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ajreader's review against another edition
3.0
Read my full thoughts over at Read.Write.Repeat.
If you are a history buff, particularly an anglophilic one, you will certainly enjoy the book. It does have some decidedly slow parts, but Bailey, overall, does a nice job during the research process into a near adventure story.
If you are a history buff, particularly an anglophilic one, you will certainly enjoy the book. It does have some decidedly slow parts, but Bailey, overall, does a nice job during the research process into a near adventure story.
bettyannx's review against another edition
3.0
The story was compelling, and the organization of the book was very clear, considering it went back and forth and circled around in time. I really did want to find out what really happened. The author has done a meticulous job of research. However, the book dragged in some parts because too much of the research was included instead of informing the story. I would have rather had more detail at the end of the book about the rest of John's life.
jenmcmaynes's review against another edition
3.0
Historian Catherine Bailey is granted access to the Duke of Rutland’s extensive family papers, dating back nearly a thousand years. She intends to use the correspondence from WWI as the basis of a book. Surprisingly, she finds three strange gaps in the papers concerning the life of John, the 9th Duke (and the one who meticulously created the library). The mystery of why John destroyed the letters from these three periods in his life becomes Bailey’s focus.
I loved the first two-thirds of this book. While it may bore some, I love delving into the past, tracking down secondary sources, piecing together the bits of a puzzle. Bailey does this expertly for the first two gaps in John’s papers and I found it very satisfying. Unfortunately, in the last third of the book (concerning the gap at the beginning of WWI) she switches to a more straightforward approach, writing almost like a novel. She also begins adding in many details concerning the war itself that have little to do with the main question of the book, but clearly show her determination to write a book about the war. I found this section tedious, at best, and much of the fun of piecing together the clues from earlier in the book was lost.
However, she does succeed in solving the mysteries of the gaps in John’s life; or at least as much as possible. Were the conclusions shocking? No, of course not. They are the secrets of a fabulously wealthy family, accustomed to privilege and of the notion that the preservation of the family line is the most important part of life. But I didn’t expect major secrets, just answers to questions. And Bailey delivers very satisfyingly on that score.
I loved the first two-thirds of this book. While it may bore some, I love delving into the past, tracking down secondary sources, piecing together the bits of a puzzle. Bailey does this expertly for the first two gaps in John’s papers and I found it very satisfying. Unfortunately, in the last third of the book (concerning the gap at the beginning of WWI) she switches to a more straightforward approach, writing almost like a novel. She also begins adding in many details concerning the war itself that have little to do with the main question of the book, but clearly show her determination to write a book about the war. I found this section tedious, at best, and much of the fun of piecing together the clues from earlier in the book was lost.
However, she does succeed in solving the mysteries of the gaps in John’s life; or at least as much as possible. Were the conclusions shocking? No, of course not. They are the secrets of a fabulously wealthy family, accustomed to privilege and of the notion that the preservation of the family line is the most important part of life. But I didn’t expect major secrets, just answers to questions. And Bailey delivers very satisfyingly on that score.
margaret21's review against another edition
4.0
The author of the wonderful 'Black Diamonds' hasn't disappointed in this tale from Belvoir Castle. She'd set out simply to document the castle's custodians, the Rutland family, and their contribution to WWI. Inspecting the family records, detailed ones extending back to the 12th century, she discovered tantalising and recent gaps. These gaps had been very carefully made by John, 9th Duke of Rutland and amateur archivist. Why? It took some super-sleuthing to find out, and Catherine Bailey has made a gripping page-turner of the story she was able to uncover. No spoiler alerts here. You'll just have to read the book for yourselves.
sdscattergood's review against another edition
1.0
The author drags you along for over 600 pages, promising revelations, secrets revealed, mind boggling suspense. What you get is a dry history full of a largely unsympathetic main character, his aggravating and shrilly selfish mother, and the rest of his detestable family. One of the main "secrets" is never actually even explained, but constantly brought up throughout the book. Excellent reading fodder if you are trapped on a plane with nothing else to do for about eight hours.
bluepuppybites's review against another edition
5.0
This was a very good read. There isnt much haunting here so that is somewhat misleading (the old cover eluded to that). I was surprised at all the new details this woman found in her search for answers about this family. I also found out I have no clue about ww1
hilaryjsc's review against another edition
4.0
An unsettling unravelling of a secret family history that slowly transforms from suspenseful historical detective work to melancholy exploration of the effect of shame and guilt on a family.
heather_freshparchment's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, War, and Grief
Minor: Homophobia, Pregnancy, Rape, and Racism
flightyrachel's review against another edition
5.0
No one knew why the 9th Duke of Rutland insisted on spending his dying days locked in the servants' quarters of Belvoir Castle, until Catherine Bailey arrived to research a book decades later. She's hoping to find colour and background on the men of the local regiment, sent to France in WW1. The Duke has meticulously filed and stored every letter, diary and document he owned, but Catherine discovers mysterious gaps in the comprehensive archive. Gaps which lead her to abandon her plans and try to solve a mystery of why he spent his last days trying to complete this task.
This true life detective story is a brilliant read. So many amazing characters leap off the page, often they are voiced by their own letters or diary entries so you get a real sense of them. I am obsessed by Lady Diana Manners, I'm convinced George Moore is the real Gatsby, and I would love an Uncle Charlie (Old Boy!) of my own! It's gripping, and also very moving at times. You don't expect to say the phrase "Oh, poor Duke of Rutland" but his school days sound just wickedly cruel.
Sometimes these true life mysteries can be a bit disappointing in the end, or remain unsolved, but I didn't find it so in this case. (I see a lot of reviewers disagree with me though!)
This true life detective story is a brilliant read. So many amazing characters leap off the page, often they are voiced by their own letters or diary entries so you get a real sense of them. I am obsessed by Lady Diana Manners, I'm convinced George Moore is the real Gatsby, and I would love an Uncle Charlie (Old Boy!) of my own! It's gripping, and also very moving at times. You don't expect to say the phrase "Oh, poor Duke of Rutland" but his school days sound just wickedly cruel.
Sometimes these true life mysteries can be a bit disappointing in the end, or remain unsolved, but I didn't find it so in this case. (I see a lot of reviewers disagree with me though!)
readhikerepeat's review against another edition
4.0
The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey is a complex tale of family, betrayal, and influence in a time when men were killed at war by the tens of thousands. For the full review, visit The Book Wheel.