A Place of Secrets by, Rachel Hore narrated by, Jilly Bond
Synopsis from Goodreads-Auction house appraiser Jude leaves London for her dream job at Starbrough Hall,
an estate in the countryside, examining and pricing the manuscripts and
instruments of an 18th-century astronomer. She is welcomed by Chantal Wickham,
and Jude feels close to the old woman at once: they have both lost their
husbands. Hard times have forced the Wickham family to sell the astronomer's
work, their land, and with it, the timeworn tower that lies nearby. The tower
was built as an observatory for astronomer Anthony Wickham and his daughter
Esther, and it served as the setting for their most incredible discoveries.
Though Jude is far away from her life in London, her arrival at Starbrough Hall brings a host of childhood memories. She meets Euan, a famed writer and naturalist who lives in the gamekeeper's cottage at the foot of the tower, where Jude's grandfather once lived. And a nightmare begins to haunt her six-year-old niece, the same nightmare Jude herself had years ago. Is it possible that the dreams are passed down from one generation to the next? What secrets does the tower hold? And will Jude unearth them before it's too late?
I received this book from Librarything Early Review Program
and with so much going on in my life I’ve gotten behind on my ER’s so I picked
this one up on audio and am very glad I did as Jilly Bond’s narration was
really good, so this will be a review of the book and the narration.
Recently widowed
antique appraiser Jude is trying to get on with her life but she can’t stop
thinking of her husband so she decides to take a working vacation to look at
some old astronomy texts and equipment and this is when the coincidences start.
The estate where these things are is where Jude’s Great Grandfather was
groundskeeper and where her Grandmother grew up, but she doesn’t like to talk
too much about that time of her life except that there was a gypsy girl. It is
also close to her sister and niece who seem to be having the same dreams Jude
had as a child. Is that possible? And what is her grandmother hiding? Also why
does this place look like the dreams Jude had as a child?
I thought the author did a great job at weaving the past and
present storylines together and the mystery of the dreams and what happened to
Esther in the 1700’s. I enjoyed the mystery of Esther, this 18th
century foundling adopted by rich amateur astronomer they are a happy father
and daughter and he seems to love sharing his love of the stars with her, but
her story isn’t always a happy one and when Jude finds her journals she starts
to unlock the mystery of Esther’s life. This has a magical realism feel to it
with the astrology and the dreams. It also has a touch of romance but it
doesn’t over power the book. I enjoyed this new to me author’s writing style
and will definitely read more by her.
If you are a fan of Kate Morton or Susanna Kearsley I think
you will like this book it has the same kind of feel to it with the present
story mixed in with the past.
Narrator Jilly Bond brought this story to life for me, her
voices were well done and her male & female characters weren’t overdone. I
was impressed with her work and will seek out other books narrated by her.
4 Stars
