Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The House at Riverton

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Source: Purchased
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
GoodReads

It's killing me that I don't know anyone who has already read this book because I am dying to talk to someone about the ending!  The overarching plot line is the suicide of a young poet witnessed by two sisters, Hannah and Emmeline. Grace, now an elderly woman recounting her days as a servant in the girls' home, harbors a sense of guilt and we know there is more to this story than meets the eye.

As the book continued toward its conclusion, I could not put it down.  It was a little slow going at first, but once I kept reading, I just couldn't stop.  This is what you would call a gothic mystery, set in 1920's England and filled with family secrets, an old country house, and an almost unbearable amount of sadness and death.  But, it also contains some brilliant bursts of happiness that I truly enjoyed reading.  We know from the very beginning where the book will end, we just don't quite know how the story is going to get there.

I give this book exceptionally high marks because I was not able to figure out the narrator's secret until the very moment the truth is revealed.  As a reader, I love being surprised and hate it when I see things coming from a mile away (in a book with mystery elements, anyway; I am still a sucker for predictable romances).  That being said, there is more than one surprise in this book and one of the more minor ones I did figure out pretty early on.  I'm fairly sure that most readers who are half paying attention would also figure out the same secret I did.  This is not the type of book to have a happy ending, but the grand finale is grand indeed and just might leave you breathless.  You'll have to read it yourself to find out because I'll never tell!

11 comments:

  1. I loved this book. I love all of Kate Morton's books, though.

    THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN was my favorite of all.

    Saw your book cover on Cym's Book Review Linkup Party.

    Have a great day.

    Elizabeth
    Silver's Reviews

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    1. E-mail me if you like about the ending.

      I will have to refresh my memory, though. I read it a few years ago, but I am always good at remembering.

      Elizabeth

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    2. I absolutely loved The Forgotten Garden -- maybe I'll link up that review next week :)

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  2. What an awesome review Christine! I have not read this book yet - but now, I want to, as a result of your review!

    Just sent you a GoodReads friends request. I host Inspire Me Monday and Friendship Friday - feel free to share your favorite books with us each week!

    Create With Joy
    http://create-with-joy.com

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    1. Thanks for friending me on GoodReads! I'm glad I intrigued you and I hope you check out Kate Morton because she is such a great writer. And I will definitely need to check out those features you host -- thanks for the heads up!

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  3. I loved this book when I read it as well! I've been meaning to read more by this author every since then. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed it so much!

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    1. Definitely read her other books -- they are SO good! The only one I haven't read yet is her newest, probably due to my inevitable disappointment that once I finish it there are no others to read for the time being!

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  4. Her newest THE SECRET KEEPER is excellent also, but again, my favorite is THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN.

    Happy Reading!!!

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  5. I liked this book! The ending ;)

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    1. I KNOW !!! I marvel at Morton's ability to surprise readers with her endings, even after reading a few of her books and expecting that something unexpected will happen... They may not be happy endings, but man are they good books :)

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I'd love to hear what you think :)