The Shadows of Rutherford House

A twisty, suspenseful page-turner full of mysteries to unravel

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Pub Date 10 Nov 2022 | Archive Date 19 Oct 2022

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Description

Darkness lies at the heart of this family…

In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior.

In the present day, Christie is working as a psychiatric nurse when she meets troubled patient Lillian Percy, Vivienne’s granddaughter and heiress to Rutherford House. They soon bond over the loss of their mothers – Lillian’s died when she was a child; Christie’s mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago – and Christie finds herself increasingly fascinated by Lillian’s family and their imposing ancestral home.

As Christie learns more about the Rutherford-Percys, she finds a shocking clue that could help her uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line.

But how much of the truth does she really want to know?


Darkness lies at the heart of this family…

In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress...


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Average rating from 58 members


Featured Reviews

A really great book with some unexpected twists and turns. It was a little slow for a while, but it definitely picked up, which I appreciated.

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I loved this weird little book. Thank you for the ARC.

At first I had a hard time caring for the different characters. Milly was somewhat relatable. Her love and obsession with her employer made sense, even if she was judging her mother for the same. She was deeply flawed and I loved it!
Duncan was my favorite. He was a stupid young man who thought with his dick and ruined his life. It happens. It is still his own fault.

I loved Imogen and wanted to take Freddie home with me.

Christie was the perspective I appreciated the most. She is a nurse just trying to do right by her favorite patient. Then they become friends. It happens, it shouldn't but it does. She ends learning way too much about herself and her parents during this friendship.
I especially loved the setting.

That house was perfection.

This was really good.

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The Shadows of Rutherford House
C E Rose
Hera Books
November 10, 2022

I really enjoyed this book even though in the beginning I was losing my mind trying to keep the characters straight. But I persevered and I’m glad I did.

The story takes place in Rutherford House and the Ridings, a smaller home for the gardener and his family. The characters were well-defined and I ended up hating some of the characters and loving others.

There are plenty of twists and secrets to keep the reader turning the page. I recommend this book and give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

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My mind is blown! I’ve just finished this book after two sittings. I really didn’t want to put it down and when I did it was all I thought about until I could pick it back up again. My jaw literally dropped at the ultimate twist!

This story is written in the perspective of three characters and at first I was a little confused as to who was who but after a few chapters it all became clear and I’m glad I persevered with it.

Honestly, one of the best books I’ve read this year. It had so many twists and turns in it, kept me hooked and gave me a slight chill throughout.

The characters had a lot of depth, some likeable, some I absolutely loathed, but all really well developed.

The storyline was so clever and the fact it was told through the different characters perception and different periods of time was really good and emphasised the suspense.

Overall a fab read, an easy five stars and I will highly recommend to others.

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I loved this intriguing mystery family drama centred around Rutherford House and the Ridings. Three timelines, but I didn't find it confusing as long as you read the name and year at top of each new chapter. A story of lies, deceit and distrust, with a few twists all neatly wrapped up by the end.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hera Books for this advanced copy, my opinions are my own and not expected

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Best thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat. I delved into this well written book completely and thoroughly entertained.

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I loved this gothic-tinged, suspenseful, twisty tale. Told from three viewpoints in different time periods, it was initially a little confusing but once it all clicked for me I raced through this and couldn't put it down.

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Atmospherically Charged..
Secrets abound in this atmospherically charged and suspenseful mystery where the house is as much of a character as the varied cast. Told effectively with a dual timeline and through multiple perspectives, the reader is transported from 1959 through to present day via familial connections to Rutherford House. A familial drama with mysteries and dark secrets to unravel in droves, a menacing and often chilling undercurrent and an immersive narrative.

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I absolutely loved this book and could not put down. A gothic thriller with so many great twists and a dark atmosphere. The house was so ominous and intriguing. I loved how the different view points from different time periods wove together. Great book.

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I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. When Christie meets someone named Lillian at the hospital where she works, they form a friendly bond, one that exceeds patient and caregiver. When Lilian decides to go back home to face her demons and all the skeletons in the family closet so to speak, Christie goes with her, and this unlocks events from the past that intertwine in the future for both of them. Told in different perspectives from multiple people over the decades, this was an interesting story I couldn't put down.

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This book was so deliciously creepy! I devoured it in one sitting! It had me hooked from the first page.

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The Shadows of Rutherford House is one of the best books I’ve read recently! This book is told from several point of views; Milly, Duncan and Christie and at different points in time. At first I wasn’t sure how all these characters were going to connect but once they did I was hooked! The story follows the lives of the family and their help for four generations and how secrets can be kept for years. Without giving any spoilers away, the link between all these characters is masterfully revealed in the end. I enjoyed that as a reader we would peel a new layer back of the mystery each time the POV switched, instead of everything being revealed at once. The characters are all developed well and their actions stay true to the character through the entire novel. The attention to detail the author also has in describing the house is amazing. This is an easy 5 stars for me and would highly recommend to anyone that enjoys mysteries and thrillers!

Thank you NetGalley and Hera publisher for sending this book for review considerations. All opinions are my own.

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The Shadows of Rutherford House was my first book written by author C E Rose. After reading this book, I look forward to picking up more books by this author.

I must say, I had a difficult time following the timeline at first as this book is divided into three different narratives; Milly, Duncan and Christie. I’m glad I continued reading because I ended up enjoying this book once I got past understanding how the characters and timelines fit together. The story ended up unfolding beautifully.

You never know what you can find once you start digging for information. Manipulation and secrets was a major theme throughout generations of the Percy family.

Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for the virtual copy of the ARC. Head to your local book store to purchase this recommended read as early as November 10th, 2022!

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I enjoyed the premise of The Shadows of Rutherford House although the changes of POV from 1st person to 3rd for different characters made for a less than smooth transition. Other than that the dual timeline worked well and the characters are well drawn. All in all this is an intriguing family mystery centred around an old house that I think many readers will like as much as I did. Many thanks to NetGalley and Hera for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Well written with a compelling storyline and well developed characters. When the book starts off it is a bit of a slow burner but as the tension in the plot increases so does the pacing until I was completely gripped. A good level of twists too

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The Shadows Of Rutherford House is the story of a family over 50+ year time period. It follows 3 different time periods as we learn the family secrets and the darkness they're shrouded in .
It was a fast paced read that slipped fairly seamlessly through the different time lines. Had a couple of fun twists towards the end as well. I really enjoyed the story and look forward to reading more from this author.
Please find my spoiler free youtube review attached.

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This is the second book I have read of CE Rose and she definitely hasn’t disappointed me. It tells the story from a few character, to start with I did get a bit confused of how the characters would be linked, I just couldn’t work it out but it made me want to continue reading so I could find out. It all made perfect sense and was a lot clearer as I continued to read on, the twist at the end had me stunned- I just wasn’t expecting it. Another well written book by CE Rose.

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In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior.
In the present day, Christie is working as a psychiatric nurse when she meets troubled patient Lillian Percy, Vivienne’s granddaughter and heiress to Rutherford House. They soon bond over the loss of their mothers Lillian’s died when she was a child; Christie’s mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago and Christie finds herself increasingly fascinated by Lillian’s family and their imposing ancestral home.
As Christie learns more about the Rutherford-Percys, she finds a shocking clue that could help her uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?
Really enjoyable read and totally recommend
Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books
I just reviewed The Shadows of Rutherford House by CE Rose. #TheShadowsofRutherfordHouse #NetGalley

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If you want a story that has more twists and turns than a roller coaster this is it.
the story istold in several timelines and has many characters chiming in. the characters
are very much part of the story but they come in in the then and now. it also seems typical
that these old villages have the most complicated histories and that those in the "big
house" seem irretrievably linked to the villagers, however much they look down on them or
howeverresentful the villagers may be towards the richer folk.

Lust and love, resentment and murder all surface in this well crafted story.
The final reveal was a surprise for me. if you want a book that keeps you guessing from
beginning to end this is one for you.

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What Was This Sourcery! 😳😯🤯😳🤯

Okay everyone list up! This incredible gothic thriller was intense, insane, and absolutely gobsmacking! I mean holy fluff cakes! I absolutely adored the back and forth between Milly, the housekeeper from before and Christie now. The dark, deep and undeniably sinister atmosphere of this book set it so perfectly and as the plot and subplot unfolded, I was absolutely dumbfounded by the ending and tie up that was so freakin' satisfying and jaw-dropping! Rose keeps you on the edge of your seat, keeps you curious and absolutely enthralled the entire way. I dived into this book headfirst like diving into a fort of warm, fuzzy blankets & pillows. It swallowed me up & took me hostage. An absolutely dark, crazy & insatiable ride of deep, dark family secrets that will you thanking your lucky stars you aren't them. I need comfort food... STAT!

Mყ 𝐒ყɴ𝐨ρѕιѕ: Christie is a psychiatric nurse and has become fond of her patient, Lillian. But while helping her through her issues, she's still dealing with the disappearance of her own mother from over twenty years ago. With Lillian finally clear to go home to Rutherford, Christie decides to help her settle in, but becomes invested and intrigued into the history of the Rutherford-Percy family. As dark and integrated as the past of the two families become apparent, Christie feels she may have found clues leading to her own mother's disappearance.

Thank you to NetGalley & Hera Books for this ARC.
Release Date: November 10, 2022

𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭: 4.5 / 5 Jack-o'-lanterns! 🎃

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Book 93 was fascinating. The characters were rich and the story engaging. Great job @cazengland1. Thank you to @netgalley and @hera_books for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Fantastic book! I loved the storyline, told through the characters Milly, Christie and Duncan, and switches from past to present.

There are many secrets, love found, love lost and suspicious deaths.

The Percy family live at Rutherford House, but have fallen on hard times. The men in the family all seem to die young, and the women are the secret keepers.
Lillian is a patient at a psychiatric unit, and Christie is her nurse, who has grown quite fond of her. They are both trying to come to terms with the loss of their mothers, even though the losses occurred 20 years previously.
Milly is the lady's maid who became part of the family, and keeps their secrets, and her own.
Duncan is the son of the groundsman who takes over his father's job when his father is injured, but he has close ties to the Percy's when he marries Imogen.

Practically every chapter leaves you wanting more of the mystery to be peeled like an onion, there are many layers to this book, and it all ties in, with all questions answered at the end.

Really engrossing, and the characters seem real, not all of them are endearing or likeable, some are very devious and downright evil.

I loved this book, and am looking forward to reading more from this author. Definitely one of the better books I have read this year.

Thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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Slow to start but then wow! What a journey. Loved this book, an excellent read from one of my favourite authors. Thanks to the author, Netgalley and Hera Books for giving me the opportunity to read this fabulous book.

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GIVE IT TO ME.

In short: an upstairs-downstairs family drama - mental illness - lost love - missing mothers - long buried secrets.

Gothic mysteries are at the top of my favorite genres and this is an excellent example of a modern take. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

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This was the type of Gothic tale I love. A crumbling English estate. A noble family desperate to keep up appearances even as their coffers are dwindling. A family curse that is widely accepted by the family and villagers and a possible haunting of the estate.

This was a thoroughly engaging story of the troubled Percy family – told entirely through the perspectives of those within their orbit. This alternating three-era timeline was told through the perspectives of Milly, the Percy family housekeeper (1960s & 1970s), Duncan, the Percy family gardener (1980s) and Christie, a psychiatric care nurse caring for one of the Percy family women (present day).

These three perspectives and timelines ensure the story moves along quickly as secrets, lies and trauma are unveiled. A highly enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy - all thoughts are my own.

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The Shadows of Rutherford House
A twisty, suspenseful page-turner full of mysteries to unravel
by CE Rose
Earc:NetGalley
Publisher: Hera Books
Publication Date: 10 Nov 2022
Genre :General Fiction, Women's Fiction

The Shadows of Rutherford House is a gothic thriller with so many twists and turns and a dark atmosphere to the story.

Told from three perspectives and across three generations. The story is very mysterious and I was very interested in how the three different timelines were connected.

Well-drawn characters and a unique storyline are expertly woven together to create a satisfying ending.


5 star reading highly recommended!
Shadows of the Rutherford Mansion
A twisted and suspenseful page turn full of mysteries to unravel

NetGalley #bookstagram #bookreview #goodreads #generalfiction #womensfiction @herabooks #theshafowsofrutherfordhouse

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A little slow to begin but once it got going it was a total page turner . Really enjoyed this book 👌

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I thought the book was good. I loved the story. I love reading long books and it was exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely be buying a copy sometime soon. Very good book. I recommend this to everyone.

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The Shadows of Rutherford House is a gothic thriller with so many great twists and turns, it has a dark atmosphere to the story.

It is told through three perspectives and over three generations. There is a lot of mystery to the story and I was very curious to see how the three different timelines were connected.

It has a well drawn cast of characters and a unique plot which is cleverly woven together to create a satisfying ending.

Highly recommended five star read!

Thankyou #NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of #TheShadowsofRutherdHouse Publication Date: 10th Nov 2022

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Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this before its release.

The Shadows of Rutherford House
by C.E. Rose

This is the books blurb

Darkness lies at the heart of this family…

Christie is still coming to terms with the sudden and unexplained disappearance of her mother, over twenty years ago, leaving her unable to move on. Through her work as a psychiatric nurse, she becomes drawn to a troubled patient, Lillian, similarly haunted by the loss of her own mother.

As she tries to help Lillian leave the hospital and return to her stately childhood home, Christie finds herself fascinated by the mysterious Rutherford-Percy clan. Why is Lillian so terrified of Rutherford House? Why is she so reluctant to embrace her aristocratic legacy?

The more Christie learns about the family and their dark, ancestral past, the deeper the secrets seem to run - until she finds a clue that could help uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?

Written from lots of different characters POV and jumping backwards and forwards in time, this could easily cause confusion.

It could but for some reason it didn't, I was curious at first and about a quarter of the way through I was keen to find the connection between the characters.

A connection was there but not quite within grasp by the time I was just over halfway I was fully invested in everyone and wanted to know just how the stories ties up.

Lots of intrigue, I was at the edge of my seat (well bed! but you know what I mean) this was a cleverly constructed story line that was written well enough to keep you turning the page. The length of the chapters helped me to read just one more before I closed the book.

There was a great range of characters some I loved and some that weren't intended to be liked along with some I wanted to understand better.

I highly rated this and it was one of my best reads of 2022

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Thank you NetGalley and Hera Books for this Arc! This was the perfect Gothic thriller to finish off spooky season with.

I found the first bit of the book difficult to get into as there were many characters introduced but once I got through that I could not put this book down! There were many twists in this book and the last one surprised me!

If you enjoy Gothic thrillers and creepy settings this book is for you!

4/5 stars!

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What a fantastic book. I really enjoyed it and would love to read more by this author!

We follow four generations of Percys and their extraordinary lives at Rutherford House.
The story more or less begins with the flamboyant, Theodore, ‘Teddy’ Percy, married to Vivienne. Together they have two children: Freddy and Imogen.

There is also an important role for the loyal, 'invisible' Mrs Shaw, the faithful housekeeper who knows what to do with everything and assists the family in word and deed.

We follow the choices and lives of Imogen, and Freddy, a somewhat unusual boy, and a bit of a loner, who unfortunately dies on his ninth birthday due to a fall down the stairs. Imogen cannot cope with the tragedy of life and goes all out on pills, booze and promiscuous behaviour.

The story is told in part by Christie, a nurse who nurses Lilian - Imogen's daughter - when she is admitted to an institution.
As it turns out, her mother was killed in a car accident years earlier. Christie's mother, who suddenly disappeared from her life never to return, develops a close bond with Lilian. She is fascinated by the traumatic history of Rutherford House. Eventually she goes to investigate on her own and it becomes clear why her mother disappeared from her life.

Other perspectives include Milly, - the housekeeper - and Duncan, Lilian's father.

At first, it took some getting used to figuring out who was who, and how the family connections ran. The writer deliberately made that happen. Everything remains (deliberately) vague, and very occasionally there are hints as to how things really are. So it was a bit of a puzzle at first.
Gradually, more becomes clear, but it remains to be seen whether the reader sees the outcome coming.
I don't want to go into too much detail about the how and what, for fear of giving away too much of the story.

I enjoyed reading the book immensely, peeling off layer by layer to find out the truth.
The gothic atmosphere in the story reminded me of Shirley Jackson’s novels.
And I think the story is ideally suited to be filmed.
Highly recommended!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this arc. I leave this review voluntarily.

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Loved this! The unexpected twists never ended til the very end . The links between the timelines were done well and fairly easy to follow. Thoroughly enjoyed this.

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Pretty good! The multiple POV's were easy to follow and the characters illicit strong emotions (love or hate, there's no in between). Kind of twisted but not in a bad way. I say go for it!

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This was actually an interesting read.

There were too many different characters POV although the present was told by Christie's POV. I had a hard time following the time line and some parts became a little confusing but it is the middle of the story that got me hooked into the story. The story is mainly focused on ancestral secrets that seem to surface, I liked reading Christie's and Duncan's POV and also Milly the housekeeper. Overall, the whole story was very unpredictable and the plot keep changing which is making me guess what the ending was going to be like. Overall, I actually enjoyed reading this book and worth four stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Hera for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

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Very engaging story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing to read this book early.

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There is this unspoken gratitude to an author when you are able to read a book from start to finish without feeling exhausted or bored at any point. I owe this to the authors ability to set the pace of a book and keep the flow going. This is exactly how I felt while reading :

The Shadows of Rutherford House

This was my first book by CE Rose, and not only was it an honor to be an early reader but also rewarding as I found a new author to add to my auto-buy list.

The cover is what hooked me right in. Its eerie, spooky and mysterious. Its perfect for a girl like me who laughs in the face of danger, all while quivering under the blankets afraid to look under the bed.

The suspense was there the entire book, never once was I looking to put this one down once I started. The twist was one I could not see coming and I was engaged early on. These characters were fun and multi-dimensional, I especially enjoyed Duncan and all of his quirks.

This is a sure fire book that will keep you on the edge of your seat begging for more. I can not even give one bit of criticism as I enjoyed the entire book. Kudos to CE Rose!

Teaser:

Darkness lies at the heart of this family…

In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior.

In the present day, Christie is working as a psychiatric nurse when she meets troubled patient Lillian Percy, Vivienne’s granddaughter and heiress to Rutherford House. They soon bond over the loss of their mothers
– Lillian’s died when she was a child; Christie’s mysteriously disappeared over twenty years ago – and Christie finds herself increasingly fascinated by
Lillian’s family and their imposing ancestral home.

As Christie learns more about the Rutherford-Percys, she finds a shocking clue that could help her uncover what happened to her own mother. Desperate for answers, Christie puts her job, her family and even her very life on the line. But how much of the truth does she really want to know?


Big Thank You to Hera, CE Rose, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review The Shadows of Rutherford House . It was an honor <3

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
I love a good gothic thriller set in an old house. Three storylines take you into a family mystery in an amazing setting.

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This book is told from multiple points of view over various timelines - but the main protagonists are Milly, the faithful housekeeper of the Percy/Rutherford family, Duncan, the family's groundskeeper, and Christie, the nurse/assistant to Lillian, the last of the once great family's line, who has found herself in a psychiatrist hospital after a nervous breakdown. The set-up really is fantastic and immediately hooked my interest, with the dark past of the family simultaneously unfolding alongside the equally troubled present. And each timeline had plenty of intrigue.

The ending was spectacular, plenty of twists, including several I did not ever see coming! My jaw was practically on the floor at points! Kudos to the author for creating a great, intriguing story and an ending that was shocking and creative, but at the same time was believable (in the context of the story, of course).

The characters were also really well drawn and contained a lot of depth. Each of the main characters had a well thought-out back story, including plenty of family drama, even outside of the well-to-do Percy/Rutherford family, which of course is the main focus. Every family in the book has some problems - some of them pretty big (Christie's family plays a big part in the story), so that also adds more layers to the story.

This was a great mystery/thriller that I sailed through, I was so fascinated by it! I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a good book in with some chills and twists.

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The Shadows of Rutherford House is a gothic suspense novel with three different POV. We follow Millie, Duncan and Christie. The book also has dual timelines set in the 60s, 80s and present day. Christie is a psychiatric nurse at the facility where Lillian is currently recovering after a mental breakdown. When Lillian is released from the unit she isn't keen to go back to her childhood home, Rutherford House and stay with her grandmother although the two seem to get on well. Lillian tells Christie that the house is haunted by her mother. Christie has her own unanswered questions about why her mum disappeared more than twenty years ago - did she abandon her or did something happen to her? Christies never gotten over this and just can't put it to rest. The two seem to connect to each other and a friendship develops even though it is not allowed between patient and carer. Through some digging into the history and secrets held at Rutherford House, Christie discovers a link that could help her find out what happened to her mother all those years ago but will it give her the answers she so desperately seeks.
This book was quite confusing at the beginning and up until I'd say about 30% of the way through then it really starts to connect. The multiple characters and timelines and stories were a little confusing to keep track of and piece together at first but I advise not to give up as once it begins to connect it gets so much better. The twist at the end wasn't expected which I enjoyed. This is my second book by C E Rose (Caroline England) and it won't be my last!
.

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"Darkness lies at the heart of this family…
In 1959 Milly starts her new life as a housemaid at Rutherford House, working for the aristocratic Rutherford-Percy clan. Entranced by her new mistress, Vivienne, she becomes deeply embroiled in the household and the keeper of dark secrets the family conceals beneath the mansion’s grand exterior."
This story is told from three point of views; Milly the housemaid at Rutherford House, Duncan the groundskeeper of Rutherford House, and Christie a psychiatric nurse. Each point of view begins in a different timeline, slowly merging to current day as their paths cross.
This is a light mystery with a lot of unlikable characters that added to the overall atmosphere. I like the way this story was told, but did find it a bit confusing and slow starting. However, when the story took off (around the 40% mark) I was hooked. Around the 60% mark I guessed the ending but continued reading to watch it play out. I did consider DNF'ing this book in the beginning; the story could of been much shorter - taking off and then getting to the final reveals more quickly - and still provide a great reader experience. In the end I'm glad that I stayed with the story and did enjoy it overall.

⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)
Thank you to NetGalley and Hera Books for this ARC.

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This story follows three different timelines and characters: Millie, housekeeper at Rutherford house, Duncan, the groundskeeper's son, and Christie, a psychiatric nurse caring for Lillian and curious why she's so reluctant to return home to Rutherford. It took awhile to get into the story and figure out how the many characters fit together. But about halfway through, the story really caught me, the short chapters only adding to the suspense. I loved the Gothic feel of the story and the shocking reveal at the end!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Three families are intertwined in ways they're not even aware of. Starting in the 1960's and continuing into today, spur of the moment choices ruin the lives of several members. Madness, money, love, murder, and abandonment run through the story. I received this from Net Galley.

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