A heartwarming mystery filled with books, secrets and second chances.

A book about books is always a good hit, and this one is no exception! Set on a remote island, it combines historical fiction, romance and suspense, with an underlying mystery that had me hooked from the very beginning.

I particularly loved the references to long-forgotten tomes and texts, and the way the story explores the reality versus the fiction surrounding them. Discovering which elements were rooted in history and which were part of the story was fascinating, and I found myself wanting to look into the books and characters mentioned. Sharon’s research is clearly incredibly thorough, but it also feels as though she had a lot of fun bringing these literary discoveries to life.

There are secrets tucked away within all of the main characters, and watching those gradually unravel was hugely entertaining. Just when I thought I had a handle on what was going on, another layer was revealed, keeping me guessing and turning the pages. And then there are the secrets that the island itself is keeping…

The remote setting adds so much to the atmosphere, creating that wonderful sense of isolation where anything could happen and nobody is quite what they seem. I loved the way the different threads came together, and the mystery kept me hooked right through to the end.

No more from me, for fear of revealing spoilers! But if you love books about books, a good mystery, and a story with plenty of secrets to uncover, this is one to add to your reading list.

About the Book

Sometimes the right story leads you home . . .  

When bestselling author Helen finds herself at the centre of a scandal, she escapes to Rathbrooke Hall on a remote island off the Northumberland coast. Tasked with cataloguing the books of a reclusive collector she’s relieved to be out of the glare of publicity, even if the locals are less than welcoming.

But as she spends more time among the dusty bookshelves and rare first editions, she uncovers clues to a secret collection of books that could save the island – and the community that she’s begun to feel part of. Can she unravel the mystery of the hidden library and can she trust Thiago, a charming librarian with secrets of his own?

About The Author

Sharon started her career as an entertainment journalist, writing non-fiction books about film and television. She is also the author of multiple children’s books. Sharon and her husband live in a small village in northern Cumbria.

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