The Secrets of Crestwell Hall by Alexandra Walsh

 

I was entranced with this book. The story was history revealed in the best way possible.

Two timelines. One the 1600 and then the present day. Present times Isabella just after an acrimonious divorce is home with Emily her daughter, hoping for a new start at the Hall with her aunt Thalia. They hope to renovate the Hall, restore it from its neglected state and discover the secrets they know are stored there. It is a gargantuan task as decades of papers, receipts, boxes are there, along with undiscovered attics, cellars and priest holes.

In the 1600s it has been the home of Elizabeth Throckmorton, wife of Walter Raleigh now in the Tower of London. Elizabeth along with her clan women suspect that their menfolk are acting strangely under the guidance of Robin Catesby. They are frightened how it will affect them and their children, because though Elizabeth is Protestant her relations have remained staunchly Catholic, not a good thing at the time. It takes time for the women to piece together overheard conversations and copies of letters giving details of high treason. The men were planning to blow up Parliament, depose the King and take the Princess as hostage. The infamous Gunpowder Plot failed miserably, all the men were captured and were executed.

Isabella pieced the story together, and in the process discovered treasures of gold and paintings which would help in the restoration.  The link for both women was the house which was much loved by both of them.

Elizabeth’s story could be one book in itself as it was a fascinating insight into how women sought to protect their families in whatever way possible when the stakes were high.

Romance in both eras were also a nice point. The terrorist group in the present day scenario of Isabella and Emily was stark, frightening and very realistic.

Altogether a five star read.

Sent by Boldwood Books for an unbiased review, courtesy of Netgalley.