This is a well written novel. It is told over multiple timelines and has a great plot. The characters are well developed. This was such a page turner.

The story:
1963
When Eleanor is forced to flee her violent and fanatical father, she has little choice but to trust enigmatic poet Lyndon Chance when he offers her the chance to stay at his family’s rambling Cornish manor, Estuary House. But Eleanor soon finds herself part of another fractured family…

Present day
Taylor Pierce has faced a lot of struggles in her young life. Coming to Estuary House to complete a research study for her Master’s degree, she has more than conservation on her mind, determined to learn more about the mysteries surrounding the Chance family from so long ago. But when the events of the past start to blur with the present, will Taylor be able to discover what really happened so many years ago, while navigating her growing feelings for the current Mr Chance?

My thoughts:
“The Manor House”, by Jane Holland is a great page turner! The story unfolds over two timelines in alternate chapters, with Eleanor in 1963 and Taylor in the present day. I particularly enjoyed both of the lead characters — both had experienced terrible childhoods, but had emerged determined to find their place in the world on their own terms.

Estuary House is a suitably mysterious setting for the events to unfold, and even in 1963 it has clearly seen better days. The Chance family seem a generally unpleasant bunch, but the dislike between poet Lyndon and his twin brother Oliver seems to run deeper than the typical sibling rivalry, and we gradually discover what has driven them to turn on each other and the horrifying consequences of their family’s strange relationships. Lyndon’s interests in both tarot and using a ouija board also lend a suitably spooky air to events.

In the present day, the manor is in a neglected state, with the only inhabitants Lyndon Chance’s elderly widow and her grandson Julius. The mysteries and suspicions that dogged the poet’s life are still casting a shadow over the family he has left behind and Julius is reluctant to allow Taylor to get close to him or his grandmother. But Taylor is a very empathetic person, and the atmosphere around Estuary House is one she can’t ignore, nor will the ghosts of its past let her. She is driven by her own past to make sense of the mysterious Lyndon’s history.

Overall I found this to be a very enjoyable mystery that I read very quickly in my desire to understand the “murder and mayhem” of the Chance family! Recommended to all fans of historical family mysteries with a hint of the supernatural!

I loved this book’s dual timeline structure. As the slips story between the present day and 1963, there is a growing sense of mystery and intrigue that kept me hooked. The Manor House offers a well-paced plot and great characters, making it a thoroughly enjoyable read (I particularly warmed the young Eleanor). I also liked the rich descriptions of the Cornish setting, and the poetry themes in the book.

Secrets from the past and present were cleverly unravelled to deliver a satisfying ending.

I actually enjoyed this book. I am not a dual timeline fan in general as I prefer sticking to the present particularly in mystery books but the storyline is well written and easy to follow and the mystery intriguing.

The most enjoyable aspect for me is the Cornwall scenery which is really well written and a pleasure to read.

Jane Holland is a new author for me and as an avid reader I look forward to reading more of her books.

Would absolutely recommend this book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, so much that I plan to go back and read her other published books. Unfortunately, my library does not carry any books by her. In the same style of other female writers like Victoria Holt or Daphne DuMaurier, the book is centered around a heroine who becomes involved with a strange poet on the coast of Cornwall. In later years, the story picks up as a young researcher tried to find the hidden meanings of the poems . Alternating between the two time periods. family secrets will be revealed. Highly recommended.

This was a completely intriguing and engrossing dual time novel that contained mystery and suspense.

In 1963, Eleanor meets poet, Lyndon Chance. She comes from an abusive family and Lyndon offers her the chance of an escape. She moves to Cornwall and becomes involved with the whole Chance family.

In the present, Taylor is a student working on her thesis about Chance who now has a very unpleasant reputation. Despite his grandson's reservations she digs into the past to discover what really happened.

The characters are richly drawn, the family tension is well explored and the linkages between the two time periods are clever. The book explores themes of the supernatural, the power of poetry, love and death.

This is a very written and enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Dash for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Look at that cover. Don't you just wish you could fall into this picture and visit this house. I was pulled into this modern day gothic story and thoroughly enjoyed the dual timelines which were wonderfully interwoven. I was engaged in finding out the secrets of the earlier timeline and the poet Lyndon Chance and his "wife" Eleanor.

Read in one sitting and enjoyed.

Many thanks to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily.
The blurb promises a gripping dual timeline novel and the book lived up to this promise. Threatening menace fills the pages from the start with hints about abuse in the childhoods of Eleanor and Taylor, and secrets within Lyndon's family linked with ghosts, spirits and Tarot cards ensure the readers' interest is maintained throughout the multiple twists and turns the story takes. Happy endings are not achieved for everyone but the reader sees all loose ends tied satisfactorily, which is essential in such a complex tale. It's unusual and engaging, I couldn't put it down til I'd finished it.

I've read and enjoyed previous books by Jane set in Cornwall so I couldn't wait to read this one set in different timelines. She really does bring Cornwall to life. Its well written with a great cast of characters. Loved it from start to finish and looking forward to reading more from this author

1963. When Eleanor meets famous young poet, Lyndon Chance, he offers a way to flee her abusive father. In return, she must pretend to be Lyndon’s wife. He takes her home to a Tudor manor on the Camel Estuary in Cornwall, where she finds herself in the middle of a feud between Lyndon and his twin brother, Oliver. It’s soon clear that the old house hides many dark secrets. But could they be a threat to Eleanor?
Now. Taylor has come to idyllic Cornwall to research for her Master’s thesis, combining her love for conservation with a personal interest in Chance’s poetry. Haunted by her own tragic past, Taylor finds Chance’s notoriety fascinating. If only the poet’s grandson, Julius, wasn’t so determined to thwart her attempts to uncover his family secrets.
As Eleanor realises she’s out of her depth at Estuary House, drawn to Lyndon like a moth to a flame, Taylor and Julius must fight their own attraction - but could shadows from the past tear them all apart?

This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great drama and romance with wonderful world building.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.

This was my first read by the author Jane Holland. I loved the premise of the book. Young woman escaping an abusive family life, taken in by an upper class family and given a chance at a new life. Very Victoria Holt, Phyllis Whitney sounding.

The book starts in 1963 with Eleanor who goes to a poetry reading by Lyndon Chance, she asks some questions that peak his interest. That evening she returns home to her abusive father and decides to leave. Seeking out Lyndon Chance for a ride out of town, he offers to take her to his family home in Cornwall. A bit taken aback at first, Eleanor accepts his offer as her future prospects are dire. Once in Cornwall she meets Lyndon’s twin brother Oliver and realizes all is not as it seems with the Chance family, especially since Lyndon asks her to pretend to be his wife. What has she gotten herself into?

In the present we have Taylor a young woman working on her thesis about Lyndon and determined to uncover his secrets, despite the resistance of his grandson. What happened in the past to Lyndon, Eleanor and Oliver and how does it reverberate through to the present?

This was an intriguing dual time novel that had great tension and mystery. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more books from Ms. Holland.

Thanks to Netgalley, Orion Dash and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in. Atmospheric, haunting and superbly paced.

Despite the weird reading experience of reading an arc that still had revision notes from the author in it and thus spoilers, I enjoyed this a lot. It reminded me of Mary Stewart (if she had written dual timeline novels). It might even have been a five star book if I had a clean copy.

I read ‘Forget Her Name’ by author Jane Holland and loved it so I always planned to read more of her writing. This is a very nicely written novel that tells the story over different timelines, great characters and a well paced plot.

Eleanor met a famous young poet named Lyndon Chance in 1963 when she was looking for a way to escape from her abusive father. Lyndon Chance agrees to help her flee but asks in return that she pretends to be his wife. They travel to his family home, a Tudor manor on the Camel Estuary in Cornwall, where she meets the rest of Lyndon’s family. Lyndon and his twin brother are at war with each other and Eleanor soon learns that the old house hides many dark secrets.

When the timeline moves to present day we meet Taylor, who has come to Cornwall to research for her Master’s thesis. Taylor is haunted by her own tragic past and finds Chance’s poetry and notoriety fascinating. Her attempts to uncover family secrets are resisted by the poet’s grandson, Julius who does his best to stop any secrets coming to light.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Orion Dash for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely love this book from start to finish.

I’ve always loved this author anyway, and I was really excited to read this, I wasn’t disappointed at all.

I’ve always loved a novel that jumps between time periods, and this was no exception. A really atmospheric read, and brilliant characters.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. What a great read, great storyline, great characters and a real page turner. Would recommend to other readers