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Armstrong House #3
The Legacy of Armstrong House
Secrets, Love, Lies, Murder – the legacy passes through the generations
2017 – At Armstrong House, Kate and Nico Collins are looking forward to a bright future with their young son Cian. When archaeologist Daniel Byrne arrives in the area to investigate life there during the Great Famine, he soon crosses paths with Kate. Through Daniel’s work, Kate is horrified todiscover that a vicious sexual assault occurred in their home in the 1860s when the occupants were Nico’s ancestors Lord Edward and his wife Lady Anna. Kate sets out to use all her investigative skills to discover the circumstances of the crime, the identity of the victim and the guilty party.
1860s – After Lawrence, the long-awaited heir to the Armstrong Estate, is born Lord Edward and Lady Anna take great joy in watching him grow up. But somebody else is watching – Edward’s cousin Sinclair who has always felt cheated of the Armstrong legacy by the unexpected birth of Lawrence. As Anna’s past comes back to haunt her, life at the house is a tangled web of deceit, blackmail and betrayal that shatters in the summer of 1865.
2017 – As Kate’s detective work edges closer to discovering the truth behind the assault, she and Daniel uncover a mystery that goes much deeper. Kate realises that if the truth is ever revealed it will not only destroy the legacy of the Armstrong family but also her marriage to Nico.
434 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 10, 2017
875 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
A. O'Connor
22 books102 followersA. O'Connor is the bestselling author of The House, The Secrets of Armstrong House, The Left Handed Marriage and The Footman. A graduate in History and English from the National University of Ireland Maynooth and Trinity College Dublin, the author has contributed to two collections of short stories in aid of Barnardos Charity and played a key role in A.M.D's Fighting Blindness campaign. The House has been translated into German and the Russian edition is due for publication in 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
February 4, 2018
I love A O Connor's books and they are an automatic buy for me. This is the third in what appears to be a series about Armstrong House. It is helpful to read the first two but you could also read this as a story on it's own.
In the present we have Kate and Nico Collins and their son Cian. They now own Armstrong House. Nico is an Armstrong descendant. Kate is very into the history of the house and has already made a film about it, The Secrets of Armstrong House, (which is the title of the second book in the series) and is now contemplating another one.
In the past we have Anna and Edward and their son Laurence who live in the house. Edward's cousin Sinclair, works for Edward managing the estate. He is married to Dinah Hunter and they have a son Harry and live in nearby Hunter's Lodge. They are very resentful of the fact that they are the poor relations and plot and plan a way to get their hands on the estate.
What follows is a story that shows what the Aristocracy was really like in the day. The things they did and the things they accepted just to keep up a front and not 'disgrace the family name', was incredible. The story twists and turns and twists again. This, the past story, was my favorite part.
In the present day we have a marriage that is going through a rocky patch. Then Kate's sister turns up unannounced and adds fuel to the fire. There is a real twist at the end of this part which I didn't see coming at all which was great.
There were one or two little niggles. If anything things ironed out a bit too easily in both eras. There was a side story about a maid which for me just petered out. I thought that could have been developed a bit more.
Also in this edition there were quite a few typos which irritated me when reading.
A great read though and I would recommend it. Even though I said it could be a stand alone, it would enhance the experience if the books were read in order.
In the present we have Kate and Nico Collins and their son Cian. They now own Armstrong House. Nico is an Armstrong descendant. Kate is very into the history of the house and has already made a film about it, The Secrets of Armstrong House, (which is the title of the second book in the series) and is now contemplating another one.
In the past we have Anna and Edward and their son Laurence who live in the house. Edward's cousin Sinclair, works for Edward managing the estate. He is married to Dinah Hunter and they have a son Harry and live in nearby Hunter's Lodge. They are very resentful of the fact that they are the poor relations and plot and plan a way to get their hands on the estate.
What follows is a story that shows what the Aristocracy was really like in the day. The things they did and the things they accepted just to keep up a front and not 'disgrace the family name', was incredible. The story twists and turns and twists again. This, the past story, was my favorite part.
In the present day we have a marriage that is going through a rocky patch. Then Kate's sister turns up unannounced and adds fuel to the fire. There is a real twist at the end of this part which I didn't see coming at all which was great.
There were one or two little niggles. If anything things ironed out a bit too easily in both eras. There was a side story about a maid which for me just petered out. I thought that could have been developed a bit more.
Also in this edition there were quite a few typos which irritated me when reading.
A great read though and I would recommend it. Even though I said it could be a stand alone, it would enhance the experience if the books were read in order.
July 5, 2019
This was the third and final book in the Armstrong House series and it was a great ending to a terrific family saga. This book centers on the first two occupants of the house Lord Edward and his wife Lady Anna and their son and heir to the estate Lawrence in the early 1800's. The story unfolds as you follow the actions of a couple, in present day, who have done one documentary about the house and are considering another, but find out about a highly held secret in the family and can't decide if it's best left untold or should they go ahead with filming and possibly change the course of the family name and it's history. Lord Edward and Lady Anna become concerned when they are unable to conceive an heir, until many years later Lawrence is born. As he grows and is being primed to handle the estate a scandalous sexual assault happens in the house and it becomes a whodunit. The book is full of twists and turns and just when I thought I had it all figured out, something else came to light and I was once again stumped. This book kept me on the edge of my seat and I just couldn't put it down. The whole series was terrific and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes a good historical fiction read, a book with many twists and turns with a shocker or two thrown in or anyone who likes a great family saga. I was sorry to see it end. I've really come to enjoy this author's writing, his characters are fresh and real, they come to life on the page and some are kind and lovable, while others are nasty and hateful. The descriptions of the house made me feel like I was right there inside the ballroom and parlor. I've just recently discovered his books and have already read 5 of them and plan on reading many more. His stories are real, they're heart grabbing and interesting. I highly recommend this series, you won't be sorry!
January 6, 2019
A.O'Connor does it again. Another fantastic installment centered around Armstrong House. I couldn't put this down,. Story telling at it's best!!
May 25, 2020
Really enjoyed this trilogy and would definitely recommend
Dual timeline with many twists and turns!
Dual timeline with many twists and turns!
September 17, 2018
This is the 3rd book of the series and I just could not put it down .Like the other 2 books in the series you were drawn into the book and could picture all the characters . From modern day back to 1800,s the books had you wondering what was going to happen next . Hoping that the characters that you had fallen in love with survived all the turmoil .
I had not heard of this Author before I read these books but I will be reading many more books of his .Brilliant author .
I had not heard of this Author before I read these books but I will be reading many more books of his .Brilliant author .
January 27, 2019
While this book was the best of the series, I nearly docked a star off the rating just because of the completely and totally incorrect DNA explanation (autosomal cannot tell you "direct descendants," especially from 3rd great grandparents ago, author should have used Y DNA to explain the connection), which was a massive error and distracted me from the entire ending of the book.
January 6, 2018
So I'm at the Dublin Airport and realize my phone battery won't last until I get back to Toronto. I go into WH Smith and see this book. It sounds interesting so I buy it. Well, I started it while waiting to board my flight and finished it as we were landing in Toronto. It was freaking amazing. It was also the second in a series but reading the first wasn't required although I do want to read it.
Kate and Nico Collins live in his ancestral home, Armstrong House. To maintain it they run tours and Kate did a docudrama about one of Nico's notorious ancestors. Now archaeologist, Daniel Byrne, appears. He is excavating a mass famine grave in the area and is interested in the Armstrong family as Lady Anna Armstrong was a major benefactor of the victims who lived on her husband's estate. Also appearing is Valerie, Kate's problem child sister. She is a drunk, a liar and a thief but hey, she's family.
The book also moves into the 1800s and explores the life of Lady Anna, her husband, Sir Edward and their son, Lawrence as well as Edward's jealous and cruel cousin, Sinclair, his wife, Diana and their evil son, Harry.
The story moves seamlessly through between the two stories. I am thrilled to have found a new author and can't wait to read more.
Kate and Nico Collins live in his ancestral home, Armstrong House. To maintain it they run tours and Kate did a docudrama about one of Nico's notorious ancestors. Now archaeologist, Daniel Byrne, appears. He is excavating a mass famine grave in the area and is interested in the Armstrong family as Lady Anna Armstrong was a major benefactor of the victims who lived on her husband's estate. Also appearing is Valerie, Kate's problem child sister. She is a drunk, a liar and a thief but hey, she's family.
The book also moves into the 1800s and explores the life of Lady Anna, her husband, Sir Edward and their son, Lawrence as well as Edward's jealous and cruel cousin, Sinclair, his wife, Diana and their evil son, Harry.
The story moves seamlessly through between the two stories. I am thrilled to have found a new author and can't wait to read more.
January 17, 2021
Well, having read all 3 books in the series - I have an inkling there may be more - I can safely say:
START WITH THIS ONE!
If you haven't yet read any of the Armstrong books. The main mystery is the one solved in the first book so the excitement is minimum :(
Also the repetition of events from book one made me skip the related pages, paragraphs, it was really boring to read the abstracts. AOC could have skipped giving these detailed accounts.
Otherwise the plot and setting were just great, I really liked the whole atmosphere!
Ps. A note to the editor: there are so many word repetitions, it's simply awful. Why the word "room" must be included in three consecutive sentences, instead of using just "there" etc.?
START WITH THIS ONE!
If you haven't yet read any of the Armstrong books. The main mystery is the one solved in the first book so the excitement is minimum :(
Also the repetition of events from book one made me skip the related pages, paragraphs, it was really boring to read the abstracts. AOC could have skipped giving these detailed accounts.
Otherwise the plot and setting were just great, I really liked the whole atmosphere!
Ps. A note to the editor: there are so many word repetitions, it's simply awful. Why the word "room" must be included in three consecutive sentences, instead of using just "there" etc.?
July 14, 2020
I loved this series. I loved each family's era and lives. It was fascinating to read how older generations impacted the current generations. The secrets and lives of the family were so fun to untangle. Everything all came full circle in this final book.
This book jumps a lot between past and present but it makes for an interesting read. Kate is annoying in her pursuit of unraveling all the secrets of the family. The ending of the book was a little shocking, I"ll admit. I didn't see that coming. And I'm glad a certain secret was not unveiled in the end.
Great series, Great book. Worth the time.
This book jumps a lot between past and present but it makes for an interesting read. Kate is annoying in her pursuit of unraveling all the secrets of the family. The ending of the book was a little shocking, I"ll admit. I didn't see that coming. And I'm glad a certain secret was not unveiled in the end.
Great series, Great book. Worth the time.
July 3, 2018
Lots of delicious bad characters.
I just finished the third book in the Armstrong House series. I must say I highly recommend them. Lots of heroes, lots of villains.
The character and plot developments were quite good. I felt like I really got to know all this nobility.
One petty complaint? Among the three books they total 1,400+ pages. There is only so much I can read about balls, garden parties, exquisite gowns. So, a lot of repetition here.
All in all, I'd recommend ms. O'Connor March House saga.
I just finished the third book in the Armstrong House series. I must say I highly recommend them. Lots of heroes, lots of villains.
The character and plot developments were quite good. I felt like I really got to know all this nobility.
One petty complaint? Among the three books they total 1,400+ pages. There is only so much I can read about balls, garden parties, exquisite gowns. So, a lot of repetition here.
All in all, I'd recommend ms. O'Connor March House saga.
February 19, 2018
Good Ending to Trilogy
The story of Armstrong House and it's many occupants over the centuries is a suspenseful, fun and historical ride!
I thoroughly enjoyed each book for its captivating story line.
This last book needed much better editing!!! The spelling errors, unneeded words, missing words, punctuation issues, etc. were especially annoying in the last chapters! Someone did not do their job well on this edition!
The story of Armstrong House and it's many occupants over the centuries is a suspenseful, fun and historical ride!
I thoroughly enjoyed each book for its captivating story line.
This last book needed much better editing!!! The spelling errors, unneeded words, missing words, punctuation issues, etc. were especially annoying in the last chapters! Someone did not do their job well on this edition!
March 15, 2018
I really enjoyed this series. I started with book 2 not knowing it was a series. I got book 1 and book 3. A wonderful tale filled with some very interesting history about Ireland and the "big" houses...the aristocracy, almost in the vein of Upstairs, Downstairs. The characters are well described and you do get a strong sense of the dynamics between them all. All in all, a great read, very satisfying, if you like history and a bit of mystery!
October 30, 2018
Couldn't wait to read the third book in this series. Moving between the past and present day the author provides explanations to questions raised and gaps in the story from the two previous books. Characters from both times have their secrets and actions taken by them were/are based on the family and it's future. Some characters you love, some you hate and there are surprises along the way too. I loved this series - a real page turner.
August 27, 2021
Very good series of books that I enjoyed reading. The characters in each book were interesting.
The only thing which I noticed in the last 2 books of the series was the authors use of the "F" word. This was only in 1 chapter of each book and the use of the word was totally unnecessary to the storylines. It seemed that no curse words were used throughout any of the books , until the last 2. I hope in the future if there is a continuation that the author omits the swear word out of the book.
The only thing which I noticed in the last 2 books of the series was the authors use of the "F" word. This was only in 1 chapter of each book and the use of the word was totally unnecessary to the storylines. It seemed that no curse words were used throughout any of the books , until the last 2. I hope in the future if there is a continuation that the author omits the swear word out of the book.
November 24, 2017
The Legacy of Armstrong House (Armstrong House Series Book 3)
All the secrets of Armstrong House will be reveal or will it? Nico and Kate's marriage is in trouble, Armstrong House is in financial trouble again and Kate's sister has come for a visit. Great ending and a great love and family history.
All the secrets of Armstrong House will be reveal or will it? Nico and Kate's marriage is in trouble, Armstrong House is in financial trouble again and Kate's sister has come for a visit. Great ending and a great love and family history.
February 6, 2018
Secrets
This series was very interesting. It contains everything. Romance, murder, family secrets. You get to know the family and come to understand what some people would go through to keep family secrets. Each book opened up a little more over the centuries of the Armstrong family life. They would do anything to keep the family name from being tarnished.
This series was very interesting. It contains everything. Romance, murder, family secrets. You get to know the family and come to understand what some people would go through to keep family secrets. Each book opened up a little more over the centuries of the Armstrong family life. They would do anything to keep the family name from being tarnished.
August 8, 2018
I am a little biased as I am a HUGE fan of the Armstrong House series as well as an A. O'Connor fan. Its definitely a series not for everyone, you need to have an interest in the era that this series was written but a lot of my family members are huge lovers of this series so it really is worth a read
November 16, 2018
Impressive
It helps if you have a working knowledge of how the titled defended their blood lines, how they decided whom to marry and why.
Trust me, all of the above was done with exactly the same amount of ruthlessness as "Game of Thrones"! This book continues the saga of how far Edward and Anna will go to keep the Armstrong legacy healthy.
It helps if you have a working knowledge of how the titled defended their blood lines, how they decided whom to marry and why.
Trust me, all of the above was done with exactly the same amount of ruthlessness as "Game of Thrones"! This book continues the saga of how far Edward and Anna will go to keep the Armstrong legacy healthy.
July 16, 2019
Finished all three books! Wonderful series believable people,history of Ireland so well written you really feel like you are right there in the periods of time with this family!Kate and Nick not so much think it's their personalities,not all that great to me not interesting! All in all the secrets of this family you never know what secrets are behind that closed door for hundreds of years!🙈
November 6, 2020
A. O'Connor is an excellent storyteller. She includes all the ingredients to an excellent read, and it is hard to put the books down. I am so glad I read this trilogy. It had much suspense, deceit, secrets, violence throughout, but the final book of the series had a wonderful ending. I'm just sorry there aren't more!
June 12, 2022
I Absolutely Loved The Entire Armstrong House Trilogy
Book 3 is the perfect conclusion to this series that tells the history of a fabulous Irish estate and home. The story of this mansion and the people who lived there over the course of 150 years was fascinating and riveting. I highly recommend that you read all 3 books.
Book 3 is the perfect conclusion to this series that tells the history of a fabulous Irish estate and home. The story of this mansion and the people who lived there over the course of 150 years was fascinating and riveting. I highly recommend that you read all 3 books.
October 6, 2025
This is the 3rd book in the Armstrong House series and after reading all three, the final book was the best. I enjoyed reading from the two perspectives, present day and then back to the 1800’s. If you like Downton Abby, you will love this series. The author has a great writing style and I look forward to reading more of her books.
August 21, 2018
Wonderful Reading
Great read and so true to how families came together to defend their heritage and still do today. Will look forward to the next series of books as thoroughly enjoyable reading.
Great read and so true to how families came together to defend their heritage and still do today. Will look forward to the next series of books as thoroughly enjoyable reading.
March 19, 2019
Hard to keep up storyline
Reading this trilogy took me about two weeks. It was hard to keep the interest up as I had to keep referring back to the other books. I was not that impressed on this trilogy
Reading this trilogy took me about two weeks. It was hard to keep the interest up as I had to keep referring back to the other books. I was not that impressed on this trilogy
April 17, 2019
This is the third in a series. All very good books combining the past and the present with the house as the common factor in the stories. I enjoyed all three books as I have other of A O'connor's books.
June 13, 2019
Love devoted to loyalty to ensure their future and uphold their title in society.
What one will do to protect the man she loves, and save his honor and name's heritage. Suspense and courage in this page turning, well-written novel. Loved the series.
What one will do to protect the man she loves, and save his honor and name's heritage. Suspense and courage in this page turning, well-written novel. Loved the series.
December 1, 2019
Captivating story
All three books kept me entranced. Difficult to put down. However, the editing was very poor. Too many grammatical errors marred the beauty of the story. Better editing is a.must for any future books in order to be accepted as a success.
All three books kept me entranced. Difficult to put down. However, the editing was very poor. Too many grammatical errors marred the beauty of the story. Better editing is a.must for any future books in order to be accepted as a success.
December 18, 2019
Really liked this series. Not really much for historical stories but enjoy family saga and this was both but so interesting I couldn’t put down. Female strength throughout the ages doing what had to be done to carry on the family name.
August 29, 2021
I gave it a 4. Felt like giving it a 1 because of the proof reading. I thought that the proof reader was probably going tipple for tipple with the characters. However, I did enjoy the read. I read all 3.
November 20, 2022
Great. Read.
I loved this entire series..the characters were great and most of the time I felt like I was right there in the house!! I love it when I get so carried away with a book!!
I loved this entire series..the characters were great and most of the time I felt like I was right there in the house!! I love it when I get so carried away with a book!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews