If you enjoyed The Last Party at Silverton Hall you are in for a real treat with Rachel Burton’s newest book out on 14th March. The story weaves together two timelines at the stately home. In 1933 Annie Bishop is employed as a live in maid at the country house that had employed her mother until she married. Life in service is a little different now after the Great War and the family seem to be fighting a losing battle trying to keep their lifestyle in the way that it always has been. Annie knows where she fits into this life and doesn’t dare to dream of anything else until a wealthy American comes to stay for the summer. Thomas Everard forces her to look at her life differently. Then she vanishes overnight without a trace.
In 2003 the house still belongs to the family who are struggling to hang on it. Open to the public during the Spring and Summer months the visitor numbers aren’t high enough to cover the escalating repair bills. Viola Hendricks manages the house and is doing everything in her power to try and keep the house going. This beautiful house is the only place that has felt like home since she left Australia. She does her best to capitalise on the mystery of Annie’s disappearance but it is looking more likely that this will be the last season for Haverford House. The first part of the book runs a little slow as you are introduced to all the characters and the scene is set. Think later series of Downton Abbey and you won’t be far off. Stick with it though as once the events of 1933 start to play out in all their glory you won’t be able to put it down.
Beautifully described, it feels like you are right there in the House with both sets of protagonists and the Shakespearean play that links both eras is a touch of genius.
Supplied by Net Galley and Aria & Aries in exchange for an honest review.
UK Publication Date: Mar 14 2024. 400 pages.
You can get a copy of the book here https://amzn.to/3SXkQAJ
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