I’ve always enjoyed Jane Corry’s books, and I think this book is one of her best.
Really enjoyed jumping from the war to present day aspect, and as always Jane keeps you guessing right till the end

Fantastic!
Thank you for this copy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a book !!! I seriously couldn’t put this book down. It had everything and more, the two stories that linked absolutely perfectly with the same dark theme running throughout that was balanced from start to end, I didn’t finish the book wanting to know more of one story or the other it all tied up in a way which left me full filled.

Elizabeth’s story caught the history geek in me that now needs to find out more about the secret cells in Britain during the war while Nancy’s a real life vibe to it - yes she moved away to a family home but her whole personality made her relatable to normal people, how she felt and reacted to situations was how a normal would act not a complete fuss or over exaggerated reaction which I think is why I loved the book so much.

The choices and actions Elizabeth made towards towards her husband, son, PGs and even the German soldier gave a true sense again of what women in that time period would have done, felt and challenge.

I honestly don’t no what to write because I love it all, it’s gripping, interesting, historical and modern, a good pace with some fast pace twists and turns, a love story with a twist, murder and shows human nature and reaction at its best.

A physical copy is being ordered ( along with the other books from the author ) and it will sit of my permanent bookshelf as I already want to read it again !!!

The download date was unfortunately missed, I would be happy to re-review if it became available again. I have awarded stars for the book cover and description as they both appeal to me. I would be more than happy to re-read and review if a download becomes available. If you would like me to re-review please feel free to contact me at thesecretbookreview@gmail.com or via social media The_secret_bookreview (Instagram) or Secret_bookblog (Twitter). Thank you.

This was a 3.5 for me. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, finding the various timelines engaging and used to keep the tension. Unfortunately at some point it just slowed right down until the pace just ground to a halt. It’s such a shame because with some pruning it could have been much better. The ending fell a bit flat for me , too.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I never repeat the blurb. It took a long time for me to read this book, mainly as I am never a fan of 'back and forth' through time - I prefer a linear narrative. However the plot was interesting as was some of the historical detail about Devon.

A good solid thriller with a few twists and well written characters.
The house was the perfect setting, cosy at times and the plot itself was well paced and exciting with true-to-life scenarios and u expected offerings.
I will read more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. It was a great thriller with some good twists, overall really enjoyed it, just something missing for me

We start this wonderful story with Nancy, after a family murder and her stepbrother Martin being convicted of the crime. She retreats to her family home, Tall Chimneys in Devon, she wants to lie low to avoid the media. But what did happen that night?

This was a fabulous story with strong well developed characters, told over 2 timelines.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Written in 3 timelines the story is slowly weaved together and face paced to keep you invested in the storyline. I really liked the historical parts of the story and there were some great twists.

The story of people who lived in Tall Chimneys. One family., paying guests and evacuated children who lived there during WW2 and the family who lived there later.
The current owner discovered there were secrets from the past. But then, everyone has secrets in their past, don’t they?
An interesting tale with characters I could relate to

When Nancy's mother & stepfather are murdered & her stepbrother is given a life sentence for their murder she escapes the Tall Chimneys- a house that belonged to her mother in an attempt to escape the press excessive interest in her side of the story. When she is settling in to the room she decides to make hers she discovers the names of two girls who had been there during WW2.

Switch to Elizabeth, desperately trying to reach her son who is off to serve in the war. She wants to give him the scarf she knitted for him. She doesn't find him but on her way home she shares a carriage with two little girls & their teachers. When their paths crossed again she took them in as evacuees, much against the wishes of her husband.

These two stories run through the book & were each enjoyable & made the reader want to know more. The descriptions of each timeline were very well done. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so many layers!

Essentially this is a story of families, both blood and friendships, throughout the decades.
It's also a story of murder, but how many, and by who?

Well written characters and plotline(s) made this a good read.

Unlike Jane Corry's previous books, Coming To Find You, has a distinct historical aspect that serves to link the past to the present.

In the present, Nancy is being pursued by the media following the death of her mother and the subsequent murder trial. Looking for a bolt hole Nancy retreats to Sidmouth and the house her grandmother left her. Once there to distract herself she looks into the history of the house, and the area, and is captivated by the lives of two evacuees who were taken in during WWII.

An engaging and well-written novel that had me captivated.

I wasn’t expecting this book to go off in the direction it did and it took me a while to decide I wanted to continue with the dual timeline. The story in the war time was well told and interesting despite it not being anything like I would normally choose and the present day moved along at a decent pace but probably not as interesting.
This was an easy read but not a thriller more a crime drama.

WOW! I loved this book covering 3 generations. The research must have been vast and this was evident. The little truth at the end by Nancy was a great end to an amazing story, will definitely recommend this author.

I really enjoyed this book, a great 'get away from it all' novel. An intriguing way of combining the past (WWII) and the present, based in a family home passed down the generations, in Sidmouth. Great characters, you know that Nancy has things to hide but you only get the whole picture at the end.

If you want an easy, absorbing read, then pick this book up.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I have just spent about five days with Nancy and Elizabeth. Nancy has moved back to her Childhood summer home to escape media attention after her step brother murdered their parents. Something awful happened in that house that changed the course of Nancy's life. ...Elizabeth lives in the same home during the 1930's and 1940's. The war changed Elizabeth, her outlook, her relationships, her capabilities, and the course of her life...
A well written story that entwines the past and the present. A perfect summer read

This novel was full of secrets and I was desperate to find them out as soon as I started this gritty thriller. The first half of this novel was excellent, very propulsive. But once the excitement was over, I did find that there were too many ends to tie up. Nevertheless, an entertaining novel, and a bit different from my usual thrillers with the extra interest of WW2 historical fiction added in. I would definitely pick up more books by this author. Thanks to Netgalley et al for the advanced copy.

Nancy's mother and step-father were brutally stabbed at their Sussex farmhouse and her step-brother, Martin, has been convicted of their murder. We first meet Nancy outside the court, after Martin receives a life sentence. The barrister tells her that she's received a 'silent sentence' - she's not been found guilty of anything but will have to live with what happened for the rest of her life. Of course, it's made worse because Nancy's rich - she inherited five million pounds from her mother - and the papers are making the most of it. Farmhouse slaughter daughter is one favourite epithet and rich bitch might not be printed but is undoubtedly spoken.

She can't return to her London flat or her copywriting job: the papers won't leave her alone. The only answer she can think of is to retreat to her grandmother's Regency house, Tall Chimneys, at Sidmouth in Devon. Her mother had been letting the property out but the tenants left recently and Nancy can hide there until she thinks about what to do next. There are a few problems, though. Malcolm is declaring his undying love for her and the papers now believe they were 'in it together'. There's some mystery attached to Tall Chimneys: someone disappeared from the house in the Second World War but it's difficult to find out what - exactly - happened. Worst of all though is that Nancy feels guilty about something and she's worried about the possibility of prison.

OK - you're going to need to be in the wide-awake club to get into this book. It switches back and forth between characters and time-frames. Relationships are particularly complicated during the war and ownership of Tall Chimneys is gifted from one friend to another. I ended up with a family tree to make relationships clearer, but - believe me - whatever effort you need to make, it is worth it. This is a cracker of a story.

As well as reading the book, I bought myself an audio download narrated by Meg Travers and Olivia Darnley. It was an indulgence but well worth the expenditure. The pacing was excellent and the story of Elizabeth in the war and Nancy, eighty years later, is fully brought to life. I had planned to listen to it over about a week but a couple of days relaxing in the garden saw the end of it! I'd like to thank the publishers for letting Bookbag have a review copy.

This was a very different read and a very much out of the ordinary thriller for me. Two/three different storylines (depending how you look at it) set 80 years apart … ..Elizabeth of the 1940s and Nancy present day… and how they are linked together and the many different threads. It was a very atmospheric tense read. I loved the style of writing and found I wanted to forge ahead. It was so easy to get absorbed in the lives of the different characters and become emotionally involved. I did get a bit confused at times with the different timelines hence only four stars.
A very human story which definitely touched the heartstrings.
Many thanks to Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.