The second in The Alardyce Trilogy and whilst it could be read as a standalone I highly recommend you read the first book before you start this one. This is set in Edinburg in 1896, some years after the previous book ended. After her horrendous treatment at the hands of Edward and surprise rescue by Matthew Amy is now happily married to Henry. This is a well written novel about a wealthy Victorian family, many of whom are hiding dark secrets.

Briefly, Robert, Amy and Matthews son, is looking forward to the announcement of his engagement to Jane, but Amy is beginning to suspect that her beloved son is carrying the more unpleasant traits of his dead father. Seeking to prevent the relationship only heightens the desire of the young couple and results in a dramatic chase to Gretna Green to stop the marriage. Can Amy prevent her sons baser instincts from overpowering his kind and gentle side?

There are some great characters in this book, not just the main protagonists, but a number of lesser characters. I particularly liked Magda, a woman who is practiced in herbal treatments and saved Amy on more than one occasion and Knapp, a giant of a man employed to keep an eye on Robert. I was also quite surprised by the ‘dreams’ Amy had about Matthew, never quite sure if they were dreams or something darker and more sinister. There were a few real shocks as the book moved towards the end, a couple of which I never saw coming, and a small cliffhanger obviously leading us toward book three. An enjoyable and exciting read.

A really enjoyable read that was just as good as the first in the series but I think could also work well as a standalone. Well written and well developed characters, I was gripped all the way through.

This is the second book set at Alardyce House and is just as sinister and gripping as the first. Amy is now married to Henry and as well as Robert, her son with Matthew, they have three younger children. Has Robert inherited his father’s sinister and evil ways? The story follows this thread with twists and turns plus some great characters, my favourites being the butler Rush and Magda the local herbalist who some say is a witch. I thought this flowed really well and although it helped that I had read the previous book this could be read as a standalone book.. overall a great read. Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This is book two in this series and just as good as the first one.
All families have dark secrets and this family is no different.
Amy is concerned about her son Robert. She sees the same darkness in his eyes she saw in his fathers.
Can she save him from his own darkness.
This story starts years from when the previous book ends.
It’s full of action with lots of twists and surprises along the way. It’s a page turner you won’t to put down!
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I really enjoy reading Heather Atkinson's writing, it does everything that I enjoy about the historical genre. The characters were interesting and I was glad I was able to go through this book. I enjoyed the time period used and it was a interesting take on the time. I can't wait to read more from the author.

‘Then why weren’t you at Huntington Manor? He could have sneaked you in as a servant or governess, but he didn’t because you were nothing more than a vague memory. I was the one he wanted, me and the son we had together, and that’s what’s tearing you apart. Jealousy.’