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The Lost Château
A secret lies behind every door… The Dordogne, 1936
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 4, 2026
About the author
Dinah Jefferies
29 books1,338 followers*Breaking News* Richard & Judy pick THE TEA PLANTERS WIFE for their autumn bookclub 2015. Here's what Santa Montefiore said: ‘My ideal read; mystery, love, heart-break and joy – I couldn’t put it down.’
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
Here's what Richard Madeley said. "The Tea Planter’s Wife is so much more than a conventional love story, with all its twists and turns and guilt and betrayal...deeply impressive. The fetid, steamy atmosphere of the tropics rises from these pages like a humid mist. We are on a tea plantation in 1920s Ceylon and 19 year old Gwendolyn Hooper is the new bride of the owner, a wealthy and charming widower. But her romantic dreams of marriage are overshadowed by echoes from the past – an old trunk of musty dresses; an overgrown and neglected gravestone in the grounds. Her new husband refuses to talk about them. Gwen’s perfect man is becoming a perfect stranger…"
Quote from the great author Kate Furnivall about my first book THE SEPARATION:
'A powerful story of love and loss that is utterly captivating. I was drawn deep into the world of Malaya and England in the 1950s in this intense exploration of what it means to love. Beautifully written and wonderfully atmospheric, Dinah Jefferies skilfully captures this fragile moment of history in a complex and thrilling tale. THE SEPARATION is a gripping and intelligent read.'
In 1985, the sudden death of Dinah Jefferies’ fourteen year old son brought her life to a standstill. She drew on that experience, and on her own childhood spent in Malaya during the 1950s to write her debut novel, The Separation. The guns piled high on the hall table when the rubber planters came into town for a party, the colour and noise of Chinatown, the houses on stilts, and the lizards that left their tails behind.
Now living in Gloucestershire, Dinah once lived in Tuscany working as an au pair for an Italian countess; she has also lived in a ‘hippy’ rock’n roll commune based in an Elizabethan manor house, but started writing when she was living in a small 16th Century village in Spain.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 5, 2026
Thirza Caruthers' life had been saved by her great-aunt, Berenice Rousseau, when she was a small child. Now - 1936 - with Berenice ill in hospital, due to return home to her chateau in the French countryside of the Dordogne, Thirza, her daughter Romi, and step-daughter Valentina, headed from their home in Greece to care for Berenice. Thirza's husband, Emilio, had headed to Italy to search for his other daughter, the twin to Valentina - Lucia. Lucia was a rebel, seemingly always angry and bitter; heading back to Italy to join the Fascists was another way to hurt her father. Thirza was constantly worried about her husband - would he make it to the chateau safely?
Berenice was lucid some days, but not so on other days. When she was feverish she constantly called for her daughter, wanting to see her again. Thirza had heard Sophie had died, also that Berenice's husband had left her after Sophie's death. Berenice had been alone for a long time - now at the end of her life, Thirza and Valentina felt empathy for the old woman, hoping to help her. But the mystery grew as Thirza discovered items in an abandoned guardian's cottage; also hidden papers that Thirza tried to make sense of. What had happened in the long ago past of the 1880s at the chateau? Thirza felt the need to uncover the mysteries of the past to give a final slice of peace to Berenice...
The Lost Château is another heartstopping historical novel by Dinah Jefferies which I absolutely loved. Set mostly in France, the countryside was spectacular, the characters all well written and the mystery was intriguing. I always enjoy this author's work, and this one is no different. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins for my digital ARC to read and review.
Berenice was lucid some days, but not so on other days. When she was feverish she constantly called for her daughter, wanting to see her again. Thirza had heard Sophie had died, also that Berenice's husband had left her after Sophie's death. Berenice had been alone for a long time - now at the end of her life, Thirza and Valentina felt empathy for the old woman, hoping to help her. But the mystery grew as Thirza discovered items in an abandoned guardian's cottage; also hidden papers that Thirza tried to make sense of. What had happened in the long ago past of the 1880s at the chateau? Thirza felt the need to uncover the mysteries of the past to give a final slice of peace to Berenice...
The Lost Château is another heartstopping historical novel by Dinah Jefferies which I absolutely loved. Set mostly in France, the countryside was spectacular, the characters all well written and the mystery was intriguing. I always enjoy this author's work, and this one is no different. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins for my digital ARC to read and review.
July 6, 2026
This is the fifth Dinah Jefferies novel I’ve read, and each one feels like a classic — written with the kind of richness and emotional depth you’d expect from Daphne du Maurier or one of the Brontë sisters. Her stories have that rare, transporting quality that lets you fully immerse yourself and forget the world for a while. The Lost Château is another beautifully crafted example of historical fiction at its best, layered, atmospheric and wonderfully absorbing.
It’s 1936, and Thirza leaves her beautiful home in Greece to stay with her great aunt Berenice in the Dordogne, who has been taken seriously ill. She brings her young daughter Romi and her teenage step daughter Valentina, but not her husband Emilio, who has gone to Spain to retrieve Valentina’s sister Lucia — a journey Thirza fears may keep them both away for good. Berenice herself is a difficult woman, full of secrets, and the château seems to harbour mysteries of its own: strange noises in the night, objects moved in Thirza’s room, and an unsettling sense that the past is pressing in. What is her great aunt hiding? What lies within the walls of the château? And will Emilio and Lucia ever return — or will it be too late? Interwoven through Thirza’s story are glimpses of Berenice’s life in the 1880s, when she was a young wife struggling with a cruel husband, a small daughter, and a forbidden love, offering a poignant insight into the woman she has become.
What makes the novel so compelling is the atmosphere Jefferies creates — the sense of history pressing against the present, the quiet tension within the château’s walls, and the emotional weight carried by each of the women at its heart. The dual timeline is woven with real finesse, allowing the past to illuminate the present in ways that feel both poignant and revealing. It’s a beautifully written, deeply absorbing story, rich in mystery, emotion and the kind of evocative detail that makes her historical fiction such a joy to sink into.
It’s 1936, and Thirza leaves her beautiful home in Greece to stay with her great aunt Berenice in the Dordogne, who has been taken seriously ill. She brings her young daughter Romi and her teenage step daughter Valentina, but not her husband Emilio, who has gone to Spain to retrieve Valentina’s sister Lucia — a journey Thirza fears may keep them both away for good. Berenice herself is a difficult woman, full of secrets, and the château seems to harbour mysteries of its own: strange noises in the night, objects moved in Thirza’s room, and an unsettling sense that the past is pressing in. What is her great aunt hiding? What lies within the walls of the château? And will Emilio and Lucia ever return — or will it be too late? Interwoven through Thirza’s story are glimpses of Berenice’s life in the 1880s, when she was a young wife struggling with a cruel husband, a small daughter, and a forbidden love, offering a poignant insight into the woman she has become.
What makes the novel so compelling is the atmosphere Jefferies creates — the sense of history pressing against the present, the quiet tension within the château’s walls, and the emotional weight carried by each of the women at its heart. The dual timeline is woven with real finesse, allowing the past to illuminate the present in ways that feel both poignant and revealing. It’s a beautifully written, deeply absorbing story, rich in mystery, emotion and the kind of evocative detail that makes her historical fiction such a joy to sink into.
June 1, 2026
1936, France. Thirza returns to Château Rousseau to care for her great-aunt, haunted by the place since childhood. The old house holds secrets: a missing daughter, lost love, and betrayals buried for years. As war looms across Europe, Thirza uncovers the truth — but some secrets are dangerous to reveal.
Lush, atmospheric, and beautifully written — rich history, tender romance, and a mystery that pulls you in. Perfect for fans of sweeping, emotional historical fiction. Absolutely lovely.
themes of grief, loss, and war tension.
Lush, atmospheric, and beautifully written — rich history, tender romance, and a mystery that pulls you in. Perfect for fans of sweeping, emotional historical fiction. Absolutely lovely.
themes of grief, loss, and war tension.
July 9, 2026
Last year I read and enjoyed Dinah Jefferies’ The Greek House. The Lost Château is a sequel of sorts, but it’s not necessary to have read the previous book first.
Most of the novel is set in 1936 and follows one of the characters from The Greek House, Thirza Caruthers, who is now living with her Italian husband, Emilio Bellini, at Merchant’s House in Corfu with their five-year-old daughter Romi and Emilio’s two twin daughters from his first marriage, Lucia and Valentina. When nineteen-year-old Lucia becomes a supporter of Mussolini’s Fascist movement and runs away to Spain to get involved in the Civil War, Emilio insists on going after her to bring her home, much to Thirza’s horror. However, Thirza will be kept busy during Emilio’s absence, because her great-aunt Berenice has been in hospital and needs someone to care for her when she returns home.
Berenice lives in France, in an old château in the Dordogne, leading a solitary existence since the death of her daughter, Sophie, and the disappearance of her husband many years earlier. Accompanied by Valentina and Romi, Thirza goes to stay with Berenice, where she continues to worry about Emilio but finds distractions in trying to keep the crumbling, neglected château clean and tidy and in delving into the mystery of Berenice’s past. Why is Berenice so hostile and withdrawn? Who is the mysterious Géraldine who once lived in a cottage on the estate? And what really happened to Sophie all those years ago?
Most of the book is set in France, mainly in the Dordogne region near Sarlat-la-Canéda, and as usual with Dinah Jefferies, everything is beautifully described from the 17th century stone château surrounded by forest to the cobbled streets and busy shops of Sarlat. We also briefly see Paris when Thirza and Valentina are invited to visit Jean-Paul, a widower whose mother is hoping to buy Berenice’s château. Thirza is immediately attracted to Jean-Paul and spends the whole book battling with her feelings for him, a storyline which annoyed me as Thirza claims to love her husband but makes no attempt to understand why he’s prepared to enter a dangerous warzone to rescue his daughter and accuses him of being selfish. Thirza herself was the one who seemed selfish to me – although to give her some credit, she does start to think differently about things by the end of the book.
Although I loved the French setting, Lucia’s story sounded fascinating and I was sorry that we only hear about it from a distance as news from Spain reaches Thirza. I would have liked some chapters from Lucia’s point of view to see the Spanish Civil War unfold at first hand and to understand what drives a vulnerable young woman towards radical politics. I suppose that would have made the book too long! We do, however, get some chapters from Berenice’s perspective, set several decades earlier when she first comes to live at the château as a young wife and mother. Berenice’s story is sad and shocking and explains why she has become the unhappy, prickly person we meet in the 1930s timeline.
This isn’t my favourite book by Dinah Jefferies but I did find it interesting. I wonder if there will be a third novel about these characters; the way this one ended made me think that there could be.
Most of the novel is set in 1936 and follows one of the characters from The Greek House, Thirza Caruthers, who is now living with her Italian husband, Emilio Bellini, at Merchant’s House in Corfu with their five-year-old daughter Romi and Emilio’s two twin daughters from his first marriage, Lucia and Valentina. When nineteen-year-old Lucia becomes a supporter of Mussolini’s Fascist movement and runs away to Spain to get involved in the Civil War, Emilio insists on going after her to bring her home, much to Thirza’s horror. However, Thirza will be kept busy during Emilio’s absence, because her great-aunt Berenice has been in hospital and needs someone to care for her when she returns home.
Berenice lives in France, in an old château in the Dordogne, leading a solitary existence since the death of her daughter, Sophie, and the disappearance of her husband many years earlier. Accompanied by Valentina and Romi, Thirza goes to stay with Berenice, where she continues to worry about Emilio but finds distractions in trying to keep the crumbling, neglected château clean and tidy and in delving into the mystery of Berenice’s past. Why is Berenice so hostile and withdrawn? Who is the mysterious Géraldine who once lived in a cottage on the estate? And what really happened to Sophie all those years ago?
Most of the book is set in France, mainly in the Dordogne region near Sarlat-la-Canéda, and as usual with Dinah Jefferies, everything is beautifully described from the 17th century stone château surrounded by forest to the cobbled streets and busy shops of Sarlat. We also briefly see Paris when Thirza and Valentina are invited to visit Jean-Paul, a widower whose mother is hoping to buy Berenice’s château. Thirza is immediately attracted to Jean-Paul and spends the whole book battling with her feelings for him, a storyline which annoyed me as Thirza claims to love her husband but makes no attempt to understand why he’s prepared to enter a dangerous warzone to rescue his daughter and accuses him of being selfish. Thirza herself was the one who seemed selfish to me – although to give her some credit, she does start to think differently about things by the end of the book.
Although I loved the French setting, Lucia’s story sounded fascinating and I was sorry that we only hear about it from a distance as news from Spain reaches Thirza. I would have liked some chapters from Lucia’s point of view to see the Spanish Civil War unfold at first hand and to understand what drives a vulnerable young woman towards radical politics. I suppose that would have made the book too long! We do, however, get some chapters from Berenice’s perspective, set several decades earlier when she first comes to live at the château as a young wife and mother. Berenice’s story is sad and shocking and explains why she has become the unhappy, prickly person we meet in the 1930s timeline.
This isn’t my favourite book by Dinah Jefferies but I did find it interesting. I wonder if there will be a third novel about these characters; the way this one ended made me think that there could be.
May 29, 2026
The Lost Chateau is a dual timeline novel set between 1930s France and 1890s France in the beautiful area of the Dordogne. It is the follow up novel to her previous book 'The Greek House' and follows the stories of Thirza, who answers when duty calls, to leave her home on Corfu and look after her ageing great Aunt Berenice.. The novel also deals with Berenice's story in the late 1800s as a young wife being bullied by a cruel older husband.. Thirza's family has been split apart and she comes to France with her young daughter Romi, and her stepdaughter Valentina but her husband and other stepdaughter are in Spain on a dangerous mission.
The main part of the novel is set against the backdrop of pre-WW2 France and Spain and contains some interesting details about the civil war in Spain and the impact of the Fascist movement on everyday life in Europe.
I found Berenice's story much more interesting than Thirza and wished there was more to it than what the book contained. Thirza's tale was emotional but I thought it was a little repetitive and all the rhetorical questions at the end of her chapters got a little bit grating.
Overall a good tale - 3.5 out of 5 for me.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The main part of the novel is set against the backdrop of pre-WW2 France and Spain and contains some interesting details about the civil war in Spain and the impact of the Fascist movement on everyday life in Europe.
I found Berenice's story much more interesting than Thirza and wished there was more to it than what the book contained. Thirza's tale was emotional but I thought it was a little repetitive and all the rhetorical questions at the end of her chapters got a little bit grating.
Overall a good tale - 3.5 out of 5 for me.
Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2026
NetGalley ARC:
This dual-aspect historical fiction follows Thirza, introduced in one of Jefferies’ previous books. She’s sent to France to care for her ailing great-aunt Berenice and uncovers the reasons behind her haunted past.
The writing is beautifully evocative of place and time, but I found it difficult to connect with many of the characters. Their actions often left me feeling confused and unable to understand their motivations.
There’s a clear path to exploring Sophie’s story in the next book and I would be eager to read it. However, I’m not sure I’ll like her much based on these events!!
This dual-aspect historical fiction follows Thirza, introduced in one of Jefferies’ previous books. She’s sent to France to care for her ailing great-aunt Berenice and uncovers the reasons behind her haunted past.
The writing is beautifully evocative of place and time, but I found it difficult to connect with many of the characters. Their actions often left me feeling confused and unable to understand their motivations.
There’s a clear path to exploring Sophie’s story in the next book and I would be eager to read it. However, I’m not sure I’ll like her much based on these events!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What It’s About
In 1936, with Europe becoming increasingly unstable and the Spanish Civil War unfolding, Thirza Caruthers travels to the fading Chateau Rousseau to care for her great‑aunt. The chateau is full of secrets — forbidden love, betrayal, and the mystery of a vanished child — and as Thirza begins to uncover the truth, the house’s past intertwines with her own emotional struggles in unsettling ways.
Review
I have quite mixed feelings about this book. It’s beautifully written, and the atmosphere is incredibly strong — dark, heavy, and slightly haunted. The setting and tone are vivid, and the emotional tension is crafted so well that it lingers long after reading. In that sense, the writing is very effective. The fact that it created such strong emotions is a confirmation of how well written it actually is.
But despite the strong writing, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The characters are layered and realistic, but most of them are emotionally damaged in ways that made them feel distant. Thirza arrives at the chateau already unsettled — she loves her husband, but she doesn’t feel emotionally supported, and his daughter treats her unkindly. That insecurity shapes her whole perspective and adds to the overall heaviness.
Bernice is even more deeply traumatised: scarred by domestic and emotional abuse, grieving the loss of her daughter, and hidden away from society for years. Her presence casts a long emotional shadow over the story. Once I stepped back, I could see that the characters’ behaviour makes sense — they act the way they do because they’re traumatised — but that realism also made it harder for me to connect with them.
The only character I truly related to was Valentina. She’s sweet, genuine, and once she steps out of her sister’s shadow, she really comes into her own. She felt like the one warm, relatable presence in a story otherwise filled with people carrying heavy emotional scars.
Overall, I didn’t dislike the book, but I couldn’t fully enjoy it either. It left me feeling unsettled, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why at first. But reviewing and analysing it afterwards has given me a new appreciation for it. It’s a well‑written, atmospheric novel that evokes strong emotions — just not always comfortable ones.
My Rating
Plot – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Strong themes and potential, but it didn’t fully come together for me.
Characters – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Complex and realistic, but emotionally distant. Valentina was the standout.
Writing – 4 out of 5 stars
Atmospheric, unsettling, and emotionally effective.
Enjoyment – 3 out of 5 stars
A compelling idea, but not an easy or comforting read.
Overall – ⭐️ 3.5 out of 5 stars
A well‑written, emotionally heavy story that stayed with me, even if I couldn’t fully connect with it.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, slightly gothic historical fiction
Stories set in the tense pre‑WWII years
Books exploring trauma, emotional wounds, and family secrets
Fans of slow‑burn, character‑driven narratives
Readers who appreciate mood and psychological depth
Review copy through NetGalley at no cost to me.
In 1936, with Europe becoming increasingly unstable and the Spanish Civil War unfolding, Thirza Caruthers travels to the fading Chateau Rousseau to care for her great‑aunt. The chateau is full of secrets — forbidden love, betrayal, and the mystery of a vanished child — and as Thirza begins to uncover the truth, the house’s past intertwines with her own emotional struggles in unsettling ways.
Review
I have quite mixed feelings about this book. It’s beautifully written, and the atmosphere is incredibly strong — dark, heavy, and slightly haunted. The setting and tone are vivid, and the emotional tension is crafted so well that it lingers long after reading. In that sense, the writing is very effective. The fact that it created such strong emotions is a confirmation of how well written it actually is.
But despite the strong writing, I struggled to fully connect with the story. The characters are layered and realistic, but most of them are emotionally damaged in ways that made them feel distant. Thirza arrives at the chateau already unsettled — she loves her husband, but she doesn’t feel emotionally supported, and his daughter treats her unkindly. That insecurity shapes her whole perspective and adds to the overall heaviness.
Bernice is even more deeply traumatised: scarred by domestic and emotional abuse, grieving the loss of her daughter, and hidden away from society for years. Her presence casts a long emotional shadow over the story. Once I stepped back, I could see that the characters’ behaviour makes sense — they act the way they do because they’re traumatised — but that realism also made it harder for me to connect with them.
The only character I truly related to was Valentina. She’s sweet, genuine, and once she steps out of her sister’s shadow, she really comes into her own. She felt like the one warm, relatable presence in a story otherwise filled with people carrying heavy emotional scars.
Overall, I didn’t dislike the book, but I couldn’t fully enjoy it either. It left me feeling unsettled, and I couldn’t quite put my finger on why at first. But reviewing and analysing it afterwards has given me a new appreciation for it. It’s a well‑written, atmospheric novel that evokes strong emotions — just not always comfortable ones.
My Rating
Plot – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Strong themes and potential, but it didn’t fully come together for me.
Characters – 3.5 out of 5 stars
Complex and realistic, but emotionally distant. Valentina was the standout.
Writing – 4 out of 5 stars
Atmospheric, unsettling, and emotionally effective.
Enjoyment – 3 out of 5 stars
A compelling idea, but not an easy or comforting read.
Overall – ⭐️ 3.5 out of 5 stars
A well‑written, emotionally heavy story that stayed with me, even if I couldn’t fully connect with it.
Recommended For
Readers who enjoy atmospheric, slightly gothic historical fiction
Stories set in the tense pre‑WWII years
Books exploring trauma, emotional wounds, and family secrets
Fans of slow‑burn, character‑driven narratives
Readers who appreciate mood and psychological depth
Review copy through NetGalley at no cost to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
1936. Corfu, Greece. Thirza Caruthers-Bellini lives in her family home Marchant’s with her husband Emilio, daughter Romi and nineteen years old twin stepdaughters Valentina and Lucia.
Dordogne, Southwest France. Emilio drives Thirza, Romi and Valentina to Château Rousseau, to look after her great-aunt Berenice, who had been ill and is returning home from hospital. While he feels bad for leaving them, Emilio needs to find Lucia who has run off to Spain and a war has started and he's concerned the borders might be closed before he locates her.
The house looks nothing like it did when she last visited great-aunt Berenice, twelve year old Thirza fell out of a tree and she saved her. The gardens are overgrown, the château is dirty, musty, cluttered and many of the rooms haven’t been used in decades. Thirza hears odd noises at night, creaks and groans, she senses someone might be creeping around inside and double checks all the locks. Thirza knows her great-aunt was once married to a man called Armand who disappeared and their young daughter Sophie drowned.
Thirza lost her brother Billy, he vanished and not being able to find him led to her parents’ divorce and she feels sorry for Berenice. Thirza starts trying to put the pieces of the past together, it’s on giant puzzle about forbidden love, secrets, hidden rooms and doors, she wonders who lived in the guardian house, and the tangled and walled garden hid it for decades and possibility of a murder?
I received a copy of The Lost Château by Dinah Jefferies from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and in exchange for an unbiased review. Set mainly in France, the narrative explores what betrayal and secrets, resentment and grudges, and lies and jealousy can do. I previously read and enjoyed The Greek House, where I first met Thirza, she was an artist and fell in love with Emilio.
While this book is not part of a series, it did help me understand her character, relationship with Emilio and step daughters, and the loneliness she felt when he left and friendships with Isabelle and Jean-Paul Dubois. A must read for those who enjoy dual timeline historical fiction mysteries set in old French houses, and five stars from me.
Dordogne, Southwest France. Emilio drives Thirza, Romi and Valentina to Château Rousseau, to look after her great-aunt Berenice, who had been ill and is returning home from hospital. While he feels bad for leaving them, Emilio needs to find Lucia who has run off to Spain and a war has started and he's concerned the borders might be closed before he locates her.
The house looks nothing like it did when she last visited great-aunt Berenice, twelve year old Thirza fell out of a tree and she saved her. The gardens are overgrown, the château is dirty, musty, cluttered and many of the rooms haven’t been used in decades. Thirza hears odd noises at night, creaks and groans, she senses someone might be creeping around inside and double checks all the locks. Thirza knows her great-aunt was once married to a man called Armand who disappeared and their young daughter Sophie drowned.
Thirza lost her brother Billy, he vanished and not being able to find him led to her parents’ divorce and she feels sorry for Berenice. Thirza starts trying to put the pieces of the past together, it’s on giant puzzle about forbidden love, secrets, hidden rooms and doors, she wonders who lived in the guardian house, and the tangled and walled garden hid it for decades and possibility of a murder?
I received a copy of The Lost Château by Dinah Jefferies from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and in exchange for an unbiased review. Set mainly in France, the narrative explores what betrayal and secrets, resentment and grudges, and lies and jealousy can do. I previously read and enjoyed The Greek House, where I first met Thirza, she was an artist and fell in love with Emilio.
While this book is not part of a series, it did help me understand her character, relationship with Emilio and step daughters, and the loneliness she felt when he left and friendships with Isabelle and Jean-Paul Dubois. A must read for those who enjoy dual timeline historical fiction mysteries set in old French houses, and five stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I have long been a fan of Dinah Jeffries, I find her books so atmospheric and her characters well rounded. I must admit that this wasn't my favourite book by this author but it was nevertheless an enjoyable read
Thirza had been forced to leave her beloved Marchants Estate on the beautiful island of Corfu. Europe was in turmoil and on the brink of war, Thirza's great aunt Berenice needed care so, along with her Husband Emelio, her small daughter Romi and her stepdaughter Valentina, they moved to Chateau Rousseau in south west France.
Valentina was a sweet girl but her twin sister, Lucia, never accepted Thirza, she was unpleasant and disruptive but it was her final act of rebellion that tore the family apart. Lucia disappeared to Spain where the civil war was in full swing, she was openly following Mussolini, Emilio left France and faced danger with the hope of bringing Lucia back to the fold.
Thirza and Valentina set about cleaning the dark and filthy chateau before great aunt Berenice was allowed home
This story follows the lives of Thirza and Valentina as they come to terms with life in France, caring for the uncooperative Berenice, in a chateau that held many secrets, the locked rooms, the dark woods, the walled garden, the hidden wells, the husband who disappeared, the beloved daughter, presumed drowned.
This is a story that draws you in from the beginning, the reason that I dropped a star was that I couldn't really come to terms with Thirza's character, she comes across as a bit selfish, she is so in love with Emilio but is still tempted by another, she doesn't seem to understand that most fathers would do anything to save their daughter, especially if he knew that the rest of the family were in a safe place. Having said all that I did really enjoy the story, the author ramps up the expectancy and tension of the coming war and the dynamics of a somewhat dysfunctional family.
Thank you Harper Collins and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
Thirza had been forced to leave her beloved Marchants Estate on the beautiful island of Corfu. Europe was in turmoil and on the brink of war, Thirza's great aunt Berenice needed care so, along with her Husband Emelio, her small daughter Romi and her stepdaughter Valentina, they moved to Chateau Rousseau in south west France.
Valentina was a sweet girl but her twin sister, Lucia, never accepted Thirza, she was unpleasant and disruptive but it was her final act of rebellion that tore the family apart. Lucia disappeared to Spain where the civil war was in full swing, she was openly following Mussolini, Emilio left France and faced danger with the hope of bringing Lucia back to the fold.
Thirza and Valentina set about cleaning the dark and filthy chateau before great aunt Berenice was allowed home
This story follows the lives of Thirza and Valentina as they come to terms with life in France, caring for the uncooperative Berenice, in a chateau that held many secrets, the locked rooms, the dark woods, the walled garden, the hidden wells, the husband who disappeared, the beloved daughter, presumed drowned.
This is a story that draws you in from the beginning, the reason that I dropped a star was that I couldn't really come to terms with Thirza's character, she comes across as a bit selfish, she is so in love with Emilio but is still tempted by another, she doesn't seem to understand that most fathers would do anything to save their daughter, especially if he knew that the rest of the family were in a safe place. Having said all that I did really enjoy the story, the author ramps up the expectancy and tension of the coming war and the dynamics of a somewhat dysfunctional family.
Thank you Harper Collins and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is totally voluntary.
June 29, 2026
This book continues the family saga that started with the Greek House. It starts in Corfu, in 1936. Europe is in the midst of deep change that announces the war. There is already civil war in Spain, and this is where Emilio goes to find one of his daughters, Lucia, who has gone to Italy and then to Spain, attracted by nationalist movements. Thirza and their daughters Valentina and Romi are called by Dulci to go to France and look after their elderly aunt who is returning from hospital to her castle, Chateau Rousseau. Aunt Bérénice is the holder of many secrets, and while caring for her, Thirza and her daughters discover little by little what the castle and its owner have been hiding for so long.
What the characters have in common in this second novel is their strength and their commitment to what they believe in. Emilio, Thirza, and Bérénice all have strong beliefs, and they are prepared to follow them even when it makes their lives hard. Emilio believes he can bring his daughter Lucia back on track. Thirza goes through many ups and downs and is sometimes tempted to change her life but always returns on the path that she and Emilio have set for themselves. Bérénice suffers in silence for something that happened a long time ago.
I found Bérénice a very deep character. She is prickly and always in a bad mood, quite aggressive and even violent. But behind all that is pain, grief, loss that is unbelievably painful. Dinah Jefferies writes these feelings vividly and from experience.
In the author's signature style, the novel takes us to different locations, with atmospheric writing full of colours, views, scents and impressions.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, like I have every book by Dinah.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for giving me the pleasure of reading this book on an ARC. All opinions are my own.
What the characters have in common in this second novel is their strength and their commitment to what they believe in. Emilio, Thirza, and Bérénice all have strong beliefs, and they are prepared to follow them even when it makes their lives hard. Emilio believes he can bring his daughter Lucia back on track. Thirza goes through many ups and downs and is sometimes tempted to change her life but always returns on the path that she and Emilio have set for themselves. Bérénice suffers in silence for something that happened a long time ago.
I found Bérénice a very deep character. She is prickly and always in a bad mood, quite aggressive and even violent. But behind all that is pain, grief, loss that is unbelievably painful. Dinah Jefferies writes these feelings vividly and from experience.
In the author's signature style, the novel takes us to different locations, with atmospheric writing full of colours, views, scents and impressions.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, like I have every book by Dinah.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for giving me the pleasure of reading this book on an ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 4, 2026
It is 1936 and Thirza, British by birth, is happily married to Italian Emilio and living in Corfu with their very young daughter, Romi. Their lovely home is Merchants Estate that is also a guest house overseen by their housekeeper, Eleni, and his two daughters by his first marriage often visit. The older daughter, Valentina is delightful but Lucia is a rebel. One night she is brought back from Corfu town by two burly policemen and Emilio is ordered to visit the Police Station next day to learn why she is in trouble. The whole family drive into town and Valentina, Lucia and little Romi are left with Thirza’s father and his new wife, .
Whilst all this is going on Thirza learns from her mother that Great Aunt Berenice, who lives in a Château in the Dordogne is ill in hospital, and she begs Thirza to go and spend a month or so with her. As the Greeks are considering removing all Italians from the Island, after leaving the Police Station, Thirza and Emilio decide that the whole family should go to France for safety, but on return to Thirza’s father. it appears that Lucia has run away taking a lot of Italian Lire with her. Emilio is distraught and fears that she will head to Spain to join the Fascists. He must go and search for her.,
Distraught and worried, Thirza travels to France with Valentina and Romi and finds more and more problems there. Berenice is back home but life doesn’t run smoothly. She worries constantly about Emilio’s safety as well as Berenices state of mind. Despite everything she tries to keep some sort of normality for Valentina and Romi, whilst at the same time delving into the past life of the Château.
A superbly written novel with all sorts of twists and turns!
Whilst all this is going on Thirza learns from her mother that Great Aunt Berenice, who lives in a Château in the Dordogne is ill in hospital, and she begs Thirza to go and spend a month or so with her. As the Greeks are considering removing all Italians from the Island, after leaving the Police Station, Thirza and Emilio decide that the whole family should go to France for safety, but on return to Thirza’s father. it appears that Lucia has run away taking a lot of Italian Lire with her. Emilio is distraught and fears that she will head to Spain to join the Fascists. He must go and search for her.,
Distraught and worried, Thirza travels to France with Valentina and Romi and finds more and more problems there. Berenice is back home but life doesn’t run smoothly. She worries constantly about Emilio’s safety as well as Berenices state of mind. Despite everything she tries to keep some sort of normality for Valentina and Romi, whilst at the same time delving into the past life of the Château.
A superbly written novel with all sorts of twists and turns!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Lost Chateau ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dinah Jefferies has done it again. Richly atmospheric, emotionally gripping and utterly transporting, this was one of those rare books that completely swept me away from the very first page. Although connected to The Greek House, it also works beautifully as a standalone novel.
I absolutely devoured this book in under 48 hours because I simply could not put it down. Moving effortlessly from the sun drenched beauty of Corfu to the haunting elegance of a crumbling French château, the story is layered with family secrets, betrayal, mystery, heartbreak and forbidden love. Every setting felt vividly alive, so beautifully described that I felt completely immersed in the world Jefferies created.
The characters were wonderfully drawn, complex and believable, with relationships that felt authentic and emotionally charged. I especially loved how the story slowly unravelled its secrets, keeping me invested until the very last page. Alongside the mystery and family drama, there is also a poignant undercurrent of loss and hope set against the tension of pre war Europe, which added even more depth to the novel.
Dinah Jefferies has such a gift for writing historical fiction that feels both sweeping and intimate at the same time. Her storytelling is elegant, evocative and utterly absorbing. Fans of historical fiction filled with atmosphere, strong emotional depth and beautifully crafted settings will adore this book.
Without question, one of my favourite reads of the year and a book I will be recommending widely. Highly, highly recommended.
Publication date: 4th June 2026.
Dinah Jefferies has done it again. Richly atmospheric, emotionally gripping and utterly transporting, this was one of those rare books that completely swept me away from the very first page. Although connected to The Greek House, it also works beautifully as a standalone novel.
I absolutely devoured this book in under 48 hours because I simply could not put it down. Moving effortlessly from the sun drenched beauty of Corfu to the haunting elegance of a crumbling French château, the story is layered with family secrets, betrayal, mystery, heartbreak and forbidden love. Every setting felt vividly alive, so beautifully described that I felt completely immersed in the world Jefferies created.
The characters were wonderfully drawn, complex and believable, with relationships that felt authentic and emotionally charged. I especially loved how the story slowly unravelled its secrets, keeping me invested until the very last page. Alongside the mystery and family drama, there is also a poignant undercurrent of loss and hope set against the tension of pre war Europe, which added even more depth to the novel.
Dinah Jefferies has such a gift for writing historical fiction that feels both sweeping and intimate at the same time. Her storytelling is elegant, evocative and utterly absorbing. Fans of historical fiction filled with atmosphere, strong emotional depth and beautifully crafted settings will adore this book.
Without question, one of my favourite reads of the year and a book I will be recommending widely. Highly, highly recommended.
Publication date: 4th June 2026.
June 4, 2026
A lovely book. Thirza lives in Corfu with her husband, daughter and her husband’s twin daughters. Things are running smoothly except for Lucia, one of the twins. She is very difficult and decides to join a Nazi group which is just before the start of the 2nd World War. On top of this Thirza’s great aunt is in hospital in France. Thirza’s mother has asked her to go and look after Berenice for a short time and this is something she feels she cannot refuse to do. Thirza, Romi and Valentina go to France while Emilio decides he has to try and find Lucia. Things become very difficult for Thirza especially. Emilio does get to France for a short time but cannot live with the thought of abandoning Lucia and feels he must still look for his daughter and therefore leaves again. Thirza finds this difficult and she herself feels abandoned. Berenice is not the easiest person to help recuperate. As time goes on Thirza realises there are many secrets in Chateux Rosseau. Can she help to make Berenice’s life easier as she feels these secrets are a terrible burden and possibly why she is angry a lot of the time. Conversations start and finish when Thirza quizzes her and she gleans part of the history. Autumm, Winter and Spring come and go with any news from Emilio and Thirza is so lonely. Will the secrets of the Chateau ever come to light, of course, they do. All seems to end well. The mystery of the well is found and is one of the things Berenice was adamant was not to be discovered.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a sequel to the Greek House which I read a while ago so I was familiar with the characters. It would still be possible to read it as a standalone but I think it would be more enjoyable to read it in sequence.
In this book Thirza, her daughter and step daughter go to France to look after an ill great aunt who lives in a chateau. There is a mystery surrounding Aunt Berenice’s past which Thirza endeavours to unravel- a husband who has disappeared and a child who drowned at a young age.
Whilst this is going on. Her Italian husband, Emilio has to go to Spain to look for his other daughter who has run away to join in with the Spanish Civil War.
As Thirza gets to know the people in the French village she is attracted to one of her neighbours whilst pining for her husband.
I enjoyed the book although I found Thirza rather self centred- she was so much in love with her husband yet she is easily persuaded to look elsewhere- slightly strange in my opinion.
The mystery about Aunt Berenice was interesting and finally revealed towards the end of the novel. There were flashbacks that explained about Berenice’s life as a young bride and mother.
The inter war years were well described although I did feel that the book was setting up the reader for a third book- possibly set during WW2.
All in all it was an enjoyable if not spectacular read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
In this book Thirza, her daughter and step daughter go to France to look after an ill great aunt who lives in a chateau. There is a mystery surrounding Aunt Berenice’s past which Thirza endeavours to unravel- a husband who has disappeared and a child who drowned at a young age.
Whilst this is going on. Her Italian husband, Emilio has to go to Spain to look for his other daughter who has run away to join in with the Spanish Civil War.
As Thirza gets to know the people in the French village she is attracted to one of her neighbours whilst pining for her husband.
I enjoyed the book although I found Thirza rather self centred- she was so much in love with her husband yet she is easily persuaded to look elsewhere- slightly strange in my opinion.
The mystery about Aunt Berenice was interesting and finally revealed towards the end of the novel. There were flashbacks that explained about Berenice’s life as a young bride and mother.
The inter war years were well described although I did feel that the book was setting up the reader for a third book- possibly set during WW2.
All in all it was an enjoyable if not spectacular read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Lost Chateau is the second book (the first being the Greek house) that follows the life of Thirza Caruthers, who is now married to Emilio and living at Merchant House on Corfu in 1936 with their little girl, Romi. Emilio’s twin daughters Lucia and Valentina are also part of their family, creating a complicated household.
When Thirza is asked to travel to France to care for her elderly great-aunt Berenice at her old ancestral château, she reluctantly leaves the beloved Merchant House with Romi and Valentina. Emilio hopes to join them later, but his plans are disrupted when he sets out on a desperate mission to find his missing daughter Lucia who has run away to Spain during a time of growing political unrest.
With another world war looming in the background, the novel is filled with tension, heartbreak, and uncertainty. At the centre of the story lies the mysterious old château, hiding long-buried family secrets and painful histories within its walls.
Dinah Jefferies once again delivers a sweeping family saga rich in atmosphere and emotion. Her talent for historical fiction shines through in the vivid settings and immersive storytelling, drawing the reader completely into the lives of her characters. The combination of family drama, mystery, romance, and historical detail makes this a compelling read.
When Thirza is asked to travel to France to care for her elderly great-aunt Berenice at her old ancestral château, she reluctantly leaves the beloved Merchant House with Romi and Valentina. Emilio hopes to join them later, but his plans are disrupted when he sets out on a desperate mission to find his missing daughter Lucia who has run away to Spain during a time of growing political unrest.
With another world war looming in the background, the novel is filled with tension, heartbreak, and uncertainty. At the centre of the story lies the mysterious old château, hiding long-buried family secrets and painful histories within its walls.
Dinah Jefferies once again delivers a sweeping family saga rich in atmosphere and emotion. Her talent for historical fiction shines through in the vivid settings and immersive storytelling, drawing the reader completely into the lives of her characters. The combination of family drama, mystery, romance, and historical detail makes this a compelling read.
June 9, 2026
Dinah Jefferies is a favourite author of mine because she always transports me to locations that come alive with her vivid descriptions and delightful stories. I have been a fan since 2014 when her debut novel was published and have read and enjoyed all of her published novels since.
Characters from her last novel set in Corfu The Greek House feature in 'The Lost Chateau' as Thirza now married goes to France to look after an aging and ailing aunt. She feels somewhat obliged as this aunt once saved her life. (Note: It is not necessary to have read the preceding novel first). The story is set in 1936 while Thirza is in the Dordogne caring for her Aunt Berenice and in the 1890's as we learn of her aunts past when she was a young bride living in the chateau. The chateau holds so many secrets and Thirza is determined to discover them. She believes unlocking them will give peace to her aunt in her final days.
Once again Dinah Jefferies has written a very satisfying read. An emotional story that draws the reader in with its evocative setting, intriguing mystery and well developed characters. Highly recommended for fans of the author, historical fiction and a little mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for the opportunity to read and review.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
Characters from her last novel set in Corfu The Greek House feature in 'The Lost Chateau' as Thirza now married goes to France to look after an aging and ailing aunt. She feels somewhat obliged as this aunt once saved her life. (Note: It is not necessary to have read the preceding novel first). The story is set in 1936 while Thirza is in the Dordogne caring for her Aunt Berenice and in the 1890's as we learn of her aunts past when she was a young bride living in the chateau. The chateau holds so many secrets and Thirza is determined to discover them. She believes unlocking them will give peace to her aunt in her final days.
Once again Dinah Jefferies has written a very satisfying read. An emotional story that draws the reader in with its evocative setting, intriguing mystery and well developed characters. Highly recommended for fans of the author, historical fiction and a little mystery.
Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins and the author for the opportunity to read and review.
https://lindyloumacbookreviews.blogsp...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
💛 Blurb -
A secret lies behind every door… The Dordogne, 1936
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
💙 Review -
I have enjoyed other books by the author and The Lost Chateau certainly didn't disappoint. I loved the author's writing style as I feel like they can whisk you away to the place settings in the story and make you feel like you are on a journey with the characters too. I found the story was easy to follow and beautifully written and had a great cast of characters. I also loved the place settings in the story. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Harper Collins/ Harper Fiction, the author Dinah Jefferies and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
A secret lies behind every door… The Dordogne, 1936
Amid tangled gardens and crumbling walls, Chateau Rousseau guards its secrets well.
Pushing open its faded door, Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits.
As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago.
But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
💙 Review -
I have enjoyed other books by the author and The Lost Chateau certainly didn't disappoint. I loved the author's writing style as I feel like they can whisk you away to the place settings in the story and make you feel like you are on a journey with the characters too. I found the story was easy to follow and beautifully written and had a great cast of characters. I also loved the place settings in the story. Overall a brilliant novel that I highly recommend to other readers. I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to Harper Collins/ Harper Fiction, the author Dinah Jefferies and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
May 9, 2026
Dinah Jefferies is one of my favourite authors and she hasn’t failed with The Lost Chateau. It is the second book in a series, the first one being the Greek House, although both can be read as a stand alone novel. Thirza lives in Corfu with her family, but has to leave to look after her Great Aunt Berenice who has been in hospital in France.. Thirza takes her daughter Romi and her stepdaughter Valentina to France with her. Her other stepdaughter Lucia has run off to join the fighting in the Spanish Civil War, and Emilio, Thirza’s husband, has to go to Spain to find her instead of supporting his family now in the Dordogne, staying at an old crumbling chateau. The chateau has lots of secrets and Thirza wants to unravel them all. The characters are all believable and the place descriptions feel so true, you can imagine you are sitting there looking out the window,
Dinah has an easy style and it is difficult to put the book down. I really enjoyed it, and have nothing but the highest praise for it.
My thanks go to NetGalley, Dinah Jefferies and Harper Collins for an arc of this enjoyable book
Dinah has an easy style and it is difficult to put the book down. I really enjoyed it, and have nothing but the highest praise for it.
My thanks go to NetGalley, Dinah Jefferies and Harper Collins for an arc of this enjoyable book
June 6, 2026
This is another novel about Thirza Caruthers, following on from The Greek House. In this book, Thirza is called to France to care for her great aunt, who, years ago, when Thirza was a child, saved her life in a fall. The old lady is frail and at the end of her life but she has a great secret which she keeps alluding to, and Thirza finds herself drawn to find out about the mystery.
Sadly I wasn't as drawn into this novel as I was The Greek House - where I really enjoyed the setting and they mystery. For this one I rather guessed the outcome long before the story got there and I wasn't at all convinced by the daughter, Sophie, a) being so swayed by her father and b) never giving up on him even as she grew up, so I found myself rather disappointed by the outcome.
I enjoyed the historical setting, the background of Spanish civil war, the French strikes and unrest and the rise of fascism in Italy, plus the details of clothing and making do. The story is emotional and romantic but I didn't enjoy it as much as The Greek House .
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for an early copy in return for an honest review.
Sadly I wasn't as drawn into this novel as I was The Greek House - where I really enjoyed the setting and they mystery. For this one I rather guessed the outcome long before the story got there and I wasn't at all convinced by the daughter, Sophie, a) being so swayed by her father and b) never giving up on him even as she grew up, so I found myself rather disappointed by the outcome.
I enjoyed the historical setting, the background of Spanish civil war, the French strikes and unrest and the rise of fascism in Italy, plus the details of clothing and making do. The story is emotional and romantic but I didn't enjoy it as much as The Greek House .
With thanks to the author, Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for an early copy in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2026
A piece of historical fiction set in both the 1930s and late 18th century, beginning in Corfu and transferring over to the Dordogne. We first meet Thirza as a child, staying at her great aunt's chateau in France - falling out of a tree and being saved from death or serious injury by her aunt. We then move across to Corfu where Thirza, although English by birth, lives with Italian husband Emilio, their daughter Romi and step-daughters. Thirza is struggling to develop a strong relationship with her step-daughter, Lucia, who attracted by right wing Italian politics decides to leave Corfu to fight in Spain - cue Emilio deciding to follow Lucia and head to Spain, leaving Thirza and his other family members behind. Thirza at the same time is asked by her mother to go to France to help her aunt, who has been in hospital. It's an easy book to read and there is some intrigue in the book - Thirza's aunt has secrets she wants to hide which are gradually revealed as the book progresses. But I can't say I warmed to Thirza who seemed a bit self-absorbed and spoilt. Good for a summer holiday. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC.
June 6, 2026
The Lost Chateau is the sequel to The Greek House in which Thirza Caruthers met and married her Italian husband Emilio and settled in Corfu with him and his twin daughters from his first marriage.and their own young daughter Romi. Now some six years later she learns from her mother that her Great Aunt Berenice is ill in hospital and asks Thirza to travel to the chateau in the Dordogne to care for her. Emilio agrees and they're all set to travel when one of the twins, Lucia runs away to Spain to join the fascists and Emilio decided to go after her which means Thirza and the the two girls travel to France by themselves. The chateau is old and strange things start happening and Berenice herself seems to be hiding a secret concerning her husband who left her after their young daughter drowned. The book is set in two timelines. 1936 and the late 1890's when Berenice was a young bride. I enjoyed the book but would have liked to have learned more about Berenice as her story sounded intriguing.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an ARC of this book
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity of reading an ARC of this book
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you for allowing me to review this book, a follow on from The Greek House. Thirza, travels from Corfu with her young daughter & step daughter to care for her great aunt in her home in the Dordogne, France. They find her aunt in very poor health, living in chateau falling into disrepair. Set in 1936, as the civil war in Spain is beginning and Europe is becoming unsettled, her husband travels to Spain in search of his other daughter. Thirza and Valentina struggle to improve living conditions of the chateau and care for an old lady who is confused. She has memories of her life as a young women and is searching for her missing daughter believed to have drowned. The months they remain at the chateau, the truth emerges, relationships are built with locals and the history of the chateau is told. An easy read of an enjoyable story. There are low, distressing points but overall it is a happy story. The descriptions of the landscapes are well written as are the characters.
I can recommend this book to all. It can be read as a standalone, although some may prefer to read The Greek House first.
I can recommend this book to all. It can be read as a standalone, although some may prefer to read The Greek House first.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’ve always enjoyed reading Dinah Jefferies novels and this was no exception. She has the gift of fully embracing and engaging the reader into her stories. Straightforward, no twists or turns, just a slow unravelling of the lives of her characters.
The setting for this novel is a French chateau in the Dordogne countryside, where Thirza travels from her Corfu home to tend to her great aunt, Berenice. She is accompanied by her daughter and one of her stepdaughter, whilst her husband Emilio travels to Spain in search of his other daughter. The story unfolds of her Berenice’s earlier life, the mistreatment and persecution of her husband, and her love affair with another woman, Geraldine.
A great summer read - relaxing, well constructed and portrayed.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
The setting for this novel is a French chateau in the Dordogne countryside, where Thirza travels from her Corfu home to tend to her great aunt, Berenice. She is accompanied by her daughter and one of her stepdaughter, whilst her husband Emilio travels to Spain in search of his other daughter. The story unfolds of her Berenice’s earlier life, the mistreatment and persecution of her husband, and her love affair with another woman, Geraldine.
A great summer read - relaxing, well constructed and portrayed.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers HarperCollins One More Chapter for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found this to be a captivating read, I had a job to put it down. Thirza is living her best life on a Greek island along with her family. This includes her two step-daughters, one of which is causing her some heartache. However due to family problems she has to relocate to a chateau in France to look after her aged great aunt, Berenice, while she recovers from an illness. The story includes flashbacks to Berenice’s earlier life with her husband Armand. Berenice has such a heartbreaking story, oh how I felt for her and what she suffered. Alongside, this is the fact that Thirza’s husband has gone to war torn Spain to search for his daughter. This story concerns family relationships and how they can affect others. It does have a sweet romance, although also reflected in the story is the uncertainty of what may be coming. I always enjoy stories by this author and the characters stay with me for some time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 17, 2026
I enjoyed this book. One to immerse in and relax. Set in the Dordogne in 1936 Thirza leaves her home in Corfu to look after her elderly aunt. Meanwhile Thirza's husband heads to Spain to find his daughter, Lucia, a rebel who left home to join the fascists. Europe is in political turmoil. The author has captured a wonderful atmosphere especially in the countryside of the Dordogne. Thirza arrives with her young daughter and an older step-daughter. They hoped their visit would not be a long one but as they arrive the political tensions around increase and the family are faced with a longer stay. There is a mystery around the chateau and her aunt. Thirza works to discover what happened in the past. There is history and romance whilst the book also has an edge with forbidden love and secrets.
For me I wasn't disappointed and look forward to more books by this author
For me I wasn't disappointed and look forward to more books by this author
May 8, 2026
Another fabulous read from Dinah Jefferies where we again meet with Thriza from The Greek House, this time travelling the Dordogne.
1936 and Thriza travels from Corfu to France to care her poorly Great Aunt Berenice, who needs help after time in hospital.
Thriza is accompanied by her step daughter Valentina and daughter Romi. On arrival the state of the house concerns them and the noises and sounds in the night are very alarming and it becomes very quickly apparent the Chateau and her Great Aunt have many secrets from the past which need put to rest.
An absolutely captivating read, with wonderful characters and a heart wrenching story.
Highly recommended and I look forward to where Dinah will take us travelling next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy.
1936 and Thriza travels from Corfu to France to care her poorly Great Aunt Berenice, who needs help after time in hospital.
Thriza is accompanied by her step daughter Valentina and daughter Romi. On arrival the state of the house concerns them and the noises and sounds in the night are very alarming and it becomes very quickly apparent the Chateau and her Great Aunt have many secrets from the past which need put to rest.
An absolutely captivating read, with wonderful characters and a heart wrenching story.
Highly recommended and I look forward to where Dinah will take us travelling next.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Dordogne, 1936 & Thirza Caruthers arrives to care for her great-aunt. She's made a promise – unaware of what awaits. As the skies darken above Europe, the chateau begins to reveal its stories of forbidden love, devastating betrayal, and a child who vanished years ago. But in uncovering the truth, Thirza may lose herself forever.
A beautifully written book which took me on a gamut of emotions & whilst I really enjoyed it I had to read it over a few days as the emotions needed a break. The characters are complex, the story is well paced & the secrets were gradually released, whilst set against a world that was rapidly changing
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
A beautifully written book which took me on a gamut of emotions & whilst I really enjoyed it I had to read it over a few days as the emotions needed a break. The characters are complex, the story is well paced & the secrets were gradually released, whilst set against a world that was rapidly changing
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
May 14, 2026
A book of secrets and lost loves. It captures the times shortly before WWII which is interesting in itself, the characters are multi faceted from the sweet Valentina in 1936 to the more complex characters in the past. It travels between the two timelines with ease. However I found myself skimming the final few chapters as it became obvious what had happened. Thirza was such a complex character and I found her somewhat selfish with her needs and feelings.
I loved the first book in the series and all of this author’s other books but found this one lacking a bit, difficult to connect to. However it’s still a lovely read and captures corfu and France and the turbulent times beautifully
I loved the first book in the series and all of this author’s other books but found this one lacking a bit, difficult to connect to. However it’s still a lovely read and captures corfu and France and the turbulent times beautifully
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this follow up to The Greek House - more than I did the first. Thirza has left her home in Greece to care for her great aunt in Chateau Rousseau in the Dordogne region where she spent her childhood. She is accompanied by her daughter and step-daughter, Valentino but not her husband who is trying to find his other daughter who has run away to Spain. It is 1936/37 and the Spanish civil war is unfolding.
Thirza finds herself trying to make a home in France and also uncover her aunt’s secret past.
The story is gradually uncovered through alternating timelines of her great-aunt’s past and the present time.
Thirza is also having to deal with her own demons and trying to make sense of her husband’s actions and their consequences.
Atmospheric and gripping - a really enjoyable historical family saga.
Thirza finds herself trying to make a home in France and also uncover her aunt’s secret past.
The story is gradually uncovered through alternating timelines of her great-aunt’s past and the present time.
Thirza is also having to deal with her own demons and trying to make sense of her husband’s actions and their consequences.
Atmospheric and gripping - a really enjoyable historical family saga.
June 15, 2026
A Compelling Story, but a Difficult Main Character
I have long enjoyed Dinah Jefferies’ novels. Her vivid settings and richly drawn characters have a wonderful ability to transport me into the worlds she creates.
I began The Lost Château before realizing it was connected to her previous novel, The Greek House, which I had not yet read. The characters intrigued me enough that I immediately went back and read The Greek House first to understand how they had arrived at the French château. In fact, I believe my enjoyment of The Lost Château was enhanced by having read the earlier book, as it deepened my investment in the characters and their relationships.
Both novels center on Thirza and the many hardships she has endured throughout her life. While I appreciated the complexity of her character, I struggled to connect with her in either book. Much of her narrative felt dominated by repetitive rumination, and her emotional responses often seemed overwhelmingly intense. There were frequent descriptions of breathlessness, trembling, shaking, and a racing heart, which, for me, became repetitive over time. I also found it difficult to see her fully acknowledge or understand the feelings of those around her, which made it challenging to empathize with her.
That said, I found the plot compelling and enjoyed several of the supporting characters, particularly Emilio, who was one of my favorites. The story itself held my interest throughout. Ultimately, however, my inability to connect with Thirza affected my overall enjoyment of the novel.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #thelostchateau
I have long enjoyed Dinah Jefferies’ novels. Her vivid settings and richly drawn characters have a wonderful ability to transport me into the worlds she creates.
I began The Lost Château before realizing it was connected to her previous novel, The Greek House, which I had not yet read. The characters intrigued me enough that I immediately went back and read The Greek House first to understand how they had arrived at the French château. In fact, I believe my enjoyment of The Lost Château was enhanced by having read the earlier book, as it deepened my investment in the characters and their relationships.
Both novels center on Thirza and the many hardships she has endured throughout her life. While I appreciated the complexity of her character, I struggled to connect with her in either book. Much of her narrative felt dominated by repetitive rumination, and her emotional responses often seemed overwhelmingly intense. There were frequent descriptions of breathlessness, trembling, shaking, and a racing heart, which, for me, became repetitive over time. I also found it difficult to see her fully acknowledge or understand the feelings of those around her, which made it challenging to empathize with her.
That said, I found the plot compelling and enjoyed several of the supporting characters, particularly Emilio, who was one of my favorites. The story itself held my interest throughout. Ultimately, however, my inability to connect with Thirza affected my overall enjoyment of the novel.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
#netgalley #thelostchateau
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