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Secrets In The Shadows
In 1920s Blackpool, eleven year old Rose wanders away from her parents and has a unique gift bestowed upon her. This gift will leave a haunting legacy, seeping down through the generations...Decades later, Louisa has a vision of her mother walking into the sea. This isn't the first time it happens and it won't be the last, but what she sees isn't always what she wants. The rest of her life is spent trying to change the future that haunts her. In present day Blackpool, Grace is going to be married someday. She knows this because she's seen it; a vision of a white dress, daisies embroidered on the sleeves, the groom by her side, vowing to love her forever. Except the man in her premonition doesn't belong to her- he belongs to her twin sister, Elsie. Haunted by what they know and what they are afraid to find out, all three women must make a choice: in the face of certain destiny should you chase the outcome that's "meant to be", or throw away fate and choose your own future?
307 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 4, 2019
The author should learn to write, too many repetitions of the same words within 7 or 8 lines,for instance the word wonders appears 5 times in 7 lines in the last two pages. I got frustrated in reading suddenly or then so often, why didn't she edit them out?
The story which there wasn't much of follows 3 generations of women in Blackpool 2 of these women are twins Grace and Elsie who are given the two most out of date names of any character in literature, considering they were born in 1979 and by the time they are 21 are speaking and acting like two old women. The two sisters run a book shop and I started to think why, because they had so many arguments about the shop and not many customers.
In the end I was glad to finish this tortuous novel and had no empathy for any of the characters.
The story which there wasn't much of follows 3 generations of women in Blackpool 2 of these women are twins Grace and Elsie who are given the two most out of date names of any character in literature, considering they were born in 1979 and by the time they are 21 are speaking and acting like two old women. The two sisters run a book shop and I started to think why, because they had so many arguments about the shop and not many customers.
In the end I was glad to finish this tortuous novel and had no empathy for any of the characters.
June 24, 2014
Firstly thank you to Hannah for sending me a copy of this book to review, and also for providing a copy to giveaway on the 24th June in my blog anniversary giveaway! So make sure you check back then, when you will have a chance to win other Harper Impulse titles too!
The story is about three generations of women from the same family, three women who have the gift of being able to see into future, but through the years it turns out it can be just as much of a curse as it is gift.
The three main narrators are Rose, Louisa and Grace. The story is told through time, starting as far back as the 1920s. This enables the background for Grace's story to be set out, and to give a little bit of insight into the reasoning behind some of the actions and thinking of all three women. As I've said the women are three generations from the same family. Rose is Louisa's mother, and Louisa is Grace's mother. There are a handful of other characters who all have an impact on Grace's present day story, particularly her twin sister Elsie.
I really didn't like Elsie to begin with, and that's probably a little bit due to having the story told from Grace's perspective, but towards the end of the story my opinion had changed. The story is told chronologically through the lives of our main three narrators, and this allows you to build up a better picture of why Elsie is the way she is too, but not before establishing that bond, and empathy with Grace.
The story picks up speed at the very beginning and runs with that momentum right through to the end of the novel. More and more is unravelled about the gift of foresight and the consequences it has had for the family, generating an air of suspense throughout. I was never sure what was going to happen, and how the story was going to play out which made this a real page turner and had me struggling to put it down.
This is Hannah's debut novel. Her style throughout is well polished and looking back it's hard to believe you've just read a debut. The depth of the characters and the clever, intricate storyline shows a promise and excitement that can only come from a debut novel and I'm looking forward to what's next from Hannah!
The story is about three generations of women from the same family, three women who have the gift of being able to see into future, but through the years it turns out it can be just as much of a curse as it is gift.
The three main narrators are Rose, Louisa and Grace. The story is told through time, starting as far back as the 1920s. This enables the background for Grace's story to be set out, and to give a little bit of insight into the reasoning behind some of the actions and thinking of all three women. As I've said the women are three generations from the same family. Rose is Louisa's mother, and Louisa is Grace's mother. There are a handful of other characters who all have an impact on Grace's present day story, particularly her twin sister Elsie.
I really didn't like Elsie to begin with, and that's probably a little bit due to having the story told from Grace's perspective, but towards the end of the story my opinion had changed. The story is told chronologically through the lives of our main three narrators, and this allows you to build up a better picture of why Elsie is the way she is too, but not before establishing that bond, and empathy with Grace.
The story picks up speed at the very beginning and runs with that momentum right through to the end of the novel. More and more is unravelled about the gift of foresight and the consequences it has had for the family, generating an air of suspense throughout. I was never sure what was going to happen, and how the story was going to play out which made this a real page turner and had me struggling to put it down.
This is Hannah's debut novel. Her style throughout is well polished and looking back it's hard to believe you've just read a debut. The depth of the characters and the clever, intricate storyline shows a promise and excitement that can only come from a debut novel and I'm looking forward to what's next from Hannah!
April 1, 2014
Jane Hunt Writer First Steps
Jane Hunt Writer Book Reviews Google+
'Secrets in the Shadows' is a romantic saga spanning three generations of women over two centuries. The writing style makes easy reading but this story is extraordinary. A strange mystical thread binds each generation. In a battle of fate versus free will can Grace and Elsie stop their hereditary gift from becoming a curse and avoid past tragedies?
Moving seamlessly through the twentieth into the twenty-first century interwoven historical references and social norms enhance the poignant tales of Rose, Louisa, Grace and Elsie and the men in their lives. Cleverly written imagery makes it easy to visualise Blackpool in the 1920's, 1960 through to the new millennium and beyond. The plot's embroidery of twists and turns make this compelling reading as you wonder if each generation is doomed to repeat the mistakes of their ancestors.
It's easy to empathise with each of the women as they struggle with past emotional baggage which threatens their present life. The reader views key events from past and present points of view as the story explores past actions and present misconceptions.
'Secrets in the Shadows' is a poignant read for lovers of the mystical side of life, romance and twentieth century history.
I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK Harper Impulse via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Hannah Emery
September 11, 2014
This story is told over three generation of women. A thread of the supernatural runs through the story as the women seemed to be blessed with a second sight. Whether it's a blessing or a curse is still to be seen as each goes down the same road which ends in disaster. One of them has to break the chain and go against what her future shows so that future generations will lead a normal life.
The three stories are told in such a clever way making them seamless. I didn't want to leave one story and go on to the next as I was so anxious to complete the puzzle of what was going on in the lives of these women.
Rose and her daughter Louisa's story was heartbreaking and I didn't want it to carry on through to Louisa's girls. I loved seeing the changing face of Blackpool which is somewhere I love.The pier and the fortune teller brought back memories for me as my Blackpool fortune teller told me I would meet the man I would marry there and return with him, it came true.
Grace has a dilemma in that her visions tell her she will marry her sister's fiance. This causes problems in the way that she acts with Elsie and she finds it difficult to be involved in her wedding plans. Grace knows that there is nothing she can do about it because her visions are the future and who can change the future?
I enjoyed reading this and found it hard to believe that it was a debut novel. This is a book I feel I will read again, just in case I missed something the way you do when you want to get to the end fast to find the conclusion and then wish you had read more slowly and made it last.
Many thanks to Hannah Emery for asking me to read her book and providing an e copy for me. I look forward to her next offering,look out for her name.
The three stories are told in such a clever way making them seamless. I didn't want to leave one story and go on to the next as I was so anxious to complete the puzzle of what was going on in the lives of these women.
Rose and her daughter Louisa's story was heartbreaking and I didn't want it to carry on through to Louisa's girls. I loved seeing the changing face of Blackpool which is somewhere I love.The pier and the fortune teller brought back memories for me as my Blackpool fortune teller told me I would meet the man I would marry there and return with him, it came true.
Grace has a dilemma in that her visions tell her she will marry her sister's fiance. This causes problems in the way that she acts with Elsie and she finds it difficult to be involved in her wedding plans. Grace knows that there is nothing she can do about it because her visions are the future and who can change the future?
I enjoyed reading this and found it hard to believe that it was a debut novel. This is a book I feel I will read again, just in case I missed something the way you do when you want to get to the end fast to find the conclusion and then wish you had read more slowly and made it last.
Many thanks to Hannah Emery for asking me to read her book and providing an e copy for me. I look forward to her next offering,look out for her name.
May 16, 2015
Rating: 7/10
Following three generations of women, Secrets in the Shadows is the story of a gift - or is it a curse? - bestowed upon her whilst on a family holiday to Blackpool in the 1920′s. This gift trickles down through the women of the family, leading us to modern-day Blackpool…
Blackpool is my hometown, and also the hometown of Hannah Emery, so I was delighted to read this. Emery has researched the history of Blackpool to perfection - from it’s holiday haven ‘golden years’ of the 20′s, to the declining seaside resort of today - and this made getting wrapped up in the story and the mystery easy.
Although not my usual genre of choice, I really enjoyed getting wrapped up in this book. The thread of supernatural that runs through it sets it apart from most other books in the genre. Definitely one to pack for your summer vacation!
Following three generations of women, Secrets in the Shadows is the story of a gift - or is it a curse? - bestowed upon her whilst on a family holiday to Blackpool in the 1920′s. This gift trickles down through the women of the family, leading us to modern-day Blackpool…
Blackpool is my hometown, and also the hometown of Hannah Emery, so I was delighted to read this. Emery has researched the history of Blackpool to perfection - from it’s holiday haven ‘golden years’ of the 20′s, to the declining seaside resort of today - and this made getting wrapped up in the story and the mystery easy.
Although not my usual genre of choice, I really enjoyed getting wrapped up in this book. The thread of supernatural that runs through it sets it apart from most other books in the genre. Definitely one to pack for your summer vacation!
Read
October 13, 2014This book was phenomenal.
I was swept up in the stories of Rose, Louisa, Grace and Elsie from page one.
The third person writing style usually annoys me, and I struggle to connect with characters in books written this style, but I barley noticed!
I loved this story, it made me smile, gave me feels… beautiful.
I read it: on the sofa, in bed, at the bus stop, on the bus and even walked to and from placement with my nose buried in the pages!
My only fault?
It isn't long enough :(
I was swept up in the stories of Rose, Louisa, Grace and Elsie from page one.
The third person writing style usually annoys me, and I struggle to connect with characters in books written this style, but I barley noticed!
I loved this story, it made me smile, gave me feels… beautiful.
I read it: on the sofa, in bed, at the bus stop, on the bus and even walked to and from placement with my nose buried in the pages!
My only fault?
It isn't long enough :(
July 25, 2016
This is a beautiful, layered, delicate book that I went into with no preconceptions at all. Although the concept of a triple-layered tale might intimidate, the plot is subtly fed through, and eventually the separate tales intermingle, and never once was I confused or overwhelmed by information.
When I first saw the cover of this book it reminded me of the cover of Barbara Erskine's masterful timeslip novels, and I'm pleased to report that the contents hold up to that as well.
When I first saw the cover of this book it reminded me of the cover of Barbara Erskine's masterful timeslip novels, and I'm pleased to report that the contents hold up to that as well.
March 20, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. The novel is a triple threaded story. Hannah Emery pulls it off beautifully- at no point through out the story did I get confused or distracted with so much going on.
Secrets in the shadows is a wonderfully written book that is both tender and magical. I loved how the author used real life events like the fire on Blackpool's pier and blended it into her fiction.
I highly recommend this stunning début and I will be looking out for more titles by this author.
November 7, 2014
This is the story of a family with a gift passed down the generations and the effect it has on lives of those who inherited it. It is a romance and a tale of redemption but what really made it special to me was it was set in Blackpool. I knew every place she spoke about, I had experienced every atmospheric description she made. I loved it from cover to cover. Hannah Emery lives in Blackpool as do I, so bravo and well done to a local author.
November 28, 2016
Not bad at all for a debut novel! What I like the most about this book is that it's so unpredictable, I just want to flip the pages until the end to know what happen to Rose, Louisa & Grace. The only reason this book lack one star from me is because I didn't really like the writing style and I think the author keep repeating some unnecessary part.
May 17, 2014
Beautifully written with an air of elegance. I was really pulled in by the style of writing. The stories/plot lines both ran alongside and wove in and out of each other with ease. I enjoyed the different time lines and how one impacted on another.
June 18, 2014
One word can best describe this novel and that's WOW!
July 30, 2014
3.5 stars. Really enjoyed this book and it would have been 4 stars but felt let down by the ending!
April 20, 2016
Too many "shadows", not my cup of tea - get a grip ladies!
April 30, 2017
Uno de los mejores libros que he leído. Interesante, inquietante, frustrante, y sorprendente.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews