- Audio CD
- Publisher: Bolinda Audio (Jan 11 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1742148484
- ISBN-13: 978-1742148489
- Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,456,749 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Review
“A nuanced exploration of family secrets and betrayal . . . captivating.” —People (****)
“A new leap in Morton’s authorial choreography. . . . A rich treat for fans of historical fiction.” —The Washington Post
“A spellbinding journey, a mystery whose well-paced revelations provide a surprising and deeply satisfying read.” —Booklist
“A fresh and thrilling gothic mystery. . . . Layers of deliciously surprising secrets.”
“A new leap in Morton’s authorial choreography. . . . A rich treat for fans of historical fiction.” —The Washington Post
“A spellbinding journey, a mystery whose well-paced revelations provide a surprising and deeply satisfying read.” —Booklist
“A fresh and thrilling gothic mystery. . . . Layers of deliciously surprising secrets.”
—Library Journal
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Book Description
Another unforgettable tale weaving together history and mystery from the bestselling author of The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden.
A long lost letter arrives in the post and Edie Burchill finds herself on a journey to Middlhurst Castle, a great but moldering old place, where the Blythe spinsters live and where her mother was billeted fifty years before as a thirteen-year-old child during WW II. The elder Blythe sisters are twins and have spent most of their lives looking after the third and youngest sister, Juniper, who hasn’t been the same since her fiance jilted her in 1941.
Inside the decaying castle, Edie begins to unravel her mother’s past. But there are other secrets hidden in the stones of Millderhurst, and Edie is about to learn more than she expected. The truth of what happened in “the distant hours” of the past has been waiting a long time for someone to find it.
Morton once again enthralls readers with an atmospheric story featuring characters beset by circumstance and haunted by memory, that reminds us of the rich power of storytelling. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Atmospheric gothic feel,
By
This review is from: Distant Hours, The (Hardcover)
A letter, lost for 50 years, finally arrives at the home of Meredith Burchill. Her daughter Edie is there when she opens it. Her Mum's reactions startles her - "... horrid, guttural gasp, followed quickly by a series of rasping sobs". Yet her mother won't discuss the letter any further other than to stay it was from one of the Blythe sisters at Milderhurst Castle, where she lived as an evacuee during the blitzes of 1941war torn England. When a business trip for her publishing firm takes Edie within a few miles of the castle, she impulsively stops by the gates. And remembers being there as a child.The three elderly Blythe sister are still in residence and welcome Edie. After all "The castle likes to be visited, it needs it." Edie becomes fascinated with the moldering castle and it's residents - both past and present. What connection does her mother have to these women and the past? Although one of the Blythe sisters says " My family lives on in the stones of Milderhurst Castle and it's my duty to keep them. It's not a task for outsiders", they specifically ask for Edie when a new edition of their father's classic bestseller 'The Mud Man' is planned. Edie accepts the job and is inextricably drawn in. The story alternates between Edie's world in 1992 and the past in 1941. Slowly and deliciously we are able to piece together the story of the castle and the tragedy that haunts the Blythe family. The past comes to light, but is told through many voices, each adding their slant and twist on the way to the truth of those distant hours. Morton has written a richly atmospheric novel with a lovely, gothic feel that just makes you want to curl up late at night reading under a single lamp in the dark. The story builds slowly, with layer upon layer added as the tension builds over the course of 500 plus pages. Morton's descriptions add to the eeriness and the atmosphere. "In a small cupboard at the very top of the house there lies a secret doorway. Behind the doorway is the entrance to an entire scheme of hidden passages. It's possible to crawl along them, room to room, attic to cellar, just like a little mouse. If one goes quietly enough, it's possible to hear all manner of secret things; to get lost inside if one isn't careful. They're the castle's veins." I loved this description of the sky. " Outside, the sky grumbled like a full stomach, the gluttonous belly of a gentleman who'd escaped the frugalities of a rationed pantry." Morton is an excellent storyteller. Although there is no 'action' in the book, I was completely caught up in the story of the 'Sisters Blythe'. Tragedy, romance, mystery and secrets abound in The Distant Hours - a book to be savoured and enjoyed.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Distant Hours by Kate Morton,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Distant Hours (Paperback)
The Distant Hours, like her two previous books takes the readers on a winding road of secrets, tragedies, insanity and passion.This story takes place in England and for the most part inside an old castle which makes for a touch of gothic to the story. If you love gothic mysteries you will love this book! If you love stories about old England you will love this book. I hated for it to end. But I will admit, even though this was Kate Morton's newest novel it wasn't her best, of her three. Perhaps I should read it again? This is the advantage of owning the books!
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing,
By
This review is from: Distant Hours, The (Hardcover)
I was completely taken with this book. I never wanted it to end. Her imagination is amazingly wonderful. I truly feel it is the one of the best books I have ever read, and I am a true bookworm. Can't wait for Kate Morton's next novel.
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