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The Belladonna Maze
From bestselling crime novelist and renowned Irish TV journalist Sinéad Crowley, gripping dual timelines entwine in this heart-stopping story of old secrets and forbidden passion.
An old house can hold many secrets. Hollowpark in the west of Ireland certainly does.
At the heart of the gardens is an intricate maze, named after a deadly poison, Belladonna. If you know the way through, it’s magical, a hiding place and playground like no other. If you don’t, it’s a place of fear and sinister riddles, where a young girl once went missing and was never seen again. Grace comes to Hollowpark as a nanny for young Skye FitzMahon.
Soon the mysterious past of Hollowpark has seduced her. Who is the woman she sometimes glimpses in an upstairs window? Or the apparition who keeps showing up unexpectedly, pleading, ‘Find me’. And how can she fight her growing attraction to Skye’s father?
Praise for Sinéad Crowley:
"The Belladonna Maze is spine tinglingly magnificent! Hugely atmospheric and completely engrossing it pulls you in and holds you captive until the very last word. Utterly unputdownable!" Steph Broadribb
'Beautifully written, and deftly plotted... So compelling that the pages almost turned themselves. A terrific novel' Liz Nugent
'Compelling, clever and deeply romantic, the plot has more twists and turns than the maze itself... A welcome return to fiction by one of Ireland's most accomplished crime writers... A joy to read' Jane Casey
'Prepare to lose yourself in The Belladonna Maze , a sweeping saga that embraces mystery, history and romance. If you're still missing Maeve Binchy, this one's for you' Erin Kelly
'Atmospheric, creepy, utterly engrossing and as twisty-turny as the maze itself' Tammy Cohen
An old house can hold many secrets. Hollowpark in the west of Ireland certainly does.
At the heart of the gardens is an intricate maze, named after a deadly poison, Belladonna. If you know the way through, it’s magical, a hiding place and playground like no other. If you don’t, it’s a place of fear and sinister riddles, where a young girl once went missing and was never seen again. Grace comes to Hollowpark as a nanny for young Skye FitzMahon.
Soon the mysterious past of Hollowpark has seduced her. Who is the woman she sometimes glimpses in an upstairs window? Or the apparition who keeps showing up unexpectedly, pleading, ‘Find me’. And how can she fight her growing attraction to Skye’s father?
Praise for Sinéad Crowley:
"The Belladonna Maze is spine tinglingly magnificent! Hugely atmospheric and completely engrossing it pulls you in and holds you captive until the very last word. Utterly unputdownable!" Steph Broadribb
'Beautifully written, and deftly plotted... So compelling that the pages almost turned themselves. A terrific novel' Liz Nugent
'Compelling, clever and deeply romantic, the plot has more twists and turns than the maze itself... A welcome return to fiction by one of Ireland's most accomplished crime writers... A joy to read' Jane Casey
'Prepare to lose yourself in The Belladonna Maze , a sweeping saga that embraces mystery, history and romance. If you're still missing Maeve Binchy, this one's for you' Erin Kelly
'Atmospheric, creepy, utterly engrossing and as twisty-turny as the maze itself' Tammy Cohen
400 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
October 17, 2022
Not for me thought I would give this a go
May 5, 2022
I loved this novel.
Grace accepts to be the nanny of a nice little girl, she moves back to Ireland after a long time she has worked in England and Europe. When she arrives at Hollowpark Hall she is charmed by the big, historical mansion, but pretty soon she discovers there are more residents than she expected that want her help to solve a mysterious incident happened years before.
The strenghth of the story for me are the characters, they are well developped and realistically depicted, they have such a depth I could feel their emotions. They pulled on my heartstrings and they crept on my mind so much I couldn't forget them after I have closed my book.
My favourite is Deirdre, she was a smart and feisty woman and she was never scared. Her life was troubled but she never left her house.
The Belladonna Maze is a pretty long story, with a lot of fascinating descriptions of the places, a plethora of characters with their own stories to tell, and a good mystery to solve. I know it could be confusing but on the contrary even the smallest thing piqued my curiousity.
The author wonderfully tied the loose ends, with some twists and shocking revelations, she skillfully intertwined the double timeline, past and present stories and characters that inhabited Hollowpark Hall are essential for the pleasure of this read.
I wished a little more involvement of the ghosts because I love my paranormal mystery as much but this is the only criticism that I can do.
April 18, 2022
3.5 stars rounded down.
An old house can hold many secrets. Hollowpark in the West of Ireland certainly does. At the heart of the gardens is an intricate maze, named after a deadly poison, Belladonna. If you know the way through, it's magical, a hiding place and playground like no other. If you don't, it's a place of fear and sinister riddles, where a young girl once went missing and never seen again. Grace comes to Hollowpark as a nanny to young Skye FitzMahon. Soon the mysterious past of Hollowpark has seduced her.
This mystery has a supernatural element to it. The book is descriptively written and told from Grace's perspective. Grace is Skye's nanny. With it's dual timeline we learn of events taking place in the present day 2007 and some of the house and grounds history in the 1840s, told in the past. The characters are well drawn, believable and likeable. There's a nice couple of twists. I did feel parts of the book were a little drawn out. The pace is steady throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeadofZeus and the author #SineadCrowley for my ARC of #TheBelladonnaMaze in exchange for an honest review.
An old house can hold many secrets. Hollowpark in the West of Ireland certainly does. At the heart of the gardens is an intricate maze, named after a deadly poison, Belladonna. If you know the way through, it's magical, a hiding place and playground like no other. If you don't, it's a place of fear and sinister riddles, where a young girl once went missing and never seen again. Grace comes to Hollowpark as a nanny to young Skye FitzMahon. Soon the mysterious past of Hollowpark has seduced her.
This mystery has a supernatural element to it. The book is descriptively written and told from Grace's perspective. Grace is Skye's nanny. With it's dual timeline we learn of events taking place in the present day 2007 and some of the house and grounds history in the 1840s, told in the past. The characters are well drawn, believable and likeable. There's a nice couple of twists. I did feel parts of the book were a little drawn out. The pace is steady throughout.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #HeadofZeus and the author #SineadCrowley for my ARC of #TheBelladonnaMaze in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2022
Pub Date 05 May 2022 Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for uncorrected arc
Publisher summary:
"An old house can hold many secrets. Hollowpark in the west of Ireland certainly does. At the heart of the gardens is an intricate maze, named after a deadly poison, Belladonna. If you know the way through, it's magical, a hiding place and playground like no other. If you don't, it's a place of fear and sinister riddles, where a young girl once went missing and was never seen again.
Grace comes to Hollowpark as a nanny for young Skye FitzMahon. Soon the mysterious past of Hollowpark has seduced her. Who is the woman she sometimes glimpses in an upstairs window? Or the apparition who keeps showing up unexpectedly, pleading, 'Find me'
Our hero is Grace, a professional nanny, Grace has a routine, her summers are spent working on a Greek island and winters are spent working in temporary nanny posts in chilly Britain, that is, until a turn of events leads to her acceptance of a job in Ireland.
This is where the real adventures begin. The story unfolds over two time periods, the 1840s where we meet the then inhabitants of Hollowpark and 2007 when Grace first arrives. The author meshes these different times beautifully
Of course, all is not as it seems and, believe me, there are little twists and turns from beginning to end, all very Agatha Christie!
Oh how I enjoyed this story! You know you have found exactly the right book for you when you find yourself put off doing all those things you ought to be doing, just so as you can get back to reading this intriguing, captivating tale.
This is an ideal weekend read for those who love a good mystery that is a little "other worldly" yet is not too dark
Publisher summary:
"An old house can hold many secrets. Hollowpark in the west of Ireland certainly does. At the heart of the gardens is an intricate maze, named after a deadly poison, Belladonna. If you know the way through, it's magical, a hiding place and playground like no other. If you don't, it's a place of fear and sinister riddles, where a young girl once went missing and was never seen again.
Grace comes to Hollowpark as a nanny for young Skye FitzMahon. Soon the mysterious past of Hollowpark has seduced her. Who is the woman she sometimes glimpses in an upstairs window? Or the apparition who keeps showing up unexpectedly, pleading, 'Find me'
Our hero is Grace, a professional nanny, Grace has a routine, her summers are spent working on a Greek island and winters are spent working in temporary nanny posts in chilly Britain, that is, until a turn of events leads to her acceptance of a job in Ireland.
This is where the real adventures begin. The story unfolds over two time periods, the 1840s where we meet the then inhabitants of Hollowpark and 2007 when Grace first arrives. The author meshes these different times beautifully
Of course, all is not as it seems and, believe me, there are little twists and turns from beginning to end, all very Agatha Christie!
Oh how I enjoyed this story! You know you have found exactly the right book for you when you find yourself put off doing all those things you ought to be doing, just so as you can get back to reading this intriguing, captivating tale.
This is an ideal weekend read for those who love a good mystery that is a little "other worldly" yet is not too dark
August 11, 2022
I was drawn to this book because I love reading stories that take place in our time, but hold echoes from earlier times. And of course I like friendly ghosts. I was not disappointed although there are some small things that I would like to have seen a little differently.
MC Grace is kind and dedicated to the children she takes care for, whether it is on a sunny Greek island or in a cold wintery London. She isn’t flawless and sometimes during the story she wants to give up because she’s just plain scared or just very unsure of how to handle. She likes her work though, and is very drawn to Skye, the cute three year old she’s taking care of. She’s also making friends in the village near the grand home she’s living in and enjoys her relative freedom – because she doesn’t have to care for Skye 24 hours a day there’s plenty time to go for trips.
The events in the 19th century and the 20th are coming to life in short chapters and together they take the reader slowly through the story.
What I would have liked to see a little different is the ‘ghost’ story. It’s just a bit flat compared to the rest of the book. The same goes for Isla, Skye’s mother. We do get to hear her story but it’s rather obvious what happened and I think she could have used a little more background.
It was a nice read because I liked most of the characters and the story was quite uncomplicated.
MC Grace is kind and dedicated to the children she takes care for, whether it is on a sunny Greek island or in a cold wintery London. She isn’t flawless and sometimes during the story she wants to give up because she’s just plain scared or just very unsure of how to handle. She likes her work though, and is very drawn to Skye, the cute three year old she’s taking care of. She’s also making friends in the village near the grand home she’s living in and enjoys her relative freedom – because she doesn’t have to care for Skye 24 hours a day there’s plenty time to go for trips.
The events in the 19th century and the 20th are coming to life in short chapters and together they take the reader slowly through the story.
What I would have liked to see a little different is the ‘ghost’ story. It’s just a bit flat compared to the rest of the book. The same goes for Isla, Skye’s mother. We do get to hear her story but it’s rather obvious what happened and I think she could have used a little more background.
It was a nice read because I liked most of the characters and the story was quite uncomplicated.
May 1, 2022
This book started off so well and I was really enjoying it. But, as I got into it I found it really lagged and I got very bored with it. This could have been a really good gothic story but it just didn’t get very far. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.
July 4, 2022
Hollowpark Hall protects its own...
What a delightful read THE BELLADONNA MAZE is! I wasn't quite sure what to expect diving in but I do so love gothic ghost story that is both mysterious and atmospheric so I couldn't resist...especially with that eye-catching cover. It was hauntingly captivating from the beginning, though not in any scary sense, and I could have easily devoured it in one sitting...and almost did. The rhythmic prose was almost hypnotic and I felt myself drawn into the pages and that of Hollowpark Hall itself.
The story begins in 1825 at Hollowpark Hall in the west of Ireland where it looms outside a little village and holds many secrets...and shadows. At the heart of its gardens is the beautifully intricate but deadly Belladonna maze.
When Deirdre Fitzmahon was a child, her only playmate was the gardener's son Ciaran O'Mahony. But as the years pass, their friendship is then separated by class and position and Deirdre finds herself very lonely. Her only friend is her little terrier, Prince. Her own father, disappointed that she was not born a boy and heir to the Hollowpark Hall estate, her only value was to marry with her husband becoming heir to the estate which she calls home. And so about a decade later she marries Laurence Foster who will become master of Hollowpark upon her father's death. But as all good gothic tales go, tragedy strikes thus placing Deirdre's and Hollowpark's future in peril.
In 2007, Grace is a nanny who separates her time between summers in Greece, working the holiday kids klub in family resorts and enjoying the Mediterranean sun, with the rest of the year working as a nanny in London. By pure chance she meets Patrick Fitzmahon and his wife Isla when saving their little girl Skye from drowning and impresses them with how well she interacts with their daughter. They then offer her a permanent position as nanny at their home at Hollowpark Hall.
From the moment she sets foot on Hollowpark soil, Grace becomes entranced by the Hall's mysterious past. When she glimpses the reflection of a teenage girl in jeans in her mirror and later an apparition of a woman in 19th century black dress, she puts her hallucinations down to dehydration and fatigue. But the more familiar she becomes with the place the more she glimpses the two ghostly figures. Mostly they remain silent, but there are times when they are imploring "Find her", although she isn't quite sure who "her" actually is. Inevitably, Grace is shaken by these happenings and begins to make plans to leave Hollowpark.
But when she discovers the unexplained disappearance of a teenage girl in 1973 who went missing following a Halloween party on the estate, Grace becomes even more intrigued. Is this the girl she has been "seeing" within the empty rooms in the Hall? If so, what is it she is trying to tell her? And the dark haired woman in 19th century dress? Could she be Deirdre Fitzmahon? What ghosts lay in unrest here? And why? And then there is the added complication of her growing attraction to Patrick.
Beginning with a significant incident in the Belladonna maze itself in 1825, the story then separated between the nineteenth century, 1973 and 2007 in alternating chapters. The dual timelines flow together seamlessly although I prefer the unfolding story of the past as it was far more atmospheric. I would have liked to know more about what happened to Deirdre beyond the gate house and appearing as an apparition in the present day, so I did find that a little opened ended. Her story is hinted at through Delia's telling and Jack's research but nothing really tangible. I loved the little dog that befriended Grace from the start and given its knowledge of the maze in leading her through, I guessed correctly as to his origins.
I enjoyed Grace's narrative too though not quite as much as Deirdre's. However it did improve the further she delved into the Hall's mysteries. Her interactions with Skye were delightful though she struck me as a lonely person needing to set down some roots. I was happy with how it ended for her and the author gave Deirdre something of an ending as well which I thought was a lovely touch.
The descriptions of Hollowpark Hall and the maze especially were excellent and intricate by design. I was immersed completely in the narrative that I didn't really want to leave. Ironically, I am not a paranormal/supernatural fan BUT I do enjoy gothic tales with a supernatural element to it in the form of unrested ghosts. Despite its different timeline, I was reminded a little of Louise Douglas' "The Room in the Attic" which also had a similar element to it.
An entertaining read from beginning to end, THE BELLADONNA MAZE is a fascinating tale with a steady pace throughout that is as intriguing as it is atmospheric. A thoroughly enjoyable tale with even a little nod to the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie.
I would like to thank #SinéadCrowley, #NetGalley and #HeadOfZeus for an ARC of #TheBelladonnaMaze in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
What a delightful read THE BELLADONNA MAZE is! I wasn't quite sure what to expect diving in but I do so love gothic ghost story that is both mysterious and atmospheric so I couldn't resist...especially with that eye-catching cover. It was hauntingly captivating from the beginning, though not in any scary sense, and I could have easily devoured it in one sitting...and almost did. The rhythmic prose was almost hypnotic and I felt myself drawn into the pages and that of Hollowpark Hall itself.
The story begins in 1825 at Hollowpark Hall in the west of Ireland where it looms outside a little village and holds many secrets...and shadows. At the heart of its gardens is the beautifully intricate but deadly Belladonna maze.
When Deirdre Fitzmahon was a child, her only playmate was the gardener's son Ciaran O'Mahony. But as the years pass, their friendship is then separated by class and position and Deirdre finds herself very lonely. Her only friend is her little terrier, Prince. Her own father, disappointed that she was not born a boy and heir to the Hollowpark Hall estate, her only value was to marry with her husband becoming heir to the estate which she calls home. And so about a decade later she marries Laurence Foster who will become master of Hollowpark upon her father's death. But as all good gothic tales go, tragedy strikes thus placing Deirdre's and Hollowpark's future in peril.
In 2007, Grace is a nanny who separates her time between summers in Greece, working the holiday kids klub in family resorts and enjoying the Mediterranean sun, with the rest of the year working as a nanny in London. By pure chance she meets Patrick Fitzmahon and his wife Isla when saving their little girl Skye from drowning and impresses them with how well she interacts with their daughter. They then offer her a permanent position as nanny at their home at Hollowpark Hall.
From the moment she sets foot on Hollowpark soil, Grace becomes entranced by the Hall's mysterious past. When she glimpses the reflection of a teenage girl in jeans in her mirror and later an apparition of a woman in 19th century black dress, she puts her hallucinations down to dehydration and fatigue. But the more familiar she becomes with the place the more she glimpses the two ghostly figures. Mostly they remain silent, but there are times when they are imploring "Find her", although she isn't quite sure who "her" actually is. Inevitably, Grace is shaken by these happenings and begins to make plans to leave Hollowpark.
But when she discovers the unexplained disappearance of a teenage girl in 1973 who went missing following a Halloween party on the estate, Grace becomes even more intrigued. Is this the girl she has been "seeing" within the empty rooms in the Hall? If so, what is it she is trying to tell her? And the dark haired woman in 19th century dress? Could she be Deirdre Fitzmahon? What ghosts lay in unrest here? And why? And then there is the added complication of her growing attraction to Patrick.
Beginning with a significant incident in the Belladonna maze itself in 1825, the story then separated between the nineteenth century, 1973 and 2007 in alternating chapters. The dual timelines flow together seamlessly although I prefer the unfolding story of the past as it was far more atmospheric. I would have liked to know more about what happened to Deirdre beyond the gate house and appearing as an apparition in the present day, so I did find that a little opened ended. Her story is hinted at through Delia's telling and Jack's research but nothing really tangible. I loved the little dog that befriended Grace from the start and given its knowledge of the maze in leading her through, I guessed correctly as to his origins.
I enjoyed Grace's narrative too though not quite as much as Deirdre's. However it did improve the further she delved into the Hall's mysteries. Her interactions with Skye were delightful though she struck me as a lonely person needing to set down some roots. I was happy with how it ended for her and the author gave Deirdre something of an ending as well which I thought was a lovely touch.
The descriptions of Hollowpark Hall and the maze especially were excellent and intricate by design. I was immersed completely in the narrative that I didn't really want to leave. Ironically, I am not a paranormal/supernatural fan BUT I do enjoy gothic tales with a supernatural element to it in the form of unrested ghosts. Despite its different timeline, I was reminded a little of Louise Douglas' "The Room in the Attic" which also had a similar element to it.
An entertaining read from beginning to end, THE BELLADONNA MAZE is a fascinating tale with a steady pace throughout that is as intriguing as it is atmospheric. A thoroughly enjoyable tale with even a little nod to the Queen of Crime herself, Agatha Christie.
I would like to thank #SinéadCrowley, #NetGalley and #HeadOfZeus for an ARC of #TheBelladonnaMaze in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
September 18, 2022
این کتاب به پیشنهاد یکی از اعضای گروه کتابخوانی پیشنهاد شد.
داستان خیلی سر راست و راحت خون بود. بر اساس اسم و فضای اوایل کتاب حس میکنی داستان ترسناک و فانتزی باشه ولی تو واقعیت خیلی اینطوری نبود.
جدا از راحت خون بودن. من لهجه نویسنده که کتابم خونده بود رو دوست داشتم. خیلی تلاش کرده بود مثلا لهجه روستایی و اینا رو دربیاره و به نظرم جالب بود.
آیا این کتاب رو پیشنهاد میدم کسی بخونه؟ حقیقتش تو این سبک اینقدر کتاب خوب هست که نوبت به همچین چیزی نمیرسه. پس جوابم نه هست برای این سوال
چرا کسی این کتابو خوبه بخونه؟ اگه کتاب تو فضای ایرلند دوست داشتید شاید خوندن این کتاب بد نباشه.
داستان خیلی سر راست و راحت خون بود. بر اساس اسم و فضای اوایل کتاب حس میکنی داستان ترسناک و فانتزی باشه ولی تو واقعیت خیلی اینطوری نبود.
جدا از راحت خون بودن. من لهجه نویسنده که کتابم خونده بود رو دوست داشتم. خیلی تلاش کرده بود مثلا لهجه روستایی و اینا رو دربیاره و به نظرم جالب بود.
آیا این کتاب رو پیشنهاد میدم کسی بخونه؟ حقیقتش تو این سبک اینقدر کتاب خوب هست که نوبت به همچین چیزی نمیرسه. پس جوابم نه هست برای این سوال
چرا کسی این کتابو خوبه بخونه؟ اگه کتاب تو فضای ایرلند دوست داشتید شاید خوندن این کتاب بد نباشه.
April 13, 2025
I always feel dual timeline stories are a challenge to pull off successfully. Often they really don’t work for me, usually because I find one of the storylines more engaging than the other. Unsurprisingly, as a lover of historical fiction, it’s usually the one set in the past. I think the author managed it here though because the two storylines – one set in the mid-19th century and the other in 2007 – are woven together using a touch of the supernatural so it always feels there’s an underlying resonance between the two. A third storyline set in the mid-1970s involving the unsolved disappearance of a local girl helps tie them together as well. Despite being a supernatural sceptic, I was able to accept that Hollowpark, given its age and location, might hold many secrets. And if you’re going to suspend disbelief anywhere about ghostly apparations and ancient curses then surely Ireland is the place.
I liked the way the author introduced a character to enable her to weave into the story some of Ireland’s troubled history. In particular, the so-called ‘Great Hunger’ whose main cause was the infection of potato crops by blight. It reached its peak in 1847 and because so many people were dependent on potatoes for food and income, it resulted in a death toll of around 1 million. It also sparked a mass exodus with many people leaving Ireland for America among other places. This is also neatly reflected in the book later on.
The combination of history and mystery kept me absorbed in the story and there were a few good reveals which you’d expect from an author who also writes crime novels, although I did have my suspicions about the perpertrator fairly early on. There were a few creepy moments when Grace finds herself alone in the largely uninhabited house and the maze of the book’s title takes on a distinctly sinister aspect at times. Personally I found the relationship that develops between Grace and Patrick, her employer, unconvincing. Having only Grace’s point of view meant the attraction felt one-sided. I also thought it was rather too quickly and conveniently wrapped up.
The Belladonna Maze is a well-crafted story that will appeal to fans of dual timeline stories with a touch of the supernatural. I listened to the audiobook version narrated by the author. She did an excellent job, her Irish accent giving a real feeling of authenticity to the characters and dialogue.
I liked the way the author introduced a character to enable her to weave into the story some of Ireland’s troubled history. In particular, the so-called ‘Great Hunger’ whose main cause was the infection of potato crops by blight. It reached its peak in 1847 and because so many people were dependent on potatoes for food and income, it resulted in a death toll of around 1 million. It also sparked a mass exodus with many people leaving Ireland for America among other places. This is also neatly reflected in the book later on.
The combination of history and mystery kept me absorbed in the story and there were a few good reveals which you’d expect from an author who also writes crime novels, although I did have my suspicions about the perpertrator fairly early on. There were a few creepy moments when Grace finds herself alone in the largely uninhabited house and the maze of the book’s title takes on a distinctly sinister aspect at times. Personally I found the relationship that develops between Grace and Patrick, her employer, unconvincing. Having only Grace’s point of view meant the attraction felt one-sided. I also thought it was rather too quickly and conveniently wrapped up.
The Belladonna Maze is a well-crafted story that will appeal to fans of dual timeline stories with a touch of the supernatural. I listened to the audiobook version narrated by the author. She did an excellent job, her Irish accent giving a real feeling of authenticity to the characters and dialogue.
April 19, 2022
A story set in the countryside of Ireland in multiple timelines from different perspectives. The good points first, it was atmospheric, well written story of mystery, murder, the Irish famine and a little ghost story thrown in for good measure. The less positives: I found I enjoyed the older timeline chapters more enjoyable than the ones that centred around Grace. There were a number of somewhat implausible situations, especially in the first few days when Grace first goes to Hollowpark to take up the nanny role, for example a number of strangers inside and out of the family are oversharing highly sensitive and damaging information to her and an improbable explanation of how the owner of this stately home was able to pay off the debts and renovate to a standard acceptable to take guests. At times Grace's narrative felt like an opinion piece for the newspaper. Somewhat drawn out but I think a lot of readers would enjoy this, especially as a light summer read. Overall 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.
August 9, 2023
Rating: 3.5
I'm so torn by this book, because the first half was so good and had the potential to be really amazing. Sadly, for me, the second half of it let me down. It just fell really flat, especially in terms of how clichéd a certain aspect of it turned out to be, and also how unbelievable part of the story was..Like, I just couldn't get past the actions of a character or the reasons given for said actions.
The writing was good to start with especially since it really created a tense and creepy atmosphere.
The setting was such a good one, and if not for what I mentioned above, it could've been such an amazing read.
Thank you to PH and Sinéad for the chance to read this book.
I'm so torn by this book, because the first half was so good and had the potential to be really amazing. Sadly, for me, the second half of it let me down. It just fell really flat, especially in terms of how clichéd a certain aspect of it turned out to be, and also how unbelievable part of the story was..Like, I just couldn't get past the actions of a character or the reasons given for said actions.
The writing was good to start with especially since it really created a tense and creepy atmosphere.
The setting was such a good one, and if not for what I mentioned above, it could've been such an amazing read.
Thank you to PH and Sinéad for the chance to read this book.
May 24, 2022
Read at your own risk, it's a proper rant and I don't really know if it counts as a giant spoiler or not since I cover the whole book.
This book truly pissed me off. It started off so well and I was intrigued by the plot. The writing was great at reeling you in and keeping you in suspense. HOWEVER NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 80% OF THE BOOK. The plot/blurb you read before you start??? HARDLY FEATURES.
Yes, there's a maze. Yes, Grace moves to a huge manor and is seemingly haunted by ghosts. But the belladonna in the maze is mentioned a handful of times and only plays a role once- and that was in the chapters based in the 1800's. The girl that went missing? Hardly ever mentioned too. She starts featuring in maybe the last quarter of the book? less? The lady in the window...also only seen a handful of times. The eeriness and spookiness that was meant to exist....nothing.
The "growing attraction" to Skye's father? NON-EXISTENT. They have a few interactions and then suddenly she's like "I'm in love with him". There was literally no evidence of feelings ever growing or being returned. It appeared out of nowhere.
The chapters that switched between past and present should have been interesting, and was at the start, but it introduced way too many characters and made it hard to keep track.
OH AND LeTs NoT FoRgEt ThE eNdIng. Like what was that??? The enemy in the end was someone that had literally no reason to be the enemy??Or at least I didn't get the reason. It was a silly reason. And then everything just magically worked out in the end with a bow wrapped neatly around the plot. How convenient.
All in all, Im disappointed and mad that I read this book. I expected a lot more from what the blurb described.
This book truly pissed me off. It started off so well and I was intrigued by the plot. The writing was great at reeling you in and keeping you in suspense. HOWEVER NOTHING HAPPENED FOR ABOUT 80% OF THE BOOK. The plot/blurb you read before you start??? HARDLY FEATURES.
Yes, there's a maze. Yes, Grace moves to a huge manor and is seemingly haunted by ghosts. But the belladonna in the maze is mentioned a handful of times and only plays a role once- and that was in the chapters based in the 1800's. The girl that went missing? Hardly ever mentioned too. She starts featuring in maybe the last quarter of the book? less? The lady in the window...also only seen a handful of times. The eeriness and spookiness that was meant to exist....nothing.
The "growing attraction" to Skye's father? NON-EXISTENT. They have a few interactions and then suddenly she's like "I'm in love with him". There was literally no evidence of feelings ever growing or being returned. It appeared out of nowhere.
The chapters that switched between past and present should have been interesting, and was at the start, but it introduced way too many characters and made it hard to keep track.
OH AND LeTs NoT FoRgEt ThE eNdIng. Like what was that??? The enemy in the end was someone that had literally no reason to be the enemy??Or at least I didn't get the reason. It was a silly reason. And then everything just magically worked out in the end with a bow wrapped neatly around the plot. How convenient.
All in all, Im disappointed and mad that I read this book. I expected a lot more from what the blurb described.
May 2, 2022
A novel with three timelines it is mainly set in Ireland in 2007. I love books set in this country. Grace is a professional nanny and comes to live at Hollowpark House to take care of little Skye FitzMahon. The house is wonderful but it hides some dark secrets. There is a tower in the grounds which overlooks the maze. The belladonna of the title is a deadly plant which is found entwined with the maze hedging.
The past story is mainly about Deirdre one of the original family of Hollowpark. She loves the house with a passion but is forced to leave it for the Gate House when on her father's death her cousin inherits. I would have liked to spend more time in the past story as it was more interesting. I felt this period of the story was wasted. Almost brushed over.
The third timeline is brief and sets the scene for a disappearance which happened many years ago.
I enjoyed the story. A lot. The opening chapters were very engaging and there was plenty happening but then it got bogged down. There were quite a few chapters where absolutely nothing
happened and we spent a lot of time with Grace and her thoughts which got very monotonous.
The twist at the end was brilliant. Not for one second did I see it coming.
Then after meandering along for quite a few chapters the end came at speed. Too much happened too quickly and it was all tied up a bit too neatly but I would definitely try another book by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The past story is mainly about Deirdre one of the original family of Hollowpark. She loves the house with a passion but is forced to leave it for the Gate House when on her father's death her cousin inherits. I would have liked to spend more time in the past story as it was more interesting. I felt this period of the story was wasted. Almost brushed over.
The third timeline is brief and sets the scene for a disappearance which happened many years ago.
I enjoyed the story. A lot. The opening chapters were very engaging and there was plenty happening but then it got bogged down. There were quite a few chapters where absolutely nothing
happened and we spent a lot of time with Grace and her thoughts which got very monotonous.
The twist at the end was brilliant. Not for one second did I see it coming.
Then after meandering along for quite a few chapters the end came at speed. Too much happened too quickly and it was all tied up a bit too neatly but I would definitely try another book by this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 26, 2022
Grace loves her career, working her summers in holiday kids’ clubs in Greece and the rest of the year as a nanny in London. Just when she thinks it’s time to settle down more, a couple she meets in Greece offer her a permanent nanny job in County Roscommon.
Hollowpark Hall is a stately pile in need of much work. Patrick Fitzmahon with his wife and his mother have a dream to restore it, to start guided tours around it and more, but money is tight. Moving into Hollowpark and looking after Patrick and Isla’s little girl seems like a dream come true. But before long Grace needs to puts Hollowpark’s ghosts to rest, ghosts unsettled by unfair dealings in the past.
The Belladonna Maze is a rolling mystery/ghost story, alternating in the periods between 1825 and 2007, and a very enjoyable experience it is too. Well written and easily read, while not ground-breaking stuff, Sinead Crowley systemically presents the stories, an atmospheric backdrop and the answers to the unsolved mysteries.
Great holiday read potential.
With thanks to Net Galley UK and Head of Zeus
Hollowpark Hall is a stately pile in need of much work. Patrick Fitzmahon with his wife and his mother have a dream to restore it, to start guided tours around it and more, but money is tight. Moving into Hollowpark and looking after Patrick and Isla’s little girl seems like a dream come true. But before long Grace needs to puts Hollowpark’s ghosts to rest, ghosts unsettled by unfair dealings in the past.
The Belladonna Maze is a rolling mystery/ghost story, alternating in the periods between 1825 and 2007, and a very enjoyable experience it is too. Well written and easily read, while not ground-breaking stuff, Sinead Crowley systemically presents the stories, an atmospheric backdrop and the answers to the unsolved mysteries.
Great holiday read potential.
With thanks to Net Galley UK and Head of Zeus
July 11, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book with it's gothic vibes. Add in a Nanny with travelling feet, a creepy house with sprawling gardens and a maze, an unsolved missing girl case from years ago, and I was firmly on board to get to the bottom of The Belladonna Maze.
There are two timelines - 2007 and 1840 - both revolve around the house and it's mysteries - and both kept me entertained.
I enjoyed the pace, it meandered a bit, but that only added to the atmosphere of the book, and it helped keep up the suspense element. Fab setting, interesting characters and a mystery that held my attention, a book well worth spending a few hair raising hours with.
There are two timelines - 2007 and 1840 - both revolve around the house and it's mysteries - and both kept me entertained.
I enjoyed the pace, it meandered a bit, but that only added to the atmosphere of the book, and it helped keep up the suspense element. Fab setting, interesting characters and a mystery that held my attention, a book well worth spending a few hair raising hours with.
May 9, 2022
Hollowpark Hall protects its own…
Set in the west of Ireland, Hollowpark Hall is an old house with many secrets. At the heart of its gardens is the beautiful but deadly Belladonna maze. The estate is full of riddles and a young woman goes missing and is never seen again.
Grace comes to Hollowpark Hall to work as a nanny for young Skye Fitzmahon. Everything is not what it seems and soon Grace is dragged into the mysteries of the house.
I loved this book- I was engrossed in the story from the first line. It’s darkly atmospheric with supernatural elements and a gothic feel to it. I love a good haunting story and this book delivered! There’s a great mix of mystery, the supernatural, history and romance.
Loved the characters who were all well developed and felt really authentic. My favourites have to be Grace and Delia. Delia is your typical Irish mammy trying to feed everyone and be the mammy hen! I love how Grace instantly connected with the house and I had goosebumps on several occasions at what Grace experiences whilst staying there (the bathroom scene 😳😳)
This book serves as many twists and turns as the beautiful Belladonna maze itself. The dual timelines worked in perfect harmony with each other and Crowley masterfully weaves them together. There’s a level of unpredictability when reading this story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A truly compelling story that I just could not put down.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this cover- it just makes you want to run through the maze in a beautiful gúna (dress in Irish)!
The Belladonna Maze is a five star read for me. It’s out now so, so grab a copy. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the arc!
Set in the west of Ireland, Hollowpark Hall is an old house with many secrets. At the heart of its gardens is the beautiful but deadly Belladonna maze. The estate is full of riddles and a young woman goes missing and is never seen again.
Grace comes to Hollowpark Hall to work as a nanny for young Skye Fitzmahon. Everything is not what it seems and soon Grace is dragged into the mysteries of the house.
I loved this book- I was engrossed in the story from the first line. It’s darkly atmospheric with supernatural elements and a gothic feel to it. I love a good haunting story and this book delivered! There’s a great mix of mystery, the supernatural, history and romance.
Loved the characters who were all well developed and felt really authentic. My favourites have to be Grace and Delia. Delia is your typical Irish mammy trying to feed everyone and be the mammy hen! I love how Grace instantly connected with the house and I had goosebumps on several occasions at what Grace experiences whilst staying there (the bathroom scene 😳😳)
This book serves as many twists and turns as the beautiful Belladonna maze itself. The dual timelines worked in perfect harmony with each other and Crowley masterfully weaves them together. There’s a level of unpredictability when reading this story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. A truly compelling story that I just could not put down.
Can we just take a moment to appreciate the beauty of this cover- it just makes you want to run through the maze in a beautiful gúna (dress in Irish)!
The Belladonna Maze is a five star read for me. It’s out now so, so grab a copy. Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the arc!
August 9, 2023
The Belladonna Maze was an easy read with a ghostly background. Not scary, just a little creepy and a good plot to get stuck into. Grace I felt could have done with a bit more depth to her character though, she seemed a bit ridiculous at times and certainly by the conclusion the clichés were making me retch.
I enjoyed the past more, it had more tension, more sadness and was more intriguing. I felt the 'twist' turned the tale into something rather predictable and everything that happened afterwards just way too convenient.
I am glad Catherine Clancy and Dierdre Fitzmahon were eventually able to 'rest' and thought the puppy going into the maze and barking at the stone plinth was a nice touch.
All in all, a perfectly acceptable read which could have been elevated to the Very Good category if the ending had been different.
Thanks to Pigeonhole for hosting and the publisher and author granting me access to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
I enjoyed the past more, it had more tension, more sadness and was more intriguing. I felt the 'twist' turned the tale into something rather predictable and everything that happened afterwards just way too convenient.
I am glad Catherine Clancy and Dierdre Fitzmahon were eventually able to 'rest' and thought the puppy going into the maze and barking at the stone plinth was a nice touch.
All in all, a perfectly acceptable read which could have been elevated to the Very Good category if the ending had been different.
Thanks to Pigeonhole for hosting and the publisher and author granting me access to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.
July 19, 2022
Grace is working as a holiday rep in Greece when she becomes friendly with an Irish family and agrees to return to their home, Hollowpark Hall in Roscommon with them to work as live-in Nanny to their young daughter, Skye Fitzmahon. Grace soon hears about the disappearance of a local girl, who vanished on Halloween night thirty years previously. Locals are a bit spooked about anyone staying in Hollowpark - but legend has it that as long as a Fitzmahon is in residence, no harm will come to them.
Grace soon realises that things aren't as they seem - and locals are right to be concerned.
This was brilliant, I really enjoyed it. It's a total departure from Sinéad Crowley's other books, I wasn't expecting an almost gothic-style thriller that genuinely spooked me in parts. Like similar books, I did feel like it all got a little Scooby-Doo towards the end but listen - if you're looking for a spooky, atmospheric thriller with two engaging, intertwining stories then this is really worth checking out. I loved it and I'd read it again, which is rare for me these days.
Thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley arc.
Grace soon realises that things aren't as they seem - and locals are right to be concerned.
This was brilliant, I really enjoyed it. It's a total departure from Sinéad Crowley's other books, I wasn't expecting an almost gothic-style thriller that genuinely spooked me in parts. Like similar books, I did feel like it all got a little Scooby-Doo towards the end but listen - if you're looking for a spooky, atmospheric thriller with two engaging, intertwining stories then this is really worth checking out. I loved it and I'd read it again, which is rare for me these days.
Thank you to the publisher for the Netgalley arc.
May 1, 2022
An interesting, mysterious, enjoyable read. Set in Ireland and covering different time periods , I settled into the story and loved the supernatural element and was eager to find out why the ghost continued to appear in the old mansion and maze. The house holds many secrets of distant and more recent crimes, the period of the potato famin is one of the biggest crimes in Irish history where little was done to help the people survive when they were weak from starvation. This only covers a small part of the book but has incredible repercussions.
April 3, 2024
The story:
Over 30 years ago, a 15-year-old girl went missing after attending a Halloween party at Hollowpark Hall. And more than 150 years ago, another young woman lived there; a woman who loved the house, and the beautiful maze in its grounds. A woman who was forced to leave against her will.
When Grace comes to work as a nanny for the Fitzmahon family, she almost immediately feels that their grand but neglected home in the northwest of Ireland is hiding secrets. There are restless spirits in residence. But Hollowpark Hall is said to protect its own…
My thoughts:
“The Belladonna Maze”, by Sinéad Crowley is a gripping historical mystery set in Ireland, with more than a hint of the gothic!
The story is told across several timelines, all set around Hollowpark Hall — “the big house” of the village of Lisheeha, in County Roscommon. In the 19th century we meet Deirdre Fitzmahon, first as a child in 1825, then following the unhappy events of her marriage, which ends in her early widowhood. When her father passes away, Deidre and her mother are unceremoniously turned out of their home by her cousin (the next male heir) to live in the property’s gatehouse. But Deidre believes in the family legend that Hollowpark protects its own, and is determined she will never leave…
In 2007, Grace is working as a nanny in the winter months, and enjoying the sunshine of Greece in the summer as a holiday rep in charge of the kids’ club. But she is starting to feel the need for a more settled life, and when Patrick and Isla Fitzmahon offer her the job of nanny for their daughter Skye, she takes the chance to move back to her native Ireland. Immediately enchanted by the grand, although somewhat rundown, Hollowpark, she also strongly feels the presence of something more sinister… As she gets to know the household, which also includes Patrick’s mother Delia, and the village of Lisheeha, she learns about the mysterious disappearance of a young girl from the grounds during a party more that 30 years ago. She becomes convinced that the spirit of Catherine Clancy is reaching out to her, begging for the truth of what happened to be discovered…
This book is just my sort of story, with its gothic atmosphere and a puzzling murder mystery at its heart. We can assume that Catherine Clancy was killed, but how and why? And more importantly, by whom? The solution to this mystery is revealed in the final gripping chapters, and I found the answer to be both surprising and satisfying. Overall, this was a well-written, engaging read — definitely one for all historical mystery fans!
Over 30 years ago, a 15-year-old girl went missing after attending a Halloween party at Hollowpark Hall. And more than 150 years ago, another young woman lived there; a woman who loved the house, and the beautiful maze in its grounds. A woman who was forced to leave against her will.
When Grace comes to work as a nanny for the Fitzmahon family, she almost immediately feels that their grand but neglected home in the northwest of Ireland is hiding secrets. There are restless spirits in residence. But Hollowpark Hall is said to protect its own…
My thoughts:
“The Belladonna Maze”, by Sinéad Crowley is a gripping historical mystery set in Ireland, with more than a hint of the gothic!
The story is told across several timelines, all set around Hollowpark Hall — “the big house” of the village of Lisheeha, in County Roscommon. In the 19th century we meet Deirdre Fitzmahon, first as a child in 1825, then following the unhappy events of her marriage, which ends in her early widowhood. When her father passes away, Deidre and her mother are unceremoniously turned out of their home by her cousin (the next male heir) to live in the property’s gatehouse. But Deidre believes in the family legend that Hollowpark protects its own, and is determined she will never leave…
In 2007, Grace is working as a nanny in the winter months, and enjoying the sunshine of Greece in the summer as a holiday rep in charge of the kids’ club. But she is starting to feel the need for a more settled life, and when Patrick and Isla Fitzmahon offer her the job of nanny for their daughter Skye, she takes the chance to move back to her native Ireland. Immediately enchanted by the grand, although somewhat rundown, Hollowpark, she also strongly feels the presence of something more sinister… As she gets to know the household, which also includes Patrick’s mother Delia, and the village of Lisheeha, she learns about the mysterious disappearance of a young girl from the grounds during a party more that 30 years ago. She becomes convinced that the spirit of Catherine Clancy is reaching out to her, begging for the truth of what happened to be discovered…
This book is just my sort of story, with its gothic atmosphere and a puzzling murder mystery at its heart. We can assume that Catherine Clancy was killed, but how and why? And more importantly, by whom? The solution to this mystery is revealed in the final gripping chapters, and I found the answer to be both surprising and satisfying. Overall, this was a well-written, engaging read — definitely one for all historical mystery fans!
August 12, 2023
A multi timeframe story set in Ireland. It starts in 1825 where we meet Deidre FitzMahon, daughter of the owner of Hollowpark House. In 2007 Grace, who is a nanny, moves from Greece to Ireland to look after three year old Skye FitzMahon. Events come to light about the disappearance of a teenager in 1973. Grace starts to see faces at windows of Hollowpark and mysterious ghostly figures. Can it all be connected?
I very much enjoyed this intriguing tale. I hadn’t realised it had a supernatural element when I started reading it but as the spectral side of it emerged, I was gripped and I thought it was very well done. I loved the thought of the maze and the tower, they put me in mind of the Minotaur and Rapunzel! It’s evocatively written with some vivid descriptions and some great characters. I liked how the three timelines interconnected. It was all pulled together wonderfully. The ending is maybe a little too neatly tied up but don’t let this detract from the enjoyment of this book. It’s fiction at the end of the day where anything goes. An engaging, atmospheric and compelling ghost story about secrets and about how the past can catch up with you. Hollowpark looks after its own.
I very much enjoyed this intriguing tale. I hadn’t realised it had a supernatural element when I started reading it but as the spectral side of it emerged, I was gripped and I thought it was very well done. I loved the thought of the maze and the tower, they put me in mind of the Minotaur and Rapunzel! It’s evocatively written with some vivid descriptions and some great characters. I liked how the three timelines interconnected. It was all pulled together wonderfully. The ending is maybe a little too neatly tied up but don’t let this detract from the enjoyment of this book. It’s fiction at the end of the day where anything goes. An engaging, atmospheric and compelling ghost story about secrets and about how the past can catch up with you. Hollowpark looks after its own.
September 8, 2024
This book ended up being very… meh for me.
There were parts I really got into, but for the most part, I really felt like it dragged.
I needed more Gothic atmosphere, more of the whole “house will protect you” vibes, and a lot more of the ghosts.
Honestly, I also just needed actual closure to Deidre's story. This whole book could have been about her, and I think I would have been happier.
After her story ended, the rest of the plot really slowed down, and it was a bit of a chore to get through it. The ideas were there, I think it was just way too slow.
There were parts I really got into, but for the most part, I really felt like it dragged.
I needed more Gothic atmosphere, more of the whole “house will protect you” vibes, and a lot more of the ghosts.
Honestly, I also just needed actual closure to Deidre's story. This whole book could have been about her, and I think I would have been happier.
After her story ended, the rest of the plot really slowed down, and it was a bit of a chore to get through it. The ideas were there, I think it was just way too slow.
March 3, 2022
This was an entertaining mystery with a supernatural element and a familiar past to present chapter set up. The writing enabled me to visualise an atmospheric setting and I particularly liked the scenes in the tower. I did find the ending a little cliched and perhaps too neat. But overall I enjoyed this novel and will be recommending it as a good read to others.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 4, 2024
This was an enjoyable quick read about a nanny in Ireland. I felt like the book had the potential to be more of a horror as the history of the house/manor in the book is very dark.
But I was never actually scared like I would have been reading a Gothic novel for instance. Not really a criticism, more an observation on how the author chose to convey the story.
I would say this is a light thriller with a little bit of romance aspect added.
But I was never actually scared like I would have been reading a Gothic novel for instance. Not really a criticism, more an observation on how the author chose to convey the story.
I would say this is a light thriller with a little bit of romance aspect added.
May 22, 2025
Grace becomes a nanny to Skye, a three year old, in the west of Ireland. It is the house that becomes the main feature of the book along with the spooky maze. Written in two time lines the ghostly aspect is engaging but falls a bit flat in the modern day aspect of the novel. A few surprises along the way helped to make the story interesting.
August 3, 2022
I really enjoyed this book … was so close to being a 5/5 but the end was a little too perfect and slightlyyyyy unrealistic … but, I really enjoyed this read and will definitely pick up more books by this author
May 1, 2022
A superb read, with echoes of Ireland that will resonate with anyone who has been there. The present and past exist seamlessly side by side in the atmospheric story centred around the family that live at Hollowpark. The usual ghost stories that surround an old mansion are going to be useful when tourists can come to stay. But there is more than a grain of truth to a story and the local amateur historian has his eye on the prize. But the house will look after its own and only give up what it wants to. An absorbing tale with a delightful end.
May 3, 2022
This book was everything and more. I absolutely love the different timelines, I feel it adds depth to the characters and how we get to the ending. And wow, what an ending, it truly was a huge surprise. The twists and turns had me gripped, I nearly cancelled clients so I could finish it quicker!
The characters were so easy to connect with, I felt the hatred, the fear, the love. I wonderfully well written book.
Thank you to the author, netgalley and head of zeus for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
The characters were so easy to connect with, I felt the hatred, the fear, the love. I wonderfully well written book.
Thank you to the author, netgalley and head of zeus for an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2023
Great book! Equal parts spooky and suspense with a hint of chic lit!
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