The Secret Of Eveline House

Part of the popular dual timeline genre where the past is discovered in the present, this is set in Ireland in 1949 and the present day. In 1949, Violet Ward, her husband and her young daughter move to a small village where she is reviled as she has written a scandalous play that is banned due to its religious content. The author really captures the small town ‘holier than thou' mentality where poor Violet and her daughter feel threatened by the locals and can't do anything to improve the situation. Things get worse as Sylvia, the daughter, discovers some nasty letters.

In the present day, Emily O'Connor buys a mysterious house but her mother is upset by it and she can't understand why. Some really good descriptions of the house and how it's been left as it was.

The story mainly focuses on Violet and I think this was a good decision as I thought this was well told and interesting. The modern day parts are briefer, but the book was a satisfying length and pace. If I had a criticism, it would be that I thought Sylvia's mysterious illness was a bit over dramatic and not sufficiently explained, but overall this was an enjoyable novel.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.