I have read and enjoyed Sam Blake’s books before, her Cathy Connolly series is original and very entertaining, so a standalone thriller set in a mysterious country house sounded very intriguing.
“Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety, determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man. With links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing, Rachel arrives with the intent of finding Alfie’s family.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs solitary space away from her job. However, almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner. As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...”
I loved the sound of the premise and I wasn’t disappointed in the execution of the story. Although some readers would say it’s a slow progression (and I would agree it does take till near the end for the action to really start) I felt this allowed for the atmosphere of the location and the unexplained occurrences in the hotel buildings to take seed in the mind, allowing you to capture the ambience of Hare’s Landing and connect with the characters. It was Alfie’s story that interested me the most and it was his voice in the prologue that drew me into the story within seconds. There was a distinctive Gothic feel to scenes in the hotel and Mrs Travers the housekeeper, gave the infamous Mrs Danvers a run for her money. Caroline and Rachel made a formidable partnership in their sleuthing and I liked how their friendship went from total strangers to trusting and caring.
With the addition of a fabulous ex police dog ‘Jasper’ who you can’t help but fall in love with, this mystery thriller was a entertaining story and I’ll happily read more by this author again.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
“Rachel Lambert leaves London afraid for her personal safety, determined to uncover the truth behind the sudden death of a homeless man. With links to a country house hotel called Hare's Landing, Rachel arrives with the intent of finding Alfie’s family.
New York-based crime reporter Caroline Kelly's career is threatened by a lawsuit and she needs solitary space away from her job. However, almost as soon as she arrives, Hare's Landing begins to reveal its own stories - a 30-year-old missing person's case and the mysterious death of the hotel's former owner. As Rachel and Caroline join forces, it becomes clear that their investigations are intertwined - and that there is nothing more dangerous than the truth...”
I loved the sound of the premise and I wasn’t disappointed in the execution of the story. Although some readers would say it’s a slow progression (and I would agree it does take till near the end for the action to really start) I felt this allowed for the atmosphere of the location and the unexplained occurrences in the hotel buildings to take seed in the mind, allowing you to capture the ambience of Hare’s Landing and connect with the characters. It was Alfie’s story that interested me the most and it was his voice in the prologue that drew me into the story within seconds. There was a distinctive Gothic feel to scenes in the hotel and Mrs Travers the housekeeper, gave the infamous Mrs Danvers a run for her money. Caroline and Rachel made a formidable partnership in their sleuthing and I liked how their friendship went from total strangers to trusting and caring.
With the addition of a fabulous ex police dog ‘Jasper’ who you can’t help but fall in love with, this mystery thriller was a entertaining story and I’ll happily read more by this author again.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4