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The Shadows of Rutherford House
Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
Christie is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. Through her work as a psychiatric nurse, she becomes drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
As she tries to help Lillian leave the hospital and return to her stately childhood home, Christie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Rutherford-Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House? Why is she so reluctant to embrace her aristocratic legacy?
The more Christie learns about the family and their dark, ancestral past, the deeper the secrets seem to run - until she finds a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
Christie is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. Through her work as a psychiatric nurse, she becomes drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
As she tries to help Lillian leave the hospital and return to her stately childhood home, Christie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Rutherford-Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House? Why is she so reluctant to embrace her aristocratic legacy?
The more Christie learns about the family and their dark, ancestral past, the deeper the secrets seem to run - until she finds a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
320 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2022
16 people are currently reading
425 people want to read
About the author
C.E. Rose
8 books38 followersC.E. Rose is the pen name of novelist Caroline England.
Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters.
Follow her on Twitter: @CazEngland
Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters.
Follow her on Twitter: @CazEngland
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 125 reviews
September 29, 2023
EXCERPT: Prologue
Present Day
It’s heavily raining tonight, the wind whipping the windows behind the closed shutters. As ever, the midnight darkness is inky black, but that makes no odds to me. I know every inch, nook and cranny of this old manor like the back of my hand; even with my eyes closed, I could find each remnant of its former glory in seconds, the oil paintings depicting the haughty Percy line, the exquisitely shaped standard lamps, the Romanesque pillars and busts, the ornate marble hearths, brass grates and antique fire tools.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to be seen wandering Rutherford House as though I owned it, so I like this quiet time to explore the ancient corridors and chambers, to take in the aromas, the textures and vibrations, and tonight is no exception. I trace my fingers along the walls and feel the nap of velvet wallpaper, ridges of stucco trim and knots in fine hardwood. The panelling hasn’t been polished for years, and yet I know each room’s distinctive, waxy smell. I know which floorboards creak, which chairs have broken springs, which handsome tables have woodworm, the crystals missing from the showy chandeliers, the locks and latches which no longer work.
Remembering a spring ball I once watched from the wings, I dance across the marbled floor of the domed hallway. The worn carpet of the sweeping staircase is rough beneath my toes, yet it still has the elegance, the grandeur of the past, especially when I pause to listen to the rock ’n’ roll echoing from the dance floor below. Humming at the memory, I sashay up the steps, and when I reach the open landing, I stop again to new noises which pierce the silence. Babies, of course, the joyful bleats and shuffles of all the newborns brought into the world under this very roof. I brush by the balustrade and make my way through the shadows towards the warmth and the sound, but as ever, a hand slips into mine, insubstantial but undoubtedly there. And though I long to turn back the clock and wipe out my one and only guilt, history can’t be changed, so I pull away and cover my ears to block out the inevitable.
Yet I still hear it. A thud and the crack of broken bones.
ABOUT 'THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE': Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
Christie is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. Through her work as a psychiatric nurse, she becomes drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
As she tries to help Lillian leave the hospital and return to her stately childhood home, Christie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Rutherford-Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House? Why is she so reluctant to embrace her aristocratic legacy?
The more Christie learns about the family and their dark, ancestral past, the deeper the secrets seem to run - until she finds a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
MY THOUGHTS: It took me a little to settle into The Shadows of Rutherford House with its dual timelines and plethora of characters. I spent the first few chapters going, 'Wait - who's that again?' But gradually I got them sorted and began to enjoy the multi-layered storyline.
The Rutherford-Percys collect secrets like some people do fine bone china. And over four generations, that's a lot of secrets. They keep secrets for each other, from each other, and from everyone else in general. But all it takes for them to start to unravel is one outsider who sees something that shouldn't be there . . .
The story is told from three points of view: Milly the housekeeper; Duncan the acting estate manager; and Christie, Lillian's nurse and friend. The characters, while largely definitely not likeable, are engaging and the plot well-crafted. The chapters are short and to the point. But, the reader does need to pay attention. A few times I had to flick back and reread a chapter because I had lost track of a part of the plot or thought I was in a different time period.
The final twist was a good one, and one I didn't see coming.
This is a read that I am going to say I enjoyed, but . . . and there are a few buts. Christie's character is one I should have felt some connection with, even sympathy for, but I found her erratic and, frankly, annoying. The love angle felt contrived and honestly, in real life OJ would have run for the hills after the way she treated him. And Duncan's mother . . . one minute she's all 'Don't worry, son. I'm here for you and the little one,' and the next she's on the plane for Spain!
The love angle wasn't the only thing that felt contrived, but to say more would be to give away a major plot spoiler. Despite these gripes, the author did keep my interest throughout.
The audiobook of The Shadows of Rutherford House was adequately narrated by Colleen Prendergast.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheShadowsofRutherfordHouse #NetGalley
I: @cazengland1 @sagaegmont
X: @CazEngland @sagaegmont
The audiobook of The Shadows of Rutherford House is due for release 28th September 2023.
THE AUTHOR: C.E. Rose is the pen name of novelist Caroline England.
Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Saga Egmont Audio for providing an audio ARC of The Shadows of Rutherford House by C.E. Rose for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
Present Day
It’s heavily raining tonight, the wind whipping the windows behind the closed shutters. As ever, the midnight darkness is inky black, but that makes no odds to me. I know every inch, nook and cranny of this old manor like the back of my hand; even with my eyes closed, I could find each remnant of its former glory in seconds, the oil paintings depicting the haughty Percy line, the exquisitely shaped standard lamps, the Romanesque pillars and busts, the ornate marble hearths, brass grates and antique fire tools.
It wouldn’t be appropriate to be seen wandering Rutherford House as though I owned it, so I like this quiet time to explore the ancient corridors and chambers, to take in the aromas, the textures and vibrations, and tonight is no exception. I trace my fingers along the walls and feel the nap of velvet wallpaper, ridges of stucco trim and knots in fine hardwood. The panelling hasn’t been polished for years, and yet I know each room’s distinctive, waxy smell. I know which floorboards creak, which chairs have broken springs, which handsome tables have woodworm, the crystals missing from the showy chandeliers, the locks and latches which no longer work.
Remembering a spring ball I once watched from the wings, I dance across the marbled floor of the domed hallway. The worn carpet of the sweeping staircase is rough beneath my toes, yet it still has the elegance, the grandeur of the past, especially when I pause to listen to the rock ’n’ roll echoing from the dance floor below. Humming at the memory, I sashay up the steps, and when I reach the open landing, I stop again to new noises which pierce the silence. Babies, of course, the joyful bleats and shuffles of all the newborns brought into the world under this very roof. I brush by the balustrade and make my way through the shadows towards the warmth and the sound, but as ever, a hand slips into mine, insubstantial but undoubtedly there. And though I long to turn back the clock and wipe out my one and only guilt, history can’t be changed, so I pull away and cover my ears to block out the inevitable.
Yet I still hear it. A thud and the crack of broken bones.
ABOUT 'THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE': Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
Christie is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. Through her work as a psychiatric nurse, she becomes drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
As she tries to help Lillian leave the hospital and return to her stately childhood home, Christie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Rutherford-Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House? Why is she so reluctant to embrace her aristocratic legacy?
The more Christie learns about the family and their dark, ancestral past, the deeper the secrets seem to run - until she finds a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
MY THOUGHTS: It took me a little to settle into The Shadows of Rutherford House with its dual timelines and plethora of characters. I spent the first few chapters going, 'Wait - who's that again?' But gradually I got them sorted and began to enjoy the multi-layered storyline.
The Rutherford-Percys collect secrets like some people do fine bone china. And over four generations, that's a lot of secrets. They keep secrets for each other, from each other, and from everyone else in general. But all it takes for them to start to unravel is one outsider who sees something that shouldn't be there . . .
The story is told from three points of view: Milly the housekeeper; Duncan the acting estate manager; and Christie, Lillian's nurse and friend. The characters, while largely definitely not likeable, are engaging and the plot well-crafted. The chapters are short and to the point. But, the reader does need to pay attention. A few times I had to flick back and reread a chapter because I had lost track of a part of the plot or thought I was in a different time period.
The final twist was a good one, and one I didn't see coming.
This is a read that I am going to say I enjoyed, but . . . and there are a few buts. Christie's character is one I should have felt some connection with, even sympathy for, but I found her erratic and, frankly, annoying. The love angle felt contrived and honestly, in real life OJ would have run for the hills after the way she treated him. And Duncan's mother . . . one minute she's all 'Don't worry, son. I'm here for you and the little one,' and the next she's on the plane for Spain!
The love angle wasn't the only thing that felt contrived, but to say more would be to give away a major plot spoiler. Despite these gripes, the author did keep my interest throughout.
The audiobook of The Shadows of Rutherford House was adequately narrated by Colleen Prendergast.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheShadowsofRutherfordHouse #NetGalley
I: @cazengland1 @sagaegmont
X: @CazEngland @sagaegmont
The audiobook of The Shadows of Rutherford House is due for release 28th September 2023.
THE AUTHOR: C.E. Rose is the pen name of novelist Caroline England.
Born in Sheffield, Caroline studied Law at the University of Manchester and stayed over the border. Caroline was a divorce and professional indemnity lawyer. She turned to writing when she deserted the law to bring up her three lovely daughters.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Saga Egmont Audio for providing an audio ARC of The Shadows of Rutherford House by C.E. Rose for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
November 7, 2022
THE SHADOWS OF RUTHERFORD HOUSE is a gothic suspense novel by C.E. Rose, the pen name of novelist Caroline England.
This novel requires your full attention, to follow the different timelines and characters. It is divided into three different narratives; Milly, Duncan and Christie. At first, I found the novel a little confusing, but once I got past understanding how the characters and timelines fit together, I was totally hooked on the drama. I really ended up enjoying this book, a combination of gothic, historical fiction and drama. Everything came together slowly…
Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
The story follows four generations of the Percy family who live in the Rutherford House. So many secrets and lies, lie within the walls of this estate.
Christie, a psychiatric nurse is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. She is drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
When Lillian is ready to leave the hospital, she is reluctant to return to her childhood home, Rutherford House and the Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House?
Over time, Christie learns more about the family and their dark past, the deep secrets that have been buried. But then Christie discovers a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. But it could come at a cost!
This novel had everything I like, a well-written novel with good plot line and engaging characters. The short chapters complemented the story. A very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
This novel requires your full attention, to follow the different timelines and characters. It is divided into three different narratives; Milly, Duncan and Christie. At first, I found the novel a little confusing, but once I got past understanding how the characters and timelines fit together, I was totally hooked on the drama. I really ended up enjoying this book, a combination of gothic, historical fiction and drama. Everything came together slowly…
Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
The story follows four generations of the Percy family who live in the Rutherford House. So many secrets and lies, lie within the walls of this estate.
Christie, a psychiatric nurse is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. She is drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
When Lillian is ready to leave the hospital, she is reluctant to return to her childhood home, Rutherford House and the Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House?
Over time, Christie learns more about the family and their dark past, the deep secrets that have been buried. But then Christie discovers a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. But it could come at a cost!
This novel had everything I like, a well-written novel with good plot line and engaging characters. The short chapters complemented the story. A very enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the author and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
November 2, 2022
Publication Date: 10th Nov 2022
3.5 Stars Outliner Review
One Liner: Mixed bag
Christie is a psychiatric nurse at the institution where Lillian is recovering from a mental breakdown. They become friends (though it is against the rules). Christie helps Lillian recover and encourages her to get back to her life (and the stately home, Rutherford- Percy House). She feels a mysterious attraction toward the strange family and its past. However, Lillian is not adamant about not accepting her family home and legacy.
Christie tries to uncover the past of Lillian’s family and discovers a shocking connection to her own family. It appears that her missing mother has ties to the Rutherford House. Will Christie finally find the answers to her questions, or will she end up with more questions? What will happen when the secrets are laid bare at last?
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Christie and Milly and a third-person POV of Duncan.
My Thoughts: M
With multiple POVs and timelines, the beginning sure feels messy and confusing. The dates appear after a few chapters, and by then, the damage could be done if the reader feels annoyed. I could create a timeline and link the characters a bit easier because I note down the names and details when I read a book.
The short chapters made it easy to sustain the pace. The book has almost 90 chapters, but that’s fine because most are short and keep the story moving.
Once I understood the basic premise, I could figure out half the twists. Not that I mind, as it shows that the storyline and the reveals make sense to the reader. The final twist was a surprise, and that’s good too.
I really wished Imogen had a few chapters in her POV. She was one of the main characters, and reading her twisted thoughts would have elevated the story a lot more.
The chapters with Milly and Duncan are done well. Somehow, I didn’t feel for Christie’s character. Some of her actions made me doubt her professional capacity as a psychiatric nurse. The insta-love angle wasn’t appealing either. It felt a little too convenient.
The characters were well-etched despite being more than a handful. However, I wasn’t particularly impressed by a couple of twists that had to be there to merge the tracks and arrive at the climax.
While the book has many individual elements that sound good, the overall effect wasn’t great or wow. I liked it enough but wasn’t eager to know more or rush to the end. I didn’t have the feeling of satisfaction a good book (irrespective of the genre) would give.
To summarize, The Shadows of Rutherford House is a contemporary gothic family drama plus thriller with interesting characters and a twisted plotline.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hera Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheShadowsofRutherfordHouse #NetGalley
3.5 Stars Outliner Review
One Liner: Mixed bag
Christie is a psychiatric nurse at the institution where Lillian is recovering from a mental breakdown. They become friends (though it is against the rules). Christie helps Lillian recover and encourages her to get back to her life (and the stately home, Rutherford- Percy House). She feels a mysterious attraction toward the strange family and its past. However, Lillian is not adamant about not accepting her family home and legacy.
Christie tries to uncover the past of Lillian’s family and discovers a shocking connection to her own family. It appears that her missing mother has ties to the Rutherford House. Will Christie finally find the answers to her questions, or will she end up with more questions? What will happen when the secrets are laid bare at last?
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Christie and Milly and a third-person POV of Duncan.
My Thoughts: M
With multiple POVs and timelines, the beginning sure feels messy and confusing. The dates appear after a few chapters, and by then, the damage could be done if the reader feels annoyed. I could create a timeline and link the characters a bit easier because I note down the names and details when I read a book.
The short chapters made it easy to sustain the pace. The book has almost 90 chapters, but that’s fine because most are short and keep the story moving.
Once I understood the basic premise, I could figure out half the twists. Not that I mind, as it shows that the storyline and the reveals make sense to the reader. The final twist was a surprise, and that’s good too.
I really wished Imogen had a few chapters in her POV. She was one of the main characters, and reading her twisted thoughts would have elevated the story a lot more.
The chapters with Milly and Duncan are done well. Somehow, I didn’t feel for Christie’s character. Some of her actions made me doubt her professional capacity as a psychiatric nurse. The insta-love angle wasn’t appealing either. It felt a little too convenient.
The characters were well-etched despite being more than a handful. However, I wasn’t particularly impressed by a couple of twists that had to be there to merge the tracks and arrive at the climax.
While the book has many individual elements that sound good, the overall effect wasn’t great or wow. I liked it enough but wasn’t eager to know more or rush to the end. I didn’t have the feeling of satisfaction a good book (irrespective of the genre) would give.
To summarize, The Shadows of Rutherford House is a contemporary gothic family drama plus thriller with interesting characters and a twisted plotline.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hera Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#TheShadowsofRutherfordHouse #NetGalley
November 29, 2022
This was my first book by CE Rose (AKA Caroline England) and this was great!
It was a tough book to get into initially, to keep track of the different POVs and timelines, but if you can get past this and follow the story, then it is WELL worth it.
It is creepy, atmospheric and written superbly to enhance the reader's experience of the time it is set in. I loved the characters too, their personalities and the dialogue both working beautifully together.
But my main love of this book comes with the plot- a gripping read with a fantastic ending. I can't believe it's taken me so long to read one of England's books!
It was a tough book to get into initially, to keep track of the different POVs and timelines, but if you can get past this and follow the story, then it is WELL worth it.
It is creepy, atmospheric and written superbly to enhance the reader's experience of the time it is set in. I loved the characters too, their personalities and the dialogue both working beautifully together.
But my main love of this book comes with the plot- a gripping read with a fantastic ending. I can't believe it's taken me so long to read one of England's books!
November 22, 2022
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by the author.
The Shadows of Rutherford House is a gothic suspense novel with three different POV. We follow Millie, Duncan and Christie. The book also has dual timelines set in the 60s, 80s and present day. Christie is a psychiatric nurse at the facility where Lillian is currently recovering after a mental breakdown. When Lillian is released from the unit she isn't keen to go back to her childhood home, Rutherford House and stay with her grandmother although the two seem to get on well. Lillian tells Christie that the house is haunted by her mother. Christie has her own unanswered questions about why her mum disappeared more than twenty years ago - did she abandon her or did something happen to her? Christies never gotten over this and just can't put it to rest. The two seem to connect to each other and a friendship develops even though it is not allowed between patient and carer. Through some digging into the history and secrets held at Rutherford House, Christie discovers a link that could help her find out what happened to her mother all those years ago but will it give her the answers she so desperately seeks.
This book was quite confusing at the beginning and up until I'd say about 30% of the way through then it really starts to connect. The multiple characters and timelines and stories were a little confusing to keep track of and piece together at first but I advise not to give up as once it begins to connect it gets so much better. The twist at the end wasn't expected which I enjoyed. This is my second book by C E Rose (Caroline England) and it won't be my last!
The Shadows of Rutherford House is a gothic suspense novel with three different POV. We follow Millie, Duncan and Christie. The book also has dual timelines set in the 60s, 80s and present day. Christie is a psychiatric nurse at the facility where Lillian is currently recovering after a mental breakdown. When Lillian is released from the unit she isn't keen to go back to her childhood home, Rutherford House and stay with her grandmother although the two seem to get on well. Lillian tells Christie that the house is haunted by her mother. Christie has her own unanswered questions about why her mum disappeared more than twenty years ago - did she abandon her or did something happen to her? Christies never gotten over this and just can't put it to rest. The two seem to connect to each other and a friendship develops even though it is not allowed between patient and carer. Through some digging into the history and secrets held at Rutherford House, Christie discovers a link that could help her find out what happened to her mother all those years ago but will it give her the answers she so desperately seeks.
This book was quite confusing at the beginning and up until I'd say about 30% of the way through then it really starts to connect. The multiple characters and timelines and stories were a little confusing to keep track of and piece together at first but I advise not to give up as once it begins to connect it gets so much better. The twist at the end wasn't expected which I enjoyed. This is my second book by C E Rose (Caroline England) and it won't be my last!
April 18, 2023
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Shadows Of Rutherford House' by CE Rose.
Read and reviewed for CE Rose, NetGalley and Hera Books.
Publication date 10th November 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is "A twisty, chilling and unputdownable page-turner about family secrets, perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Louise Douglas and Harriet Evans." I am a huge fan of Kate Norton so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Hera Books. I have yet to read a book published by Hera Books that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 87 chapters. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Yorkshire, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in a mix of first and third person perspective with the main protagonist being Millie, Christie and Duncan. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and kept me on the edge of my seat. The cover and synopsis suited the storyline perfectly.
WOW!! What an absolutely, addictive page turning book with everything you could ask for!!
What an absolutely addictive page turner!! It may be the first book I have read by CE Rose but I can promise you it won't be the last!!! As soon as I've written this up I'm off to add all her books to my wishlist. I was completely sucked into the pages from start to finish and was gutted when it came to an end! The storyline is multi-layered and absolutely ram packed with mystery, deceit, romance, secrets, lies, tension and suspense.I loved the fact that there wasnt just the main storyline but plenty of other events going on to absolutely grip the readers attention. I enjoyed looking into the lives of several of the characters and going back and forth in time throughout. It really is one of those books that have such a variety of genres going on it is a must read for everyone. I was completely sucked into the storyline and the way CE Rose weaves the lives and timelines together was absolutely perfect! It is such a rollercoaster ride of emotions too from love and happiness to death and despair. It also had an absolutely explosive twist that I would never have guessed in a million years so a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS Caroline!!! It is getting harder and harder to shock me but you completely blew my mind with this ending. The atmosphere was perfect with a gothic chill to it that really set the story and made it come alive. It is filled with mystery, love, loss, friendship, Romance, history and soooo much more!! It is an extremely gripping and addictive storyline and I was sucked in immediately from the very first page to the last. The storyline was believable and I cannot wait to read more books by this very talented author!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT READING THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!
I wasn't just 100% invested in the storyline but also in the characters. Every single one of the characters were well defined, realistic and strong. The character development was strong throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and every single one of them. The story begins with Milly and I found it fascinating to "watch" her grow from a young girl working at Rutherford House under her mother to growing into a young lady and a mature woman with all the secrets of the house hidden in her mind. We then move onto Christie in present day who looks after Lillian. They develop a friendship and Christie and Lillian discover and reveal many secrets. The last character whose perspective we read from the most is Duncan who we also meet in the past and whose father is the groundsman for Rutherford House but after an accident Duncan takes over. It was absolutely fascinating discovering all the secrets of this gothic house with a past like no over and I would love to go back to visit in another of this amazing authors books!! Hint, hint Caroline 😉. As with all books, movies and in real life we can't get on with everyone and there was a particular character that I could not stand but I will not reveal anymore. You will just have to pick up a copy of discover the secrets and shadows of Rutherford House yourself.
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to CE Rose on an absolutely addictive page turner!! I would love to see this turned into a movie and I will be the first in the line to by tickets. Welcome to my favourite author list Caroline and here's to your next explosive success 🥂!!!
Overall an explosive, addictive action packed page turner that is filled with secrets, romance, love, loss and lies with explosive twists and will keep you hooked until you've finished!!!
Genres covered in this book include Crime Thriller, Nursing,Psychological Thriller, Domestic Fiction, Gothic Thriller, Mystery, Psychiatry & Mental Health Nursing, Gothic Fiction, Domestic Thriller, Mashup novel, Coming-Of-Age story, Psychological Fiction, Suspense, Death & Grief, Crime Fiction, Fiction and Thriller amongst others.
349 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £9.05 for paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
I would recommend this book to fans of Kate Morton, Louise Douglas, Harriet Evans and anyone looking for a page turning and addictive read!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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Review for 'The Shadows Of Rutherford House' by CE Rose.
Read and reviewed for CE Rose, NetGalley and Hera Books.
Publication date 10th November 2022.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
I was originally drawn to this book by its eye catching cover and intriguing sounding synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that this book is "A twisty, chilling and unputdownable page-turner about family secrets, perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Louise Douglas and Harriet Evans." I am a huge fan of Kate Norton so am looking forward to see if it lives up to this statement. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Hera Books. I have yet to read a book published by Hera Books that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 87 chapters. The chapters are short in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is based in Yorkshire, UK 🇬🇧. The bonus for me of books that are partly or fully based in the UK is that I live in the UK and have sometimes visited places mentioned in the book which makes it easier to picture.
This book is written in a mix of first and third person perspective with the main protagonist being Millie, Christie and Duncan. The benefits of books written in first person perspective are as long as they are well written it makes you feel that you are being spoken to by the protagonist and it can create more of a bond between yourselves and them. If there are several protagonists you also get to see more of what is going on. The benefits of third person perspective with multiple protagonists are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out in anything. To have the benefit of both first and third person perspective ensures you don't miss out on anything.
This book is extremely well written with vivid descriptions that really set the scene and kept me on the edge of my seat. The cover and synopsis suited the storyline perfectly.
WOW!! What an absolutely, addictive page turning book with everything you could ask for!!
What an absolutely addictive page turner!! It may be the first book I have read by CE Rose but I can promise you it won't be the last!!! As soon as I've written this up I'm off to add all her books to my wishlist. I was completely sucked into the pages from start to finish and was gutted when it came to an end! The storyline is multi-layered and absolutely ram packed with mystery, deceit, romance, secrets, lies, tension and suspense.I loved the fact that there wasnt just the main storyline but plenty of other events going on to absolutely grip the readers attention. I enjoyed looking into the lives of several of the characters and going back and forth in time throughout. It really is one of those books that have such a variety of genres going on it is a must read for everyone. I was completely sucked into the storyline and the way CE Rose weaves the lives and timelines together was absolutely perfect! It is such a rollercoaster ride of emotions too from love and happiness to death and despair. It also had an absolutely explosive twist that I would never have guessed in a million years so a MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS Caroline!!! It is getting harder and harder to shock me but you completely blew my mind with this ending. The atmosphere was perfect with a gothic chill to it that really set the story and made it come alive. It is filled with mystery, love, loss, friendship, Romance, history and soooo much more!! It is an extremely gripping and addictive storyline and I was sucked in immediately from the very first page to the last. The storyline was believable and I cannot wait to read more books by this very talented author!!
It is set over multiple time lines. When books show what has happened in the past and what is happening in the present I find it really helps the reader (if it is well done) understand why things are happening and what has lead to the present activities and decisions. It also shows the bigger picture.
DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT READING THIS UNTIL YOU HAVE CLEARED YOUR SCHEDULES AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!!
I wasn't just 100% invested in the storyline but also in the characters. Every single one of the characters were well defined, realistic and strong. The character development was strong throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each and every single one of them. The story begins with Milly and I found it fascinating to "watch" her grow from a young girl working at Rutherford House under her mother to growing into a young lady and a mature woman with all the secrets of the house hidden in her mind. We then move onto Christie in present day who looks after Lillian. They develop a friendship and Christie and Lillian discover and reveal many secrets. The last character whose perspective we read from the most is Duncan who we also meet in the past and whose father is the groundsman for Rutherford House but after an accident Duncan takes over. It was absolutely fascinating discovering all the secrets of this gothic house with a past like no over and I would love to go back to visit in another of this amazing authors books!! Hint, hint Caroline 😉. As with all books, movies and in real life we can't get on with everyone and there was a particular character that I could not stand but I will not reveal anymore. You will just have to pick up a copy of discover the secrets and shadows of Rutherford House yourself.
A HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to CE Rose on an absolutely addictive page turner!! I would love to see this turned into a movie and I will be the first in the line to by tickets. Welcome to my favourite author list Caroline and here's to your next explosive success 🥂!!!
Overall an explosive, addictive action packed page turner that is filled with secrets, romance, love, loss and lies with explosive twists and will keep you hooked until you've finished!!!
Genres covered in this book include Crime Thriller, Nursing,Psychological Thriller, Domestic Fiction, Gothic Thriller, Mystery, Psychiatry & Mental Health Nursing, Gothic Fiction, Domestic Thriller, Mashup novel, Coming-Of-Age story, Psychological Fiction, Suspense, Death & Grief, Crime Fiction, Fiction and Thriller amongst others.
349 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £9.05 for paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
I would recommend this book to fans of Kate Morton, Louise Douglas, Harriet Evans and anyone looking for a page turning and addictive read!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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November 17, 2022
A very slow burner but it did get better. A gothic mystery with a family drama. All in all an entertaining read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
November 10, 2022
Thank you to the author for this eARC.
Wow, I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a very absorbing and engaging read which I’ve read in under a day - and I know that when I get a book that I literally devour in a short space of time I’m onto something special. This book didn’t disappoint, it had everything I like - great writing, a good plot line, characters you either like or loathe and lots of intrigue. The story is told mostly through the characters, Milly, Christie and Duncan which I really liked and moves from past to present times very smoothly. Initially it took me a while to get used to the characters, their connection to each other and for them to slot into place in my mind when reading. The story follows four generations of the Percy family who live at Rutherford House and the secrets they are keeping. I loved the authors writing style here, the book was easy to follow once I was familiar with the characters and I thought that the short chapters really complemented the story and the way it was told by the author. I was hooked from the first page to the last and C. E. Rose definitely knows how to connect with myself as a reader through her writing and kept me engrossed and interested in her book. I felt at times I was unwrapping layer after layer of secrets, and once I got used to one, the next one followed straightaway. I’d guessed the final reveal so wasn’t too surprised by that. If you like a book that combines historical fiction with mystery and intrigue thrown in I’d say this book is for you and would recommend it. A very, very enjoyable read.
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Wow, I really enjoyed this book. I found it to be a very absorbing and engaging read which I’ve read in under a day - and I know that when I get a book that I literally devour in a short space of time I’m onto something special. This book didn’t disappoint, it had everything I like - great writing, a good plot line, characters you either like or loathe and lots of intrigue. The story is told mostly through the characters, Milly, Christie and Duncan which I really liked and moves from past to present times very smoothly. Initially it took me a while to get used to the characters, their connection to each other and for them to slot into place in my mind when reading. The story follows four generations of the Percy family who live at Rutherford House and the secrets they are keeping. I loved the authors writing style here, the book was easy to follow once I was familiar with the characters and I thought that the short chapters really complemented the story and the way it was told by the author. I was hooked from the first page to the last and C. E. Rose definitely knows how to connect with myself as a reader through her writing and kept me engrossed and interested in her book. I felt at times I was unwrapping layer after layer of secrets, and once I got used to one, the next one followed straightaway. I’d guessed the final reveal so wasn’t too surprised by that. If you like a book that combines historical fiction with mystery and intrigue thrown in I’d say this book is for you and would recommend it. A very, very enjoyable read.
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟
November 6, 2022
Told through three perspectives and over three generations, The Shadows of Rutherford House looks at the complex dynamics between those living there and unravels the mysterious deaths and disappearances that have plagued the characters.
Atmospheric (SO atmospheric, I could feel the eeriness of the house) and tens, it was one of those books that left you needing answers. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter at the end and how it added an extra twist/dynamic to the story.
A huge thank you to C E Rose and The Fiction Cafe for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved it!
Atmospheric (SO atmospheric, I could feel the eeriness of the house) and tens, it was one of those books that left you needing answers. I particularly enjoyed the last chapter at the end and how it added an extra twist/dynamic to the story.
A huge thank you to C E Rose and The Fiction Cafe for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I loved it!
November 13, 2022
The Shadows of Rutherford House is an engaging new gothic suspense novel by C E Rose. C E Rose does a brilliant job of drawing you into her writing by her characters, who inhabit Rutherford House, and the house itself. C E Rose brings her setting to life very well. You often hear the phrase “if walls could talk,” and I was certainly thinking that as I was reading this book.
I think this is definitely more of a slow burner, but the suspense builds as we begin to understand more about what has happened in the past and how this links to the present. The chapters are also short, which is what I also quite liked about this book.
We follow three separate timelines. In the present Christie has arrived at Rutherford House, following the recent disappearance of her mother. C E Rose brilliantly intertwines Christie’s story with stories of people who have previously lived at the house. As the plot develops and as we get to know the character’s further, it darkens, and makes you turn the pages even faster to get to the end.
The plot is quite a complex one, particularly with the different narrations and the timelines, but C E Rose handles this very well, and it’s part of what made me even more invested in the lives of the characters. One of C E Rose’s most brilliant skills, I think, as a writer, is her characterisation. She really delves into their emotions and makes them feel like real people. In the present I could feel Christie’s determination to get to the bottom of what happened to her mother, but she is also doing this at her own personal cost which adds to the tension in the book.
One of the characters who I found really intriguing was Imogen. C E Rose creates a real sense of darkness about Imogen and this made me eager to find out more about her. This is what helps to create a sinister atmosphere in the book. There are some chilling moments throughout the history of Rutherford House in recent decades that really did put me on the edge of my seat.
The Shadows of Rutherford House is another intriguing read by C E Rose that kept me engrossed right the way through.
I think this is definitely more of a slow burner, but the suspense builds as we begin to understand more about what has happened in the past and how this links to the present. The chapters are also short, which is what I also quite liked about this book.
We follow three separate timelines. In the present Christie has arrived at Rutherford House, following the recent disappearance of her mother. C E Rose brilliantly intertwines Christie’s story with stories of people who have previously lived at the house. As the plot develops and as we get to know the character’s further, it darkens, and makes you turn the pages even faster to get to the end.
The plot is quite a complex one, particularly with the different narrations and the timelines, but C E Rose handles this very well, and it’s part of what made me even more invested in the lives of the characters. One of C E Rose’s most brilliant skills, I think, as a writer, is her characterisation. She really delves into their emotions and makes them feel like real people. In the present I could feel Christie’s determination to get to the bottom of what happened to her mother, but she is also doing this at her own personal cost which adds to the tension in the book.
One of the characters who I found really intriguing was Imogen. C E Rose creates a real sense of darkness about Imogen and this made me eager to find out more about her. This is what helps to create a sinister atmosphere in the book. There are some chilling moments throughout the history of Rutherford House in recent decades that really did put me on the edge of my seat.
The Shadows of Rutherford House is another intriguing read by C E Rose that kept me engrossed right the way through.
January 5, 2023
This book is told from multiple points of view over various timelines - but the main protagonists are Milly, the faithful housekeeper of the Percy/Rutherford family, Duncan, the family's groundskeeper, and Christie, the nurse/assistant to Lillian, the last of the once great family's line, who has found herself in a psychiatrist hospital after a nervous breakdown. The set-up really is fantastic and immediately hooked my interest, with the dark past of the family simultaneously unfolding alongside the equally troubled present. And each timeline had plenty of intrigue.
The ending was spectacular, plenty of twists, including several I did not ever see coming! My jaw was practically on the floor at points! Kudos to the author for creating a great, intriguing story and an ending that was shocking and creative, but at the same time was believable (in the context of the story, of course).
The characters were also really well drawn and contained a lot of depth. Each of the main characters had a well thought-out back story, including plenty of family drama, even outside of the well-to-do Percy/Rutherford family, which of course is the main focus. Every family in the book has some problems - some of them pretty big (Christie's family plays a big part in the story), so that also adds more layers to the story.
This was a great mystery/thriller that I sailed through, I was so fascinated by it! I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good book in with some chills and twists.
The ending was spectacular, plenty of twists, including several I did not ever see coming! My jaw was practically on the floor at points! Kudos to the author for creating a great, intriguing story and an ending that was shocking and creative, but at the same time was believable (in the context of the story, of course).
The characters were also really well drawn and contained a lot of depth. Each of the main characters had a well thought-out back story, including plenty of family drama, even outside of the well-to-do Percy/Rutherford family, which of course is the main focus. Every family in the book has some problems - some of them pretty big (Christie's family plays a big part in the story), so that also adds more layers to the story.
This was a great mystery/thriller that I sailed through, I was so fascinated by it! I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good book in with some chills and twists.
November 17, 2022
Crikey, what a journey this book has been.
It's told from the point of view of several characters in different years, all centred around Rutherford House, an old house with many secrets as most old houses do.
There are rumours of hauntings and ghosts, apparitions from windows etc.
Milly is a child when she joins as a ladies maid for the new young wife. As the story goes on she becomes the housekeeper and confidant. She is one of the most integral parts of the story. I liked her, but at times she was frustrating in her blind loyalty, although I suppose there is something to be said for it these days.
There is Christie, possibly my favourite character. Life has thrown her quite a rough hand, but through her job she finds a friend and helps answer some long held questions.
Imogen, or Imo is a spoiled despicable human being. Despite circumstances I felt no sympathy for her whatsoever!!
The story, by being uncovered bit by bit is breathtaking, and immense. There is so much involved, and it's truly one you can't stop reading. I was gripped as soon as I started which is a rare accolade for books I read. Once the revelations come, well, what a conclusion.
It's told from the point of view of several characters in different years, all centred around Rutherford House, an old house with many secrets as most old houses do.
There are rumours of hauntings and ghosts, apparitions from windows etc.
Milly is a child when she joins as a ladies maid for the new young wife. As the story goes on she becomes the housekeeper and confidant. She is one of the most integral parts of the story. I liked her, but at times she was frustrating in her blind loyalty, although I suppose there is something to be said for it these days.
There is Christie, possibly my favourite character. Life has thrown her quite a rough hand, but through her job she finds a friend and helps answer some long held questions.
Imogen, or Imo is a spoiled despicable human being. Despite circumstances I felt no sympathy for her whatsoever!!
The story, by being uncovered bit by bit is breathtaking, and immense. There is so much involved, and it's truly one you can't stop reading. I was gripped as soon as I started which is a rare accolade for books I read. Once the revelations come, well, what a conclusion.
November 9, 2022
A little slow to begin but once it got going it was a total page turner . Really enjoyed this book 👌
November 24, 2022
I loved this! It was such a web of secrets and plot twists. I had an idea of some of what was coming and thought I had it all worked out but so much of the plot kept surprising me right through to the end.
October 16, 2022
What Was This Sourcery! 😳😯🤯😳🤯
Okay everyone list up! This incredible gothic thriller was intense, insane, and absolutely gobsmacking! I mean holy fluff cakes! I absolutely adored the back and forth between Milly, the housekeeper from before and Christie now. The dark, deep and undeniably sinister atmosphere of this book set it so perfectly and as the plot and subplot unfolded, I was absolutely dumbfounded by the ending and tie up that was so freakin' satisfying and jaw-dropping! Rose keeps you on the edge of your seat, keeps you curious and absolutely enthralled the entire way. I dived into this book headfirst like diving into a fort of warm, fuzzy blankets & pillows. It swallowed me up & took me hostage. An absolutely dark, crazy & insatiable ride of deep, dark family secrets that will you thanking your lucky stars you aren't them. I need comfort food... STAT!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Christie is a psychiatric nurse and has become fond of her patient, Lillian. But while helping her through her issues, she's still dealing with the disappearance of her own mother from over twenty years ago. With Lillian finally clear to go home to Rutherford, Christie decides to help her settle in, but becomes invested and intrigued into the history of the Rutherford-Percy family. As dark and integrated as the past of the two families become apparent, Christie feels she may have found clues leading to her own mother's disappearance.
Thank you to NetGalley & Hera Books for this ARC.
Release Date: November 10, 2022
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Jack-o'-lanterns! 🎃
Okay everyone list up! This incredible gothic thriller was intense, insane, and absolutely gobsmacking! I mean holy fluff cakes! I absolutely adored the back and forth between Milly, the housekeeper from before and Christie now. The dark, deep and undeniably sinister atmosphere of this book set it so perfectly and as the plot and subplot unfolded, I was absolutely dumbfounded by the ending and tie up that was so freakin' satisfying and jaw-dropping! Rose keeps you on the edge of your seat, keeps you curious and absolutely enthralled the entire way. I dived into this book headfirst like diving into a fort of warm, fuzzy blankets & pillows. It swallowed me up & took me hostage. An absolutely dark, crazy & insatiable ride of deep, dark family secrets that will you thanking your lucky stars you aren't them. I need comfort food... STAT!
Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Christie is a psychiatric nurse and has become fond of her patient, Lillian. But while helping her through her issues, she's still dealing with the disappearance of her own mother from over twenty years ago. With Lillian finally clear to go home to Rutherford, Christie decides to help her settle in, but becomes invested and intrigued into the history of the Rutherford-Percy family. As dark and integrated as the past of the two families become apparent, Christie feels she may have found clues leading to her own mother's disappearance.
Thank you to NetGalley & Hera Books for this ARC.
Release Date: November 10, 2022
𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Jack-o'-lanterns! 🎃
October 10, 2022
The Shadows of Rutherford House was my first book written by author C E Rose. After reading this book, I look forward to picking up more books by this author.
I must say, I had a difficult time following the timeline at first as this book is divided into three different narratives; Milly, Duncan and Christie. I’m glad I continued reading because I ended up enjoying this book once I got past understanding how the characters and timelines fit together. The story ended up unfolding beautifully.
You never know what you can find once you start digging for information. Manipulation and secrets was a major theme throughout generations of the Percy family.
Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for the virtual copy of the ARC. Head to your local book store to purchase this recommended read as early as November 10th, 2022!
November 27, 2022
Wow, this is a story and a half!
CE Rose is the pen name of Caroline England and I have loved every book I’ve read of hers, so far, including The Shadows of Rutherford House.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of throughout this book which did make me wonder, at first, how they could possibly be linked. I was easily hooked and couldn’t wait to see where the story would lead.
I love that the story is told from the perspective of different people in different decades, from Milly in 1959 and Christie in the present day. I really enjoy books where each chapter is a different character. I think it adds to the suspense and builds tension. I found this book very difficult to put down at night. I was reading way past my bedtime!
If you love a well written mystery, which is full of intriguing characters with fascinating stories to tell, then you will love this book. This is a very character rich novel, and I could happily chat about them all day. I really don’t want to spoil it for anyone though. You’ll just have to buy it and find out for yourself. If you’re anything like me it will keep you guessing until it’s jaw dropping conclusion.
An easy five stars for me!
http://chataboutbooks.blog/2022/11/26...
CE Rose is the pen name of Caroline England and I have loved every book I’ve read of hers, so far, including The Shadows of Rutherford House.
There are quite a few characters to keep track of throughout this book which did make me wonder, at first, how they could possibly be linked. I was easily hooked and couldn’t wait to see where the story would lead.
I love that the story is told from the perspective of different people in different decades, from Milly in 1959 and Christie in the present day. I really enjoy books where each chapter is a different character. I think it adds to the suspense and builds tension. I found this book very difficult to put down at night. I was reading way past my bedtime!
If you love a well written mystery, which is full of intriguing characters with fascinating stories to tell, then you will love this book. This is a very character rich novel, and I could happily chat about them all day. I really don’t want to spoil it for anyone though. You’ll just have to buy it and find out for yourself. If you’re anything like me it will keep you guessing until it’s jaw dropping conclusion.
An easy five stars for me!
http://chataboutbooks.blog/2022/11/26...
November 28, 2022
The Blurb :
In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior.
In the present day, Christie is working as a psychiatric nurse when she meets troubled patient Lillian Percy, Vivienne’s granddaughter and heiress to Rutherford House. They soon bond over the loss of their mothers
Lillian’s died when she was a child; Christie’s mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago – and Christie finds herself increasingly fascinated by
Lillian’s family and their imposing ancestral home.
As Christie learns more about the Rutherford-Percys, she finds a shocking clue that could help her uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
My Thoughts :
Having enjoyed Caroline England’s books before, I was happy to delve into her new release, The Shadows of Rutherford House.
The story follows generations of the Percy family.
We meet housekeeper Millie, Estate manager Duncan and Nurse Christie.
Present day, Christie still hasn’t got over the disappearance of her mum twenty years ago, and has not been able to move on. Christie soon becomes drawn to troubled patient Lillian, who also is troubled by the loss of her own mum. The two becoming friends, Lillian decides to return home along with Christie in tow.
Will they get the answers they both want!?.
I did struggle a little with the timelines as there is so much going on and you really have to concentrate on the jumping around but overall a great story about different family generations, lots of unexpected twists and turns, and some secrets, mysteries and lies thrown in for good measure.
Looking forward to more from Caroline England in the future.
In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior.
In the present day, Christie is working as a psychiatric nurse when she meets troubled patient Lillian Percy, Vivienne’s granddaughter and heiress to Rutherford House. They soon bond over the loss of their mothers
Lillian’s died when she was a child; Christie’s mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago – and Christie finds herself increasingly fascinated by
Lillian’s family and their imposing ancestral home.
As Christie learns more about the Rutherford-Percys, she finds a shocking clue that could help her uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
My Thoughts :
Having enjoyed Caroline England’s books before, I was happy to delve into her new release, The Shadows of Rutherford House.
The story follows generations of the Percy family.
We meet housekeeper Millie, Estate manager Duncan and Nurse Christie.
Present day, Christie still hasn’t got over the disappearance of her mum twenty years ago, and has not been able to move on. Christie soon becomes drawn to troubled patient Lillian, who also is troubled by the loss of her own mum. The two becoming friends, Lillian decides to return home along with Christie in tow.
Will they get the answers they both want!?.
I did struggle a little with the timelines as there is so much going on and you really have to concentrate on the jumping around but overall a great story about different family generations, lots of unexpected twists and turns, and some secrets, mysteries and lies thrown in for good measure.
Looking forward to more from Caroline England in the future.
September 29, 2022
I loved this weird little book. Thank you for the ARC.
At first I had a hard time caring for the different characters. Milly was somewhat relatable. Her love and obsession with her employer made sense, even if she was judging her mother for the same. She was deeply flawed and I loved it!
Duncan was my favorite. He was a stupid young man who thought with his dick and ruined his life. It happens. It is still his own fault.
I loved Imogen and wanted to take Freddie home with me.
Christie was the perspective I appreciated the most. She is a nurse just trying to do right by her favorite patient. Then they become friends. It happens, it shouldn't but it does. She ends learning way too much about herself and her parents during this friendship.
I especially loved the setting.
That house was perfection.
This was really good.
At first I had a hard time caring for the different characters. Milly was somewhat relatable. Her love and obsession with her employer made sense, even if she was judging her mother for the same. She was deeply flawed and I loved it!
Duncan was my favorite. He was a stupid young man who thought with his dick and ruined his life. It happens. It is still his own fault.
I loved Imogen and wanted to take Freddie home with me.
Christie was the perspective I appreciated the most. She is a nurse just trying to do right by her favorite patient. Then they become friends. It happens, it shouldn't but it does. She ends learning way too much about herself and her parents during this friendship.
I especially loved the setting.
That house was perfection.
This was really good.
November 23, 2022
After having reviewed The House of Hidden Secrets and The House at the Water’s Edge, both of which I thoroughly enjoyed, I was thrilled to be contacted by Caroline England and offered the chance to review her latest novel, The Shadows of Rutherford House, A clever blend of Gothic, historical and thriller.
If the title wasn’t mysterious enough, the cover blurb completely hooked me. I was lured into the house and its atmosphere from the first word of the book.
The attention to detail is outstanding and I immediately felt uneasy and curious as to what was going to happen. The house is an amazing backdrop to an incredibly riveting plot.
C.E. Rose has great talent in all her books for creating atmosphere, an engrossing plot and also excellent and varied characters. I’d recommend all her books I’ve reviewed so far and I’m looking forward to more novels by her. She is one of my favourite thriller authors.
Milly, Christie, Lillian and Duncan were extremely well created and each was realistic and believable with a distinct personality and intriguing backstory.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and all the twists and turns in the plot.
Thanks to C.E. Rose, Hera and Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
If the title wasn’t mysterious enough, the cover blurb completely hooked me. I was lured into the house and its atmosphere from the first word of the book.
The attention to detail is outstanding and I immediately felt uneasy and curious as to what was going to happen. The house is an amazing backdrop to an incredibly riveting plot.
C.E. Rose has great talent in all her books for creating atmosphere, an engrossing plot and also excellent and varied characters. I’d recommend all her books I’ve reviewed so far and I’m looking forward to more novels by her. She is one of my favourite thriller authors.
Milly, Christie, Lillian and Duncan were extremely well created and each was realistic and believable with a distinct personality and intriguing backstory.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and all the twists and turns in the plot.
Thanks to C.E. Rose, Hera and Rachel’s Random Resources for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
5 stars
March 3, 2024
Loved it!
November 8, 2022
Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this before its release.
The Shadows of Rutherford House
by C.E. Rose
This is the books blurb
Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
Christie is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. Through her work as a psychiatric nurse, she becomes drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
As she tries to help Lillian leave the hospital and return to her stately childhood home, Christie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Rutherford-Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House? Why is she so reluctant to embrace her aristocratic legacy?
The more Christie learns about the family and their dark, ancestral past, the deeper the secrets seem to run - until she finds a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
Written from lots of different characters POV and jumping backwards and forwards in time, this could easily cause confusion.
It could but for some reason it didn't, I was curious at first and about a quarter of the way through I was keen to find the connection between the characters.
A connection was there but not quite within grasp by the time I was just over halfway I was fully invested in everyone and wanted to know just how the stories ties up.
Lots of intrigue, I was at the edge of my seat (well bed! but you know what I mean) this was a cleverly constructed story line that was written well enough to keep you turning the page. The length of the chapters helped me to read just one more before I closed the book.
There was a great range of characters some I loved and some that weren't intended to be liked along with some I wanted to understand better.
I highly rated this and it was one of my best reads of 2022
The Shadows of Rutherford House
by C.E. Rose
This is the books blurb
Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
Christie is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. Through her work as a psychiatric nurse, she becomes drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.
As she tries to help Lillian leave the hospital and return to her stately childhood home, Christie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Rutherford-Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House? Why is she so reluctant to embrace her aristocratic legacy?
The more Christie learns about the family and their dark, ancestral past, the deeper the secrets seem to run - until she finds a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
Written from lots of different characters POV and jumping backwards and forwards in time, this could easily cause confusion.
It could but for some reason it didn't, I was curious at first and about a quarter of the way through I was keen to find the connection between the characters.
A connection was there but not quite within grasp by the time I was just over halfway I was fully invested in everyone and wanted to know just how the stories ties up.
Lots of intrigue, I was at the edge of my seat (well bed! but you know what I mean) this was a cleverly constructed story line that was written well enough to keep you turning the page. The length of the chapters helped me to read just one more before I closed the book.
There was a great range of characters some I loved and some that weren't intended to be liked along with some I wanted to understand better.
I highly rated this and it was one of my best reads of 2022
November 12, 2022
Twisty, turn-y, and deliciously creepy all the way, "The Shadows of Rutherford House" is the latest gothic thriller from CE Rose, the pen name of author Caroline England. This book is nothing less than what you'd expect from Rose. Rich with details. Steadily paced from beginning to end. From the minute you step inside eerie Rutherford House and meet the equally creepy characters, you won't be able to put it down.
Told from the perspectives of three different characters during three different periods of time, "The Shadows of Rutherford" takes a few chapters to sink into, but it's well worth it. Secrets run generations deep within the Percy family and with their staff. Like a stalker in the night, the truth lurks just out of sight for most of the book, eerily hiding behind the twists and turns. The truth is slowly unraveled from chapter to chapter and generation to generation. The final sock-dropping reveal at the end will tie the characters together and make you love the book even more.
Truth be known, I'm not a fan of gothic thrillers. They're just not my favorite to read. But I love each one CE Rose writes. Her characters always feel real. She does a brilliant job of fleshing them out without slowing down the pace. The same is true for the settings and scenes. You can see what the characters see, and you feel like you're there. I usually dislike books that give that much description because it bogs down the pace, but that never happens with CE Rose. She writes in a way that sucks me into each and every story. She is an amazing storyteller and a gifted writer. You'll never regret picking up one of her books. Simply put!
"The Shadows of Rutherford House" is the latest impressive release from CE Rose. It's a satisfying and jaw-dropping read for anyone who likes a little creepiness and a lot of twists with their thrillers.
Thank you to CE Rose for asking me to be a part of this blog tour.
Thank you to CE Rose and Hera Books for the complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Told from the perspectives of three different characters during three different periods of time, "The Shadows of Rutherford" takes a few chapters to sink into, but it's well worth it. Secrets run generations deep within the Percy family and with their staff. Like a stalker in the night, the truth lurks just out of sight for most of the book, eerily hiding behind the twists and turns. The truth is slowly unraveled from chapter to chapter and generation to generation. The final sock-dropping reveal at the end will tie the characters together and make you love the book even more.
Truth be known, I'm not a fan of gothic thrillers. They're just not my favorite to read. But I love each one CE Rose writes. Her characters always feel real. She does a brilliant job of fleshing them out without slowing down the pace. The same is true for the settings and scenes. You can see what the characters see, and you feel like you're there. I usually dislike books that give that much description because it bogs down the pace, but that never happens with CE Rose. She writes in a way that sucks me into each and every story. She is an amazing storyteller and a gifted writer. You'll never regret picking up one of her books. Simply put!
"The Shadows of Rutherford House" is the latest impressive release from CE Rose. It's a satisfying and jaw-dropping read for anyone who likes a little creepiness and a lot of twists with their thrillers.
Thank you to CE Rose for asking me to be a part of this blog tour.
Thank you to CE Rose and Hera Books for the complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 22, 2022
The Shadows of Rutherford House is an atmospheric gothic novel full of building suspense. The intensity steadily builds through three timeline and the narrative moves between the past and the present as well as different character stories and is cleverly woven together.
Christie, Milly and Duncan take us on a journey through time at Rutherford house, telling the story of the Percy family and the lies and secrets that are hidden in the walls there.
Christie is a nurse who is mesmerized by a patient and habitant of Rutherford House. She is still searching for answers and grieving for her mother who disappeared with no explanation 20 years ago. She cannot move on or emotionally grieve for her loss without knowing the truth – which seems nowhere to be found. Christie gets to know Lillian and the more she unravels about Rutherford house and its past, the more she realises it may hold some answers about her mother.
The family drama is really written so well. The way the stories are told and the pieces slowly begin to link and come together is so clever and well done with a perfect sense of timing. Things are revealed just at the right time to hold the reader’s interest but to also develop a strong level of suspense.
There’s a sense of foreboding throughout the whole book, like something lurking in the background and the history but that is just slightly out of vision and cannot be seen. This really adds tension to the reading experience. The Secrets of Rutherford house is just one of those books that really gives you goosebumps but you don’t always know why. The house itself is an additional character and the vivid description of it through the eyes of the characters is superb.
The story is consuming. It’s not a fast paces narrative but it completely sucks you in and doesn’t allow you to leave until the last pages. There are twists and turns that I certainly didn’t see coming.
If you like generational family dramas with a dark side then this book is for you. Highly recommended.
Christie, Milly and Duncan take us on a journey through time at Rutherford house, telling the story of the Percy family and the lies and secrets that are hidden in the walls there.
Christie is a nurse who is mesmerized by a patient and habitant of Rutherford House. She is still searching for answers and grieving for her mother who disappeared with no explanation 20 years ago. She cannot move on or emotionally grieve for her loss without knowing the truth – which seems nowhere to be found. Christie gets to know Lillian and the more she unravels about Rutherford house and its past, the more she realises it may hold some answers about her mother.
The family drama is really written so well. The way the stories are told and the pieces slowly begin to link and come together is so clever and well done with a perfect sense of timing. Things are revealed just at the right time to hold the reader’s interest but to also develop a strong level of suspense.
There’s a sense of foreboding throughout the whole book, like something lurking in the background and the history but that is just slightly out of vision and cannot be seen. This really adds tension to the reading experience. The Secrets of Rutherford house is just one of those books that really gives you goosebumps but you don’t always know why. The house itself is an additional character and the vivid description of it through the eyes of the characters is superb.
The story is consuming. It’s not a fast paces narrative but it completely sucks you in and doesn’t allow you to leave until the last pages. There are twists and turns that I certainly didn’t see coming.
If you like generational family dramas with a dark side then this book is for you. Highly recommended.
November 4, 2022
What a fantastic book. I really enjoyed it and would love to read more by this author!
We follow four generations of Percys and their extraordinary lives at Rutherford House.
The story more or less begins with the flamboyant, Theodore, ‘Teddy’ Percy, married to Vivienne. Together they have two children: Freddy and Imogen.
There is also an important role for the loyal, 'invisible' Mrs Shaw, the faithful housekeeper who knows what to do with everything and assists the family in word and deed.
We follow the choices and lives of Imogen, and Freddy, a somewhat unusual boy, and a bit of a loner, who unfortunately dies on his ninth birthday due to a fall down the stairs. Imogen cannot cope with the tragedy of life and goes all out on pills, booze and promiscuous behaviour.
The story is told in part by Christie, a nurse who nurses Lilian - Imogen's daughter - when she is admitted to an institution.
As it turns out, her mother was killed in a car accident years earlier. Christie's mother, who suddenly disappeared from her life never to return, develops a close bond with Lilian. She is fascinated by the traumatic history of Rutherford House. Eventually she goes to investigate on her own and it becomes clear why her mother disappeared from her life.
Other perspectives include Milly, - the housekeeper - and Duncan, Lilian's father.
At first, it took some getting used to figuring out who was who, and how the family connections ran. The writer deliberately made that happen. Everything remains (deliberately) vague, and very occasionally there are hints as to how things really are. So it was a bit of a puzzle at first.
Gradually, more becomes clear, but it remains to be seen whether the reader sees the outcome coming.
I don't want to go into too much detail about the how and what, for fear of giving away too much of the story.
I enjoyed reading the book immensely, peeling off layer by layer to find out the truth.
The gothic atmosphere in the story reminded me of Shirley Jackson’s novels.
And I think the story is ideally suited to be filmed.
Highly recommended! a 5 star for me.
I leave this review voluntarily. Arc provided by Netgalley.
We follow four generations of Percys and their extraordinary lives at Rutherford House.
The story more or less begins with the flamboyant, Theodore, ‘Teddy’ Percy, married to Vivienne. Together they have two children: Freddy and Imogen.
There is also an important role for the loyal, 'invisible' Mrs Shaw, the faithful housekeeper who knows what to do with everything and assists the family in word and deed.
We follow the choices and lives of Imogen, and Freddy, a somewhat unusual boy, and a bit of a loner, who unfortunately dies on his ninth birthday due to a fall down the stairs. Imogen cannot cope with the tragedy of life and goes all out on pills, booze and promiscuous behaviour.
The story is told in part by Christie, a nurse who nurses Lilian - Imogen's daughter - when she is admitted to an institution.
As it turns out, her mother was killed in a car accident years earlier. Christie's mother, who suddenly disappeared from her life never to return, develops a close bond with Lilian. She is fascinated by the traumatic history of Rutherford House. Eventually she goes to investigate on her own and it becomes clear why her mother disappeared from her life.
Other perspectives include Milly, - the housekeeper - and Duncan, Lilian's father.
At first, it took some getting used to figuring out who was who, and how the family connections ran. The writer deliberately made that happen. Everything remains (deliberately) vague, and very occasionally there are hints as to how things really are. So it was a bit of a puzzle at first.
Gradually, more becomes clear, but it remains to be seen whether the reader sees the outcome coming.
I don't want to go into too much detail about the how and what, for fear of giving away too much of the story.
I enjoyed reading the book immensely, peeling off layer by layer to find out the truth.
The gothic atmosphere in the story reminded me of Shirley Jackson’s novels.
And I think the story is ideally suited to be filmed.
Highly recommended! a 5 star for me.
I leave this review voluntarily. Arc provided by Netgalley.
December 12, 2022
I was already intrigued by The Shadows of Rutherford House but when I learned it was set around South Yorkshire I decided I definitely had to read it.
Rutherford House is the seat of the Percy family, now quite run-down and faded. The story is told from the points of view of Milly, the maid who started working there in the late 1950s, Duncan, the son of the man who looks after the grounds in the 1980s, and Christie in the present day, a psychiatric nurse looking after Lillian, the granddaughter of the current Percy matriarch.
It's my own fault, but in the early chapters I was busy and distracted and didn’t give the book as much attention as I should. The chapters are short and chop and change between the different characters quickly, something I love in a book, but my lack of concentration meant I struggled initially to gel with the different threads. However, once I'd got my act together and really got stuck into the Percy goings-on, I was totally engrossed. It's a fantastic tale, with an intricate and expertly woven plot that links Christie with the other strands of the story, and I loved the setting of the faded grandeur of Rutherford House and the difficulties of looking after a large estate which grew more challenging as the years passed.
I really enjoyed The Shadows of Rutherford House. It starts as a slow burner and builds to a fiery crescendo, a drama based around three families with secrets and lies from the past echoing down through the generations. I'll be checking out the other books by C.E. Rose.
Rutherford House is the seat of the Percy family, now quite run-down and faded. The story is told from the points of view of Milly, the maid who started working there in the late 1950s, Duncan, the son of the man who looks after the grounds in the 1980s, and Christie in the present day, a psychiatric nurse looking after Lillian, the granddaughter of the current Percy matriarch.
It's my own fault, but in the early chapters I was busy and distracted and didn’t give the book as much attention as I should. The chapters are short and chop and change between the different characters quickly, something I love in a book, but my lack of concentration meant I struggled initially to gel with the different threads. However, once I'd got my act together and really got stuck into the Percy goings-on, I was totally engrossed. It's a fantastic tale, with an intricate and expertly woven plot that links Christie with the other strands of the story, and I loved the setting of the faded grandeur of Rutherford House and the difficulties of looking after a large estate which grew more challenging as the years passed.
I really enjoyed The Shadows of Rutherford House. It starts as a slow burner and builds to a fiery crescendo, a drama based around three families with secrets and lies from the past echoing down through the generations. I'll be checking out the other books by C.E. Rose.
November 12, 2022
This is a dark gothic suspense thriller which is multi layered. Told from the POVs of Christie, a psychiatric nurse, Milly a faithful family retainer to the Percy family and Duncan a man whose father is the estate manager for the Percy’s. Also told in various timelines. My only niggle with this book was the number of characters and different timelines at the start of the story - I was a bit confused and had to write myself a list of people/ relationships and dates. But once it was all clear this book just raced along and I didn’t stop reading until I finished it.
Briefly, in the present Christie has, rather inappropriately, become friends with her patient Lillian. She is determined to get to the bottom of Lillian’s seeming terror at returning to her home, Rutherford House, preferring to live in her grandmother’s cottage. What could possibly elicit such terror?
Short chapters made this an easy read, once I had the relationships clear, and there are some brilliant characters. I particularly liked Milly who was faithful to Vivienne no matter what the personal cost, Imogen who was twisted and manipulative but underneath it all wanted love and Lillian who is haunted by the loss of her mother. Alongside the main story there are a number of other threads which all come together seamlessly. Plenty of twists and turns, and although I guessed some there were some real shocks - especially the ones at the end of the book. A good modern gothic family drama.
4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️
Briefly, in the present Christie has, rather inappropriately, become friends with her patient Lillian. She is determined to get to the bottom of Lillian’s seeming terror at returning to her home, Rutherford House, preferring to live in her grandmother’s cottage. What could possibly elicit such terror?
Short chapters made this an easy read, once I had the relationships clear, and there are some brilliant characters. I particularly liked Milly who was faithful to Vivienne no matter what the personal cost, Imogen who was twisted and manipulative but underneath it all wanted love and Lillian who is haunted by the loss of her mother. Alongside the main story there are a number of other threads which all come together seamlessly. Plenty of twists and turns, and although I guessed some there were some real shocks - especially the ones at the end of the book. A good modern gothic family drama.
4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5⭐️
November 17, 2022
When psychiatric nurse, Christie first encounters Lilian Percy they find that they have much in common, both lost their mothers some time ago, and it is this common bond which allows the rapport between them to develop. Lilian’s fear of returning to her childhood home at Rutherford House is palpable and there is obviously something about the haunting echoes of the place which terrify Lilian.
The author writes well, bringing her characters to life with a fine eye for detail and her distinct writing style brings each generation of the Rutherford-Percy family to life. The story is told from a multi-narrator viewpoint and whilst dipping into, and out of, various time frames takes a little getting used to, once I had the characters firmly placed I found the story flowed easily and I was certainly invested in the story and wanted to know the outcome.
The Shadows of Rutherford House is a complex, multi-generational story which is cleverly woven together by an author who knows how to keep the reader’s attention from start to finish. I enjoyed the slow build up, the gradual revealing of the layers and the unravelling of all the secrets which have been hidden away for years. There are more than enough twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader guessing and with a strong cast of characters The Shadows of Rutherford House is definitely a story which lingers even after the last page is turned.
The author writes well, bringing her characters to life with a fine eye for detail and her distinct writing style brings each generation of the Rutherford-Percy family to life. The story is told from a multi-narrator viewpoint and whilst dipping into, and out of, various time frames takes a little getting used to, once I had the characters firmly placed I found the story flowed easily and I was certainly invested in the story and wanted to know the outcome.
The Shadows of Rutherford House is a complex, multi-generational story which is cleverly woven together by an author who knows how to keep the reader’s attention from start to finish. I enjoyed the slow build up, the gradual revealing of the layers and the unravelling of all the secrets which have been hidden away for years. There are more than enough twists and turns in the plot to keep the reader guessing and with a strong cast of characters The Shadows of Rutherford House is definitely a story which lingers even after the last page is turned.
November 10, 2022
This is the first book I have read by C E Rose and after just a few chapters in I was already checking out what else she had written!
My attention was piqued from the very first page and the more I learnt about the Rutherford-Percy family the faster I turned the pages.
I really appreciate the intelligence and expertise that has gone into the plotting of this tale. All the characters, and there are quite a few, became instantly recognisable which made it so easy to remember them. Although there are different timelines running through, I never once lost track of where I was or what was going on.
I loved the emerging friendship between Christie and Lillian, which is set in the present day and provides the perfect backdrop to merge past and present seamlessly together.
Rutherford House is the holder of many dark, and deadly secrets. I could feel the sense of unease seeping through its walls which made it very hard to put this book down. No one, and I mean no one, escapes its clutches unscathed.
It is a story jam packed full of mystery and intrigue that it is hard to put it down even for five minutes! You will be kept guessing right until you have turned the last page!
Highly recommended.
My attention was piqued from the very first page and the more I learnt about the Rutherford-Percy family the faster I turned the pages.
I really appreciate the intelligence and expertise that has gone into the plotting of this tale. All the characters, and there are quite a few, became instantly recognisable which made it so easy to remember them. Although there are different timelines running through, I never once lost track of where I was or what was going on.
I loved the emerging friendship between Christie and Lillian, which is set in the present day and provides the perfect backdrop to merge past and present seamlessly together.
Rutherford House is the holder of many dark, and deadly secrets. I could feel the sense of unease seeping through its walls which made it very hard to put this book down. No one, and I mean no one, escapes its clutches unscathed.
It is a story jam packed full of mystery and intrigue that it is hard to put it down even for five minutes! You will be kept guessing right until you have turned the last page!
Highly recommended.
November 14, 2022
I have read many examples of this author’s work including her alter-ego, Caroline England. This is the first one that has required a pen & paper to keep track of the characters & timelines - this isn’t a criticism, they just hit you at the beginning & are a bit overwhelming. That being said, what a great gothic romp this was.
The story is predominantly told from the POVs of Milly, Christie & Duncan. Christie is a psychiatric nurse, Milly a stalwart to the Percy family & Duncan, whose father is the Percy’s estate manager. The tale concerns the history of Rutherford House (the Percy ancestral home) & why it has such a terrifying hold over one of Christie’s patients.
Plenty of characters to get to grips with & lots of twists to unravel. A solid but mysterious family drama.
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