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dillcall's review against another edition
3.0
This book was definitely interesting. I would say the ending is relatively predictable, but the book overall was entertaining.
gothradiohour's review against another edition
4.0
The mystery of the Summerbourne Mansion and the subsequent twins born during the summer there. The story is split between modern day Seraphine Mayes grappling with her father's death and the Au Pair who worked for a year in the mansion before Seraphine and her twin brother were born. The story clicks along. Rous's twist at the end was fun. I was wrong with my initial prediction about the truth, but not entirely. A twisted family drama. Fun summer read.
_tamara8464's review against another edition
4.0
Great read. I didn’t realize a nanny could change the lives of so many people with one quick decision.
This book did take me awhile to read but that is because it does start out pretty slow. The story doesn’t pick up but the story gets better so it becomes more interesting.
This book did take me awhile to read but that is because it does start out pretty slow. The story doesn’t pick up but the story gets better so it becomes more interesting.
jo_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Laura was the au pair to Edwin Mayes at Summerbourne whilst she takes a break from her A Levels after some personal events which have left her isolated and alone.
Being holed up in a big house with a delightful little boy to mind seems the perfect remedy. Gorgeous scenery and plenty of space to gather oneself as well as entertain a little inquisitive boy on the Norfolk coast.
Trouble is Laura doesn't know what she is walking into when she joins Edwin and his parents, Dominic and Ruth at Summerbourne.
Slowly Laura learns that Edwin was in fact a twin.
That twins have been at Summerbourne before and there is some in the village that say the house and twins are cursed.
Seraphine Mayes is mourning the loss of her father, she feels adrift in the world now. Her twin Danny spends a lot of time traveling and her older brother Edwin is not around too much.
Her father's death has hit her bad and living alone at Summerbourne, the family home she starts to go through some possessions.
She finds a photograph of her mother, holding only one baby - but which one - Seraphine always thought there was something different about her?
Is Laura the key to the past? And will the answers unearth too many secrets and even more lies?
This is an interesting read - whilst it has all the hallmarks of a dark thriller it has something light about the setting of a country home in Norfolk, vast stretches of beach, the sea. It could not have worked but it has combined both for an interesting story, told between two points of view, Laura and Seraphine - you get to see the secrets discovered and can see them happening first hand all at the same time.
I was drawn into it, it kept me reading and whilst some may say it has weak points and perhaps some of the plot was a bit too unbelievable, for a debut novel this was a worthy read. Emma Rous is an author we need to be watching out for in the future.
Being holed up in a big house with a delightful little boy to mind seems the perfect remedy. Gorgeous scenery and plenty of space to gather oneself as well as entertain a little inquisitive boy on the Norfolk coast.
Trouble is Laura doesn't know what she is walking into when she joins Edwin and his parents, Dominic and Ruth at Summerbourne.
Slowly Laura learns that Edwin was in fact a twin.
That twins have been at Summerbourne before and there is some in the village that say the house and twins are cursed.
Seraphine Mayes is mourning the loss of her father, she feels adrift in the world now. Her twin Danny spends a lot of time traveling and her older brother Edwin is not around too much.
Her father's death has hit her bad and living alone at Summerbourne, the family home she starts to go through some possessions.
She finds a photograph of her mother, holding only one baby - but which one - Seraphine always thought there was something different about her?
Is Laura the key to the past? And will the answers unearth too many secrets and even more lies?
This is an interesting read - whilst it has all the hallmarks of a dark thriller it has something light about the setting of a country home in Norfolk, vast stretches of beach, the sea. It could not have worked but it has combined both for an interesting story, told between two points of view, Laura and Seraphine - you get to see the secrets discovered and can see them happening first hand all at the same time.
I was drawn into it, it kept me reading and whilst some may say it has weak points and perhaps some of the plot was a bit too unbelievable, for a debut novel this was a worthy read. Emma Rous is an author we need to be watching out for in the future.
squirlle3's review against another edition
2.0
I read this for a book club, if it weren't for that, I would have DNFed it. It was super boring, and the ending was just awful.
haleyreadsbooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A gothic mystery thriller that was a good read in the cold winter season. Twins Seraphine and Danny were born and shortly thereafter their mother committed suicide. When their father passes away they are cleaning out his things and stumble upon a photo that leaves Seraphine questioning everything that the adults in her life have told her, so she must do some sleuthing and get to the bottom of it all.
A gothic mystery thriller that was a good read in the cold winter season. Twins Seraphine and Danny were born and shortly thereafter their mother committed suicide. When their father passes away they are cleaning out his things and stumble upon a photo that leaves Seraphine questioning everything that the adults in her life have told her, so she must do some sleuthing and get to the bottom of it all.
kaitlynvella's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Goodreads and Berkley for this ARC!
This novel absolutely consumed me and my thoughts in the 24 hours I spent reading it. I felt as though I had been transported to the beautiful Summerbourne estate with the Mayes family, as I tried to piece together their confusing family history.
After chapter one, I had feared that I wouldn't be able to get into this story and I'm beyond thrilled that I didn't give up. Flipping back and forth between present day and 1991, this story tells the tale of an incredible family's history and the dark secrets that have been hidden for years. With twists and turns around every corner, I highly recommend this book for those seeking a new kind of thriller in their lives.
This novel absolutely consumed me and my thoughts in the 24 hours I spent reading it. I felt as though I had been transported to the beautiful Summerbourne estate with the Mayes family, as I tried to piece together their confusing family history.
After chapter one, I had feared that I wouldn't be able to get into this story and I'm beyond thrilled that I didn't give up. Flipping back and forth between present day and 1991, this story tells the tale of an incredible family's history and the dark secrets that have been hidden for years. With twists and turns around every corner, I highly recommend this book for those seeking a new kind of thriller in their lives.