Author:Stephanie Lam
This stunning debut novel is a gripping read laced with mystery, secrets and love - perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Tracy Chevalier and Sarah Waters.
There are secrets hiding between the walls at Castaway House . . .
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1924
Robert Carver escapes to the glamorous Castaway House to spend a summer in the company of his much wealthier cousin, Alec Bray.
But appearances can be deceiving, and the Brays are a damaged family, with even more damaging secrets. And little does Robert know that his world is about to change for ever. . .
1965
Rosie Churchill has run away from home and everything she knows to stay at the rundown Castaway House.
But when she begins to discover a long-buried scandal she soon comes to realise that neither her own troubled past nor that of the house will stay secret for long. . .
As Rosie begins to learn more about Robert, the further she is drawn into the mysterious history of the house, and their stories, old and new, entwine.
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'An incredibly intricate story and wonderfully well written' 5* reader review
'A gripping read with finely wrought characters and lots of rich detail and colour' 5* reader review
'I became totally immersed' 5* reader review
I loved the gloriously, shamelessly old-fashioned title, with its hints of Agatha Christie and Josephine Tey . . . A fizzingly fresh story of mysteries-within-mysteries
—— Saga magazineAn elegantly written debut by an author to watch out for
—— Random Things Through My Letterbox, blogspotVivid and colourful . . . A well thought out, thorough mystery that does have you wanting to turn the next page
—— Lisa, Lisa Talks AboutA tale of mystery, secrets and love
—— Female FirstHighly absorbing
—— Love ReadingA delicious new mystery . . . We started reading this over lunch yesterday, and became so engrossed, it was a struggle to get back to work
—— NoveliciousHarvey’s gritty, downbeat tales of Nottingham copper Charlie Resnick are some of the best recent English crime novels. Sadly this is the last one and the weary, jazz-loving ‘tec bows out in style.
—— SunIn this masterful unearthing of the grudges and resentments left behind by the Miners' Strike of three decades ago, John Harvey has found the perfect case for Resnick to get his teeth into. All the ingredients are here: social history, the problem of male violence, the shadow of death, and, of course, the search for a decent cup of coffee. Anyone new to Resnick's world should probably start here; John Harvey has saved the best for last.
—— Jon McGregorNot since D.H. awrence has a writer so captured the Nottinghamshire vernacular and place. In this atmospheric novel the crime is real: seedy and un-glamorised and the detective, Charlie Resnick, delving into a cold case, is older, wiser and like all good detectives, doing things his own sweet way. King of Crime John Harvey here demonstrates with trademark rationed lyricism how he earned his crown: he offers up a pitch-perfect ending for Resnick and the series that’s masterful, poignant and true.
—— Jill DawsonThe last bow for Harvey’s intuitive Nottingham-based Detective Inspector Charlie Resnick, with his offbeat ways and difficulties with relationships, moves you to tears with its indelible poignancy.
—— Daily MailA vivid portrayal of a community riven by anger, guilt and betrayal, as well as mystery, this expertly rendered time slip is a fitting swan song for a wonderful detective.
—— GuardianGripping … a final and poignant hurrah which allows Harvey to masterfully round off his fascinating character and all his frailties and offer a measured if chilling assessment of Britain's social landscape and woes. Without Resnick, there would have been no Rebus, Grace, Thorne, Banks or so many other Premier League British cops, and Harvey never gets a note wrong. An admirable character and series.
—— Maxim Jakubowksi , LoveReadingWith its polished prose, vivid period feel and debauched protagonist, this assured first novel will be relished by fans of literary crime and historical fiction alike.
—— Irish TimesThe story is not for the faint of heart, but for those who love being thrilled, gripped by an unputdownable book, and who loves reading about the dark side of life, then this is the book for them. This chilling novel is amazing and I loved every page. Simply fabulous.
—— Historical Novel ReviewAt once a close character study and a sweeping panorama of the era of 'dissectionists', who buy bodies for medical research and the 'resurectionists' who dig them up, this fascinating book is a stirring work of fiction and a perceptive chapter in Ireland's social history.
—— The New York Times Book Reviewghastly, riveting tale.
—— Entertainment WeeklyHighly unsettling
—— Daily TelegraphA tantalising mystery
—— Sunday TelegraphCaptures sinister atmosphere brilliantly
—— Spectator