Description

A spellbinding tale of grief, jealousy and betrayal, from the author of the Richard & Judy Book Club selected SECRETS OF THE TIDES.

1980. On a hot summer’s day five friends stumble upon an abandoned cottage hidden deep in the English countryside. Isolated and run-down, it offers a retreat, somewhere they can escape from the world. But as the seasons change, tensions begin to rise…

Three decades later, Lila arrives at the remote cottage. Bruised from a tragic accident and with her marriage in crisis, she finds renovating the tumbledown house gives her a renewed sense of purpose. But why did the cottage’s previous inhabitants leave their belongings behind? And why can’t she shake the feeling that someone is watching her?

Publisher Review

Not only does THE SHADOW YEAR have at its heart a clever surprising story, but it's also beautifully written. Author Hannah Richell paints a vivd, colourful picture of of the Peak District through her writing, but its the small details I loved most ... This powerful beautiful book will keep you guessing to the end. A must read! * FABULOUS / SUN ON SUNDAY * Assuredly written and impeccably structured, it excavates the emotional layers of family drama when something goes terribly wrong - think Jodi Picoult without the formulaic writing...Moving and darkly suspenseful * SYDNEY MORNING HERALD * I held my breath from the first page to the very end. SECRETS OF THE TIDES is a masterpiece - a rich and intricate exploration of a family torn apart by tragedy. Du Maurier, Pilcher, Shreve - it is easy to make comparisons, yet it would be wrong to liken Hannah Richell to any other, her voice is so strong * Veronica Henry * [An] ambitious, wide-ranging family saga * DAILY MAIL * A compelling tale of grief and forgiveness * WOMAN AND HOME * The writing is so vivid that we became completely lost in the Tide family's world * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING on Secrets of the Tides * A compelling debut tale of infidelity, betrayal and tragedy that will have you turning the pages until the early hours * GRAZIA * The past and present storylines are deftly woven and equally engrossing, while the atmosphere of unease builds and builds, and lingers way beyond the last page. Brilliant -- Emylia Hall, author of The Book of Summers An engrossing and clever tale -- Anita Shreve Hannah Richell instantly draws you into her story: powerful, real and memorable * Elizabeth Noble, author of Things I Want My Daugher to Know *