What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hidden Legacy
A life-changing gift with a shadowy origin – a dark and suspenseful debut novel.
1966. A horrifying crime at a secondary school, with devastating consequences for all involved.
2008. A life-changing gift, if only the recipient can work out why…
Recently divorced and with two young children, Ellen Sutherland is up to her elbows in professional and personal stress. When she’s invited to travel all the way to Cheltenham to hear the content of an old woman’s will, she’s far from convinced the journey will be worthwhile. But when she arrives, the news is astounding. Eudora Nash has left Ellen a beautiful cottage worth an amount of money that could turn her life around. There’s just one problem – Ellen has never even heard of Eudora Nash.
Her curiosity piqued, Ellen and her friend Kate travel to the West Country in search of answers. But they are not the only ones interested in the cottage, and Ellen little imagines how much she has to learn about her past.…
1966. A horrifying crime at a secondary school, with devastating consequences for all involved.
2008. A life-changing gift, if only the recipient can work out why…
Recently divorced and with two young children, Ellen Sutherland is up to her elbows in professional and personal stress. When she’s invited to travel all the way to Cheltenham to hear the content of an old woman’s will, she’s far from convinced the journey will be worthwhile. But when she arrives, the news is astounding. Eudora Nash has left Ellen a beautiful cottage worth an amount of money that could turn her life around. There’s just one problem – Ellen has never even heard of Eudora Nash.
Her curiosity piqued, Ellen and her friend Kate travel to the West Country in search of answers. But they are not the only ones interested in the cottage, and Ellen little imagines how much she has to learn about her past.…
448 pages, Paperback
First published November 5, 2015
94 people are currently reading
1530 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
October 17, 2015
Wow what a debut novel!
Not really sure what drew me initially to this book but I am so glad I read it. An outstanding debut novel by author Graham Minnett that is superbly written and so well paced that it keeps you in suspense all the way through.
Ellen receives a letter from a solicitor telling her that she has inherited a cottage from a woman she doesn't know. Once she meets up with the solicitor and views the cottage she then starts to uncover further secrets about the woman's past and her story. The book alternates between present day with Ellen to the past telling the story of an honorific incident occurred by a child in 1966. Eventually the two stories come together but there are lots of twists and turns along the way.
This book captured my imagination and I read it at every possible opportunity so that I could learn more. On finishing it this morning I wanted to write the review instantly to tell others so that they could share my experience of this reading this excellent new author.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bonnier Publishing Fiction for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
Not really sure what drew me initially to this book but I am so glad I read it. An outstanding debut novel by author Graham Minnett that is superbly written and so well paced that it keeps you in suspense all the way through.
Ellen receives a letter from a solicitor telling her that she has inherited a cottage from a woman she doesn't know. Once she meets up with the solicitor and views the cottage she then starts to uncover further secrets about the woman's past and her story. The book alternates between present day with Ellen to the past telling the story of an honorific incident occurred by a child in 1966. Eventually the two stories come together but there are lots of twists and turns along the way.
This book captured my imagination and I read it at every possible opportunity so that I could learn more. On finishing it this morning I wanted to write the review instantly to tell others so that they could share my experience of this reading this excellent new author.
I would like to thank Net Galley and Bonnier Publishing Fiction for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for a honest review.
October 3, 2015
The Hidden Legacy is an atmospheric and beautifully written novel, a place where past and present collide – the type of story that keeps you hooked into the narrative all the way, some great characters and a really intriguing mystery angle.
So we have Ellen then, who after a letter from a solicitor travels to the West Country, only to find she has been left a cottage by a woman she has never heard of. Further investigation will reveal hidden secrets – at the same time we learn about the most horrific of acts committed by a child long ago and as the two sides of the story merge it is fascinating and compelling reading.
We have three different viewpoints and three different timelines within “The Hidden Legacy” all of which are written with a descriptively intuitive style, after just a few pages I was hopelessly addicted. Mr Minett manages all of the different threads perfectly, drip feeding clues and information, adding depth to his characters throughout and making you avidly turn the pages to discover the final resolution.
There are twists and turns to be had along the way, an interesting take on how we view child killers which really gets you thinking and the whole story was riveting to say the least. There is a thoughtful and vivid writing style here which really appealed and overall I thought this was a really really excellent debut.
Will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Highly Recommended.
So we have Ellen then, who after a letter from a solicitor travels to the West Country, only to find she has been left a cottage by a woman she has never heard of. Further investigation will reveal hidden secrets – at the same time we learn about the most horrific of acts committed by a child long ago and as the two sides of the story merge it is fascinating and compelling reading.
We have three different viewpoints and three different timelines within “The Hidden Legacy” all of which are written with a descriptively intuitive style, after just a few pages I was hopelessly addicted. Mr Minett manages all of the different threads perfectly, drip feeding clues and information, adding depth to his characters throughout and making you avidly turn the pages to discover the final resolution.
There are twists and turns to be had along the way, an interesting take on how we view child killers which really gets you thinking and the whole story was riveting to say the least. There is a thoughtful and vivid writing style here which really appealed and overall I thought this was a really really excellent debut.
Will definitely be looking out for more from this author.
Highly Recommended.
February 5, 2016
This review also featured on www.crimepieces.com
Launched in November 2015 it is hard to see what has kept this exceptionally well written psychological thriller from gaining more critical acclaim. Subtitled 'a dark and shocking psychological drama', this is an intelligent, intriguing and most of all, superbly well constructed mystery. The accomplishment for a debut author cannot be overstated and it would seem an injustice that by virtue of his representation by a new independent publisher that Graham Minett remains under the radar.
Opening with a shocking prologue from twelve year old schoolboy, John Michael Adams, as he commits a horrific attack upon two girls in a school playground in 1966, this is a story which hooks you right from the off. Readers are presented with a glimpse into the mindset of a child driven to a despicable act whom the national press soon dub "Every Parents Nightmare".
Fast forward to 2008 and meet harassed Ellen Sutherland, newly divorced and combining a full time job with the demands of single parenting and a mother succumbing to the frailties of dementia. The arrival of a solicitors letter curtly asking her to make urgent contact regarding the last will and testament of Eudora Jane Nash leaves her flabbergasted. The name means nothing to her and she assumes it is simply a clerical error. When the overly sincere solicitor suggests a meeting Ellen laughs off the idea of making a six-hour round trip. That is until it is disclosed that she has been bequeathed a picturesque cottage in a Cotswolds village of significant financial worth. Remaining unconvinced she mentions the name Eudora Nash in passing to her mother and her boss, a man who is like a father to her and can sense she has ruffled some feathers and from then on decides to delve deeper... With accompaniment from best friend Kate making for a brilliant contrast to the staid Ellen, the pair set out to discover just what has been hidden for so many years.
From then on the reader remains with present day Ellen and interlaced between her narrative are extracts from the deceased Eudora Nash and John Michael Adams. Despite the traversing timeline the novel intuitively flows very well and readers can sense a stylistic differing between each narrator which keeps the story moving. With Ellen uncovering all of this in the present day she adds a sense of solidity to the novel. As questions arise Minett tackles them in a timely manner yet always remains one step ahead and as each layer of intricacy is peeled back he constantly surprises his readers. It is a considerable time since I have read such an ingenious plot construction from a psychological fiction novel.
Over the intervening years the story of the John Michael Adams is disclosed and offers an insight into minor who remains a media target for vilification, seemingly fair game for a witch hunt to uncover his whereabouts and identity upon release. The portrayal of him as a man unable to make a fresh start paints a moving portrait of a life spent running away and the shifting ground underneath him.
The Hidden Legacy is a stunning unravelling of just how the lives of Eudora Nash, John Michael Adams and Ellen Sutherland are connected and why Eudora has gone to so much time and effort to locate Ellen and leave Primrose Cottage to her. With the slippery private investigator Frank O'Halloran remaining on the periphery and serving as a connection featuring in every one of the individual narrations it is increasingly clear that there are others who have an interest in this story.
Minett never dictates to his readers how they should interpret the wider issues which he raises through The Hidden Legacy and it it hard not to consider how child murderers are punished, accountability in later years and the ensuing media circus which never allow these things to be forgotten. Ellen has mixed emotions about her relationship with her mother, specifically regarding her unwillingness to talk about the past, yet she is wracked with remorse as she rushes up and down the country hunting the mystery surrounding a ninety-one year old lady who she has never met whilst her ailing mother grows weaker. My overriding thought throughout the novel related to just how much a person can jeopardise in blinkered pursuit of a long held secret and the risks that this necessitates.
Whilst unputdownable is often used ad nauseam in reviews Graham Minett does not put a foot wrong in this captivating and emotionally involving story. As each layer of intricacy is uncovered he never resorts to sensationalism in his consideration of a teenage murderer or falls back on the overly twee pull on the heart strings. This is a moving and often profound example of the psychological fiction genre and poses numerous questions leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions.
This may not be one of the heralded psychological thrillers but is deserves to be one of the most widely read and establish G.J. Minett as a striking new talent in the increasingly crowded market of psychological fiction. Outstanding.
Launched in November 2015 it is hard to see what has kept this exceptionally well written psychological thriller from gaining more critical acclaim. Subtitled 'a dark and shocking psychological drama', this is an intelligent, intriguing and most of all, superbly well constructed mystery. The accomplishment for a debut author cannot be overstated and it would seem an injustice that by virtue of his representation by a new independent publisher that Graham Minett remains under the radar.
Opening with a shocking prologue from twelve year old schoolboy, John Michael Adams, as he commits a horrific attack upon two girls in a school playground in 1966, this is a story which hooks you right from the off. Readers are presented with a glimpse into the mindset of a child driven to a despicable act whom the national press soon dub "Every Parents Nightmare".
Fast forward to 2008 and meet harassed Ellen Sutherland, newly divorced and combining a full time job with the demands of single parenting and a mother succumbing to the frailties of dementia. The arrival of a solicitors letter curtly asking her to make urgent contact regarding the last will and testament of Eudora Jane Nash leaves her flabbergasted. The name means nothing to her and she assumes it is simply a clerical error. When the overly sincere solicitor suggests a meeting Ellen laughs off the idea of making a six-hour round trip. That is until it is disclosed that she has been bequeathed a picturesque cottage in a Cotswolds village of significant financial worth. Remaining unconvinced she mentions the name Eudora Nash in passing to her mother and her boss, a man who is like a father to her and can sense she has ruffled some feathers and from then on decides to delve deeper... With accompaniment from best friend Kate making for a brilliant contrast to the staid Ellen, the pair set out to discover just what has been hidden for so many years.
From then on the reader remains with present day Ellen and interlaced between her narrative are extracts from the deceased Eudora Nash and John Michael Adams. Despite the traversing timeline the novel intuitively flows very well and readers can sense a stylistic differing between each narrator which keeps the story moving. With Ellen uncovering all of this in the present day she adds a sense of solidity to the novel. As questions arise Minett tackles them in a timely manner yet always remains one step ahead and as each layer of intricacy is peeled back he constantly surprises his readers. It is a considerable time since I have read such an ingenious plot construction from a psychological fiction novel.
Over the intervening years the story of the John Michael Adams is disclosed and offers an insight into minor who remains a media target for vilification, seemingly fair game for a witch hunt to uncover his whereabouts and identity upon release. The portrayal of him as a man unable to make a fresh start paints a moving portrait of a life spent running away and the shifting ground underneath him.
The Hidden Legacy is a stunning unravelling of just how the lives of Eudora Nash, John Michael Adams and Ellen Sutherland are connected and why Eudora has gone to so much time and effort to locate Ellen and leave Primrose Cottage to her. With the slippery private investigator Frank O'Halloran remaining on the periphery and serving as a connection featuring in every one of the individual narrations it is increasingly clear that there are others who have an interest in this story.
Minett never dictates to his readers how they should interpret the wider issues which he raises through The Hidden Legacy and it it hard not to consider how child murderers are punished, accountability in later years and the ensuing media circus which never allow these things to be forgotten. Ellen has mixed emotions about her relationship with her mother, specifically regarding her unwillingness to talk about the past, yet she is wracked with remorse as she rushes up and down the country hunting the mystery surrounding a ninety-one year old lady who she has never met whilst her ailing mother grows weaker. My overriding thought throughout the novel related to just how much a person can jeopardise in blinkered pursuit of a long held secret and the risks that this necessitates.
Whilst unputdownable is often used ad nauseam in reviews Graham Minett does not put a foot wrong in this captivating and emotionally involving story. As each layer of intricacy is uncovered he never resorts to sensationalism in his consideration of a teenage murderer or falls back on the overly twee pull on the heart strings. This is a moving and often profound example of the psychological fiction genre and poses numerous questions leaving the reader to draw their own conclusions.
This may not be one of the heralded psychological thrillers but is deserves to be one of the most widely read and establish G.J. Minett as a striking new talent in the increasingly crowded market of psychological fiction. Outstanding.
October 16, 2015
The Hidden Legacy starts off telling the story of a young boy committing a horrifying crime to two of his classmates in 1966. The story then jumps to 2008 where we meet Ellen Sutherland, a recently divorced mother of two, who is contacted by an estate attorney to learn she has an inheritance coming from a woman, Eudora Nash, that she has never met or heard of.
This novel weaves a tale between two different stories wonderfully, you can't help but be pulled in to find out what the events of the past have to do with Ellen and Eudora. Told from several different perspectives you switch between learning of Ellen and her life in 2008 and then going back in time to the events that happened through the years that began from that fateful event in 1966.
Almost a five star read but I felt there were a couple of slow spots and I did figure out the main connection relatively early on although there were some revelations later in the book that I was happy to finally find out too. Would definitely pick up another book by Graham Minett in the future.
Overall, great read, would definitely recommend.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit
https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
This novel weaves a tale between two different stories wonderfully, you can't help but be pulled in to find out what the events of the past have to do with Ellen and Eudora. Told from several different perspectives you switch between learning of Ellen and her life in 2008 and then going back in time to the events that happened through the years that began from that fateful event in 1966.
Almost a five star read but I felt there were a couple of slow spots and I did figure out the main connection relatively early on although there were some revelations later in the book that I was happy to finally find out too. Would definitely pick up another book by Graham Minett in the future.
Overall, great read, would definitely recommend.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
For more reviews please visit
https://carriesbookreviews.wordpress....
February 22, 2017
Ellen Sutherland has recently been divorced and lives with her two children. Out of the blue she receives a letter from her solicitor informing her she is now the owner of a cottage that has been left to her by a woman known as Eudora Nash. Ellen has never heard of this woman and sets out to find more about her and why she has received such a gift, soon secrets come to light that will explain this strange situation. For a debut novel this really is a captivating read which I thoroughly enjoyed, a complex and suspenseful tale that I highly recommend.
October 31, 2015
I got this on the back of a recommendation and I'm glad I did.
Ellen, a newly divorced mother, receives a letter informing her that she's a recipient of a bequest. A cottage in the west country some distance from her own home. Initially she thinks the whole thing is a joke and dismisses it out of hand. But something about the letter niggles her and she asks her uncle who's living abroad if he's heard the name of the lady who has made the bequest before. Because of his reaction, she becomes intrigued and decides to follow up on the mystery laid out before her.
Years earlier in the late 1960's two school girls were burnt, one killed, by a younger pupil of the same school. A shocking crime that has become infamous over the years. Are the two events inexplicably linked? As Ellen delves deeper into the mystery of the woman and her cottage, events start to unravel from the present and the past that includes a whole cast of characters including her secretive mother.
The book is one of redemption, secrets, past tragedies, abuse and a need to protect. It's a tightly, well plotted, beautifully told storyline that had me engaged from beginning to end. Minett does well to keep the reader guessing, mixing timelines and narratives as the chapters flit by. Guessing the outcome I did do but it didn't detract from the enjoyment of this read. It's a book I recommend and as a debut, thought it was well done. Should there be more, I would definitely read.
Recommended.
My thanks go the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Appreciated.
Ellen, a newly divorced mother, receives a letter informing her that she's a recipient of a bequest. A cottage in the west country some distance from her own home. Initially she thinks the whole thing is a joke and dismisses it out of hand. But something about the letter niggles her and she asks her uncle who's living abroad if he's heard the name of the lady who has made the bequest before. Because of his reaction, she becomes intrigued and decides to follow up on the mystery laid out before her.
Years earlier in the late 1960's two school girls were burnt, one killed, by a younger pupil of the same school. A shocking crime that has become infamous over the years. Are the two events inexplicably linked? As Ellen delves deeper into the mystery of the woman and her cottage, events start to unravel from the present and the past that includes a whole cast of characters including her secretive mother.
The book is one of redemption, secrets, past tragedies, abuse and a need to protect. It's a tightly, well plotted, beautifully told storyline that had me engaged from beginning to end. Minett does well to keep the reader guessing, mixing timelines and narratives as the chapters flit by. Guessing the outcome I did do but it didn't detract from the enjoyment of this read. It's a book I recommend and as a debut, thought it was well done. Should there be more, I would definitely read.
Recommended.
My thanks go the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. Appreciated.
November 5, 2015
A young boy commits a crime in the 60s and in present day, 2008, a newly divorced mother receives a cottage as an inheritance from a woman she has never met. How do these 2 things connect past and present? The book will pull you in from the 1st page. Great read. This was my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more. I would like to thank the publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.
November 6, 2015
1966 John Michael Adams becomes “Every Parent’s Nightmare” following a shocking attack on two young girls.
1974 Peter Vaughan makes a trip which will have life changing consequences for all concerned.
2008 Ellen Harrison receives a letter informing her she’s been bequeathed in Eudora Nash’s will, a woman she has never heard of.
The book pursues these alternating story strands until the dramatic end, with the only initial link being the shady journalist Frank O’Hallaran.
This book draws you in from the first page and keeps you hooked until the last heart stopping gasp at the end. As the stories unravel, they raise as many questions as they answer so that just when you think you’ve grasped the link, another spanner is thrown in the works that puts you back to square one.
The story is well told, the characters believable and despite the horror of some of the actions, they are also sympathetically drawn with a balanced portrayal of their actions. The description page turner is often over used, but for me this was definitely true and if this is a debut novel then I’m already looking forward to the next one.
I happily recommend this book, it has everything, drama, mystery, secrets, lies and tension by the bucketful.
I received an advanced review copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
1974 Peter Vaughan makes a trip which will have life changing consequences for all concerned.
2008 Ellen Harrison receives a letter informing her she’s been bequeathed in Eudora Nash’s will, a woman she has never heard of.
The book pursues these alternating story strands until the dramatic end, with the only initial link being the shady journalist Frank O’Hallaran.
This book draws you in from the first page and keeps you hooked until the last heart stopping gasp at the end. As the stories unravel, they raise as many questions as they answer so that just when you think you’ve grasped the link, another spanner is thrown in the works that puts you back to square one.
The story is well told, the characters believable and despite the horror of some of the actions, they are also sympathetically drawn with a balanced portrayal of their actions. The description page turner is often over used, but for me this was definitely true and if this is a debut novel then I’m already looking forward to the next one.
I happily recommend this book, it has everything, drama, mystery, secrets, lies and tension by the bucketful.
I received an advanced review copy via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
May 25, 2017
Loved this book - a brilliant, heart breaking and yet hopeful story, told with panache. Loved all of the characters. A story of humanity and ordinary people coping with the travesties and tragedies of life.
November 5, 2015
A very intelligent and atmospheric debut novel about the after affects of a terrible crime.
The opening of this book is quite shocking involving a 12 year old boy committing a heinous crime. It then moves forward in the timeline to Ellen who has a phone call informing her that she has been left a cottage in the will of someone she has never met or heard of.
I thought the storyline was one that has been used a few times recently-I have another book on my tbr pile with a similar synopsis-but this was handled with an intelligence and emotion that brought the characters to life. I did work out the connections rather early on (even though I did find some of the early flashbacks rather confusing) and I have to say that i much preferred the 2008 Ellen storyline.
This author will certainly be one to look out for in the future.
I received a copy of the book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
The opening of this book is quite shocking involving a 12 year old boy committing a heinous crime. It then moves forward in the timeline to Ellen who has a phone call informing her that she has been left a cottage in the will of someone she has never met or heard of.
I thought the storyline was one that has been used a few times recently-I have another book on my tbr pile with a similar synopsis-but this was handled with an intelligence and emotion that brought the characters to life. I did work out the connections rather early on (even though I did find some of the early flashbacks rather confusing) and I have to say that i much preferred the 2008 Ellen storyline.
This author will certainly be one to look out for in the future.
I received a copy of the book via netgalley in return for an unbiased review.
February 24, 2019
This is a strong debut novel. It sends you all over the place. I did lose my way part through as couldn’t quite figure that the plot was!
A great angle on what it feels like to be hard done by when the criminal system is against you and don’t see your side of things BUT I did wonder why John Michael didn’t speak his side and that was frustrating.
A great angle on what it feels like to be hard done by when the criminal system is against you and don’t see your side of things BUT I did wonder why John Michael didn’t speak his side and that was frustrating.
November 5, 2015
Every now and again a book really hits all the individual spots that make for a perfect reading experience, this is one of those books!
In 1966 in a school playground in Gloucester, there is a horrific crime committed by a young boy, just eleven years old, be warned this is no gentle opening, it’s a shocker! John Michael Adams was sent to trial and the media went into a frenzy calling him ‘Every Parent’s Nightmare’. As the book continues, we see that this interest never truly fades away, with every related story or supposed sighting of the grown man, causing a re-hash of the crime complete with his picture and his tag-line.
In 2008 Ellen Sutherland, receives a solicitor’s letter from a firm in Cheltenham, some way from her home in West Sussex. Reeling from divorce and busy running a business as well as carrying out the multitude of tasks and pointless conversations that are involved in bringing up two children she is unimpressed that she has to visit the office in person, especially as she has never heard of her benefactor, Eudora Nash. She wants to ask her mother whether she knows who Eudora is, but Barbara is in a home suffering from dementia and so unlikely to be able to solve the mystery.
Ellen travels alone to find out what her legacy is and to her delight it was worth the drive, a beautiful three bedroomed house complete with contents, but she is no closer to finding out why it was left to her. Already puzzled and confused her suspicions are aroused when from stage left a journalist appears on the doorstep. At this point Ellen begins to keep her own secrets and starts her investigation for real. On returning home she recruits her friend Kate for a road trip the two women travel to Gloucestershire to rifle through the old lady’s papers and to talk to the locals.
And if you want to know any more you are going to have to read the book for yourself. Rest assured the plot is devious and sneaky and thoroughly believable. The writing style is engaging, I really didn’t want to put this one down for anyone or anything, there are plenty of red herrings, detours and locations as the action spreads up to Inverness, through Gloucestershire taking in West Sussex on route, and best of all age old secrets that are ultimately uncovered without descending into farce. With the story told from various viewpoints there is a subtle exploration of the shades of grey that reflect real life; there are multiple victims and perpetrators in this novel and sometimes the characters are both. It is a rare book that successfully pulls of the time slip where there is a proper and realistic mystery to be solved and this is an excellent example – a fine, powerful debut that has had me ruminating for days in a book that I don’t think I’ll forget in a hurry.
I am grateful to the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
In 1966 in a school playground in Gloucester, there is a horrific crime committed by a young boy, just eleven years old, be warned this is no gentle opening, it’s a shocker! John Michael Adams was sent to trial and the media went into a frenzy calling him ‘Every Parent’s Nightmare’. As the book continues, we see that this interest never truly fades away, with every related story or supposed sighting of the grown man, causing a re-hash of the crime complete with his picture and his tag-line.
In 2008 Ellen Sutherland, receives a solicitor’s letter from a firm in Cheltenham, some way from her home in West Sussex. Reeling from divorce and busy running a business as well as carrying out the multitude of tasks and pointless conversations that are involved in bringing up two children she is unimpressed that she has to visit the office in person, especially as she has never heard of her benefactor, Eudora Nash. She wants to ask her mother whether she knows who Eudora is, but Barbara is in a home suffering from dementia and so unlikely to be able to solve the mystery.
Ellen travels alone to find out what her legacy is and to her delight it was worth the drive, a beautiful three bedroomed house complete with contents, but she is no closer to finding out why it was left to her. Already puzzled and confused her suspicions are aroused when from stage left a journalist appears on the doorstep. At this point Ellen begins to keep her own secrets and starts her investigation for real. On returning home she recruits her friend Kate for a road trip the two women travel to Gloucestershire to rifle through the old lady’s papers and to talk to the locals.
And if you want to know any more you are going to have to read the book for yourself. Rest assured the plot is devious and sneaky and thoroughly believable. The writing style is engaging, I really didn’t want to put this one down for anyone or anything, there are plenty of red herrings, detours and locations as the action spreads up to Inverness, through Gloucestershire taking in West Sussex on route, and best of all age old secrets that are ultimately uncovered without descending into farce. With the story told from various viewpoints there is a subtle exploration of the shades of grey that reflect real life; there are multiple victims and perpetrators in this novel and sometimes the characters are both. It is a rare book that successfully pulls of the time slip where there is a proper and realistic mystery to be solved and this is an excellent example – a fine, powerful debut that has had me ruminating for days in a book that I don’t think I’ll forget in a hurry.
I am grateful to the publishers for providing me with a copy of this book in return for my honest opinion.
October 23, 2015
More book reviews at www.snazzybooks.com
The Hidden Legacy is a beautifully written, atmopsheric novel which addresses the way in which we view 'children who kill' and the way that one moment can affect the rest of your life, and your family. It centers around Ellen, a single mother of two who finds out, one day out of the blue, that she has a large inheritance from an old lady she never knew. The narrative also switches to tell the story of John Michael Adams, who as a young boy kills two girls at his school. As the novel continues we learn more and more about how their stories intertwine...
I've read a few novels that have a similar premise recently, and found I really enjoy this kind of subject matter. They make you think a little outside of the box; you really think of the way the media portrays (and usually hounds) these child offenders for the rest of their lives, and the fact that, because these people and their families often assume new identities, they could be living amongst us without us knowing!
Graham Minett's writing is amazing; he is very descriptive, including details that don't always seem to contiribute anything in particular to the story, which I understand some readers might find irritating, but I really liked the expressive and flowing way he writes. Another aspect that makes this novel a little different is the fact that it is devoid of any unnecessary drama; there's no ridiculously overdone crescendo, but it didn't need it - I was hooked nevertheless!
Minett has created a real atmsophere throughout this novel, with all sorts of questionable characters, twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes. Therefore I would really recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a well-written mystery with a difference.
** Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review **
The Hidden Legacy is a beautifully written, atmopsheric novel which addresses the way in which we view 'children who kill' and the way that one moment can affect the rest of your life, and your family. It centers around Ellen, a single mother of two who finds out, one day out of the blue, that she has a large inheritance from an old lady she never knew. The narrative also switches to tell the story of John Michael Adams, who as a young boy kills two girls at his school. As the novel continues we learn more and more about how their stories intertwine...
I've read a few novels that have a similar premise recently, and found I really enjoy this kind of subject matter. They make you think a little outside of the box; you really think of the way the media portrays (and usually hounds) these child offenders for the rest of their lives, and the fact that, because these people and their families often assume new identities, they could be living amongst us without us knowing!
Graham Minett's writing is amazing; he is very descriptive, including details that don't always seem to contiribute anything in particular to the story, which I understand some readers might find irritating, but I really liked the expressive and flowing way he writes. Another aspect that makes this novel a little different is the fact that it is devoid of any unnecessary drama; there's no ridiculously overdone crescendo, but it didn't need it - I was hooked nevertheless!
Minett has created a real atmsophere throughout this novel, with all sorts of questionable characters, twists and turns to keep the reader on their toes. Therefore I would really recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a well-written mystery with a difference.
** Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this novel in return for an honest review **
January 13, 2016
Review also posted on my book blog:
http://www.gobookyourself.info/2016/0...
3.5/5
Wow this took me an age to get through. It's one of those novels that time jumps a lot. I read it at a busy time of year and I think this affected my enjoyment of it. I'm not a huge fan of novels that time jump anyway but I found myself constantly flicking back and forth to remind myself of what happened when.
The first chapter is really gripping and I can see why it won an award but I felt that the rest of novel failed to reach that level of suspense again. It trundled along and even though I couldn't say it was boring it still didn't really grip me enough to give me the urge to pick it up again after I had put it down.
I looked forward to reading John's chapters the most but as the book went on I found that his personality was a little diluted. I think I would have preferred him to be a little bitter about everything as it would have been more interesting to read and would have added some much needed suspense.
I know this review may seem negative but I actually did enjoy reading this and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone who doesn't mind a slower paced read.
http://www.gobookyourself.info/2016/0...
3.5/5
Wow this took me an age to get through. It's one of those novels that time jumps a lot. I read it at a busy time of year and I think this affected my enjoyment of it. I'm not a huge fan of novels that time jump anyway but I found myself constantly flicking back and forth to remind myself of what happened when.
The first chapter is really gripping and I can see why it won an award but I felt that the rest of novel failed to reach that level of suspense again. It trundled along and even though I couldn't say it was boring it still didn't really grip me enough to give me the urge to pick it up again after I had put it down.
I looked forward to reading John's chapters the most but as the book went on I found that his personality was a little diluted. I think I would have preferred him to be a little bitter about everything as it would have been more interesting to read and would have added some much needed suspense.
I know this review may seem negative but I actually did enjoy reading this and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to someone who doesn't mind a slower paced read.
September 17, 2015
I was tempted to read this book as the story sounded interesting and I was rewarded with an enjoyable mystery.
The book starts with a hideous crime committed by a young boy in the 1960's. We then move forward to 2008 when Ellen inherits an idyllic cottage and cannot believe her luck.
The story is told from several perspectives, the boy, his father and Ellen. In three different time frames. There are several twists and turns to the story. I have given it 4 instead of 5 stars because I guessed the main twist half way through.
I thought the book was clever in the way it wove the stories together until the end when everything is revealed.
I hope this author writes another book as I will certainly buy it. A very good inital novel.
The book starts with a hideous crime committed by a young boy in the 1960's. We then move forward to 2008 when Ellen inherits an idyllic cottage and cannot believe her luck.
The story is told from several perspectives, the boy, his father and Ellen. In three different time frames. There are several twists and turns to the story. I have given it 4 instead of 5 stars because I guessed the main twist half way through.
I thought the book was clever in the way it wove the stories together until the end when everything is revealed.
I hope this author writes another book as I will certainly buy it. A very good inital novel.
May 6, 2024
Pintaba bien, pero acabé sin saber cuál era el propósito exacto de la historia Nos encontramos con una trama en la que se intenta ir fusionando varios sucesos, unos del presente y otros del pasado. Inicialmente, no se desvela cuál es la conexión entre unos y otros, pero solo una de las partes despierta interés.
Por un lado, el libro nos presenta a John Michael Adams, un adolescente que en la década de los 60 roció con combustible a dos compañeras de clase y les prendió fuego. Semejante ataque conmocionó a la sociedad e hizo que todos se preguntarán qué podían hacer con un chico que comete un acto así. Las primeras páginas relacionadas con esto consiguen que quieras saber qué fue de John y que te preguntes qué le hizo llegar a tales extremos. Sin embargo, luego queda totalmente relegado. Hay capítulos que muestran lo que otros personajes pensaban o el provecho que un periodista quiso sacar de él, pero solo en la recta final tenemos su testimonio directo. Lo que estos otros personajes aportan está narrado con cierto caos, nos centramos más en sus ambiciones y preocupaciones personales que en John Michael en sí.
Por otro lado, en el año 2008 tenemos a Ellen, una mujer recientemente divorciada y con dos hijos que recibe como herencia una casa en el campo. Lo llamativo es que no conoce de nada a Eudora Nash, que es quien le ha dejado este legado a su nombre. Los capítulos enfocados en este asunto atrapan más, pero llega un punto en el que ya cansa ver que apenas se dan avances relevantes. Además, a mí por lo menos me exasperaba la pasividad de Ellen a la hora de investigar quién era Eudora Nash.
La trama se desarrolla con una lentitud exagerada. Los hechos realmente importantes se pueden contar con los dedos de una mano. No hay tensión ni se percibe que para Ellen sea peligroso recibir esa herencia. Y de John Michael, como lo que vemos son las vivencias de otros personajes, pues tampoco es que ese tema impacte. Si no fuera porque quería saber quién era Eudora, hubiera abandonado la lectura, ya que me aburría soberanamente en muchas páginas.
No es necesario tener un inglés increíblemente alto para entender esta novela, aunque tampoco diría que es suficiente un nivel básico. Lo peor es su extensión, ya que son casi 450 páginas y podríamos eliminar la mitad. Leer algo tedioso en un idioma que no es el tuyo es un reto porque la paciencia es menor. No le doy la mínima puntuación porque lo del testamento mantuvo mi atención durante varios capítulos. Lo que no entiendo es si el autor me quería hablar del bullying, de los dramas familiares o de la capacidad de redención o de perdón del ser humano. Todos estos aspectos se tocan muy superficialmente y por eso creo que no puedes llegar a reflexionar correctamente sobre ninguno.
Desde mi punto de vista, es una lectura olvidable. El final deja cerrados todos los interrogantes, pero es apresurado y cuesta aceptar que determinados personajes no se queden más en shock cuando descubren la verdad.
Por un lado, el libro nos presenta a John Michael Adams, un adolescente que en la década de los 60 roció con combustible a dos compañeras de clase y les prendió fuego. Semejante ataque conmocionó a la sociedad e hizo que todos se preguntarán qué podían hacer con un chico que comete un acto así. Las primeras páginas relacionadas con esto consiguen que quieras saber qué fue de John y que te preguntes qué le hizo llegar a tales extremos. Sin embargo, luego queda totalmente relegado. Hay capítulos que muestran lo que otros personajes pensaban o el provecho que un periodista quiso sacar de él, pero solo en la recta final tenemos su testimonio directo. Lo que estos otros personajes aportan está narrado con cierto caos, nos centramos más en sus ambiciones y preocupaciones personales que en John Michael en sí.
Por otro lado, en el año 2008 tenemos a Ellen, una mujer recientemente divorciada y con dos hijos que recibe como herencia una casa en el campo. Lo llamativo es que no conoce de nada a Eudora Nash, que es quien le ha dejado este legado a su nombre. Los capítulos enfocados en este asunto atrapan más, pero llega un punto en el que ya cansa ver que apenas se dan avances relevantes. Además, a mí por lo menos me exasperaba la pasividad de Ellen a la hora de investigar quién era Eudora Nash.
La trama se desarrolla con una lentitud exagerada. Los hechos realmente importantes se pueden contar con los dedos de una mano. No hay tensión ni se percibe que para Ellen sea peligroso recibir esa herencia. Y de John Michael, como lo que vemos son las vivencias de otros personajes, pues tampoco es que ese tema impacte. Si no fuera porque quería saber quién era Eudora, hubiera abandonado la lectura, ya que me aburría soberanamente en muchas páginas.
No es necesario tener un inglés increíblemente alto para entender esta novela, aunque tampoco diría que es suficiente un nivel básico. Lo peor es su extensión, ya que son casi 450 páginas y podríamos eliminar la mitad. Leer algo tedioso en un idioma que no es el tuyo es un reto porque la paciencia es menor. No le doy la mínima puntuación porque lo del testamento mantuvo mi atención durante varios capítulos. Lo que no entiendo es si el autor me quería hablar del bullying, de los dramas familiares o de la capacidad de redención o de perdón del ser humano. Todos estos aspectos se tocan muy superficialmente y por eso creo que no puedes llegar a reflexionar correctamente sobre ninguno.
Desde mi punto de vista, es una lectura olvidable. El final deja cerrados todos los interrogantes, pero es apresurado y cuesta aceptar que determinados personajes no se queden más en shock cuando descubren la verdad.
February 6, 2017
What a fascinating psychological thriller this is! An eleven-year-old boy bullied by two girls decides to get his revenge by challenging them in the school's playground and setting fire to them. One lives, heavily burned, the other, Julie, dies. A reporter, relentless in his search for the father of the boy who had gone into hiding after the trial. The reporter needs both father and son to complete his story about the boy's cruelty. A divorced woman with two children, receiving an inheritance from an old lady she has never met before: a beautiful Cotswold cottage. Why should someone she does not know gift her Primrose Cottage? What are the hidden secrets?
It is November 1966 when John Michael decides to get even with the two 14-year-old girls that are bullying him: he walks into the school's playground to take revenge in the most horrible way you could imagine by throwing petrol all over them before setting them alight. The other children are horrified as John Michael walks away calmly. The media is hysterical and the reports of the trial are sensational; there is not a soul in Britain who hasn't heard of John Michael and his father. The father struggles to cope with what his son has done and how to live on after such a terrible event. How do you get on with your life and can you find a place to live in peace? That is what the rest of John Michael's father's life will turn out to be: a daily coming to terms with the acts of his son and the consequences of that act on his and his son's life. It is only after many years and as many chapters that we fully discover the truth and the impact of what happened.
More than 40 years later Ellen receives a letter which holds a request to contact a firm of Solicitors. Ellen, a single mother of 10-year-old Megan and 8-year-old Harry, is the manager of Langmere Grove Holiday Park in West-Sussex. She has always had a difficult relationship with her mother who is now living in a care home due to dementia. Is it because her mother was also a single parent? Ellen has no idea who her father is or what happened to him. The contents of the letter relate to the last will of Eudora Jane Nash who has left her lovely Cotswolds house Primrose Cottage in Oakham to Ellen. Ellen is perplexed. Why did the old lady leave her a home? They were not related, nor had they ever met. In fact, Eudora Jane Nash is a complete stranger to Ellen. It gets even more intriguing when Ellen, upon entering Primrose Cottage for the first time, receives a visitor who is obviously lying. He turns out to be a reporter named O'Halloran.
What is O'Halloran looking for and why is he so insistent? He is desperate for information which he hopes will be revealed somewhere within the papers belonging to the late Eudora Nash. But Ellen has no idea what he is talking about nor, for that matter, what the connection is between her and Eudora Nash. Was she perhaps a friend of her mother's? Perhaps Sam knows it, the owner of Langmere Grove, who is like a father to Ellen. He and his wife Mary took in Ellen's mother and helped her raise Ellen. But when asked, Sam is clearly unwilling to tell Ellen anything about Eudora. Ellen knows Sam is keeping something from her. She is determined to find out and for that matter, to discover who Eudora was and why she left her home to Ellen. Then we are set back to the 1970s where a Professor is one of the few who offers "unfailing controversial support" to John Michael by helping him to start a new life after his imprisonment.
Who is this Professor? What is his motive in helping the boy who has been condemned by the world? His father tried to stay away to be able to build a life in peace after having been harassed by the media, in particular, O'Halloran. He even took on a new name, Martin Adams. Even though Martin Adams did his best to stay hidden, O'Halloran was able to find him and disturb his life once again. And now O'Halloran is pestering Ellen. Apparently, he is still not satisfied with everything he has found out and needs more but to what purpose? To feel important? Ellen is determined to find out what is going on and, if necessary, to confront Sam. She has taken Eudora's laptop with her - but it reveals no significant information and is yet again a dead end. Will she come to learn the connection between herself and Eudora - and will we, the readers, discover how it is all intertwined with the life of the man who performed the gruesome act aged eleven?
The Hidden Legacy is a fascinating and intriguing read that kept me captivated until the touching end. It has all the ingredients which I love in a book: a murder and a mystery, a legacy, and unknown connections between people and events waiting to be solved. Graham Minett has cunningly woven a tale of tragedy, of cause and consequence. It was a very pleasant read although, in the end, you will have to put some of the pieces of this puzzle together as the author has left a few things to the reader's imagination. I loved reading about Ellen. Let's face it, wouldn't we all be thrilled when we were bequeathed a beautiful Cotswold cottage? Although it sets out with a horrific event, the book tells us a complex story of friendship, of redemption and the bond between parents and their children while even touching the subject of nurture and nature. It is a compelling and gripping read that, strange as it might sound, is at the same time uplifting.
This review is posted on my website where you can also find the links to the book and information on the author: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/the-hi...
It is November 1966 when John Michael decides to get even with the two 14-year-old girls that are bullying him: he walks into the school's playground to take revenge in the most horrible way you could imagine by throwing petrol all over them before setting them alight. The other children are horrified as John Michael walks away calmly. The media is hysterical and the reports of the trial are sensational; there is not a soul in Britain who hasn't heard of John Michael and his father. The father struggles to cope with what his son has done and how to live on after such a terrible event. How do you get on with your life and can you find a place to live in peace? That is what the rest of John Michael's father's life will turn out to be: a daily coming to terms with the acts of his son and the consequences of that act on his and his son's life. It is only after many years and as many chapters that we fully discover the truth and the impact of what happened.
More than 40 years later Ellen receives a letter which holds a request to contact a firm of Solicitors. Ellen, a single mother of 10-year-old Megan and 8-year-old Harry, is the manager of Langmere Grove Holiday Park in West-Sussex. She has always had a difficult relationship with her mother who is now living in a care home due to dementia. Is it because her mother was also a single parent? Ellen has no idea who her father is or what happened to him. The contents of the letter relate to the last will of Eudora Jane Nash who has left her lovely Cotswolds house Primrose Cottage in Oakham to Ellen. Ellen is perplexed. Why did the old lady leave her a home? They were not related, nor had they ever met. In fact, Eudora Jane Nash is a complete stranger to Ellen. It gets even more intriguing when Ellen, upon entering Primrose Cottage for the first time, receives a visitor who is obviously lying. He turns out to be a reporter named O'Halloran.
What is O'Halloran looking for and why is he so insistent? He is desperate for information which he hopes will be revealed somewhere within the papers belonging to the late Eudora Nash. But Ellen has no idea what he is talking about nor, for that matter, what the connection is between her and Eudora Nash. Was she perhaps a friend of her mother's? Perhaps Sam knows it, the owner of Langmere Grove, who is like a father to Ellen. He and his wife Mary took in Ellen's mother and helped her raise Ellen. But when asked, Sam is clearly unwilling to tell Ellen anything about Eudora. Ellen knows Sam is keeping something from her. She is determined to find out and for that matter, to discover who Eudora was and why she left her home to Ellen. Then we are set back to the 1970s where a Professor is one of the few who offers "unfailing controversial support" to John Michael by helping him to start a new life after his imprisonment.
Who is this Professor? What is his motive in helping the boy who has been condemned by the world? His father tried to stay away to be able to build a life in peace after having been harassed by the media, in particular, O'Halloran. He even took on a new name, Martin Adams. Even though Martin Adams did his best to stay hidden, O'Halloran was able to find him and disturb his life once again. And now O'Halloran is pestering Ellen. Apparently, he is still not satisfied with everything he has found out and needs more but to what purpose? To feel important? Ellen is determined to find out what is going on and, if necessary, to confront Sam. She has taken Eudora's laptop with her - but it reveals no significant information and is yet again a dead end. Will she come to learn the connection between herself and Eudora - and will we, the readers, discover how it is all intertwined with the life of the man who performed the gruesome act aged eleven?
The Hidden Legacy is a fascinating and intriguing read that kept me captivated until the touching end. It has all the ingredients which I love in a book: a murder and a mystery, a legacy, and unknown connections between people and events waiting to be solved. Graham Minett has cunningly woven a tale of tragedy, of cause and consequence. It was a very pleasant read although, in the end, you will have to put some of the pieces of this puzzle together as the author has left a few things to the reader's imagination. I loved reading about Ellen. Let's face it, wouldn't we all be thrilled when we were bequeathed a beautiful Cotswold cottage? Although it sets out with a horrific event, the book tells us a complex story of friendship, of redemption and the bond between parents and their children while even touching the subject of nurture and nature. It is a compelling and gripping read that, strange as it might sound, is at the same time uplifting.
This review is posted on my website where you can also find the links to the book and information on the author: https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/the-hi...
February 6, 2016
I would like to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest and open review.
I couldn't believe it when I realised this was Mr Minett's first novel. The writing style was so polished. In fact everything about this book was superb.
Although it moves from the present to the past it is done so seemlessly, with no confusion, as so often happens.
I read this book in just over a day. I was immediately drawn to the characters and their stories.
I went through a range of emotions, from feeling sad (and shedding a few tears) to feeling outraged.
I was intrigued by the Eudora/Ellen story and couldn't work out the connection between them.
The final reveal was a true OMG moment. Never in a million years would I have worked it out.
I loved this psychological thriller and can't wait to read more from the very talented Mr Minett.
I couldn't believe it when I realised this was Mr Minett's first novel. The writing style was so polished. In fact everything about this book was superb.
Although it moves from the present to the past it is done so seemlessly, with no confusion, as so often happens.
I read this book in just over a day. I was immediately drawn to the characters and their stories.
I went through a range of emotions, from feeling sad (and shedding a few tears) to feeling outraged.
I was intrigued by the Eudora/Ellen story and couldn't work out the connection between them.
The final reveal was a true OMG moment. Never in a million years would I have worked it out.
I loved this psychological thriller and can't wait to read more from the very talented Mr Minett.
Read
March 1, 2019I really, really liked the premise of this book. While the plot and resulting action didn't kick in as fast as I'd normally like, I did enjoy The Hidden Legacy in the end.
The character development of Ellen was done very well and it worked really well to have Ellen be a divorced mother. It is beautifully written and thought provoking, although the time jumping did slow the novel down and was even a little bit confusing at times. I'll certainly look out for GJ Minett in future. Great debut.
The character development of Ellen was done very well and it worked really well to have Ellen be a divorced mother. It is beautifully written and thought provoking, although the time jumping did slow the novel down and was even a little bit confusing at times. I'll certainly look out for GJ Minett in future. Great debut.
October 12, 2015
ARC - 5 stars.
January 14, 2016
The Hidden Legacy was more than satisfying. The novel opens with a disturbing crime being committed by a young boy. The trial and the aftermath leave ripples over the surface of many lives.
Forty years later, Ellen Sutherland receives a letter from a solicitor telling her that she is mentioned in the will of a woman Ellen has never heard of. At first reluctant to even call to see what is going on, Ellen decides to make the journey to find out more. Eudora Nash, a complete stranger, has left her home Primrose Cottage to Ellen.
The property is very valuable, and Ellen's first visit results in her falling in love with the cottage and realizing that a visitor is there under false pretences. One secret after another is gradually uncovered as the events move back and forth in time.
Sometimes the alternating time sequences were frustrating because I would get so involved in one of the stories and have to abruptly switch to the next--in which I would become utterly involved. The prologue is particularly difficult because of the horrifying crime, but after that the psychological suspense kept me riveted as the layers unfolded in both past and present.
Minett manages to add information a little at a time in keeping with Ellen's increasing interest in the secrets behind her bequest. The alternating time passages are skillfully handled, and I'm happy to find a new author who can hold my interest while keeping me guessing!
Goodreads/Bonnier Publishing
Psychological Suspense. 2015. Print version: 448 pages.
Forty years later, Ellen Sutherland receives a letter from a solicitor telling her that she is mentioned in the will of a woman Ellen has never heard of. At first reluctant to even call to see what is going on, Ellen decides to make the journey to find out more. Eudora Nash, a complete stranger, has left her home Primrose Cottage to Ellen.
The property is very valuable, and Ellen's first visit results in her falling in love with the cottage and realizing that a visitor is there under false pretences. One secret after another is gradually uncovered as the events move back and forth in time.
Sometimes the alternating time sequences were frustrating because I would get so involved in one of the stories and have to abruptly switch to the next--in which I would become utterly involved. The prologue is particularly difficult because of the horrifying crime, but after that the psychological suspense kept me riveted as the layers unfolded in both past and present.
Minett manages to add information a little at a time in keeping with Ellen's increasing interest in the secrets behind her bequest. The alternating time passages are skillfully handled, and I'm happy to find a new author who can hold my interest while keeping me guessing!
Goodreads/Bonnier Publishing
Psychological Suspense. 2015. Print version: 448 pages.
December 10, 2019
An absorbing mystery about Ellen who inherits a Cotswold cottage from a stranger. Running in parallel to this strand of the story are flashbacks to a schoolboy who murdered two other children in the school playground in the late 1960s. Gradually the two threads weave together.
The novel was well written, with gentle characterisation and occasional, light humour. I would definitely read another book by this author.
The novel was well written, with gentle characterisation and occasional, light humour. I would definitely read another book by this author.
May 27, 2022
2 stars
This is not a thriller. It is a looong story about a family. By the end I couldn't really care about any of them, I just wanted to be done.
The book is actually a family drama and should I have known that I would not have chosen to invest my time and read it.
This is not a thriller. It is a looong story about a family. By the end I couldn't really care about any of them, I just wanted to be done.
The book is actually a family drama and should I have known that I would not have chosen to invest my time and read it.
December 29, 2015
I found this book really really boring. Not a psychological thriller, not a page turner, I did not care for any of the characters.
September 2, 2017
The Hidden Legacy is an excellent debut novel by Graham Minett and one that I wish I'd found about sooner.
John Michael Adams is just a young boy at secondary school in the 60's when he commits a heinous crime in the school playground. During the trial the media took to calling him "Every Parents Nightmare" and it became one of those stories that no-one ever really forgets, and which the press resurrect at every given opportunity.
Fast forward to 2008 and we meet Ellen Sutherland, recently divorced with two children and busy trying to find the right work/life balance. When she receives a letter from a solicitor asking her to get in touch, she almost dismisses it but then curiosity gets the better of her. The result is she has inherited a chocolate-box cottage in The Cotswolds. Primrose Cottage belonged to Eudora Nash and Ellen has never heard of her, so why would she leave her this beautiful cottage? With her mother having dementia and not knowing the identity of her father, Ellen decides to do some research to try and find out more about her mystery benefactor.
It's not long before Ellen realises that someone else is also interested in Eudora's history but how is this all connected to her?
You're probably thinking that this is a story that sounds familiar, person X receives a letter telling them about an inheritance etc, etc, but take it from me, you'll be hard pushed to find one that's as well written, gripping and full of twists and turns as The Hidden Legacy.
The prologue is one of those that has you literally holding your breath and it's easy to see how Minett won the Chapter One competition in 2010, with what would eventually become this exceptionally written debut novel. The writing is intelligent and beautifully descriptive in parts and the story is a complex one but the execution is flawless resulting in a fluid transition between the past and present.
Examining how society feels and treats child killers, even years after the event and justice has been served is a brave subject to tackle and the way that the book is constructed makes for compelling reading. As much as I was eager to find out exactly how Eudora was connected to Ellen I also wanted/needed to know more John Michael Adams to find out what had pushed him to the place that would cause him to perform his hideous act.
I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers, mysteries, crime. . . . . . actually just to anyone who reads! It's a fantastic book and it deserves to get more recognition, along with the author himself. If you're looking for something to read then I urge you to give The Hidden Legacy a try, I'm sure you'll love it!
John Michael Adams is just a young boy at secondary school in the 60's when he commits a heinous crime in the school playground. During the trial the media took to calling him "Every Parents Nightmare" and it became one of those stories that no-one ever really forgets, and which the press resurrect at every given opportunity.
Fast forward to 2008 and we meet Ellen Sutherland, recently divorced with two children and busy trying to find the right work/life balance. When she receives a letter from a solicitor asking her to get in touch, she almost dismisses it but then curiosity gets the better of her. The result is she has inherited a chocolate-box cottage in The Cotswolds. Primrose Cottage belonged to Eudora Nash and Ellen has never heard of her, so why would she leave her this beautiful cottage? With her mother having dementia and not knowing the identity of her father, Ellen decides to do some research to try and find out more about her mystery benefactor.
It's not long before Ellen realises that someone else is also interested in Eudora's history but how is this all connected to her?
You're probably thinking that this is a story that sounds familiar, person X receives a letter telling them about an inheritance etc, etc, but take it from me, you'll be hard pushed to find one that's as well written, gripping and full of twists and turns as The Hidden Legacy.
The prologue is one of those that has you literally holding your breath and it's easy to see how Minett won the Chapter One competition in 2010, with what would eventually become this exceptionally written debut novel. The writing is intelligent and beautifully descriptive in parts and the story is a complex one but the execution is flawless resulting in a fluid transition between the past and present.
Examining how society feels and treats child killers, even years after the event and justice has been served is a brave subject to tackle and the way that the book is constructed makes for compelling reading. As much as I was eager to find out exactly how Eudora was connected to Ellen I also wanted/needed to know more John Michael Adams to find out what had pushed him to the place that would cause him to perform his hideous act.
I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys thrillers, mysteries, crime. . . . . . actually just to anyone who reads! It's a fantastic book and it deserves to get more recognition, along with the author himself. If you're looking for something to read then I urge you to give The Hidden Legacy a try, I'm sure you'll love it!
November 5, 2020
Reviewed for http://theereaderjunkie.wordpress.com
– Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review –
This is the first novel written by this author, I’d never heard about it before I requested it, and I’m so glad I chose to do so because it was a real discovery.
In this superbly written story, you’ll find nothing too overdone : apart from the beginning – the plot starts with a 12 year-old boy setting 2 school girls on fire, there is no excessive drama, you don’t gasp all the time, no, nothing like that. It just gets underneath your skin and doesn’t let you go until you finish it.
The book is more about how such an act can influence people’s life, the family of the victims, but also the one of that young murderer, and how secrets come to be unfolded, alter lives on several generations.
You don’t really get into the characters’ psyche, but the author’s way of delivering small pieces of information here and there, in slight touches, has a wonderful way of grabbing you and keeping you wanting to know more.
This novel also deals about the media’s sensational approach to that type of affairs, labelling people, drawing out the goriest details, everything to shock the public and capture their audience’s attention as opposed to simply care about the truth and people’s feelings.
I loved the understated tone of this book, the beautiful way it was written and how it made me reluctant to put it down whenever I had to. I do hope the author will deliver us another jewel like this !
Highly recommended.
Quote :
“She watched closely as Ellen ran her fingers along the bottom line of the sheet. There was a pause when she reached the name. A brief pause. There might even have been a slight shake of the head as she licked her finger ans transferred the sheet to the bottom of the pile. Otherwise, there was nothing to suggest her life had just changed for ever.
Not a thing.”
– Received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review –
This is the first novel written by this author, I’d never heard about it before I requested it, and I’m so glad I chose to do so because it was a real discovery.
In this superbly written story, you’ll find nothing too overdone : apart from the beginning – the plot starts with a 12 year-old boy setting 2 school girls on fire, there is no excessive drama, you don’t gasp all the time, no, nothing like that. It just gets underneath your skin and doesn’t let you go until you finish it.
The book is more about how such an act can influence people’s life, the family of the victims, but also the one of that young murderer, and how secrets come to be unfolded, alter lives on several generations.
You don’t really get into the characters’ psyche, but the author’s way of delivering small pieces of information here and there, in slight touches, has a wonderful way of grabbing you and keeping you wanting to know more.
This novel also deals about the media’s sensational approach to that type of affairs, labelling people, drawing out the goriest details, everything to shock the public and capture their audience’s attention as opposed to simply care about the truth and people’s feelings.
I loved the understated tone of this book, the beautiful way it was written and how it made me reluctant to put it down whenever I had to. I do hope the author will deliver us another jewel like this !
Highly recommended.
Quote :
“She watched closely as Ellen ran her fingers along the bottom line of the sheet. There was a pause when she reached the name. A brief pause. There might even have been a slight shake of the head as she licked her finger ans transferred the sheet to the bottom of the pile. Otherwise, there was nothing to suggest her life had just changed for ever.
Not a thing.”
January 16, 2016
Bonnier Publishing Fiction and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
In November 1966, 12 year old John Michael Adams decides to take matters into his own hands, after being wronged by two girls. More than 40 years later, Ellen Sutherland (Harrison) receives a mysterious letter from solicitors regarding the will of Eudora Nash. Inheriting a cottage and property from someone she does not know, Ellen takes it upon herself to learn more about her generous benefactor. What Ellen uncovers leads to more questions, with the potential to have a huge impact on her life and on those around her.
The Hidden Legacy is told in multiple viewpoints with a constant change in time. Although I found the documents from Eudora to be a great way to convey the past, I felt that the switch between John Michael's and Ellen's timelines to be too distracting. All is explained eventually, but the lack of continuity took away from the central focus of the book. The story itself has a good pace, including an interesting premise and well defined characters. John Michael's background is very compelling, so I wish the author had been able to reveal its contents in such a way as to provide the character some redemption. My favorite character is Ellen, especially in regards to the backbone she shows when things are just not adding up. For a book of approximately 400 pages, The Hidden Legacy is relatively a quick read. I look forward to exploring more of this author's works in the future.
In November 1966, 12 year old John Michael Adams decides to take matters into his own hands, after being wronged by two girls. More than 40 years later, Ellen Sutherland (Harrison) receives a mysterious letter from solicitors regarding the will of Eudora Nash. Inheriting a cottage and property from someone she does not know, Ellen takes it upon herself to learn more about her generous benefactor. What Ellen uncovers leads to more questions, with the potential to have a huge impact on her life and on those around her.
The Hidden Legacy is told in multiple viewpoints with a constant change in time. Although I found the documents from Eudora to be a great way to convey the past, I felt that the switch between John Michael's and Ellen's timelines to be too distracting. All is explained eventually, but the lack of continuity took away from the central focus of the book. The story itself has a good pace, including an interesting premise and well defined characters. John Michael's background is very compelling, so I wish the author had been able to reveal its contents in such a way as to provide the character some redemption. My favorite character is Ellen, especially in regards to the backbone she shows when things are just not adding up. For a book of approximately 400 pages, The Hidden Legacy is relatively a quick read. I look forward to exploring more of this author's works in the future.
November 28, 2015
There are very few books to have gripped me by the arms from start to finish, but this is one of them. The characters are all very distinct, clear and bold, none merging together, making them easy to distinguish between and remember separately. The scenery and details written by Minett are another subject altogether, so vivid and atmospheric, I felt the cold, the snow, the rain and the wind whenever it appeared; smelt the coffee, tasted the food; the cottage I wanted to travel to and search, to sit by the fire so I could watch the story unfold. This is a beautifully written novel, holding no bias towards the difficult issue it is centred around, just cleverly presented for the reader to experience whatever emotions may arise during their time within the folds of this book, provoking much thought. I enjoyed this novel immensely, so eager was I to find out what happened at the end, I felt like the handbrake was pulled on sharply as I skidded towards the conclusion. The entire story and atmospherics produced by the author have stayed with me since, a book I will never forget.
October 25, 2015
'Every Parent's Nightmare!' - a boy of eleven who goes to school & sets fire to two girls, killing them both.
A recently divorces mother of two suddenly left a cottage by someone she has never heard of.
What is the connection? I loved this book & couldn't put it down. It is written in an easy style and shows that there are more behind the headlines than the media would lead us to believe. Ellen's search for the story behind her benefactor and the connected between them and the boy is skillfully done and keeps the pages turning. In many ways it is a very sad story but with some hint of a happy ending.
Thanks to Netgallery for this excellent five star read. I'll be looking out for more by Graham Minett
A recently divorces mother of two suddenly left a cottage by someone she has never heard of.
What is the connection? I loved this book & couldn't put it down. It is written in an easy style and shows that there are more behind the headlines than the media would lead us to believe. Ellen's search for the story behind her benefactor and the connected between them and the boy is skillfully done and keeps the pages turning. In many ways it is a very sad story but with some hint of a happy ending.
Thanks to Netgallery for this excellent five star read. I'll be looking out for more by Graham Minett
November 24, 2015
This is an excellent book, with superb writing and a wonderfully deep and thought-provoking story. I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good mystery. The characters came to life and I found myself enthralled by their stories, and my eyes teared up on at least a couple of occasions. Ms. Nash's letters to Ellen particularly caught my attention and I could not put the book down during those portions. My only regret is that I purchased the digital version rather than waiting for the paperback. I think I would have greatly enjoyed making notes in the margin and using a highlighter on especially poignant lines, which doesn't translate as well on the Kindle version. I look forward to other books by this obviously talented author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews