.jpg)
Before her eyes the garden changed. Weeds and brambles, decades in the growing, receded. Leaves lifted from the ground revealing paths and flowerbeds and a garden seat. Light was permitted entry once more.
1913
On the eve of the First World War a little girl is found abandoned after a gruelling ocean voyage from England to Australia. All she can remember of the journey is that mysterious women she calls the Authoress had promised to look after her. But the Authoress has vanished without a trace.
1975
Now an elderly lady, Nell travels to England to discover the truth about her parentage. Her quest leads her to Cornwall, and to a beautiful estate called Blackhurst Manor, which had been owned by the Mountrachet family. What has prompted Nell's journey after all these years?
2005
On Nell's death her granddaughter, Cassandra, comes into a surprise inheritance. Cliff Cottage, in the grounds of Blackhurst Manor, is notorious amongst the locals for the secrets it holds - secrets about the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is at Cliff Cottage, abandoned for years, and in its forgotten garden, that Cassandra will uncover the truth about the family and why the young Nell was abandoned all those decades before.
............................................
The Forgotten Garden is the first of my reads to tell you about in May. I started it last weekend but knew I wouldn't finish it before the end of April so it's just about scrapped through until today when I turned the last page.
I get totally immersed in Kate Morton's novels and this one was no exception.
I love her style of writing moving effortlessly from the past to the present and from the present to the past. I know some people find this style of writing a little confusing but, in doing so all the questions you have in your head from the previous chapter start to get answered in the next two and there are always fantastic twist at varying stages of the book.
There is always so much to absorb and that was certainly the case within the 645 pages of this novel and I warn you, chocolate and a box of tissues are compulsory when reading. And just when you think you have all worked out you get another twist at the end.
If you've never read a Kate Morton novel before I would certainly recommend this one it will have you totally hooked and you won't be able to put it down. Each chapter will leave you wanting to know more and you will find you just have to keep reading no wonder it was on Richard & Judy's Best of Summer reads after it's release.
I definitely think this is my favourite of her novels so far.
I have now read all Kate Morton's novels apart from Distant Hours which is in the queue and will be one of my Summer reads leaving me ready for the Autumn when Kate Morton's next novel 'The Lake House' is released.
Happy reading one & all
Mx
I get totally immersed in Kate Morton's novels and this one was no exception.
I love her style of writing moving effortlessly from the past to the present and from the present to the past. I know some people find this style of writing a little confusing but, in doing so all the questions you have in your head from the previous chapter start to get answered in the next two and there are always fantastic twist at varying stages of the book.
There is always so much to absorb and that was certainly the case within the 645 pages of this novel and I warn you, chocolate and a box of tissues are compulsory when reading. And just when you think you have all worked out you get another twist at the end.
If you've never read a Kate Morton novel before I would certainly recommend this one it will have you totally hooked and you won't be able to put it down. Each chapter will leave you wanting to know more and you will find you just have to keep reading no wonder it was on Richard & Judy's Best of Summer reads after it's release.
I definitely think this is my favourite of her novels so far.
I have now read all Kate Morton's novels apart from Distant Hours which is in the queue and will be one of my Summer reads leaving me ready for the Autumn when Kate Morton's next novel 'The Lake House' is released.
Happy reading one & all
Mx
I love your reviews! It is a busy time for me so I'm a bit behind on my reading but I'm I'll be back. I've not come across Kate Morton before and want to give her a try.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Thank you Amalia. Everyone raved about Kate Morton's first novel The Riverton House but I definitely preferred The Forgotten Garden and The Secret Keeper. I still have Distant Hours to read.
DeleteI have looked at Kate Morton's books many times but have never picked one up to read. I might just do so now, after reading your post.
ReplyDeleteSorry to be repeating myself but as I commented to Amalia I think the best two out of the four are The Forgotten Garden and The Secret Keeper. The Riverton House was very good too as her first novel but I suppose we all have our favourites don't we.
DeleteI like Kate Morton but haven't read this one yet so will add it to my ever growing list! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteEileen @ In My Playroom (also joining in with The Year in Books)
That is the only trouble isn't Eileen. There are just too many fantastic books and not enough hours in the day to read them all. The Forgotten Garden is definitely one of my favourites of Kate Morton as is The Secret Keeper. I just have The Distant Hours to go and then I'll have read them all so far.
Delete