Publisher: 9th November 2021 by Sapere Books
Pages: 432 pages
How I Read It: ARC book
Genre: historical fiction, mystery
My Rating: 3 crowns
Synopsis:
Do you have the power to change your fate…?
Pembrokeshire, Wales, 2020
Serious illness has forced Eleanor Wilder to leave her life in London, close her antique shop, and return to the family farm in Pembrokeshire. Her instinct is to hide from the world but when her parents bring her to a family reunion at the nearby house, Cliffside, she is transfixed by a set of old family photographs.
One of the images is of a woman in theatrical dress, labelled ‘Esme Blood’ – a name that is familiar to Eleanor through a set of Victorian tarot cards and diaries that she found through her shop. Certain the name is unusual enough not to be a coincidence, Eleanor begins to research the life of this intriguing woman.
London, England, 1875
Born to a teenage mother who couldn’t cope, Esme Blood is adopted by the ebullient Cornelius and Rosie Hardy into a touring theatrical troupe, along with her friend Aaron. When Aaron’s grandparents return to claim him, Esme is devastated and the two promise they will find each other.
Outgrowing her adopted lifestyle, Esme decides to set out to seek her fortune, and she relies on a deck of Tarot cards to direct her. But fate can be a cruel mistress, and before long Esme finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage.
Did Esme find happiness? Was she ever reunited with Aaron?
And will researching her family history bring healing to Eleanor…?
My Thoughts
“We are the music makers, We are the dreamers of dreams,”
I am a fan of Alexandra’s The Marquess House trilogy which I found to be a wonderful dual timeline narrative. I was therefore eager to try something from her new series on Victorian mysteries. This book is the second in the series, however, you don’t need to have read the first book as this works as a standalone.
“A message across time” she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.”
There is much to enjoy in this story. The historical story is more interesting with fascinating insights into tarot card readings and the Victorian theatre (fantastic research here). The link to the modern day timeline through Eleanor’s collection of theatrical artifacts was well done. I did find, however, that the storyline’s were somewhat implausible at times and there were many characters being added in throughout both timelines that it was a struggle to keep up with them all.
“You have been my heart, my soul, but you are draining me, and I need to be free before our love destroys me.”
This is another solid book by Alexandra Walsh. I loved the links to her previous books, touching on characters from Marquess House. I do recommend you sample some of her writing.
‘To enable us to exist to the limit of our abilities we have to learn what makes our hearts beat, to be ourselves and to live truthfully within our own skin.’
This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.
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