The Girl in the Picture

by Rachel Hore

How do you decide what story to tell – and what secrets to keep . . . ?

When journalist Amy Collins returns to Norfolk, a magazine assignment leads her to Farthington House. As she steps through the gates into the garden, she remembers visits she made as a child to the grand old house, but nothing prepares her for what she finds a portrait of a young woman who looks very similar to Amy herself.

With the help of Kyle Rutherfurd, the house's new owner, Amy uncovers a hidden family scandal involving a young woman nicknamed ‘Bird’. And as Amy finds out more, she discovers a personal connection to Bird that could change everything she thought she knew.

128 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 9, 2026

About the author

Rachel Hore worked in London publishing for many years before moving with her family to Norwich, Norfolk and turning to writing fiction.

Rachel is the Sunday Times bestselling author of The Dream House (2006), The Memory Garden (2007), The Glass Painter's Daughter (2009), which was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association Novel of the Year 2010, A Place of Secrets (2010), which was a Richard and Judy Bookclub pick, and A Gathering Storm (2011), which was shortlisted for the RNA Historical Novel of the year, 2012. The Silent Tide was published in 2013, A Week in Paris in 2014 and The House on Bellevue Gardens in 2015.

Her new novel, Last Letter Home, will be published on 22nd March 2018.

Reviews

[Lucy Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good little story! Love the little mystery and finding out more and more each chapter. I thought Kyle and Amy would not end up together after finding out they were distant cousins so the kiss was interesting but glad it all worked out I suppose!

[Maureen Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely story, quick to read and very well written.

[Suzanne Sandell · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read and a good story, perfect for a lazy afternoon. Amy is a journalist returning home and a magazine assignment takes her to Farthington House. Through researching and talking to Julia, as well as going through family papers, she discovers a link between previous occupants and her own family!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice little story

[Elaine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5🌟 cute little story

[Sophie Beuzeval · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a great story, but you can easily get confused with it.

[Kath · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, interesting story

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't want this to end when it did and I'm sure there is more to tell of the story.

[Bookishgirl75 🍁📚❄️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3:75 Good little short story . 2 hrs on audio .

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great quick read

I really enjoyed this story. The plot is somewhat predictable but that did not take away the enjoyment! Highly recommend.