Thank you Netgalley, Simon & Schuster Canada, Simon & Schuster and Kate Morton for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

"Homecoming" is a captivating and intricate novel that weaves together the past and the present in a tale of family secrets, love, and the enduring search for truth. Set in Adelaide Hills on Christmas Eve, 1959, the story begins with a chilling discovery that sets off a chain of events leading to a baffling murder investigation that shakes the small town of Tambilla to its core.

Years later, Jess, a journalist struggling to find her footing after a life in London, is summoned back to Sydney to be by her grandmother Nora's side as she battles a serious illness. Upon returning to Nora's house, Jess stumbles upon a true crime book detailing the Turner Family Tragedy of 1959, a case that holds a shocking connection to her own family's past.

"Homecoming" delves into the complexities of family ties, the lengths we go to protect our loved ones, and the hidden truths that shape our lives. As Jess unravels the mystery of her family's connection to the Turner Family Tragedy, she is forced to confront long-buried secrets and grapple with the impact of the past on her present.

The novel is a rich tapestry of interwoven narratives that span generations, exploring themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the search for identity. The author skillfully crafts a story that is both compelling and thought-provoking, drawing readers into a world where the past and present collide in unexpected ways.

"Homecoming" is a spellbinding and emotionally resonant read that showcases the author's talent for storytelling. With its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and poignant exploration of family dynamics, this novel is a testament to the power of love, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds that tie us together. A must-read for fans of gripping and evocative fiction.

Adelaide Hills, Christmas Eve, 1959 there was one of the most shocking and perplexing murder cases in the history of South Australia. Sixty years later, Jess is a journalist Live in London and in search of a story. A phone call out of nowhere summons her back to Sydney. At loose ends in Nora's (jess's granny) house, Jess does some digging of her own. In Nora's bedroom, she discovers a true crime book, chronicling the police investigation into a long-buried tragedy: the Turner Family Tragedy of Christmas Eve, 1959. I

This is my favorite of Kate Morton's work. Fantastic written, perfect mystery, supper intriguing. Highly recommend you pick this one up, guarantee you would be put it down.

Kate Morton is an exceptional storyteller who knows how to craft engaging tales that wind all over the place.

Christmas Eve in 1959: a chilling discovery by a local delivery man sets off a shocking murder investigation in a small town in South Australia. Six decades later, Jess, a struggling journalist in London, returns to Sydney when her grandmother, Nora, has an accident. Nora, once a strong and vibrant presence in Jess's life, now appears frail and confused.

While tending to Nora's affairs, Jess stumbles upon a true crime book chronicling the Turner Family Tragedy of 1959, a case that has remained unsolved. To her astonishment, Jess uncovers a connection between her family and this infamous cold case. The discovery leads her to delve into the past, hoping to unravel the mysteries surrounding the Turner family's tragedy and perhaps find a story to reignite her journalism career.

This had an great premise, but at 500 pages it was just a bit too long and meandering. I'd love to see Morton write a 400 page novel!

I so badly wanted to live this book. I was so into it at the beginning especially when the murder first appeared but the book inside a book made it super slow. This book will be loved by many, just not for me.

Read if you like: historical mysteries
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This is a family mystery/murder in 1959 Australia that has Jess looking back into her grandmother's past to solve it. Overall, the mystery was interesting and I was able to guess part of it. But the book felt a bit too long and it took me a while to get into the plot. I find that I struggle with the present perspectives in historical mysteries and find myself wanting to remain with the historical perspectives. But I did enjoy the book and thought the mystery aspect was well done!

I absolutely loved this book!! I couldn’t put it down.
I just loved all the characters. I highly recommend this book.

Honestly I was worried when I saw the length of this book. It seems too many are trying to write the great epic novel and so many stories these days to me are hundreds of pages too long and too boring, I need not have worried, although this is a lengthy story you will not notice or care as it wonderful and intriguing and easy to read and includes just the right amount of details. A truly wonderful story of coming home and discovering old hidden family history and just of family itself. Highly recommend.

This book was a long one for me with many characters. I had a hard time keeping up with them. It felt like a book within a book. I enjoyed it but it was a long read.

Kate Morton's prose is beautiful and her writing always provides such an immersive reading experience. I genuinely feel like I am wrapping a cozy blanket around me, or visiting an old friend every time I start one of her books. This time I felt like I truly was in Tambilla, South Australia. Her characters are believably complex and nuanced and this novel was no different.
I've yet to figure out a Kate Morton twist, however, I did this time, abut halfway through the novel. It did not detract too much from my reading experience, but the "surprise" and "shock" wasn't there for me this time.
It is a beautiful novel, filled with vivid description and complex emotions.

3.5 Stars: I enjoy Kate Morton's writing. She writes beautifully descriptive stories and manages to add a mystery as well. Homecoming is a story told in dual timelines, 1959, when a family is found dead while on a picnic and the baby of the family missing. The second is 60 years later, when Jess is called home to Sydney, where her beloved grandmother, Nora, who raised her, has suffered a fall and been raced to the hospital. While alone in Nora's house, Jess finds a true crime book about the Turner Family Tragedy of Christmas Eve, 1959. It tells the story of the family and Jess finds out that she is related to this family. Being a journalist herself, she begins to investigate the tragedy to finally find conclusion to the story.

The description describes the book as "An epic novel that spans generations" and that is what it is. I enjoyed the book, but had to put it down a few times as it is extremely descriptive and slow moving at times. I enjoyed learning about this family and what may have caused the death of the Turner Family. There were secrets, many of them, and as Jess began to unravel some of the story, I became more interested in this one. There were several surprises along the way and the final revelations solved a second mystery. If you enjoy a sweeping story, with lyrical writing, lots of description and a mystery, you will probably love this story. I found it overlong and a bit too slow for me at times. The audiobook, narrated by Claire Foy, was well done and kept me listening. Her voice was perfect for the pace, tone and characters. If you enjoy an audiobook, I recommend you listen to this one, rather than reading it.

Kate Morton is one of those rare authors who is able to tell a multi-layered, nuanced, dual timeline story with perfection. Everything is woven together so well, with both people and places playing integral parts.

I found this to be a slow start but I knew it would be worth sticking with it and I was right. There was mystery, intrigue, love and drama as the story unfolded and Morton's prose is so beautiful. Another winner and one I can't wait to listen to on audio and experience all over again.

Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

One of Kate's best in a while!

I found that Homecoming particularly pulled on the heartstrings. Bittersweet and sad in a lot of places, but ending on a hopeful (and not overly sappy) note.

I found myself far more interested in the 1959/1960 sections than the 2018 ones - the characters felt more fleshed out and therefore more real to me. That's not to say that Jess wasn't interesting to follow, but diving into the past was more fun!

The writing was evocative and thoughtful, however I struggled with the pacing. The beginning was slow, and while I understand the context after finishing it was really difficult to get into in the beginning.

I loved how the mystery wrapped up, though it did feel like there were a few loose ends. Overall, a really enjoyable read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Two words to describe this long-awaited book: mixed feelings! 3.75 stars

I enjoyed Homecoming even if it wasn't as compelling as Kate Morton's previous novels. The French edition has 633 pages (!!) and I never considered not finishing it, so it definitely held my attention. I'm also glad to say I didn't predict every twist!

Morton writes beautifully, but I would have cut some parts (repetitive descriptions and details about the life of absolutely every character). The book has some flaws, especially about one thing: I wish the relationship between two of the characters got a more satisfying closure. I was waiting for this moment so I ended up disappointed.

Final thoughts: very good book, but it didn't make me feel emotions as intense as The Forgotten Garden, The Secret Keeper, The Lake House and The Distant Hours.

Original post: I am SO happy right now! Can't believe it's already been 5 years since Kate Morton published her last novel... But I don't have to wait anymore since I just received an ARC of her next book! 🤩🎉

Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC

Such a beautifully crafted story with an engaging set of characters and intriguing circumstances. I loved all the moving pieces and intertwining tales and how ultimately, they fit together like a 3D puzzle. I also loved the vast array of perspectives and voices -- cleverly woven in to give a lot of perspective. A satisfying and immersive read! The ending surprised me but it was perfect.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Occasionally one is blessed to read a sweeping novel whose writing and characters move the reader deeply. There is something so visceral about this story that simply captures the emotions and does not let go. On Christmas Eve 1959 an entire family is poisoned during a picnic in South Australia. What appears to be a suicide/murders is so much more and the impact on several families is beyond life changing. The truth is slowly teased out through the eyes of the various participants and can only reach a conclusion with the death of one of the principals.

It is a sad tale of loss and longing and loneliness. Lies and secrets, kept in dark corners with the best of intentions drive events and lives until, once the story has been told, the truth can come out into the light and peace can be made. In the end, the reader, like the characters, feels she has been through an emotional wringer but has a great sense of satisfaction in the possibilities for the future. This is not a fast read but one that deserves the time to succour it. Five purrs and two paws up.

This novel follows a family tragedy and is set in a dual timeline – 1959 and 2018 – with excerpts from a book written about the events of 1959 in the years between. It’s the story of catastrophe and lost love and the need to know what happened.

On Christmas Eve, 1959, outside the small Australian town of Tambilla, a local man, taking a detour on his way home, discovers a mother and her children dead and one child missing. That discovery starts an investigation that ends with a finding of potential murder-suicide.

In 2018, Jess is a journalist in London, where she’s lived for twenty years. Her relationship has ended and she’s looking for freelance work when she gets a call from Sydney that her grandmother Nora, who raised her when her mother couldn’t, has fallen and is hospitalized, so she returns to Australia right away. At Nora’s house, Jess discovers the book chronicling the 1959 tragedy and thus begins her journey into discovering the truth of what happened.

This family saga had great promise. The writer uses prose beautifully and her descriptions are so clear you feel you’re right there.

Unfortunately, for me, the storyline was very slow to unfold, especially as it became clear where it was going. Granted, there were some unexpected touches along the way, but no big surprise twist ending that I didn’t see coming early on in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an electronic copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Oh how I love Kate Morton's ability to weave a story that just sucks me in. This one was so good - there was mystery, love, intrigue, family dynamics. It had everything. I really appreciate how we get to know part of the mystery first, then we learn more about the players and the people involved. There are lots of flawed characters but you can't help love (most of) them anyways. An excellent read like you would expect from Morton.

I have loved every Kate Morton book I have read and this book was no exception. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. I thought it addressed post partum depression & child loss in a good way. I thought I had some of what happened with Thea figured out & I turned out to be right but the rest of the ending of the book I did not see coming. The twist in this book after Jess & Polly heard the tape then read the lost journal pages was amazing, The ending of this book was fabulous & bittersweet. I would have loved to know what happened with Jess but the end was open ended enough that the reader can imagine for themselves, The two storylines were woven together so masterfully which is something Kate Morton is an expert at.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Simon & Schuster for the chance to read this phenomenal book. I loved it!

4.5/5 Thank you to Net Galley and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Christmas Eve 1959: A deliveryman comes across a murder-suicide of a mother and her children outside a small town in Australia.

Sixty years later: Jess, an Aussie who has been a journalist in London for about twenty years, has recently lost her job and gets a message from Australia that her grandmother has had a bad fall. The grandmother raised Jess and she feels that she must race “home”, only to find her larger than life relative looking small and frail in her hospital bed. Jess is shocked to find that Nora is incoherent & fails to recognize that the medical staff are telling her that things do not look good for a recovery.

While back in Australia, the journalist in Jess is looking for a story to write about. Before leaving London, she had sold a British editor on a story about her trip home; but she just cannot get it together. There is a nagging mystery about her grandmother’s fall and she begins to investigate. It seems that the sixty year old murder-suicide involved relatives, and Jess was totally unaware of this bit of family history.

The story jumps back and forth between the two timelines: when Nora was a young woman, and when she is the ailing grandmother in the hospital. Slowly the story of the crime is elucidated and other, well-hidden crimes are exposed.

Nora is not the lovely person she is first made out to be. There are things in her past that have shaped the woman she became. These same things caused her to first control and then alienate her daughter; who ended up so unsure of herself that she left her own daughter to be raised by Nora. It seems that Nora did a better job raising her granddaughter and Jess is quite independent.

The prose is beautiful and there is lots of vivid imagery which makes this lengthy book a joy to read. The mystery took the reader in a direction where I figured out part of the solution; but there were still surprises in the end.

I would definitely recommend this read to others who would enjoy a vicarious trip to Australia with a good mystery thrown in to boot!

Homecoming was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 and let me tell you, Kate Morton does not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed Homecoming. I loved that it took place in Adelaide, Australia where family friends live and a place I long to visit. Homecoming is a slow burn, multi-generational, family saga, mystery novel all rolled into one. It’s told in multiple time lines, and points of view, about three women who are inter connected by a horrific crime from the past.

Kate Morton’s writing style always transports me to where-ever and whenever the story takes place. Her vivid descriptions make me feel like I’m watching a movie and in another World. The characters are well developed but I connected to Jess the most. At times the story got a bit complicated and I had a hard time keeping track of time lines, but over all Homecoming was a captivating and intriguing book. A solid 4 ⭐️ read for me.

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada, NetGalley and Kate Morton for my electronic arc of Homecoming in exchange for my honest review.