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The Secret Heiress

Luke Devenish

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Jan 14, 2016 Tracey rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery, crime, historical, fiction, romance, australian, thriller, netgalley, 2016

In this Australian gothic novel two young women 17 years apart, find themselves entangled in the mystery that surrounds the inhabitants of Summersby House.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints as we start with Ida and then switch to Biddy.
We start in 1886 with Ida, young, impressionable and highly inquisitive is about to commence employment at the most prestigious property in Castlemaine, Victoria. What Ida perceives to be a wonderful new career in housekeeping to work with a Mistress, w In this Australian gothic novel two young women 17 years apart, find themselves entangled in the mystery that surrounds the inhabitants of Summersby House.
The story is told in alternating viewpoints as we start with Ida and then switch to Biddy.
We start in 1886 with Ida, young, impressionable and highly inquisitive is about to commence employment at the most prestigious property in Castlemaine, Victoria. What Ida perceives to be a wonderful new career in housekeeping to work with a Mistress, who has personally selected her instead turns into uncertainty as her new employer had died. For Ida finds herself in a house racked with grief and a sinister man servant who seems to have too much influence and control over the running of Summersby House.
You then cut to 1903 years later to headstrong Biddy who is good at telling a yarn, gets into trouble too easily and she runs away to Castlemaine. Biddy finds herself employed at Summersby House and begins to unravel the mystery that surrounds the people who live there.
The mystery is well layered with lashings of sinister overtones throughout. The story weaves rather effortlessly through time keeping the mystery alive and keeping you engaged as you try to find the clues of what plagues Summersby House.
It was Ida’s story that I found myself drawn to and wanted to remain in her version of the mystery. Her voice resonates with you and her pain is raw. There is one scene that is traumatic and demonstrated the danger of being a female servant.
As for Biddy, while her story was engaging I was not as enamoured with her character. On a personal note as a reader there were times when I was annoyed when Biddy’s story came back into play as I really wanted to read more about Ida.
From Castlemaine in country Victoria to the hustle and bustle of an emerging Melbourne you can easily walk the streets and wander in the stores. As the world that Luke Devenish has created is well researched, deftly brought to life on the page and gives the story added depth.
There is some great twists and turns in and it is extremely difficult to review without giving the ending away.
Devenish has put to page a highly engaging Australian Gothic novel that should be included in future book club reading lists as the ending will bring about a great deal of discussion.
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1 like · Like · see review

Jan 13, 2016 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out marked it as to-read

Shelves: arc-are, provided-by-publisher, aussie-author

Jan 13, 2016 Blue Eyed Vixen marked it as to-read

Jun 06, 2020 Tien marked it as to-read · review of another edition

Shelves: kindle, historical-fiction

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