by Rosemary McLoughlin
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Just released: February 25, 2014
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Historical, Mystery
Paperback: 480 pages
Rating: 4
The country estate of Tyringham Park is the epitome of wealth and privilege. Home to the Blackshaws, it finds itself the backdrop to tragedy.
It is a beautiful day in 1917, and Tyringham Park is in an uproar after Victoria Blackshaw, an innocent toddler, disappears without a trace. The feverish search for Victoria soon uncovers jealousies and deceits that both the upstairs and downstairs inhabitants of the grand estate have fought for years to keep hidden.
As time passes, Victoria’s disappearance casts a long shadow over all of their lives. Charlotte, the Blackshaws’ less-favored eight-year-old daughter, finds herself severely impacted by the loss of her sister. Charlotte’s greatest wish is to escape the confines of the estate, but Tyringham Park and its many mysteries may never release their hold on her. Like all those at Tyringham Park, she is caught in a web of passions and secrets, trysts and betrayals that seems to ensnare everyone connected to this once great house.
My two-bits:
This story is being dubbed an "Irish Downton Abbey". While there are some similarities in regard to time period and estate living, it is its own unique story that is just as intriguing to follow along with.
I found this story to be a sad one with unlikable characters. The story did well in describing how a place can shape and define people.
Despite the characters, I liked being in the time period and settings of the story - a portion of the story takes place in Australia.
* review copy courtesy of publisher
