The Secret of Eveline House: one family's disappearance and one woman's search for answers

The Secret of Eveline House by Sheila Forsey is a story of secrets in a deeply religious village. In 1949, Violet Ward, a playwright, moved to the Eveline House in County Wicklow with her husband, Henry, and their daughter, Sylvia. Violet’s plays have been banned in Ireland and the people in their small country town are hostile to her. Violet ignores it but when Sylvia starts to receive threatening letters, she demands that they return to London. However, Henry is vehemently opposed to leaving Ireland. Seventy years later, Emily O’Connor buys her dream house. Eveline House sits like a time capsule, locked up since 1950 and still filled with the personal possessions of the previous owners. When Emily realizes that the town is filled with hidden cruel secrets which eventually impacts her life in ways she never thought possible. She starts to question the fate of the lost family and sets her on a quest for the answers. 

I love a dual timeline story and I was intrigued by the premise of The Secret of Eveline House. However, this story was not exciting or intriguing. It was dull, repetitive with lots of telling instead of showing. There was too much internal monologue. The story features the oppressiveness and political influence of the Catholic Church in 1950s Ireland, which is interesting. However, the constant reminding of this fact was overbearing and annoying. The pace was also slowed with unnecessary information and flashbacks. The story has entire chapters with background stories of secondary characters that didn’t seem to add anything to the plot. At first, I liked Violet who was a free spirit and ahead of her time with her thinking and views; however, she threatens to leave Ireland and then doesn’t! By the time the story gets to the modern storyline, I didn’t care about what happens to the Ward family and why they left Eveline House. Overall, I did not enjoy this story. I do not recommend The Secret of Eveline House. 

The Secret of Eveline House is available in paperback and eBook

The Secret History of Audrey James: finding the strength for today through the hardships of the past

The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall is a dual timeline story from World War II Germany and Northern England decades later. After a tragic accident has left her floundering, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border. After she arrives, she begins to unravel her past and she discovers her new boss also has secrets from the past of her own. In 1938 Berlin, Audrey James has been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan and her family, while she studies at a local prestigious music school. When Ilse’s family disappears and Nazis take over the house, Audrey is forced to become their housekeeper as Ilse hides in the attic. She soon finds herself in an anti-Hitler movement. Can she protect those she loves or must she sacrifice everything to do her part to end the war? 

The Secret History Audrey James was inspired by the true stories of courageous women who did their part in the German resistance during World War II. Audrey’s story could have been a standalone story and been captivating and the tie-in with Kate was a bit unnecessary. Unfortunately, World War II resistance stories, while interesting, are starting to blur together that I feel like I’ve read this before. However, I read this story for “the unbreakable bonds of friendship, the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the healing that comes from human connection.” The Secret History of Audrey James delivers on that; however, there was so much going on that the story started to get bogged down and I was getting bored. Overall, the story started off well; but did not end there. If you enjoy World War II resistance stories, I recommend The Secret History of Audrey James. 

The Secret History of Audrey James will be available on February 25, 2025

In paperback, eBook and audiobook. 

The Last House on the Street: sometimes the secrets of the past won't stay in the past

The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain is the story of two women, a generation apart, find themselves bound by a small town and a decades old mystery. In 1965, Eleanor “Ellie” Hockley grew up in the well-to-do town of Round Hill, North Carolina. Raised to be a proper Southern lady, she enrolled in college and is practically engaged to her bank manager boyfriend. Inspired by her late aunt, Ellie decides to spend her summer break as a volunteer with the SCOPE  project helping register black voters. Forty five years later, Kayla Carter prepares to move into the dream home she and her husband designed in the new Shadow Ridge Estates development. As she moves in, a mysterious woman warns her against living there as the woods and lake behind the house are rumored to be haunted. Soon she’ll learn the dark history of the land and a long buried secret that someone will do anything to protect. 

Diane Chamberlain is known for her intense dual timeline stories. She often features the dark and difficult racial history of the South and The Last House on the Street does not disappoint in that realm. Ms. Chamberlain does not shy away from the horrific, evil and vile acts done against the black community. It is a story that slowly builds to the climatic last chapters as the events seem to build and unravel at a fast pace. As I began to read, I was drawn more to Kayla and her story than Ellie. While I admire Ellie’s commitment to helping the black community gain their civil rights, I felt she was very naïve and even selfish. She was so determined in her desire to help that she plays down the potential violence and even the actual violence doesn’t open her eyes that she’s walking a dangerous line. Overall, I enjoyed the story. If you are a fan of Diane Chamberlain, you may enjoy The Last House on the Street. 

The Last House on the Street is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook