,Spain ,Italy and England. Some are just briefly mentioned but sets the storyline for the characters.
This is an emotionally charged book that features strong female characters whose lives are in turmoil.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers for the advanced copy.
The Lost Chateau is set in multi countries, Greece, France,Spain ,Italy and England. Some are just briefly mentioned but sets the storyline for the characters.
This is an emotionally charged book that features strong female characters whose lives are in turmoil.
My thanks to Net Galley and publishers for the advanced copy.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews