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Rivers End #3

The Secrets of Palmerston House

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Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07J16R4PL

1853. A fateful game of poker changed the fortunes of two families forever. A home was lost. But what was left behind?

2018. The wedding of Christie Ryan and Martin Blake is only weeks away and River’s End is buzzing with excitement.

But when a stranger arrives at Palmerston House, a new mystery arises. How does he know so much about the Ryan family, and what do a nineteenth century diary, a grandfather clock, and an old key have in common?

As a dangerous plot unfolds, long hidden secrets threaten to change everything held dear to the town.

The Secrets of Palmerston House will sweep you on a journey to the past and back, where enduring friendships warm the heart, a sad goodbye brings a new start, and the power of true love shines.

274 pages, ebook

First published November 30, 2018

719 people are currently reading
317 people want to read

About the author

Phillipa Nefri Clark

92 books354 followers
Phillipa lives just outside a beautiful town in country Victoria, Australia. She also lives in the many worlds of her imagination and stockpiles stories beside her laptop.

She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.

With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Phrynne.
4,032 reviews2,727 followers
October 29, 2022
First of all this is definitely a book I would choose by its cover. Someone took a lot of care with this beauty and just look at the dog. Randall is a star on the cover and in the story.

This is the third in the series set at River's End, and it brings back characters we know and love from the previous books. Christie and Martin are about to be married in the grounds of historic Palmerston House, but the arrival of a suspicious guest at the house opens up a long-held mystery and threatens to disrupt everything.

The mystery is well plotted, there is a lot of interesting history of the house and the relevant families, and of course there is romance. It is nice that the author has taken characters from these books and given them their own series. Daphne and John go off to the Daphne Jones Mysteries, and Charlotte and Trev star in the Charlotte Dean Mysteries. I can recommend both.



Profile Image for Brenda.
5,075 reviews3,014 followers
August 26, 2022
It was 1853 when Palmerston House was lost to its original owners through gambling. When the original owner tried to get possessions out of the house before the take-over, he resorted to subterfuge to hide his treasures, planning to come back later to retrieve them. Now, it was 2018 in River's End and a stranger arrived from Queensland, checking into Palmerston House where he'd made a booking. Bernie Cooper was determined to do what he'd come to River's End for, and wouldn't let anyone stand in his way.

Christie Ryan and Martin Blake's wedding was a few short weeks away and both were as happy as young lovers could be. But there was a mystery that was developing and Christie was determined to solve it before she and Martin were married. Along with Randall, Martin's adorable dog, plans were made and places were checked. Christie couldn't work out why a key was so important - also the grandfather clock which was in George's jewellry store. Would the town cop, Trev Sibbritt, discover the answers before the big day?

The Secrets of Palmerston House is the 3rd in the River's End series by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Catching up with old friends from previous books, and Daphne and John (who now have their own series) was great fun. There are secrets and lies, and twisty tales which make a thoroughly enjoyable romantic suspense from a master of the genre; one I recommend highly.
Profile Image for Dale Harcombe.
Author 14 books426 followers
December 2, 2023
Back in 1853 a poker game had far reaching effects, changing the fortunes of two families. In 2018 in The town of River's End, preparations are well under way for the wedding of Christie Ryan and Martin Blake. But a stranger arrives in town and a mystery emerges that involves a nineteenth century diary, a grandfather clock and a key. And how does the stranger know so much about the Ryan family? Why is he so interested in Palmerston House? And what effects will his actions have on the lives of several people in River's End? Long held secrets threaten to disrupt the town.
This is book 3 in a series about River's End. i had not read the earlier books but it didn't matter. I quickly caught up on the important facts
I started this book expecting to love it after reviews I had read. And I did just not quite as much as I expected. However I suspect this has more to do with this reader at present than the book itself. It took me a while to get through it as I felt felt it dragged a bit in the middle though it certainly ramps up towards the end.
Readers of Aussie historical novels, mysteries with largely likable characters and good setting should enjoy this. And did I mention there is a romance or two happening?
An entertaining read and I will certainly investigate more books by this author.
Profile Image for Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews.
2,230 reviews334 followers
February 1, 2019
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Swirling secrets, a cracking mystery, love and an old house all collide in The Secrets of Palmerston House by Australian author Phillipa Nefri Clark. This book represents the third book in the River’s End series, which sees the reappearance of the characters that featured in the previous instalments of this intriguing series. If you are new to the work of Phillipa Nefri Clark and this series, I can assure you that The Secrets of Palmerston House can be read as a standalone novel.

Drawing together two timelines, one in the present day and the other in 1853, The Secrets of Palmerston House returns to River’s End. River’s End is in a flurry of excitement, with the impending nuptials of much loved couple Christie and Martin. The appearance of a stranger, a disappearance and a timeless mystery kick starts an intriguing series of events for the protagonists of The Secrets of Palmerston House to deal with. In the present day, a diary, a lock and a clock all provide an essential bridge to the past, revealing a fascinating glimpse into times gone by. We meet the past occupants of Palmerston House and we learn how their fate is tied up to the present state of affairs of this abode. The Secrets of Palmerston House is truly a magical journey into the past and the present. This book has plenty to offer by the way of romance and friendships. It also comes with an age-old mystery to solve!

This is my third outing with Phillipa Nefri Clark, an Australian storyteller I have come to admire. I have a penchant for romance, mysteries and old houses, so this book drew immediate appeal. I wasn’t disappointed at all in the latest story from Phillipa Nefri Clark, I was pulled in from the fascinating prologue and this story maintained my interest from start to finish. What a stunning cover to match too! I love the placement of the playing cards!

Dual timelines are my favourite style of narrative and I was so pleased to see Phillipa Nefri Clark incorporate this format into her new novel. I was drawn to both narratives in The Secrets of Palmerston House. Nefri Clark sets up a sense of intrigue in both storylines and each clearly links to the other. I loved the period detail in the 1853 storyline, it was handled with great care and historical forethought. I came to really look forward to each 1853 segment, as each chapter provided another vital clue to the final outcome of events.

There was a great sense of familiarly to The Secrets of Palmerston House in terms of characterisation. Phillipa Nefri Clark has clearly found her groove with this recurring character set and this emanates from the pages of the novel. For me personally, it was like a reunion taking place when I first reconnected with each of the characters that feature in The Secrets of Palmerston House. I came to remember what I liked about them and I enjoyed watching on as they were dealt with new challenges, as well as some mysterious new figures!

The setting base, River’s End and Palmerston House, is completely embedded in the narrative. I looked forward to each location based description. The prose in this area of the book really is a joy to read.

‘In the third bedroom of Palmerston House, which once belonged to Martha, Bernie stood with one hand on the window. The front grounds of the property sprawled across an acre or so of perfect lawns and a mix of manicured English plants and native trees. Somehow it all blended into one magnificent garden.’

Suspense, danger, intrigue, suspicion, the bonds of love, friendship and community all define The Secrets of Palmerston House. I highly recommend this title and all of Phillipa’s previous novels, if you haven’t discovered them already!

*With thanks to the author, Phillipa Nefri Clark, for providing me with a copy of this novel, in exchange for an honest review.

The Secrets of Palmerston House is book #11 of the 2019 Australian Women Writers Challenge
Profile Image for Helen.
2,900 reviews65 followers
November 17, 2018
Where do I start, Firstly this book was like going home to family I have become very close to the characters in this series Christie and Martin, Thomas and Martha, and of course Randall and the towns folk who add so much to the story, again the Author MS Nefri-Clark has taken me on a journey with a beautiful continuing romance with a mystery to uncover that being the secrets of the beautiful historic home in River’s End.

The time has finally arrived for Christie and Martin to have their big day and with plans underway for the wedding Palmerston House is looking forward to a busy time, Elizabeth the owner is thrilled that Angus has arrived back after a dash to the city to sort something out and there is a new guest staying at the house Bernard Cooper, whom long time guest Charlotte seems to be very wary of, and when strange things start to happen and he is so inquisitive about Palmerston House there are a few more people edgy.

Bernie has arrived in River’s end with an old diary belonging to Harry Temple from 1853 and the belief that there are a few things that are owed to him and finding Charlotte there when he arrives seems to give him an edge makes him more cocky, he seems to know a lot about the Ryan family and Palmerston House and takes it upon himself to search for a key which he believes will uncover his inheritance.

This is a book that grabbed me from page one, we go back to 1853 and the first settlers of River’s End and the buildings and discover some stories about the ownership of Palmerston House. There are so many fabulous characters that show strength and love towards each other they are easy to make friends with and of course the edge of your seat suspense as the wedding day arrives. I don’t want to say too much other than this is a book not to be missed and I do recommend it with the first three in the series. MS Nefri-Clark is an author who knows how to write a story that keeps the reader engaged emotionally, her characters are so alive and real, thank you for another keeper. I look forward to more stories about the wonderful people from River’s End, the town of love.
Profile Image for Sandy  McKenna.
775 reviews16 followers
August 20, 2020
A brilliant suspense/romance.

Christie and Martin's wedding day is here, preparations are almost complete, the guests have all arrived; but, one of the most important people is missing.
The story goes back to events leading up to the disappearance , with flashbacks to the 19th century. A brilliant read which I couldn't put down.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this fabulous series, and can't wait to read more.
Profile Image for Janie.
1,518 reviews15 followers
December 2, 2018
"The Secrets of Palmerston House: A Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery (River's End Book 3)" by Phillipa Nefri Clark brings us back to River's End and a beautiful, historic house. In the Prologue we are brought into Christie and Martin's big day, but right away we find that Martin is missing. When Bernard (Bernie) Cooper arrives he holds a diary that he feels will uncover what he believes to be his inheritance. The story brings us into 1853 and many things become apparent about the owners of Palmerston House. This story ties into the first 2 books in the series and I highly recommend them. You can read this alone but there is so much history that ties this book to the other two.
Profile Image for Vicky.
Author 13 books163 followers
December 30, 2018
There is an old-fashioned charm about River's End and the people who live there - Christie and Martin, Martha and Thomas, Randall who they all love, Elizabeth, Angus, Trev the local policeman, and so many more. Beautiful characters that fit. They love and protect each other and that warmth and depth of feeling comes through in the whole series and even more so in this third book. But it's not all smooth sailing and sometimes newcomers upset the rhythm of the town. That's when the characters are at their best. No one is allowed to hurt those they love. A truly romantic story.
Profile Image for Sue Gerhardt Griffiths.
1,225 reviews79 followers
September 18, 2023
3rd novel in the River’s End series.

I adored this book with its many adorable characters.

Man, can this author write a suspenseful cozy mystery!

Love her writing so much I will read ALL of her books.

The last book in the River’s End series is The Christmas Key, onto that one in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.
Profile Image for ChillwithabookAWARD With.
457 reviews19 followers
February 23, 2019
The Secrets of Palmerston House has received a Chill with a Book Premier Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com

The description of location was so clear I felt as if I were in River’s End. The story had me nailed in my chair reluctant to put the book down. Well done!
Profile Image for A Levada Da Nerd.
99 reviews5 followers
May 18, 2021
(LIVRO 3)

Neste livro, a cidade está empolgada com o casamento de Christie e Martin que acontecerá na Casa Palmerston - uma casa antiga que guarda segredos. Tudo está seguindo o seu rumo até que um visitante pra lá de esquisito chega com a desculpa de ser um fotógrafo e se hospedar por lá.

Munido de um diário que conta que o tal local foi perdido num jogo de pôquer em 1850, Bernie acredita que tudo aquilo lhe pertence e assim começará a fazer perguntas e importunar os moradores da pacata cidade.

A medida que seu descontrole toma conta, todos ficam desconfiados de que há algo errado e como nossa Christie não resiste a uma investigação, ela passa a tentar juntar as peças do quebra-cabeça e descobrir sua ligação com a antiga propriedade, mas Bernie não está para brincadeiras e não exitará de passar por cima de quem quer que seja, mesmo que isso coloque nossos amados personagens em perigo!


*** Meu amor todinho por essa série! Desde o livro 1 sou encantada pelo enredo que a autora criou. Um romance que abrange gerações diferentes,uma cidadezinha com pessoas acolhedoras e com mistérios para serem desvendados. Nessa leitura, vários personagens contam sob seus pontos de vista o que cada um está passando e pensando, o que torna nosso laço afetivo por eles maior ainda.

Você já leram ou conhecem essa série?

Tem foto desse livro lá no meu ig:@alevadadanerd
136 reviews2 followers
March 19, 2019
The Secrets of Palmerston House by Phillip Nefri Clark. More adventures for Christie, Martin and all the folk of River’s End. Finally it is Christie and Martin’s big day but things do not go smoothly. Leading up to the wedding, Bernard turns up. He thinks he has a claim on Palmerston House and he is trying to solve the mystery of the missing key that will hopefully unlock his inheritance. The reader is taken back in time to 1853, when Palmerston House changed hands to the Ryan family and the events that leads Bernard to think he has a claim on Palmerston House. There is a good mix of the past and the present to tell the story. A great book with a mix of mystery and romance. Highly recommended.
3 reviews
January 4, 2019
Have to read.

So I have read this book and many more of her books. I just can't put down. I just can't get enough.
202 reviews1 follower
December 16, 2018
Suspensful and Exciting!

And romantic. Lovely characters. Plot that keeps you intrigued and interested down to the last page. A feel good book with a good mystery from start to finish.
Profile Image for Nas Dean.
835 reviews38 followers
December 17, 2018
THE SECRETS OF PALMERSTON HOUSE: A Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery (River's End Book 3) by author Phillipa Nefri Clark is a November 2018 release.

Christie Ryan and Martin Blake’s wedding is only weeks away now. But someone new arrives and new mystery unfolds.

The Secrets of Palmerston House: A Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery (River's End Book 3) will sweep a reader up in a journey of suspense and mystery. Some secrets are best left uncovered yet when wrong people get after it they are bound to cause mayhem to uncover the secret. Author Phillipa Nefri Clark has a spell-binding way to tell her stories and her readers would be enthralled till the last page.

Highly recommended for all readers.
117 reviews1 follower
June 4, 2019
Perfect romance perfect mystery

I’m not going to do a synopsis because most people already have or you can read it with the title of the book. This is the third book in the series. I love the first two but this one just got better. I’m hoping the fourth one is the best yet. I’m sure I won’t be disappointed. This is a great romance without graphic sex and a little bit of mystery and adventure thrown in. I love stories held in a small town and this one fit the bill perfectly. All the characters were great. I promise you won’t be disappointed if you like contemporary romance.
1,475 reviews19 followers
June 3, 2019
While Christie and Martin are getting ready for their wedding a mysterious stranger turns up who begins to make people feel uncomfortable. He has a secret claim to Palmerston House because he feels it was stolen from his family by Christie's family in the 1800s. Now he will do anything to get back what he feels is rightfully his but does that include murder?

Great characters and a very interesting story make this a very good read!
Profile Image for Suellen Mima.
109 reviews3 followers
June 3, 2021
Oi, gente!
Hoje tem resenha de O Segredo da Casa Palmerston, Phillipa Nefri Clark

Avisos!
Indicado para maiores de 10 anos
Sequência de Uma Questão de Tempo, livro 1, e Mar de Jasmim, livro 2
Alguns spoilers dos livros anteriores

Os preparativos para o casamento de Martin Blake e Christie Ryan estão a todo vapor e nada pode atrapalhar a felicidade dos noivos e de toda River's End. Até surgir alguém que acredita ser o verdadeiro e digno dono da casa Palmerston, pois seu ancestral foi ludibriado por um membro da família Ryan e a descendente deles deveria pagar por aquele crime acontecido há tanto tempo, mesmo que tivesse que acabar com o início das bodas tão esperadas.

Vemos pela mente dele que acredita fielmente ser o dono de tudo que foi roubado e mentir, invadir casas, assustar pessoas não serão problemas. Apenas uma pessoa pode dizer a verdade sobre seus interesses, porém a ética e compromisso profissional impedem Charlotte de fazer algo para deter Bernie.
Charlotte quer ajudar aquelas pessoas que a acolheram tão bem e vê em Trev um alguém mais do que especial, ele, no entanto, não pode fazer parte de seu recomeço, ele não merece viver com alguém como ela.

Já Trev, o coronel de River's End, se vê a cada dia mais encantado pela mulher que apareceu em um momento crítico quando Derek sequestrou Christie e desde então não consegue esconder muito bem esses sentimentos e acredita que ela não tem olhos para ele mais do que ser amigos.

Ainda há muitos mistérios a serem desvendados, dores a serem superados e amor e amizade a serem fortalecidos não Segredo da Casa Palmerston.

Gostei muito, tão bom ler algo que aquece o coração, aiai.
Chorei, claro kkkkk
Profile Image for Dobby.
560 reviews34 followers
March 25, 2022
I won a copy of this book from the author. That has not influenced my review in any way.

Having read the previous books in the River's End Mystery Romance series, I eagerly anticipated this continuation of the story line. I am pleased to report that the book is as warm and satisfying as the previous books in this cozy mystery series. I especially enjoy the way Ms Clark weaves the characters' stories into a lovely tapestry of a quiet coastal town life. The characters were well developed into people I cared about, and the plotting was masterful, moving the story line along at a good pace. This is a nice, satisfying cozy mystery that asks not so much "who dunit" as "whatever is that sneering villain going to do next??" I quite enjoyed the journey.

This series was my introduction to Phillipa Nefri Clark's work. I'm looking forward to following characters from this book into their own series, Daphne Jones Mysteries and
Charlotte Dean Mysteries.
Profile Image for Rachel.
Author 9 books37 followers
March 6, 2022
Another fantastic mystery story. Christie and Martin are about to get their happily ever after with their wedding, but things don't go so smoothly with a stranger in town wanting to shake things up. Bernie isn't what he seems and is intent on proving he is the true owner of Palmerston House, but needs to keep that quiet. Only Charlotte, his old psychiatrist, knows the truth. But bound by doctor patient confidentiality, Charlotte struggles with what she can tell Trev, the local police officer looking into Bernie's strange behaviour.

I loved this book and its many characters. Such a fun and mysterious read. It doesn't let you down.
3 reviews
November 1, 2021
Loved this book and all the others in the series. The characters are all believable people that you feel like you know. The added mystery keeps you wanting to read more.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
Read
February 5, 2020
The Secrets of Palmerston House: River’s End Mystery Romance Book 3 is by Phillipa Nerfi Clark. This third book gives the history of the Ryan family and their ownership of Palmerston House as well as much of the land surrounding it. There are enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes as you read. This is really a fun book to read.
Christie and Martin are going to get married and Elizabeth has offered Palmerston House as the wedding site. They just have to get all the plans made and get it done. However, there is only one slight problem, the groom is missing!
Martin had gone to work at a special camp he helped with just a few weeks before the wedding. Meanwhile, Christie was finalizing plans to marry as well as redoing the salon for her spa opening. Her Great-Aunt Martha and Martin’s Grandfather Thomas are secretly making honeymoon plans for the couple. At Palmerston House, Elizabeth welcomes three guests- Charolette Dane, Angus (Christie’s Grandmother’s ex-butler, and Bernard, a photojournalist who decides to do a coffee table book of Palmerston House for Elizabeth. Angus has handled Christie’s mother’s estate for her and has fallen in love with Elizabeth. He just got back from a rushed trip where he was told there was someone objecting to the Ryan’s owning Palmerston House in the first place. He claims he is the descendent of Harry Temple who built the house and lost it in a poker game. He wants the house back or at least the hidden contents. How will this affect the sale of the house to Elizabeth twenty years ago? Who is this person? What does Charolette and Bernard have to do with anything?
Profile Image for Mariely Carreira.
79 reviews
June 18, 2021
💖Livro 3 da série River's End, vem cheio de mistérios. Primeiro nos deparamos com esse hóspede estranho, que vem cheio de perguntas sobre o passado. Depois, ficamos assustados com o desaparecimento de Martin no dia do casamento. Onde estará Martin? O que aconteceu?

💖O mais legal é que a história é contado em duas linhas temporais. O presente, e o passado, onde somos apresentados a um diário do antigo dono da casa Palmerston. Diário esse, que contém vários segredos desconhecidos dessa misteriosa propriedade.

💖Com o decorrer da narrativa, como já de costume da série, vamos resolvendo mistérios junto com os personagens, o que deixa a leitura ainda mais envolvente.

💖Sabe aquela sensação de torcer pelo personagem, de chorar com o personagem, enfim, de se envolver com os personagens, esse é o livro. Tem mistério, romance, um tiquinho de aventura e muita imaginação.

💖Sou apaixonada nessa série e quero logo ler o livro 4. Aguardo ansiosa para que esse momento chegue. Se você ainda não conhece essa maravilha, aproveite e procure aqui no meu IG as resenhas do livro 1 e 2.
Profile Image for Annette.
278 reviews2 followers
January 29, 2022
This novel is the last of a series of three. All the books could be read as standalone. Again Phillipa did a great job keeping the reader in suspense.

1853 A poker game went terribly wrong, the Palmerston house, owned by Harry Temple was lost to the Ryan family.
2018 Christie and Martin are preparing for their wedding being held in Palmerston, but an unexpected suspicious guest, Temple's grandson, rents a room. After reading his mother's diary Bernie knows he is the rightful owner of Palmerston. He wants to retaliate and take ownership of the treasures his grandfather stored behind a hidden basement door. As preparations are being finalized, no one perceives the imminent danger.
14 reviews
February 18, 2023
What a finale

I have read all of the series from first to last, and have been riveted my husband says it's official, he's a book widow. The story builds and builds you read until silly O/clock, then when you finally wake up, you can't wait to go back to where you stopped nodding off its a beautiful tale of love mystery and danger, it's heart stopping at times, you find yourself wanting to give them advice. I honestly adored this and can't wait to read more of her work. Thank you so so much.:) :) :)
Profile Image for Debra Mirs.
350 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2024
A new comer in the town has a lot of people on edge! All with a tunnel in a house!

Martin and Christie have set their wedding date. A lot needs to be done. HOWEVER a new comer visiting the tow, Bernie Cooper, has other ideas in mind. He is determined to take back Palmerston House as well as destroy the remaining Ryan family. A lot of budding relationships are created in this book. Where will they all go? And there is a mysterious tunnel in the Palmerston House - leading to.......
Profile Image for Debbie.
373 reviews8 followers
July 1, 2020
I quite liked the first book in the series. The second book was okay, but a bit farfetched.
This book? Beyond farfetched, and beyond corny/sappy. I barely made it through to the end.
And how many cups of coffee and how often are they consumed in this book!? Seriously. A lot of the characters swilling gallons of coffee are seniors too. I'm 55 and can't have caffeine after noon or I'd never sleep!
Unless you have a strong stomach for sappiness and unbelievable plotlines, I'd pass this one by.
Profile Image for Linda Roberts.
5 reviews
March 29, 2021
The Secrets of Palmerston House

I almost gave this one 4 stars. There were a few glitches I didn’t think fit...like Trev using a pet name for a woman he barely knew. I started to wonder if the author was growing tired of the story. Turns out she wasn’t...and neither am I. Now to dig into the next one and, I hope, have ALL the mysteries solved? And then a whole new series based on Charlotte; very cool!
Profile Image for Darlene Crawford.
63 reviews
June 1, 2021
Meh

I did not enjoy this story as much as the previous two. I just couldn't relate to Bernie's character. I didn't find him threatening, just odd. Also, it was very annoying how the name of Bernie's ancestor kept changing depending on what chapter and who is speaking. Sometimes it's Harry, sometimes Henry. Honestly if this was the first book in the series I would not have read anymore. I only rated it 4 stars because I love the story of Christie and Martin.
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