Six years after a young boy disappears in an English village, and two years after the end of the Great War, the police are knocking on the door of a dilapidated estate home with evidence that they believe links the occupants to the case. The arrival of a detective sergeant coincides with the hiring of a new housekeeper and caregiver, who finds herself swept up in the family's drama as dark secrets come to light.

This story was so unique and compelling, a real cat-and-mouse mystery that kept me listening intently. Anita Frank did a great job of describing the characters, setting, and action in a way that I could picture in my head (something that isn't always easy for me when I'm reading). I really liked the audiobook -- the narrator was outstanding, especially during the really suspenseful, action-packed scenes. The ending was really satisfying, after many twists and turns that I did not expect.

I would happily read more from this author!

While the historical setting and intricate character backstories are compelling, the story ultimately failed to fully capture my interest. Detective Sergeant Verity's investigation into a boy’s disappearance and the unraveling of the Stilwell family’s secrets held potential, but the pacing and atmosphere didn’t quite deliver the suspense or engagement I had hoped for. Despite its intriguing premise, the narrative lacked the gripping tension needed to make it truly memorable.

This was interesting. The narrator was great. I enjoyed the paranormal aspect and the setting. I haven’t read many hf set around wwI.

Thanks to Harper Audio & NetGalley for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What really sold me on this book was the voice acting - Kristin Atherton is superb. You're never left wondering which character you're listening to.

The story itself is quite good and well-written (although I feel like some of this ground has been tread in a previous Maisie Dobbs novel?). Sarah Hove is the new housekeeper at Darkacre, an old pile of a manor that's starting to crumble from lack of upkeep. Its residents are brothers Leonard and Maurice Stilwell, Maurice's beautiful wife, Ida, and their longtime family friend Victor. The three men have all been in WWI together, and Leonard has lost both legs and an arm; Maurice clearly has PTSD, and only Victor has had just mild injuries and no shell shock. They have lost the oldest brother, Hugo, in the war, and both parents are dead. Ida has made enemies in the town center by having passed out white feathers to underage boys, encouraging them to join up by suggesting they are cowards. Sarah is meant to be taking over Leonard's care, and it's not long before the police are sniffing around, asking about a boy who went missing in 1914. New evidence suggests that he was last seen in the woods around Darkacre; do the residents know anything about that?

Adding to the feeling of dread are some spectral visions and smells, most associated with the late Hugo. The group can smell his favorite pipe tobacco, or can they? Maurice goes into a decline in his mental health after hearing Germans whispering in his room in the dark while he's trying to sleep. And, apparently, Sarah can see, and perhaps communicate, with the dead.

The most compelling character is Sergeant Verity, who arrives day after day, finally needing to stay at Darkacre after the bridge to the manor gives out in a violent storm. Verity is also an injured WWI veteran, as evidenced by his face, partially covered by a galvanized copper painted mask. His injury has left him with a strange, lisping voice, which he puts to good use carefully interrogating the house's inhabitants.

I was a little let down by the ending (the twist was subtle, and in retrospect, quite obvious), but the richly detailed plot more than makes up for it, and Atherton's performance is a revelation. 4 stars

It starts slow and there were a few times I had to listen again to some parts because it moved so quickly. It’s an excellent look into the lasting horrors of World War I and how a family secret can poison everything. A delicious historical mystery. While half the characters are unlikable, it makes it all the sweeter when things begin to happen.