What do you think?
Rate this book
The Drowned Village
Beneath the surface lie forgotten secrets…
A village destroyed
It’s the summer of 1935 and eleven-year-old Stella Walker is preparing to leave her home forever. Forced to evacuate to make way for a new reservoir, the village of Brackendale Green will soon be lost. But before the water has even reached them, a dreadful event threatens to tear Stella’s family apart.
An uncovered secret
Present day, and a fierce summer has dried up the lake and revealed the remnants of the deserted village. Now an old woman, Stella begs her granddaughter Laura to make the journey she can’t. She’s sure the village still holds answers for her but, with only days until the floodwaters start to rise again, Laura is in a race against time to solve the mysteries of Stella’s almost forgotten past.
Haunting and evocative, The Drowned Village reaches across the decades in an unforgettable tale of love, loss and family.
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2018
1327 people are currently reading
780 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen McGurl
26 books476 followersKathleen McGurl lives in Bournemouth with her husband and cat. She has two grown-up sons who have now left home. She always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines and written three books for writers. These days she is concentrating on longer fiction and has published several dual timeline novels with CarinaUK and HQ. She works full time in the IT industry and when she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
November 7, 2018
I seem to be on a lucky streak with the books I am choosing to read at the moment because I really enjoyed this audiobook. The story is set in the past and the present and is a story that you just can't put down.
Laura's relationship has come to an end when she is betrayed by her boyfriend and her best friend. In my opinion it doesn't get much worse than that unless you are married with children or perhaps married to a wife beater. I'm rambling again so back to the story before I say what I would do to a guy like that. :)
Laura turns to her Grandmother Stella who welcomes her with open arms and Stella is very happy to have Laura stay. Stella is elderly and needs carers and Laura is more than happy to help her Grandmother in any way she can and they soon fall into a happy routine. One night when Stella is watching the television a program comes on about the drought they are experiencing at the moment.
A reservoir has run dry and the ruins of a village have become exposed for everyone to see.
Stella cannot contain her excitement and much to Laura's surprise she learns that this is the place that Laura's grandmother was born and grew up. It doesn't take much persuading to convince her Granddaughter to take a much needed holiday and visit the village to take photographs of where her Grandmother used to live because Stella is too frail to make the trip herself.
The past has many unanswered questions for Stella who was only eleven years old when the village was flooded in 1935. Her mother had died and she lived with her father and young sister in the village.
A great sadness is in store for Stella when her young sister vanishes without a trace never to be found.
Was Stella's sister murdered by her father all those years ago as everyone in the village seems to believe and will the holiday be the start of a new chapter in Laura's life?
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The story was well written and the narration was really good. I will certainly be looking for more books from this author as I enjoyed this one so much.
Laura's relationship has come to an end when she is betrayed by her boyfriend and her best friend. In my opinion it doesn't get much worse than that unless you are married with children or perhaps married to a wife beater. I'm rambling again so back to the story before I say what I would do to a guy like that. :)
Laura turns to her Grandmother Stella who welcomes her with open arms and Stella is very happy to have Laura stay. Stella is elderly and needs carers and Laura is more than happy to help her Grandmother in any way she can and they soon fall into a happy routine. One night when Stella is watching the television a program comes on about the drought they are experiencing at the moment.
A reservoir has run dry and the ruins of a village have become exposed for everyone to see.
Stella cannot contain her excitement and much to Laura's surprise she learns that this is the place that Laura's grandmother was born and grew up. It doesn't take much persuading to convince her Granddaughter to take a much needed holiday and visit the village to take photographs of where her Grandmother used to live because Stella is too frail to make the trip herself.
The past has many unanswered questions for Stella who was only eleven years old when the village was flooded in 1935. Her mother had died and she lived with her father and young sister in the village.
A great sadness is in store for Stella when her young sister vanishes without a trace never to be found.
Was Stella's sister murdered by her father all those years ago as everyone in the village seems to believe and will the holiday be the start of a new chapter in Laura's life?
I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook. The story was well written and the narration was really good. I will certainly be looking for more books from this author as I enjoyed this one so much.
January 18, 2019
Having never read a book written by Kathleen McGurl before I was over the moon to get a copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review.
What an amazing surprise!! After a few pages in I was so totally engrossed that I could not put it down. seriously this book would have had to have been surgically removed from my hand before I would put it down!!
When Laura discovers her boyfriend Stuart in bed with her best friend/ roommate Martine she quickly packs a bag and moves in with her gran Stella.
Stella suggests to Laura that’s she has a holiday. On the news they see a report on how the Bereswater Reservoir has dried up exposing the village of Brackendale Green. Stella had grown up there until they built the dam.
The chapters seamlessly go from when Stella is young to present time Laura on holiday . We discover that Stella was bought up by her dad Jed after her mother Edie dies, sadly her sister goes missing and is presumed dead!!
I practically read this in one sitting as I was totally transfixed by this beautifully written book, that takes us on a memorable journey with lots of secrets along the way.
Have to admit that at the end I might have had a tear in my eye and really did not want this book to end.
A very moving story where one act had devastating affects for generations to come.
What an amazing surprise!! After a few pages in I was so totally engrossed that I could not put it down. seriously this book would have had to have been surgically removed from my hand before I would put it down!!
When Laura discovers her boyfriend Stuart in bed with her best friend/ roommate Martine she quickly packs a bag and moves in with her gran Stella.
Stella suggests to Laura that’s she has a holiday. On the news they see a report on how the Bereswater Reservoir has dried up exposing the village of Brackendale Green. Stella had grown up there until they built the dam.
The chapters seamlessly go from when Stella is young to present time Laura on holiday . We discover that Stella was bought up by her dad Jed after her mother Edie dies, sadly her sister goes missing and is presumed dead!!
I practically read this in one sitting as I was totally transfixed by this beautifully written book, that takes us on a memorable journey with lots of secrets along the way.
Have to admit that at the end I might have had a tear in my eye and really did not want this book to end.
A very moving story where one act had devastating affects for generations to come.
May 21, 2020
This was a sweet book but, very predictable in its story, which was a shame as I had high hopes for this story. On the plus side mist of it was set in the Lake District where I spent a few holidays over time. There is an actual flooded village in a place called Haweswater and in hot, dry weather you can see buildings and a church spire. The author obviously knew the area well which was a plus but, the story just didn’t do it for me.
February 2, 2019
What a lovely, absorbing read from beginning to end. This book revolves around a village that was evacuated and flooded to build a reservoir. And I can’t even imagine the trauma that would have caused, so it was a thought-provoking and sad setting.
But there is also a secret hidden in the drowned village which added to the tension and intrigue. Unravelling that via past and present timelines, made this a book that I wanted to read quickly.
Highly recommended if you enjoy spending time with likeable characters and take pleasure in uncovering long hidden secrets.
I definitely want to read more by Kathleen McGurl.
But there is also a secret hidden in the drowned village which added to the tension and intrigue. Unravelling that via past and present timelines, made this a book that I wanted to read quickly.
Highly recommended if you enjoy spending time with likeable characters and take pleasure in uncovering long hidden secrets.
I definitely want to read more by Kathleen McGurl.
May 24, 2025
I generally love this author's books but this one didn't quite do it for me. The past story is told mainly through Stella's eyes as a ten year old girl, living with her father and sister. Her mother has just died and Stella is trying to help her Dad as much as possible while still attending school. Her three year old sister, Jessie, is a handful to say the least. They've all been told they're being evicted because the valley is to be flooded to accommodate a dam.
The present day story involves Laura who is Stella's granddaughter. She's having a tough time and when Stella encourages her to take a holiday to have a look at her old village, which has been revealed through a long drought, she's happy to oblige.
There's a lot going on in both stories but it never quite took off. The mystery from the past was very thin and it was also dragged out. Stella loved her Dad but I feel like he let her down badly.
Things happened in the present story that weren't really needed. It could all have been tightened up.
Still, it won't stop me reading her other novels as I think she got better with time.
The present day story involves Laura who is Stella's granddaughter. She's having a tough time and when Stella encourages her to take a holiday to have a look at her old village, which has been revealed through a long drought, she's happy to oblige.
There's a lot going on in both stories but it never quite took off. The mystery from the past was very thin and it was also dragged out. Stella loved her Dad but I feel like he let her down badly.
Things happened in the present story that weren't really needed. It could all have been tightened up.
Still, it won't stop me reading her other novels as I think she got better with time.
February 2, 2023
When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it as it sounded so similar to Haweswater/Mardale - the latter a real village in the lake district that was flooded to create a reservoir (Haweswater!). I've always been fascinated by it, and as soon as I started reading, I realised it was based very much on these real-life places which really helped bring the story alive for me.
When we have prolonged dry spells (rare in Cumbria!), you can see some of the remains, I think the church spire in particular. I can't even imagine what life must have been like to have enforcement notices to sell your home (for a pittance) and move elsewhere, and this well researched story made it all the more sad. It was still a lovely read, and now I'm off to research more about Mardale!
When we have prolonged dry spells (rare in Cumbria!), you can see some of the remains, I think the church spire in particular. I can't even imagine what life must have been like to have enforcement notices to sell your home (for a pittance) and move elsewhere, and this well researched story made it all the more sad. It was still a lovely read, and now I'm off to research more about Mardale!
September 16, 2018
Wow, this story literally grabbed a hold of me and sucked me in. I was gripped and sitting on the edge of my seat with ever chapter, right to the very end.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Jed/Stella back in 1935 and that of Laura in present day, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1935 to present day which was done so seamlessly.
It was highly captivating, dramatic and emotional read in places, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough, with wanting to find out what happens next and as to how it would all end.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I truly felt for Stella, everything she had to deal with as a young child and the effects it all had on her future.
Kathleen was a new author to me, but given how much I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I will definitely be looking to read her other books.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Jed/Stella back in 1935 and that of Laura in present day, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1935 to present day which was done so seamlessly.
It was highly captivating, dramatic and emotional read in places, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough, with wanting to find out what happens next and as to how it would all end.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I truly felt for Stella, everything she had to deal with as a young child and the effects it all had on her future.
Kathleen was a new author to me, but given how much I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I will definitely be looking to read her other books.
July 5, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel The Drowned Village
What a fascinating story! Based on the very real Mardale village which was sunken to allow for the new Haweswater reservoir.
In the novel , the village is now called Brackendale and Laura is the character who discovers its story on the news. She’s staying with her grandmother after leaving her cheating boyfriend. The news item shows a now empty reservoir, and the ruins of a village…..
I found the whole concept of this novel fascinating. The author takes the material and weaves it into something more. Laura finds out that her grandmother’s grandmother lived there and so the mystery becomes all the more personal. Even more in need of a solution of what happened there. Stella wants to know about a box from all those years ago, as it contains something of extreme value. Her grandmother Stella asks her to retrieve it. However, there’s something she is not telling.
Most importantly, the entire premise is very well set up from the start and the mystery is smooth and well -paced. The story draws you in and I felt as much excitement as Laura would have done. There’s personal intrigue, danger, fear and family secrets at stake, What’s not to love!
The book is very well written and the dual time line brilliantly interwoven into the mystery. We go back to the time when Stella lives in the village, with her family then we return back to the present. Overall, it’s effortlessly done, the mystery and sense of foreboding builds and captivates.
I really enjoyed this read and had to slow down to really take it all in because of the intricate time line of events. The story weaves fact and fiction to a fine finish. As a result, I didn’t want the story to end.
It goes without saying that I want to read more of this author now and will seek out her other novels.
October 4, 2018
A lovely book which gripped me from start to finish. I loved the characters and found both timelines equally good.
I liked the intrigue and mystery surrounding the old village that was swamped by water. I could easily and happily read this one again.
I liked the intrigue and mystery surrounding the old village that was swamped by water. I could easily and happily read this one again.
September 28, 2018
The Drowned Village by Kathleen McGurl is a simply marvellous contemporary and historical novel about uncovering the past. It had me glued from the start.
The novel is written in both the present day and 1935 in various voices. The past bumps into the present literally as an old village is uncovered during a summer drought. Secrets long hidden are just waiting to be discovered but can the past be unlocked before the rains come?
Guilt is a major theme. It is a heavy burden to carry down the years. Some burdens that we pick up were never meant for us to carry.
Family is important. Without the welfare state in 1935 when tragedy strikes, what do you do? There is a closeness of both family and community in 1935 that seems to be lacking today. We are all so busy leading our own lives, that we fail to see the needs on our doorstep. Extended family was cared for in homes, all abiding under one roof.
Power, money, influence and blackmail can all be found within the pages of the novel. These contrast with a sacrificial love that puts others before self.
Set in the Lake District, with comprehensive descriptions, the landscape comes alive for the reader. Real life locations are used as inspiration for fictional ones.
The characters are a real mix, enabling the reader to 'experience' the village personalities. Community was important. Needs of the vulnerable were met. Lives were lived in conjunction with one's neighbours in contrast to the isolated lives we lead today.
The Drowned Village was a riveting read and I cannot wait for more from Kathleen McGurl. I think The Drowned Village would make a fabulous BBC film - any producers out there please take note.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
The novel is written in both the present day and 1935 in various voices. The past bumps into the present literally as an old village is uncovered during a summer drought. Secrets long hidden are just waiting to be discovered but can the past be unlocked before the rains come?
Guilt is a major theme. It is a heavy burden to carry down the years. Some burdens that we pick up were never meant for us to carry.
Family is important. Without the welfare state in 1935 when tragedy strikes, what do you do? There is a closeness of both family and community in 1935 that seems to be lacking today. We are all so busy leading our own lives, that we fail to see the needs on our doorstep. Extended family was cared for in homes, all abiding under one roof.
Power, money, influence and blackmail can all be found within the pages of the novel. These contrast with a sacrificial love that puts others before self.
Set in the Lake District, with comprehensive descriptions, the landscape comes alive for the reader. Real life locations are used as inspiration for fictional ones.
The characters are a real mix, enabling the reader to 'experience' the village personalities. Community was important. Needs of the vulnerable were met. Lives were lived in conjunction with one's neighbours in contrast to the isolated lives we lead today.
The Drowned Village was a riveting read and I cannot wait for more from Kathleen McGurl. I think The Drowned Village would make a fabulous BBC film - any producers out there please take note.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
September 4, 2018
wow, what a great book! I couldn't put it down and raced to the end. Loved the dual time frame between the past and the modern/present day narrative. It's been a while since I was so engrossed in a book and I will definitely be looking out for more books by Kathleeen McGurl now!
April 28, 2019
An easy read
Romantic and tragic at times. People do the strangest things and consequences can be devastating . Enjoyable though predictable story
Romantic and tragic at times. People do the strangest things and consequences can be devastating . Enjoyable though predictable story
September 23, 2018
Laura turns to her grandmother Stella when her boyfriend and best friend betray her. Life with Stella is quiet and safe, but her grandmother worries Laura is missing out. A TV news item brings Stella's secret past to the present and Laura is easily persuaded to help her Grandmother solve past secrets and enjoy an escape to the beautiful English Lake District.
The destruction of villages through the creation of reservoirs must leave its community with latent resentment. Even though the villagers are usually financially compensated this doesn't negate the sense of loss and destruction of a community. Stella village is resurrected after an exceptional drought and with it the chance to right a wrong and find the answers to some family secrets buried by the water.
The timeslip between the present day and the thirties is well written and adds depth to the story. The characters are complex and flawed but believable, and it's easy to empathise with the choices most of them are forced to make. The gentle romance between Laura and Tom is lovely and the ending when family secrets are revealed poignant and satisfying.
I received a copy of this book from HQ Stories via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The destruction of villages through the creation of reservoirs must leave its community with latent resentment. Even though the villagers are usually financially compensated this doesn't negate the sense of loss and destruction of a community. Stella village is resurrected after an exceptional drought and with it the chance to right a wrong and find the answers to some family secrets buried by the water.
The timeslip between the present day and the thirties is well written and adds depth to the story. The characters are complex and flawed but believable, and it's easy to empathise with the choices most of them are forced to make. The gentle romance between Laura and Tom is lovely and the ending when family secrets are revealed poignant and satisfying.
I received a copy of this book from HQ Stories via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 24, 2018
When a lake dries up and reveals the remnants of Brackendale Green, an old deserted village, Laura is spurred on by her grandmother, Stella, to visit. The village has a particular significance for Stella as it was where she grew up before having to leave to make way for the new dam. What secret does the village hold and will Laura be able to uncover it before Brackendale Green, once again, disappears underwater?
Like Kathleen McGurl's previous books (The Pearl Locket, The Emerald Comb, The Daughters of Red Hill Hall and The Girl from Ballymor), The Drowned Village has a dual time frame, told from the modern-day perspective of Laura, and her grandmother, Stella, in 1935, then an eleven-year-old girl. The stories told in both eras are equally as compelling and their plots tie together seamlessly to provide an entertaining read.
While there are elements of the plot that came as no surprise as the story progressed, this was not a problem as I was so engrossed in what was happening. It is testament to the author's description that, as I was reading, I was transported back to 1935, and could truly visualise the landscape and houses making up the village of Brackendale Green.
In stories of this genre, the two time frames are often generations apart so it was nice to have the same character, Stella, featuring in both. This also provided a stark reminder to anyone interested in their own family history that they should speak to older relatives now while they have the chance. Although Laura was able to discover the circumstances surrounding her grandmother's past, she realised that if it wasn't for the re-emerging of the village, there would be a fascinating and emotive story that would have gone undiscovered.
Due to my love of crime and genealogical fiction, Kathleen McGurl's books tick all the boxes for me and The Drowned Village is no exception. This is a great, easy read that is highly recommended.
With thanks to HQ and Net Galley for my ARC.
Like Kathleen McGurl's previous books (The Pearl Locket, The Emerald Comb, The Daughters of Red Hill Hall and The Girl from Ballymor), The Drowned Village has a dual time frame, told from the modern-day perspective of Laura, and her grandmother, Stella, in 1935, then an eleven-year-old girl. The stories told in both eras are equally as compelling and their plots tie together seamlessly to provide an entertaining read.
While there are elements of the plot that came as no surprise as the story progressed, this was not a problem as I was so engrossed in what was happening. It is testament to the author's description that, as I was reading, I was transported back to 1935, and could truly visualise the landscape and houses making up the village of Brackendale Green.
In stories of this genre, the two time frames are often generations apart so it was nice to have the same character, Stella, featuring in both. This also provided a stark reminder to anyone interested in their own family history that they should speak to older relatives now while they have the chance. Although Laura was able to discover the circumstances surrounding her grandmother's past, she realised that if it wasn't for the re-emerging of the village, there would be a fascinating and emotive story that would have gone undiscovered.
Due to my love of crime and genealogical fiction, Kathleen McGurl's books tick all the boxes for me and The Drowned Village is no exception. This is a great, easy read that is highly recommended.
With thanks to HQ and Net Galley for my ARC.
September 23, 2018
Laura has recently left her boyfriend, and is living with her grandmother, Stella. Taking a badly needed holiday in the Lake District, she meets fellow-camper Tom, and together they begin to explore Stella's birthplace, Brackendale Green, a ruined village usually at the bottom of Bereswater Reservoir, but currently exposed by drought. Adding a distinct air of mystery, Stella begs Laura to search for a tea-caddy, which holds clues to a long-held family secret. Meanwhile, back in 1935, an 11-year-old Stella helps her widowed father, Jed, by looking after her little sister and ailing grandfather, as the family face the inevitable loss of their home. But as the reservoir begins to fill, long-buried secrets are discovered, triggering a tragic sequence of events.
Another fabulous dual-timeline story from Kathleen McGurl, with great characterisation, scene-setting, and attention to historical detail. The two stories (present day and past) are perfectly woven, and despite adding intrigue after intrigue, McGurl manages to keep the reader guessing until the very last chapter, at which point this reader got goosebumps (and again now as I write this), and tears in her eyes.
5*
Another fabulous dual-timeline story from Kathleen McGurl, with great characterisation, scene-setting, and attention to historical detail. The two stories (present day and past) are perfectly woven, and despite adding intrigue after intrigue, McGurl manages to keep the reader guessing until the very last chapter, at which point this reader got goosebumps (and again now as I write this), and tears in her eyes.
5*
July 26, 2020
I found Kathleen McGurl in early 2019 after reading an eARC of The Forgotten Secret and really enjoying it. Fast forward to 2020, I read The Secrets of the Chateau and love that as well - so then I go through and download basically her entire backlist because I just love her writing so much!
I will say that while I can definitely still see the good writing and interesting characters in her previous novels, I didn't always find the plots as compelling as her newer books - but I don't regret reading them at all! I also find that all of her books draw you in so quickly and she is a master at the dual timeline; every time I switch to another POV/time I can't wait to get back to the previous one to find out what happens next.
WOW. This one was my favorite of all of McGurl's previous novels, and I would so love to see it get made into a movie or TV show. The entire idea of the plot is so interesting! The plot centers around a village that was flooded to make way for a dam/reservoir - but with disastrous results as a small child is lost to her family forever, and her father is deemed the guilty party. I was enthralled with the story of the village in 1935 and loved how everything came together - even as I was unable to believe that people could be so terrible as to do the things they did to that poor family. The present day story was also really interesting, and I definitely loved how it ended. For sure recommend this one to people that have liked others of McGurl's, or simply enjoy a dual timeline historical fiction novel!
I will say that while I can definitely still see the good writing and interesting characters in her previous novels, I didn't always find the plots as compelling as her newer books - but I don't regret reading them at all! I also find that all of her books draw you in so quickly and she is a master at the dual timeline; every time I switch to another POV/time I can't wait to get back to the previous one to find out what happens next.
WOW. This one was my favorite of all of McGurl's previous novels, and I would so love to see it get made into a movie or TV show. The entire idea of the plot is so interesting! The plot centers around a village that was flooded to make way for a dam/reservoir - but with disastrous results as a small child is lost to her family forever, and her father is deemed the guilty party. I was enthralled with the story of the village in 1935 and loved how everything came together - even as I was unable to believe that people could be so terrible as to do the things they did to that poor family. The present day story was also really interesting, and I definitely loved how it ended. For sure recommend this one to people that have liked others of McGurl's, or simply enjoy a dual timeline historical fiction novel!
September 24, 2018
Very good. Stayed up all night reading it!
March 13, 2019
This book was amazing!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It was quite thought provoking at times and quite sad(to think of the destruction of lovely villages to make way for a reservoir) in places. I particularly felt sad for Stella and Jessie's father. I thought that the end was quite satisfying(though I enjoyed the book so much I didn't want it to end). I would highly recommend it to everyone.
July 29, 2020
I really want to visit the Lake District now. Such a lovely book. From Amazon:
A village destroyed
It’s the summer of 1935 and eleven-year-old Stella Walker is preparing to leave her home forever. Forced to evacuate to make way for a new reservoir, the village of Brackendale Green will soon be lost. But before the water has even reached them, a dreadful event threatens to tear Stella’s family apart.
An uncovered secret
Present day, and a fierce summer has dried up the lake and revealed the remnants of the deserted village. Now an old woman, Stella begs her granddaughter Laura to make the journey she can’t. She’s sure the village still holds answers for her but, with only days until the floodwaters start to rise again, Laura is in a race against time to solve the mysteries of Stella’s almost forgotten past.
Haunting and evocative, The Drowned Village reaches across the decades in an unforgettable tale of love, loss and family.
A village destroyed
It’s the summer of 1935 and eleven-year-old Stella Walker is preparing to leave her home forever. Forced to evacuate to make way for a new reservoir, the village of Brackendale Green will soon be lost. But before the water has even reached them, a dreadful event threatens to tear Stella’s family apart.
An uncovered secret
Present day, and a fierce summer has dried up the lake and revealed the remnants of the deserted village. Now an old woman, Stella begs her granddaughter Laura to make the journey she can’t. She’s sure the village still holds answers for her but, with only days until the floodwaters start to rise again, Laura is in a race against time to solve the mysteries of Stella’s almost forgotten past.
Haunting and evocative, The Drowned Village reaches across the decades in an unforgettable tale of love, loss and family.
February 1, 2019
Gripping story
I thought this deserved a high rating as its a first class story of a tiny village and its people coming to terms with its demise. The characters were well thought out and the relationships between them made them believable. The crime was also well thought out, and the reuniting of the sisters was heartfelt and memorable.
I thought this deserved a high rating as its a first class story of a tiny village and its people coming to terms with its demise. The characters were well thought out and the relationships between them made them believable. The crime was also well thought out, and the reuniting of the sisters was heartfelt and memorable.
February 16, 2019
Believable story telling!
Excellent storytelling! Believable -- I occasionally needed to remind myself it's fiction. Ms. McGurl's style is almost time slip, alternating between modern day and the 1930s. Novel is structured similar to Girl from Ballymore.Though Ms. McGurl based this story on a real drowned village in the Lake District of England, it could happen in other places. How many villages have been lost and nearly forgotten, drowned by reservoirs created by man-made dams?
Excellent storytelling! Believable -- I occasionally needed to remind myself it's fiction. Ms. McGurl's style is almost time slip, alternating between modern day and the 1930s. Novel is structured similar to Girl from Ballymore.Though Ms. McGurl based this story on a real drowned village in the Lake District of England, it could happen in other places. How many villages have been lost and nearly forgotten, drowned by reservoirs created by man-made dams?
February 14, 2023
I can’t begin to tell you how much I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this duel timeline story. Stella’s life as a young 10 year old and the trial and tribulations she and her family went through around 1935. Then 90 year old Stella’s granddaughter Laura leads the modern day time line, all linked and interwoven with the mystery of what happened to her ancestors, Stella’s family. Mostly set in the beautiful Lake District, much of which I’m a regular visitor. I shall definitely be visiting Haweswater and would love to get a glimpse of the now lost village. Yes it really was flooded and the man made lake was born.
October 16, 2018
A bittersweet story. Past and present dovetail together as the mystery which has haunted a grandmother since her childhood is resolved by her granddaughter many years later when a flooded village is laid bare by drought.
December 31, 2020
Family history lost, a secret that resulted in tragedy, and a mystery solved several generations on. A mix of personalities and emotions that keep one riveted.
February 14, 2024
I just cannot get enough of this author .
Easy reading dual timeline stories .
Definitely worth reading.
Easy reading dual timeline stories .
Definitely worth reading.
January 31, 2019
Just what i needed.
Just what i need simple easy read loved the 1935 part an loved trying to imagine what it couls be like. Well done. Well worth a read.
Just what i need simple easy read loved the 1935 part an loved trying to imagine what it couls be like. Well done. Well worth a read.
January 9, 2019
Great book
I really enjoyed this book. I love mysteries like this, dual time, and the fact that it was mainly set in the Lake District added to the pleasure. I will definitely read some more books by this author.
I really enjoyed this book. I love mysteries like this, dual time, and the fact that it was mainly set in the Lake District added to the pleasure. I will definitely read some more books by this author.
January 10, 2019
I have always enjoyed Kathlen McGurl's novels. I like her style of switching between past and present. The Drowned Village did not disappoint, however, the ending was a tad predictable, but this is well worth reading for people who this genre.
February 15, 2019
Picked this up on a whim in the library. Really enjoyed it, the writing is an easy read with a story filled with emotion. Love that it’s split in the two different times of Stella’s life, the different perspectives bring it to life. Definitely recommend :)
September 21, 2020
Faith restored ! After not liking the last book I read by this author, I still read another and was rewarded by another great story and characters- loved Laura and her grandmother Stella. A tale of family, of love and loss. Of course it was predictable but still a great read !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews