After the Snow: A Christmas historical fiction novel full of family secrets and mystery

by Susannah Constantine

‘Thoughtful and dark’ The Times Magazine ‘Captivating’ Woman & Home ‘Beautifully written’ HELLO! ***The No. 1 eBook bestseller!*** Christmas morning, 1969. All eleven-year-old Esme Munroe wants for Christmas is for her mother to be on one of her ‘good’ days – and, secretly, for a velvet riding hat. So when she finds an assortment of wet towels and dirty plates in her stocking, she’s just relieved Father Christmas remembered to stop at The Lodge this year. But later that day Esme’s mother disappears in the heavy snow. Even more mysteriously, only the Earl of Culcairn seems to know where she might have gone. Torn between protecting her mother and uncovering the secrets tumbling out of Culcairn Castle’s ornate closets, Esme realises that life will never be the same again after the snow… Susannah Constantine provides a rare glimpse into the secret lives of the scandalous upper classes. Perfect for fans of Downton Abbey and The Crown . Praise for After the Snow : ‘Thoughtful and dark’ The Times Magazine ‘Captivating’ Woman & Home 'Beautifully written … with a dramatic, thrilling conclusion. Perfect for quiet January nights in' HELLO! ‘A modern-day Nancy Mitford’ Sir Elton John ‘Fans of Downton Abbey will love this’ Davina McCall ‘A tenderly absorbing tale, shades of Dodie Smith’ YOU Magazine ‘This touching, atmospheric story … has echoes of I Capture The Castle about it’ Scottish Daily Mail What readers are saying about After the Snow : ‘Beautifully written’ ‘I didn’t want the story to end’ ‘Loved it!’ ‘Read it over the Christmas holidays. Perfect’ ‘I adored this wonderful story’ ‘Cleverly written’ ‘Wonderfully nostalgic’ ‘Insightful, exciting and poignant’ ‘Perfect with a glass of wine and a roaring log fire’

Genres: Christmas, Fiction, Historical Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Published November 13, 2018

About the author

English fashion journalist, advisor, television presenter, author and designer.

Reviews

[Michele Menard · Rating 2 out of 5]

You know how sometimes you watch a movie, and the end happens, and you’re like “WTF?” That’s this book. I kept waiting for something to actually happen and not just be hinted at - and then it was over.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn’t for me, the writing was simplistic, the plot was very ordinary and the ending was disappointing

[MetLineReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was excited to read this book as I absolutely loved the era that brought us the Mitfords and Downton Abbey. Interestingly this book is set in the 60s with a few references to contemporary culture but the decade doesn't really become apparent until the end of the book when they are talking about New Years Eve.

I really liked the young-ish girls - Esme and Lexi, who were full of fun and mischief. Lexi's father The Earl plays a far more prominent role that Esme's father and the mothers are two extremes. The Countess is full of misery - a Cruella de Ville character.

Undercurrents of mental illness/depression, unsatisfactory marriages, infidelity and parentage are all hinted at during this book but not fully resolved There's no great revelations or twists but a gentle resolution - much is left to the reader to piece together.

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in 1969 this is a story of how the rich people live, we like to believe they're happy because they can buy anything they want, but here in this tale of the upper classes we realise that they're not so different from us in many ways.

As Esme wakes up on Christmas morning she is so excited to have her presents but the one thing she would love to have is a mother who doesn't suffer from depressive episodes. This is one of the main themes throughout the story, Diana is kind and thoughtful when she is 'normal' but is unpredictable when feeling 'not herself'.

I was around Esme's age in 1969 so it was nice to be able to identify with her a little, though I didn't have a pony of my own or be invited up to the Castle to celebrate Christmas! But she does love her mother very much and is anxious to please her, she also doesn't quite understand what's wrong with her.

The secrets alluded to on the cover were not difficult to guess early on, though there were one or two surprises later on.

The writing was very simple, easy to read and very descriptive. But I did find it quite dull in places and I only kept reading in the hope that it would get more interesting but, unfortunately, it didn't.

If you disagree or hate fox hunting then this may not be the book for you. I found it quite disturbing that two eleven year old girls went on the fox hunts and the pheasant shoots.

I also found it hard to believe that the man in charge of the stables could talk so harshly to the young girls, swearing and shouting at them, even when their parents were around. That would never have happened on Downton Abbey!

I liked Esme and her best friend Lexi, they were so lovely and unspoilt, really good characters.

Overall, it was an okay story, but I don't think I'll read another by this author.

From Carole's Book Corner

[London · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only made it to page 92. This book is as marketed to adults (“a modern day Nancy Mitford” and “Secrets, Scandal. Shame.” On the cover), but the protagonist Esme is an 11 year old girl. There was nothing on the book jacket to indicate this wasn’t an adult book. It’s also Quite shocking the way some of the adults talk around Esme. This book is Rather boring. I kept reading, thinking that the book must fast-forward to Esme as an adult, but it doesn’t. I think if you eliminated the cursing (and whatever “shame and scandal” occurs), this would be a fabulous kids’ book. The author is very descriptive in her writing style, but it wasn’t for me.

[Karen Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book quickly as I was really enjoying it but felt a little disappointed with the ending.

[Jo Ring · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy read.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing happened in this book. Totally Boring.

[Lisa Burgos · Rating 3 out of 5]

The insight into the feelings of a lonely little girl.

[Renate Andersen · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I finished reading this book, I had a lot of unanswered questions. The excessive hinting of a relationship between Diana and the Earl made me guess early on that Esme may be the Earls daughter. And I was waiting for this to be revealed to Esme, but it never happened.

And even though, as I said, the hinting of a relationship between her mother and the Earl was a "wee" bit more than needed, Esme never has the "Oh my God"-moment were she realizes that they're not just really good friends.

And her mother, there is a lot of hinting about what's wrong with her, but we never really get to know for sure, and neither does Esme.

At the end of the book, the Earl, who has finally left his horrible wife, seems to be the only one who has gone through any kind of transformation. We do get to meet Esme's mother on a good day, but Esme still doesn't know what's wrong with her, and her parents keep on their pretend-marriage while Diana obviously still is in love with the Earl. And Jimmy, what is he even doing there?

[Joy Bosworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unusually for me, I only read about a third of this book.
Although quite descriptive and well written I found it too infuriating to continue.
The chief protagonist is a pony-mad eleven year old one is supposed to feel sorry for.

She loves animals one gathers but then discovers this evidently does not include rabbits, foxes and anything else on the land her family have snatched out of their paws.
Her beloved pony is hard to handle so a painful bit is used but there are no Black Beauty types of pathos, just an acceptance that human entertainment matters more than that of the defenceless animals who cross the paths of the aristocracy and their hangers-on.

Probably knowing g that even now the author enjoys animal cruelty a d takes part I hunting abroad where it is still legal colours my view.
If you think the royal view of animal abuse is fine then you will love this book

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really could not get into this book at all but read on as I thought there must be something more to come.

The story is about an eleven year old girl called Esme and while I thought she might get older as the book progressed this wasn't the case. Its the kind of book a child could read if it were not for the fact the stable hand Jimmy particularly has awful language. I really couldn't figure who the authors audience was meant to be as the story lacked substance

I finally finished it but am left wandering why it took 300 or so pages to tell such a short story

[Jo Shaw · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to love this book. I loved the cover and the description and really thought it would be perfect for me. It was an easy read and the characters were nice. I also enjoyed the descriptions within the book. Unfortunately it lacked direction within the story, and fizzled out.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Gwendolyn Broadmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the Snow, by Susannah Constantine is an intriguing 1969 family drama. Snow isn't so common in Britain. Perhaps, at Christmastime, it's even a little exciting. Yet, all that nine year old Esme craves is for her mom please to be okay, also, for Father Christmas to remember their Lodge. Lexi's tried hard to be (mostly) a good girl. Okay, okay, perhaps two more things would be nice. Esme longs for a new riding hat. Also she doesn't want the snow to cancel their plans to see her best friend Lexi, daughter of the Earl and Countess. First Christmas church service, then off to Lexi's. All very exciting. But on the way to Culcairn Castle their stupid car gets stuck. They're forced to walk. Her older sister Sophia, and Daddy forge ahead, with Esme and Mummy trailing. Then Lexi loses Mummy in the deepening snow!! Secrets, scandals, and shame, all intertwined with compassionate housekeepers, mischievous Royalty, and debilitating mental illness. Still, there's precious little which can escape a bright, extremely inquisitive nine year old who deeply loves her Mummy. Gwendolyn Broadmore, author, Life Came to a Standstill

[Ophelia Sings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opening on the chill Christmas morning of 1969, After The Snow introduces 11 year old Esme, whose seemingly idyllic, privileged life hides a dark, devastating truth. Today will not be full of gifts and family and laughter and warmth - money cannot buy happiness for this little girl, forced to face adult traumas way too soon.

Constantine has given Esme a truly authentic voice, filled with naivety and innocence which throws into stark relief the horrors and sadness she witnesses. There is some beautiful, shimmering prose here, and characters are artfully drawn and well-fleshed - even if they do, sometimes, draw a little too much on stereotypes. However, the tale is a little slow at times and the ending suffers from the gauzy lack of definition and direction which the rest of the book is occasionally blighted by.

Overall, an evocative dose of Christmas nostalgia and an easy read, despite the often troubling subject matter.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol Fillmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it was a page turner but it has a couple of weaknesses. Characters feel like 'types' rather than like real people. Think more could have been done to develop the issue of mental illness and how it impacts the children in a family when a parent is afflicted. The daughters well aware of their mother's condition but their response is a bit flat. Maybe also work in a few key details of when the symptoms began and if there had been some trigger? On the positive side, atmosphere of a gothic novel clear by the second half of the novel. The author created suspense that continued to build throughout the story. She also left a question of the paternity of one of the daughters open. Hints given by a character who clearly had a grudge against Esme's mother, and was also jealous. By the end of the book it was unclear if that character might also be suffering from mental illness: her behaviour certainly was bordering on 'unhinged'.
I recommend this book. It's a great debut novel and will certainly be on the lookout for her next one.

[Gillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite liked this. I enjoyed the fact that the book was written from a child's perspective. An eleven year old girl loves her mother to bits but she has to watch her changing moods and is sometimes hurt by the seeming neglect that happens when her mother is on a downer. The book doesn't diagnose what is wrong but we get a pretty good idea from the events that unfold. All that being said she is a happy, kind girl who also has a great friendship with the little rich girl who lives in the castle nearby. The families are linked in many ways but, although we see it as adults, the little girl isn't perhaps quite sure of all the implications.... I didn't give it any more than three stars though because of the ending. I felt the author didn't quite know which ending to go for and it felt a bit like limp lettuce when it ended and left me thinking "oh is that it?". The friend who gave me the book felt exactly the same. An enjoyable read though, despite this.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

After The Snow by Susannah Constantine is a marvellous debut historical novel that totally enthralled me.
The novel is set in 1969. It is a bygone era (although part of my childhood!) and set in Scotland with the snow on the ground.
We follow two eleven year old girls who are friends. One is the daughter of an earl and the other lives in the gatehouse. We see the action through their eyes. There is an innocence to the proceedings. The reader can clearly see the affair between two characters but the girls are oblivious.
We witness the destructive quality of hate in an adult who is unbearably cruel to one young girl.
The young girls are the epitome of goodness. Their enthusiasm for life is infectious. They enjoy life and find fun lurking everywhere.
After The Snow was a fabulous read and I am sorry it is ended.

[Bobbi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fast and easy read with several characters that were developed enough to enjoy. Interesting as 1969 might have been, little effort was made to show a connection as the story could have taken place in other decades. Fox and pheasant hunting are unpleasant hobbies in my mind and having two eleven year old girls enthusiastically join ranks in these outings I found distasteful. The plot was shallow - the ending disappointing - there were no surprises - there were references to infidelity and severe mental health issues - Some clarity was found in the concept that no matter who you are or where you live, everyone shares hardships and burdens that are dealt with in various ways -but even that is a stretch — And then the book ends with a whimper in the guise of a party.

[MRS M R DUNNE · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure what I just read

I was irritated and charmed in almost equal measure, more irritated to be honest. I know it was placed in the era of hunting and so on but the casual way the fox was dispatched and talk of rabbiting and beating (pheasant shoots) p***ed me off, almost as though the author was being deliberately subversive.
I liked Esme though and the book was completely written from her point of view.
Anyway, I probably won’t read another by this author. I prefer this sort of thing done by Jilly Cooper.

[Martine Gillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a celebrity, I really despise the author, but to her credit she has written a book that I read in one evening, being that great a read I couldn't wait to see how darling Esme's life turned out. One can only speculate as to whom her father was so I'm wondering if that will lead to a follow up. A very plus point goes to the proof readers and printers, I did not spot a single spelling mistake in this book and for that alone, it should get 5 stars since many modern books seem so carelessly written and it always spoils my reading experience if there are spelling mistakes.

[Victoria Zigler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of this book was really good. The characters were interesting, and the plot was too. But the ending let it down, because nothing really happened in the end, except that suddenly everything was worked out. It was like a piece of the puzzle as to how we got to that ending was missing, or the author got bored and wanted to wrap things up quickly so she could go do something else. So I'm rounding up to four stars, because of how much I was enjoying the rest of the book, but my actual rating is 3.5 stars.

[Wendy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in two days. I was looking for something a bit lighter than the last book I read, and I found it in "After the Snow." Most of the story is revealed through the eyes of its youngest characters. Susannah did a great job of capturing their viewpoint and wonderment. This story isn't about the adults, so may seem a bit simple to some. But, if you can still remember what it's like to be a child, it all makes perfect sense. And if you can't remember, then this book may take you back there.

[Sally Coles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esme is a young girl growing up in a privileged lifestyle in the sixties, but the one thing that she really wants money can't buy...... and that is to have a mother who doesn't suffer from depression!

It is a simple storyline but it is what is written between the lines that is captivating and as a child of the same sort of age at that time I found it interesting to read about the lifestyle and the times

[Edwina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book would have been the perfect adolescent girlie book had it not been for the awful language used by Jimmy. Many things are merely hinted at, but left to the reader to resolve. a shallow read but nevertheless an enjoyable one.
It took me back to Little Women or Anne of Green Gables.I adored the Earl......but where was Colin?
The damp bed worried me.......I was frantic about digger.
But I did adore Esme, Mrs. B and mummy.......

[chlorinda naish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sadness

Sadness for the young girl, and her good friend who was a Lady, her mother was an evil Contessa who hated and was jealous of her daughter's friend, who's mother was in hospital, her daughter had actually saved her Mother from a fire that was in her bedroom, but the evil Contessa told her her Mother was mad and hated her,the daughter, which was a pack of lies, the Contessa was jealous because her husband loved the friends mother.

[Georgia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This novel certainly doesn't deliver what it promises. "A modern day Nancy Mitford" might be a little bit of a stretch.

The characters felt a little two dimensional, and the plot was always on the precipice of something interesting but never got there. In essence, there was no effective reveal of any secrets; leaving the reader dissatisfied.

However, the flow of the writing was decent. Very easy to read.

I'm surprised this novel wasn't marketed for a younger audience.

[Lea Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my usual interest but the story really draws you in until you become invested in the main character, Esme who is devoted to her family but is sadly overlooked perhaps because of the complications of her mother's health and the complexities of the two families on the estate. I felt it was a slow burn until suddenly it galloped along. I loved this book so much more than I expected to that I ordered the sequel 💗👍 It's a thumbs up for me.

[Janina s. Asselin · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshing story

Very enjoyable story, interesting people and fascinating descriptions of activities and traditions in England. The sweet innocence of the children and their activities was a pleasure to read about. The unfortunate adult problems were present but never allowed to overwhelm the story. I loved it!

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pleasant, descriptive read but slightly disappointing. You get a chapter of life featuring two different families and basically seen through the main character 11yrs old Esme. Sadly it didn't quite match upto the printed reviews, yes something happened, but all the secrets were just hinted at, never resolved - and at the end it just sort of fizzled out.