Trying to escape the reality she now faces herself in, Beth finds herself in her aunt's mansion, days after she has passed to find a secret trunk she has hidden in the attic. When curiosities get the better of her she finds the trunk filled with old newspaper articles circling an old mystery which she intends to bring back to life. Following her aunts footsteps she finds herself at newspaper she used to work at to hopefully track down the answer her aunt was unable to. Following in dual timeline we see how both women find themselves in their predicaments and if either is able to figure out what truly happened.

Thank you Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. When reading this book I found the intro to be alike a few other books I've read this year and actually had to double check I wasn't rereading said book. However once we get into the story I found it compelling and wanted to know how many of the storylines finished (like the newspaper, the mystery as a whole and the development of the land). Overall it was a nice read and would definitely recommend to those who love historical fiction.

This was a very unique read; not a typical historical fiction. It’s really like a mystery set in multiple time periods. I liked it overall. I appreciated that it was very different than usual WW2 reads. I really liked Beth and Nita. The part I did not care for was the Wiccan part of the story. It was very surface level but, as a Christian, I don’t read things to do with witchcraft. Personally could have done without it. At the beginning of the novel, I was very intrigued and excited to keep reading. All the way until maybe the 75% mark and then I started getting a bit bored. The mystery just sort of fizzled out. Still enjoyed it though.

Content warnings- light witchcraft, no sexual content, I don’t remember any profanity (if there was it was very infrequent and forgettable).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Beth’s Great Aunt Nita whispers to her about an old mystery just before she dies. Beth is suddenly wrapped up in trying to solve this mystery and her current life.
This story is told with dual timelines. It started out a little slow and I wasn’t too sure about it. Much to my relief it picks up and I found myself completely engrossed in both story lines. Definitely add to your list

This was a pretty good book! I liked how there were two different timelines and i enjoyed seeing how they tied together. It was fun and entertaining to read, it kept me intrigued throughout the whole book. I love a good story about a bookshop too, it just always has a cozy vibe to it, and this book did too!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

The Storyteller's Daughter by Victoria Scott

A dual-timeline story of Beth in 2008/9 and her great-aunt Nita in 1940/1, with a mystery at its heart which comes to light as a result of Nita's dying words to Beth.

What a fabulous story - I couldn't read it quick enough! Loved Beth and Nita, and how they overcome their respective challenges, particularly regarding their domineering parents, with the help of other women. I also loved the manor house and community aspect of the story - it gave a really fresh take on old houses/landed gentry. And the mystery aspect of the story was really compelling too. Very VERY highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Thank you for the opportunity for an early read. I enjoyed Victoria’s first two books (I still need to read book 3).

This was an enjoyable dual timeline read. Loved seeing how Nita and Beth’s lives changed as they dealt with unsupportive parents. Loved reading the author notes about the research and inspiration behind the story.

I wanted to like this book but I found it slow and hard to get into. I usually give each book I read a 50 page start and then will continue if I’m into it.

What a beautiful gem of a book. This dual timeline is captivating, and I especially loved the fact that this book does NOT involve the same old trope, woman down on her luck saved and loved by the grumpy carpenter, neighbor etc. This book showed a woman who wasn't the strongest, empowering HERSELF over time, doing things she thought she couldn't, surviving things that hurt, and being a stronger, more empowered woman and all around better person for it.

Love the historical element, the plants/magical/whimsy element, the focus on community element. A truly lovely book, highly recommend.

Set in two rimeslines I loved how the worlds and generations collide in this beautiful wartime tale.

It is a wonderful read and the characters brought emotion and intrigue.

The author is a brilliant storyteller and secrets, sadness and eventually healing make this a recommended read

A compelling dual-timeline story that masterfully blends wartime intrigue with a modern search for truth, revealing secrets that echo across generations.