It’s difficult to relate to Nita and to Beth. Not just because of the time difference, but also because of the socioeconomics of the characters. There have been many WW2 novels written where the women worked because they HAD to, not just because they wanted to. I found the beginning of both characters to be whiny. Nita, in my opinion, grew out of it, but Beth never really did. However, I absolutely did not like Beth’s estranged husband, and felt that everything about him was selfish, even though the author tried to make him not that way. It just felt like “here’s the scenario and he’s a jerk but let me back track and write him nicer in another scene.”

I knew who the spy was the very second it was mentioned. But again, I was focused on Nita’s growth. I liked the parallel with both women working at the Bugle, the Manor home, and grounds. I wish there was a little more of the Wiccan pieces to it, and I would have liked Nita’s secret to have been revealed a bit earlier.

Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

I very much enjoy dual timeline historical fiction stories. This one missed the mark. The main characters came off as naive and were not relatable in my opinion. I’m sure others will enjoy this book. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

A lovely poignant story about two strong women in different timescales. I found it a bit slow in places but nonetheless a happy ending. Not many twists and turns or surprises but a gentle story capturing aspects of how women were treated during the war years and how modern day (2008) women have greater choices. I found the part off the book that dealt with the Wiccan beliefs really interesting and well researched

Overall an interesting read and I’d definitely recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

This is a past/present story that revolves around Beth and her great aunt, Nita. After Nita passes away, Beth is delegated by her overbearing family to straighten out the house, and get items ready for auction. Nita had been an important part of Beth's life until she turned 11 and her parents stopped sending her to spend summers at the family manor. However, Beth hadn't seen her for a long time. Beth is also estranged from her husband, and is struggling with her job in the family business- so this opportunity presents a way for her to get herself together and figure out her next steps. While cleaning, she remembers Nita's last words to her before she dies, the box in the attic holds the secrets. Beth discovers the box, and learns so much about her aunt. This sets up the mystery and dual narrative.

I have never read a book by this author. However, when I read the synopsis for this, it checked all my boxes: past/present timeline, mystery, family secrets. I really loved the two women's characters. Both were faced with difficult/domineering parents and expectations, challenges and mistakes. However, both women persevere in the face of trauma/danger. Nita in 1940/1941 begins a volunteer job at The Bugle- the local newspaper. When she is sent to interview a "crazy woman" who is part of a coven, and planning on casting a spell to defeat Hitler, I had to stop for a minute! However, the woman warns Nita that there is a Nazi spy in their midst, and this sets Nita on a dangerous path to discover who the spy is.

As Beth delves into her aunt's life, she works hard to put the clues together to figure out who the spy is, and why her aunt never married Joe- the other reporter that was helping Nita look into the spy allegations.

This story is so well written. I was completely engaged and mesmerized! I felt deeply for the characters, and felt their triumphs and heartbreak. There were quite a few plot twists that surprised me, but completely made sense. The setting also plays a key role in the story, becoming a character of itself- and you know I love it when authors do this! The mystery, when solved is satisfying and bittersweet. I have never read a book by Ms. Scott, however, I am going to rectify this! Great characters, mystery, setting, plot and pacing! Highly recommend this if you are looking for a deeper, engrossing story with strong characters!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

My thanks to Net Galley, Boldwood, and the personal invitation I received to review this book.

I did like this book. 2008 present day Beth goes back to her old family home to help settle her great aunt Nia estate while handling her husband wanting a divorce. Beth finds documents that reveal family secrets from the past.

There is a secondary timeline revealing Nia s story which ties into the present. Great story with 2 very strong women.

This was a strong historical novel that I was looking for and enjoyed from this type of book. The concept worked and enjoyed the two timelines going on. It was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. Victoria Scott did a great job in writing this and am excited for more.

The Story Teller’s Daughter by Victoria Scott is a highly moving and uplifting dual timeline that handles some difficult topics extremely well. Beautifully written, this story set in 1940/41 and 2008/09 takes us on a journey of two resilient women, Nita and Beth, who are from the same family but a few generations apart. We learn so much about their lives: their challenges, mistakes and choices concerning the situations they face. They handle those bumps along the road with determination and fervour. I was completely caught up in both of these women’s lives in different timelines equally. The pacing is perfect and the character building is highly developed so I felt I truly knew each of them thoroughly by the end of their stories. I love how the beginning and ending are finely laced together to create a touching whole picture.

Nita of 1940/41 timeline, has a secret that she wishes to share with her great niece Beth. Just before she passes, she tells her to look for a box in her old homestead. She has grown up in quite a prominent and controlling family. But in 1940 she is offered a chance to work at a newspaper which gives her the independence she craves. But her role begins and progresses quite differently than expected. She meets some interesting people, both at work and outside the office. A romance begins she never expected. But with the war on, will her new love be called away and taken from her? In the meantime, she pursues a story that suspects a German spy in their midst and goes about trying to uncover the truth of Mr X. In time, the revelations will both shock and rip her heart apart. Nita’s life will change drastically and her future will be altered as she finds herself standing in unknown territory.

Beth of 2008/09 timeline, is married with two children but her husband decides he wants to separate. This sends her into a state of turmoil and confusion. Why is this happening now? Her parents have never thought her husband was good for her and it seems now they might have been right. She has always done what they wanted but this one time she went against their wishes and now her marriage is in shambles. Even so, she does not regret her choice of loving her husband and the two beautiful children that their union provided. Far worse is the fact she has been under her parents controlling influence a long time. They have governed her every move, including making her ignore her own career choice. Instead she is pushed to work in Stellar, the family’s property business. Until of late, Beth has done what they asked but an incident occurs that puts her on the outs. Her parents aren’t as perfect as they would like everyone to think, either. Her mother is a successful novelist but has an alcohol problem and her father is a workaholic. Business is all he breathes and knows. Until something happens that shakes his less than solid foundation—exposing his own social and emotional deficits.

Once Nita passes, Beth is left tending to her great aunt’s dilapidated family manor. While getting appraisals and sorting out other affairs, she learns a lot about Nita and this place she loved so much. There is an enchanting forest around the property where spiritual pagan activities occurred. And while there, Beth learns all about it, after she meets Nita’s best friend’s daughter. This place was very special to Beth, too, and while tending to her great aunt’s affairs, she reconnects with those feelings she had as a child. She learns a lot about her great aunt’s pastoral and writing activities and pursuit of uncovering a spy.

This story has many layers concerning family and marital relationships, friendships and secrets. Also, added to the mix are mysterious elements of WW2 spies and Wiccan practitioners with plenty of surprises and dramatic plot twists! I truly enjoyed every minute on these pages that kept me pinned in suspense. Nita and Beth, two related women of amazing courage and strength, were fantastic characters who pushed boundaries, found solutions and achieved positive results in the end. There is also an excellent supporting cast, too. The Story Teller’s Daughter is a wonderful mesmerising, atmospheric tale I highly recommend. Without question, this a riveting 5 Star read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for a review copy.

1940: Sheltered by her family at their Surrey estage all her life, twenty-one year old Nita Bineham is given the chance of independence. When a friend of her father offers-her a non=paying position at his newspaper, Nita eagerly accepts his offer. At the same time, there are rumours of a Nazi spy in the quiet village and Nita is determined to prove herself by uncovering the truth and the identity of the spy.

2008: After the death of her great=aunt and with her life and marriage a disaster, Beth flees London for a quieter life in the Surrey countryside. Beth has always had an affinity with the dilapidated manor house, the gardens and the forest surrounding the house. Following her aunt's dying words, Beth searches in the attic and discovers old newspaper articles. She finds herself drawn into a decades old mystery, a long-buried secret and an enemy.

I loved this story. After recently reading another story by Victoria Scott The House on the Water, I was very keen to read The Storyteller's Daughter. In both books, an old house is a character in the story and, in a way, both stories connect. Thank you Victoria Scott and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this story prior to publication.

Always loved Victoria Scott's books, and she's 100% done it again with this one, the Storyteller's Daughter!
A dual timeline story told from the points of view of Nita Bineham in the 1940s and of her great niece Beth in the present age.
Nita is a bit of an enigma in her times. She's not got the figure and looks preferred in those times, but comes from a family of means. Her mother is lamenting the fact that the war has not given her daughter a chance to be presented to society, meaning less chance of a suitable match. And on top of it all, there are less men around seeing as they are all being called up.
Her father engineers a chance for Nita to escape the house for a few days here and there, helping at the local paper, and what was meant to be a little break, ends up becoming a huge part of her life as she embarks upon a career as a junior reporter.
On her deathbed, Nita requests that her great-niece, Beth, find a box in the attic with secrets for her to unfold.
For Beth, this strange task comes at the perfect time though she doesn't realise it. Suffering the news that her own marriage is about to end, and that her job in the family business is quite possibly not going to be there for her, she embarks upon an adventure, mourning her great aunt, and trying to piece clues together to solve the cryptic puzzle that Nita has left her.
Pages were turned, quicker and quicker as I became absorbed in this story.
I've always loved dual timelines done well, and throw the war years into it, and I am hooked! The way Nita and Beth's lives and connections come full circle kept me reading.
Fantastic story!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an ARC.

3.8 stars
One Liner: A bit slow but poignant

My Thoughts:
The prologue provides a great hook and hints at the danger we’ll read about. However, it is a snippet from one of the later chapters. While I like prologues, I want them to add extra value to the plot and not repeat an existing element. That means a certain reveal is exposed right on the first page and is not suspenseful.
The first 25% is slow as the foundation is established in both timelines. Thankfully, the pace picks up a little after 30% or so. The alternating chapters ensure we get enough information in both timelines. It does feel a little strange to read the past track in the present tense but okay. Not a deal breaker.
For a change, I liked both timelines well. The characters are flawed but not annoying. They make mistakes but are willing to learn and do what’s right for their future. I also like the parallels between Nita and Beth’s arcs though the situations are different. We can still see the similarities, though.
The parents in this book are ugh! The side characters are good; be it Harriet or Rowan, I like how sweet and affectionate they are. Kindness matters.
Things come together well at the end. There’s even a surprising twist which I liked a lot. The ending is hopeful and positive with a hint of potential love. It doesn’t overpower the plot at any point.
Wiccan has a dominant role in the book. I didn’t expect that but well, I like all things pagan, so this is good. The definition is positive and well-presented. I wouldn’t have minded a little more detail into this element. Also, I’m not sure if the ‘possibly paranormal but maybe rational’ events that happen in the book. You either make them supernatural or you don’t.
WWII is the backdrop for the past timeline but the focus is on Nita and her life. Of course, the book deals with many themes like gender discrimination, war, working-class troubles, financial concerns, selfish parents, marital trouble, etc. One piece of advice by Rowan was wonderful. Appreciate that.
While the title fits the story in two ways, I still don’t think it is that suitable for the overall plotline. But then, I have enough trouble naming my stories, so don’t listen to me!

To summarize, The Storyteller's Daughter is a poignant and slightly heavier read about love, life, second chances, relationships, and finding oneself.
I liked it a lot more than the author’s previous book (The House on Water), so I’m looking forward to her next release.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This was my first Victoria Scott book but it certainly won't be the last.
I loved the dual timelines for Nita from 1940/41 and Beth 2008/09, which allowed us to slowly learn more about each of these wonderfully strong women.
Some hard topics dealt with so beautifully and I loved learning about Wicca too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was totally engrossed in this dual timeline story. Modern day Beth slowly reveals the family secrets while her aunt Nita defies convention during the war.
A great read that I would highly recommend

With a story about an old English manor house I expected a story where family secrets came out but not one about witches and spies. The Storyteller’s Daughter grabs you immediately, and then unfolds seamlessly over a dual timeline with Nita in 1940 and Beth in 2008. I enjoyed the way that whilst both women’s stories were quite different, they had a lot in common. Both ended up working at The Bugle, were involved in a scandal fitting of the time and learned of their privilege.

Covering a number of topics including class divides, food banks, alcoholism, local newspapers dying off and Wicca. I loved how these topics were interwoven to the story and despite being nearly twenty years ago, still very relevant for today. The house and gardens sounded lovely, I found the historical components well researched. It was an engaging story, I didn’t pick the twists. The main characters both were well fleshed out and engaging and there were a good mix of secondary characters, some of which were very frustrating but added to the story well. I enjoyed Victoria’s authors notes and her family connection ton to the novel. My first by her and I’m keen to read more.

I was unsure about this book having read the blurb again and the reviews. But it was in the end a worthwhile read.

This was a dual timeline book - Nita’s story set in WW2 - where morals were different and in 2008 - Beth’s story. I have to admit I found Beth annoying and found myself wishing she would find her backbone and stand up for herself - which eventually she does. Nita seems unloved and when she finds love she is abandoned to her fate. It was obvious to me the outcome of this part of the story.

However the book was well written and obviously well researched. Wiccan faith and beliefs was new to me but interesting to read about different viewpoints. It did dispel some of my preconceptions.

The book was slow in parts but I found myself wanting to get to the end to find out how the ends would be tied together. It did run full circle in the end

A lovely read, with a lovely ending. This book didn’t grip me quite as much as I hoped, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. Nita was such a fascinating character, and the parallels between her life in the 1940s and her great-niece Beth’s in the 2010s were smartly woven together. Some parts could have been more detailed, but overall it was a solid read.

3.5 stars out of 5 ⭐️

I loved this book! As a huge fan of historical fiction I had high hopes for this one and It certainly delivered! Set over a duel timeline with some deep and wonderful characters, a beautiful but twisty story that will keep you guessing throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

A dual storyline set in both WWII and 2008. One of the two main characters (Beth) has returned to her aunt's home to see her before her death. Her last words (Nita) to her niece instructs her to find a box in the attic. WIth the discovery of the papers in it, Beth begins her search as to who her aunt was and how she was involved in finding undercover German agents during the war. I found the book very slow in the beginning but it picked up and I enjoyed it. A good novel for historical fiction readers.

I love a good historical mystery and this one was wonderful! This story has dual timelines and we follow Nite and Beth on their adventures. This one drew me in from the very beginning.

I devoured this book, I loved everything about it and couldn't put it down. I love historical fiction and more importantly I love a historical mystery and this reminded me so much of the The Lost Bookshop. I will definitely be recommending to my historical fiction lover friends

1940: Nita Bineham lives at her family’s Surrey estate Melham Manor, her mother is trying to marry her off and she grabs the chance to help out at the local newspaper The Bugle. Around the same time a rumour is going around Melham Village, of a Nazi spy and Nita is determined to find out who it is and she has no idea she has met the person and what happens will change the direction of her life and future.

The story has a dual timeline and it alternates from 1940 to 1941 and 2008 to 2009 and is told from the two main female characters points of view and is very easy to follow.

2008: Beth dashes to Surrey to visit her great- aunt before she passes away, her mother in particular didn’t like her influence she had over Beth when she was a child and thought she was downright odd. The manor house has been in the family for over a century, here Beth hides away from the wreckage of her life, she made an embarrassing mistake at work and her marriage is falling apart. Beth finds herself drawn into a solving a decade old mystery, she has to locate a box in her great-aunts cluttered attic and undercover a long kept secret following cryptic clues and it includes a prediction of a coven of witches.

I received a copy of The Storyteller’s Daughter by Victoria Scott from NetGalley and Boldwood books in exchange for an unbiased review. I love reading stories about old houses, this one grabbed my attention from the start and I really liked Nita and Beth’s characters.

The narrative focuses on topics such as domineering parents, something both Nita and Beth had in common, overcoming obstacles and dealing with difficult relationships and with the help of like-minded women and living in a community that sticks together. Beth starts looking at her life and re-evaluates what she wants for herself and children and the importance of the house and the surrounding land and forest.

Five stars from me, I’m interested in pagan ideas around witchcraft, a modern form of Wicca, rituals and affinity with the moon, land and plants and all of this is included in the well written novel and I’m keen to read The House in The Water by Ms. Scott and I have a copy.