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Sutton Place #1
Sutton Place
The year is 1051.
The beautiful and angry Queen Edith curses the ground her husband, Edward the Confessor, hunts on and all its future owners.
Five centuries later, Richard Weston, a shrewd politician and rising member of Henry VIII’s court, is awarded the land and builds a magnificent manor house.
But his family is living in the shadow of the curse and must soon pay its price.
For his son and heir, Francis Weston, will be executed for a crime he did not commit — adultery with Anne Boleyn.
As both the vivacious Francis and the mysterious Anne unwittingly sow the seeds of their own destruction, Dr Zachary, the celebrated court astrologer and the Duke of Norfolk’s illegitimate son, tries to contend with dark forces beyond even his control.
But Sutton Place has not finished yet and centuries later Lord Northcliffe, a press baron, and Paul Getty, an oil tycoon, will also have to face the darkness…
The first novel of Deryn Lake’s haunting trilogy, ‘Sutton Place’, masterfully blends fact and fiction as it traces the tortured destinies of all those caught up in the curse.
The beautiful and angry Queen Edith curses the ground her husband, Edward the Confessor, hunts on and all its future owners.
Five centuries later, Richard Weston, a shrewd politician and rising member of Henry VIII’s court, is awarded the land and builds a magnificent manor house.
But his family is living in the shadow of the curse and must soon pay its price.
For his son and heir, Francis Weston, will be executed for a crime he did not commit — adultery with Anne Boleyn.
As both the vivacious Francis and the mysterious Anne unwittingly sow the seeds of their own destruction, Dr Zachary, the celebrated court astrologer and the Duke of Norfolk’s illegitimate son, tries to contend with dark forces beyond even his control.
But Sutton Place has not finished yet and centuries later Lord Northcliffe, a press baron, and Paul Getty, an oil tycoon, will also have to face the darkness…
The first novel of Deryn Lake’s haunting trilogy, ‘Sutton Place’, masterfully blends fact and fiction as it traces the tortured destinies of all those caught up in the curse.
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1984
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 27, 2022
I still like this quasi-gothic, ghost historical fiction. It focuses on the fall of Anne Boleyn but from the viewpoint of the families of the men who went down with her.
June 19, 2016
I first read this book in the 1980's and so I had forgotten a lot of the plot. I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of fact and fiction and the author managed to blend them together so well that the seam barely showed at all. Sutton is a real place and all of the main characters are real, this was the fact that made the story so interesting for me. It is a familiar tale of Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII but with a delightful supernatural twist, this is where the fact and fiction meld so well together. Are the events that happen on the same date to different families and in different centuries just a coincidence or are they the result of an ancient curse? A curse of this kind was placed on the land around Sutton House, by Edith, spurned wife of Edward The Confessor in 1042? The imagination runs riot, it is fascinating stuff and the sad legacy that seems to be handed down to whoever is the heir of the property seems to be too real to just be coincidence. You decide. A really good read.
October 16, 2018
I first read this book in the 1980's and absolutely loved it. I would have given it five stars without hesitation, this time around, although I still enjoyed it, I found it rather slow. So, marked down to three stars I'm afraid.
October 5, 2020
Court Intrigue
A historical novel set primarily in the Tudor court of Henry VIII during the reigns of his first two queens, the author presents extensive research bringing the Court and its intrigue to life. By shifting the focus to the Weston family, history becomes real, with day-to-day incidents mixed with real life.
The author has written this story, apparently the first in a trilogy, deftly, allowing peripheral characters to mix into history. I'd guess that Sutton Place, a Manor in Guildford outside London, is the overall arching connection within the 3 books. Details of clothing, meals, dwellings so enrich the tale, along with both loving and rutting sex kept my interest and added to my understanding and appreciation for this critical period of English history.
That fifth star could have been made if there had been more included regarding the religious conflict, an area of personal interest.
A historical novel set primarily in the Tudor court of Henry VIII during the reigns of his first two queens, the author presents extensive research bringing the Court and its intrigue to life. By shifting the focus to the Weston family, history becomes real, with day-to-day incidents mixed with real life.
The author has written this story, apparently the first in a trilogy, deftly, allowing peripheral characters to mix into history. I'd guess that Sutton Place, a Manor in Guildford outside London, is the overall arching connection within the 3 books. Details of clothing, meals, dwellings so enrich the tale, along with both loving and rutting sex kept my interest and added to my understanding and appreciation for this critical period of English history.
That fifth star could have been made if there had been more included regarding the religious conflict, an area of personal interest.
December 16, 2020
Lots of historical errors and grammatical errors.
One thing that bugged me was the author 's use of the phrase "wheeled her horse around" twice. It makes no sense. Not for the era not can one wheel a horse. A second thing that jumped out at me was the detailed description of a white satin wedding dress. White satin wedding dresses were an extreme rarity and only came into vogue in Queen Victoria's time. In the 15th century one would practically have to be royalty to afford any kind of satin and certainly not white. The grammatical errors began appearing in the last half of the book. It's almost like someone different took over writing the book. I don't plan to continue the trilogy.
One thing that bugged me was the author 's use of the phrase "wheeled her horse around" twice. It makes no sense. Not for the era not can one wheel a horse. A second thing that jumped out at me was the detailed description of a white satin wedding dress. White satin wedding dresses were an extreme rarity and only came into vogue in Queen Victoria's time. In the 15th century one would practically have to be royalty to afford any kind of satin and certainly not white. The grammatical errors began appearing in the last half of the book. It's almost like someone different took over writing the book. I don't plan to continue the trilogy.
November 28, 2020
Enthralling
From the moment I started to read this book, I was transported to the Court of King Henry V8 and became one with the characters! I am so anxious to start reading the remainder of the trilogy. I have put this book in my top 10 and highly recommended it!”
From the moment I started to read this book, I was transported to the Court of King Henry V8 and became one with the characters! I am so anxious to start reading the remainder of the trilogy. I have put this book in my top 10 and highly recommended it!”
March 21, 2017
Haunted house at its best.
Fantastic saga of a family house down through the ages, and generations decimated by a curse. The house also affects anyone who dares to live there.
Fantastic saga of a family house down through the ages, and generations decimated by a curse. The house also affects anyone who dares to live there.
May 7, 2024
A historical novel about Anne Boleyn, from the early days of her at the royal court, to the end of her sentence of death. The book is also about the Sutton Place estate. This is the frame of the novel, with the lands being cursed by Queen Edith. Her husband Kind Edward (the Confessor) refused to consummate the marriage then banished her to a nunnery which caused her to curse the lands that he loved.
Although the majority of the book is during the time of King Henry VIII during his affair with Anne Boleyn, there are also moments of other time, modern and otherwise, to show how the curse effected those who lived at Sutton Place.
Richard and Anne Weston upon being granted the estate by King Henry VIII built a new grand house. They had three children, two girls and Francis who was known as the handsomest man in England. We follow Francis more than his siblings.
The writing style was a bit odd to me, it would switch point of view quite often. Before getting used to this constant shifting, it made for some confusion about who was thinking these thoughts. The book would’ve been stronger with less of this switching around between characters. And there were many, many characters.
The book made me realize how little I know about the English history other than some vague generalities. The general outline of events appear to be accurate, at least for the major players. This is a first in a short series, but I will not be seeking out any others by the author. This one was enough. I’d rather try different authors and a clear sort of writing style.
Although the majority of the book is during the time of King Henry VIII during his affair with Anne Boleyn, there are also moments of other time, modern and otherwise, to show how the curse effected those who lived at Sutton Place.
Richard and Anne Weston upon being granted the estate by King Henry VIII built a new grand house. They had three children, two girls and Francis who was known as the handsomest man in England. We follow Francis more than his siblings.
The writing style was a bit odd to me, it would switch point of view quite often. Before getting used to this constant shifting, it made for some confusion about who was thinking these thoughts. The book would’ve been stronger with less of this switching around between characters. And there were many, many characters.
The book made me realize how little I know about the English history other than some vague generalities. The general outline of events appear to be accurate, at least for the major players. This is a first in a short series, but I will not be seeking out any others by the author. This one was enough. I’d rather try different authors and a clear sort of writing style.
July 3, 2021
That 5 star Rating is for the whole trilogy. I've read all three books now and found the series got better in the second book. The mix of true historical facts and fiction made for a really strong storyline. You recognize the historical parts as the author takes you back and forth through it all in her magical curse. Adding the curse to tie it all together allows all the other magical elements to seem natural, the well, the haunting, and the clairvoyant people. I thought it a clever device to show some hauntings/visions from both sides. A woman who sees the future in a vision is later the ghost to the people from the vision. It helps you identify who the ghost is as they only see her as a white lady and that's the name they give her. The author has put in a couple of truly horrible things, but she handles them very well. I just won't be keeping any chests around my house. And to understand that, you will have to read the books 📚. Anyone looking for information on Getty will be disappointed as he is simply a cameo in a vision of the future. Even at the end of the third book, they are still riding in carriages. Recommended.
September 28, 2020
Fascinating, magical, and mysterious
A whole new look at the saga Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, based on a curse by Queen Edith, wife of Edward the Confessor, centuries before. She cursed the Lord of a parcel land, a hunting lodge owned by Edward, but the curse continued down through the centuries, through the different families that owned it, to Francis Weston, one of the men accused of being Queen Anne's lovers. There are ghosts and visions, of past and future occupants, one of which is J.P. Getty. I hope some of their stories are explored in the sequels, because I did not recognize all of them, not know their stories. Wonderfully imaginative weaving of magic and history. Totally hooked.
A whole new look at the saga Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, based on a curse by Queen Edith, wife of Edward the Confessor, centuries before. She cursed the Lord of a parcel land, a hunting lodge owned by Edward, but the curse continued down through the centuries, through the different families that owned it, to Francis Weston, one of the men accused of being Queen Anne's lovers. There are ghosts and visions, of past and future occupants, one of which is J.P. Getty. I hope some of their stories are explored in the sequels, because I did not recognize all of them, not know their stories. Wonderfully imaginative weaving of magic and history. Totally hooked.
August 5, 2019
Gripping, the book was unputdownable!
Fantastic saga of a 'haunted' family house through the ages and generations decimated by a curse. Also interesting to read more about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Reading this I felt that I had gone back in time to the 1500s, the clothes, food.... I could almost smell it all....!
I like the fact that this is not fictional.... for we know the Tudor History, their characters; and Sutton Place really does exist and is still standing and in residence.
I can't wait to start the second book in this trilogy.
Fantastic saga of a 'haunted' family house through the ages and generations decimated by a curse. Also interesting to read more about Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn.
Reading this I felt that I had gone back in time to the 1500s, the clothes, food.... I could almost smell it all....!
I like the fact that this is not fictional.... for we know the Tudor History, their characters; and Sutton Place really does exist and is still standing and in residence.
I can't wait to start the second book in this trilogy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2020
Interesting and different
Like I said in title of this review, this book was different , it tells the story of this house called Sutton Place, that really exist and still can been seen today. It tells a tale of evil and how it shapes the lives of those that live in this house, it weaves back and forth from this time to in the past, it has people in it of which we know what will happen to them but it gives you their point of events
Like I said in title of this review, this book was different , it tells the story of this house called Sutton Place, that really exist and still can been seen today. It tells a tale of evil and how it shapes the lives of those that live in this house, it weaves back and forth from this time to in the past, it has people in it of which we know what will happen to them but it gives you their point of events
September 28, 2024
I am not a fan of books such as these, as I find them very dry for my tastes. This one was not any different, but the tale of Anne Boelyn and the downfall of her supporters is an interesting tale intertwined with Sutton Place. Knowing the history of its cursed lands, the events that follow it are not surprising but seem to fit quite well in the tale crafted. I won't read more in the series as this isn't my taste to continue, but it was well written and engaging to history fans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2020
Deryn Lake will captivate you
The Tudors of Renaissance England have always fascinated me, but Sutton Place offers something special, a humanity of the players in the historic tragedy. The beauty of love and innocence, the corruption of hate, despair and revenge, helpless compassion and the oppression of power. In the midst of it all magic, fate, faith and the mystery of nature.
The Tudors of Renaissance England have always fascinated me, but Sutton Place offers something special, a humanity of the players in the historic tragedy. The beauty of love and innocence, the corruption of hate, despair and revenge, helpless compassion and the oppression of power. In the midst of it all magic, fate, faith and the mystery of nature.
October 2, 2020
An interesting historic perspective
The mystery that surrounds Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, will never be solved. This is a different perspective from one of the victims of circumstance ,and maybe bad luck. But really who knows. Throw in a Viking curse and a perfect story unfolds. I really enjoyed it.
The mystery that surrounds Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII, will never be solved. This is a different perspective from one of the victims of circumstance ,and maybe bad luck. But really who knows. Throw in a Viking curse and a perfect story unfolds. I really enjoyed it.
October 22, 2020
2.5 stars. Five centuries after the land of Sutton Place was cursed, Sir Richard Weston builds a magnificent manor house there. He doesn't believe in the curse. Later in his life he will change his mind. The story is largely built upon his daughter Melior Mary Weston. The writing style was such that I had to slow down a bit to comprehend and I don't like that. I will go on to book #2.
September 20, 2020
The Curse of Sutton Place
Go back to the world of the Tudors in this novel. It contains the story of more than one family of that court, but focuses on one that lived in Sutton Place. It tells of their joys and sorrows,and their curse, as they serve Henry VIII.
Go back to the world of the Tudors in this novel. It contains the story of more than one family of that court, but focuses on one that lived in Sutton Place. It tells of their joys and sorrows,and their curse, as they serve Henry VIII.
September 23, 2020
Richly decorated history
The times of Ann Boleyn are written about by many authors and this is a refreshing tale from the Weston side of the story. Great detail and a bit of magikal dust thrown in, entwined with recent history makes for a compelling read.
The times of Ann Boleyn are written about by many authors and this is a refreshing tale from the Weston side of the story. Great detail and a bit of magikal dust thrown in, entwined with recent history makes for a compelling read.
September 26, 2020
I had a hard time getting into the book. Didn’t care for the characters in the beginning. Then I don’t know when it happened but I started to look forward to what was going to happen next and to who. Couldn’t put it down. Looking forward to the next book.
September 29, 2020
Good historical fiction!
Enjoyed this version of the history of the time of Henry VIII. I had not ever heard of this particular house and its history. Would recommend this to others!
Enjoyed this version of the history of the time of Henry VIII. I had not ever heard of this particular house and its history. Would recommend this to others!
October 5, 2020
An Endurance of Delusion
The bitter end of millennia of deadly delusion saturating the ground with the yoke of sorrow for greed and power culminates in prophesy:
"Till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled"
The bitter end of millennia of deadly delusion saturating the ground with the yoke of sorrow for greed and power culminates in prophesy:
"Till the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled"
October 10, 2020
I enjoyed the book, I liked the mix of fact and fiction, however, I found it slow reading and in the end, I just wanted to finish it off to be able to move on to my next book. I'm not sure I will read the next in the series.
September 2, 2021
The author uses the reign of Henry VIII as the time frame with a private family home, Sutton Place, along with Henry’s Court as the setting. I really enjoyed the details of the era and the drama of the fictional family blended together.
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September 16, 2020Free on Kindle
September 20, 2020
A darn good read
Good story. I loved how the history was mixed with fiction. The book raced along I will have to read the next one. Will be recommending this to both my book clubs.
Good story. I loved how the history was mixed with fiction. The book raced along I will have to read the next one. Will be recommending this to both my book clubs.
September 22, 2020
Very well written.
A well known story told from a different angle and a completely absorbing tale. Thoroughly engaging historical fiction interlaced with fact.
A well known story told from a different angle and a completely absorbing tale. Thoroughly engaging historical fiction interlaced with fact.
September 23, 2020
I really have enjoyed reading this author for the first time. The book combined historical characters and some mystical elements. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.
September 28, 2020
Started out ok. Not really a ghost story. Slow and confused in places. Too much "who sleeping with who" for me.
October 3, 2020
I really enjoyed Sutton Place, although I'm really not sure how to categorise it. It felt a bit historic fiction, a bit ghost story, and bit history documentary, but somehow it all worked.
October 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! The writing is very good. Loved the magic and mystery woven into the fictional storyline of the various historical figures. I will read the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews