Published by HQ on March 1 2019
Pages: 285
Amazon UK, Amazon US
Goodreads
Can she unlock the mysteries of the past?
A country at war
It’s the summer of 1919 and Ellen O’Brien has her whole life ahead of her. Young, in love and leaving home for her first job, the future seems full of shining possibility. But war is brewing and before long, Ellen and everyone around her are swept up by it. As Ireland is torn apart by the turmoil, Ellen finds herself facing the ultimate test of love and loyalty. A long-buried secret
A hundred years later and Clare Farrell has inherited a dilapidated old farmhouse in County Meath. Seizing the chance to escape her unhappy marriage she strikes out on her own for the first time, hoping the old building might also provide clues to her family’s shadowy history. As she sets out to put the place – and herself – back to rights, she stumbles across a long-forgotten hiding place, with a clue to a secret that has lain buried for decades.
So I am kicking off the tour with two fabulous bloggers, so do be sure to check out their posts! Els over at B for
✮ My Review ✮
I must say I seem to be enjoying the historical fiction genre at the moment and this one is told in a dual timeline. I found it so easy to lose myself in 1919 and 2016, and when the main character in 2016 has a very similar surname as me, well that’s me done. I have to read it!!
In 1919 with Ellen, with the excitement of her new job as an upstairs maid in a small Irish town, in the height of the resistance against the British, it reminded me of Downton Abbey (which I love). In 2016, Clare Farrell has inherited a dilapidated farmhouse in Ireland and once the probate has been settled she finds a way to leave her controlling husband and with the support of her sons moves to Ireland. But how are they both connected?
I would love to have discovered the farmhouse and the idea of inheriting something like it, discovering the secrets and creating it into a beautiful home would be amazing. I think the discovering the history would be the best bit!!
The writing by Ms McGurl was so easy to lose
You can see how much research has gone into The Forgotten Secret and before you start the book, McGurl explains the background which was interesting to read. This helped me as I know very little of the history in Ireland at this time. This is a page turner but of one where you want to savour the pages and the characters do not let you rest until their story has been told, no matter how painful for them at times.
Until next time xxx
Thank you so much to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the tour invite and the author for a copy of this book in return for my honest and unbiased review
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
nickimags @ The Secret Library Book Blog says
Fab review! I love dual timeline stories plus my Dad was Irish so thus is definitely going on my Goodreads!
Zoé says
Oh woohoo!! I loved it, I seem to be moving into the historical fiction genre at the moment, especially in the war era. It all worked so well!
likeherdingcatsblog says
I’m on this one – cannot wait
Zoé says
Can’t wait to hear what you think x
likeherdingcatsblog says
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kathmcgurl says
Thanks so much for this review, and I am glad you enjoyed the book!
Zoé says
Thank you so much for commenting! I really did! I loved their story! Both women were amazing ! X