This is another dual timeline historical mystery with a gothic feel to it, by award-winning Australian author Kate Morton, set in England in the 1940s and 1990s.

Edith Burchill begins to wonder about the time her mother spent at Milderhurst Castle in Kent, during her evacuation in the war, which she never speaks about. Edie finds herself drawn in by the three mysterious elderly Blythe sisters still living at the castle-Percy (Persephone), Saffy (Seraphina) and Juniper-and their famous father Raymond, who wrote "The True History of the Mud Man," which has always intrigued her. The three have formed a reclusive triangle caring for Juniper, who has never been the same since that pivotal night in 1941 when her fiancé did not arrive at the castle to announce their engagement.

The story does feel slower in pace and possibly not quite as good as Morton’s other works, but I still enjoyed the ride, and the ethereal, mysterious atmosphere, with castles, secrets, jilted lovers and writers. The thing lacking a little was the contemporary storyline in which Edie was a fairly one-dimensional character who mainly existed to uncover others secrets but was probably too boring to have any of her own. Still a four star read for me, and I’m keen to finish reading any Kate Morton stories I have missed. ( )

Family Drama

Beautifully written story sucked me right in. Gothic mystery and tragedy. Loved it. ( )

Normally, I love Kate Morton's books, but this one disappointed. Not sure if it was the book, or me. ( )

This book had all the makings of a great story. Three aging sisters reclusively living in a moldering castle in the English countryside. A story that had been written about a mysterious man rising out of the mud. A love story that is powerful and threatens to undo it all. The book is very beautifully written. The prose is, in places, sublime. I had a major problem with the ending. I didn't like it. ( )