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Writer Hannah Armstrong has been commissioned to write the story of Grace Darling, a Victorian heroine who became famous after performing an amazing history following a shipwreck off the coast of the town of Bamburgh in north eastern England. For Hannah, this is a chance to come home for a while to spend time in the town she grew up and with her stepmother Diana. However, Hannah has never really been that enthralled with the tale of Grace Darling. She is much more interested in the story of Dorothy Forster, sister to a rebel Jacobite general, but she has a job to do, and she will do it. When she sees a portrait of Dorothy on the wall in her family home she is enthralled by the picture, and by all the Jacobite symbolism.
What she doesn't expect when she arrives at Bamburgh is to find that Diana has been keeping big secrets from her, and it means that she will need to spend more time in town than she first planned. It turns out though that there are many secrets, and as Hannah researches both stories, she begins to find more and more threads that link directly to her, and somewhat disturbingly that lead to some uncomfortable truths about her brother, Brandon.
Whilst this is a dual timeline, in effect we are getting three stories for the price of two. We find out more details about Grace's story as Hannah researches and writes. We get to see Dorothy Forster's story as it unfolds in the past. Dorothy is the person who keeps their household running. Her father is mentally absent most of the time and is very unwell, her older brother is mixed up in all sorts of trouble, including the Jacobite rebellion which aims to return Prince James Stuart to the British throne at the expense of King George I. Her younger brother Nicholas is away at Oxford studying, so Dorothy is most shocked when she finds out that he too is involved in the Jacobite conspiracy. Her uncle, Lord Crewe, is determined that the family name will not be tainted in any conspiracy as he knows that there is a risk that they will all be implicated, and he is prepared to use Dorothy as a marriage pawn if he needs to, much to her dismay.
As both stories progress, there is an echo through the generations, both in terms of the difficult familial dynamics, the feelings that Dorothy and Hannah have for men that they don't believe that they could or should have. Dorothy was also the keeper of a talisman, known as The Rose. The talisman has been lost to history, but as Hannah researches it becomes clear that someone believes in the power of The Rose and will do anything to have it.
I first became interested in Jacobite history after reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, but it really caught me once i read a number of Susanna Kearsley's books, starting with The Winter Sea. There were parts of this book that really reminded me of Kearsley's stories in terms of there being an almost mystical connection between some of the characters. Reading this book made me wish I had time to reread some of my favourites from her, or maybe I should just read her latest book! Either way would work for me I think!
I liked this book because it told the story of English Jacobites rather than just focussing on the Scottish history. We were in Scotland last year and we heard a lot about the Jacobites. We even visited the famous Glenfinnan monument to them, which is handily located right near the famous viaduct that the Harry Potter train crosses over!
Very early on in the book there is a passage about some glassware. Many years ago now, the National Gallery of Victoria had an exhibition of Jacobite glassware which I spent ages looking at. Some of these were meant to be used to communicate hidden political sympathies, and others were more overt. I couldn't help but think of that display when I read this passage.
"I can't tell you how lovely it is to have you staying for more than just a few days," Diana said later, over dinner of shepherd's pie accompanied by some of the expensive red wine Hannah had brought with her. Diana had served the meal on the 'good' china with some antique crystal glasses she had bought in an antique shop in Alnwick.
"As soon as I saw them, I knew I had to have them," Diana had told her when Hannah had commented on them. "They came from a house clearance over at Adderstone. You remember the old manor house there? It's been derelict for years, but apparently its being turned into holiday flats now. The antiques dealer said these were quite a find."
"They're beautiful," Hannah had said truthfully, but in fact they were so fragile that she felt nervous to touch them. Hers was engraved with a circle of entwined oak leaves and Diana's had a rose on it. In the cupboard on the wall, Hannah could see the rest of the set sparkling in the light, each with a different motif - a butterfly, sunflower, crown and rosebuds. The symbols were the same as the ones in the portrait of Dorothy Forster in the hall.
I had not previously read Nicola Cornick before. Looking at her backlist there are a number of her older books that I would like to read at some point!
I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, the Bookish Books challenge hosted at Bloggin' Bout Books and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge when I host here. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.
Rating 4/5
About the book
The Secrets of the Rose
Bestselling author Nicola Cornick’s brand-new heart-breaking historical tale of unforgettable courage, hidden secrets and lasting love, perfect for fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory and Christina Courtenay.
1715: With the country on the brink of rebellion, Dorothy Forster’s life at Bamburgh Hall is ruled by the men in her life – her feckless brothers stirring up trouble at court, her elderly father with his dangerous secrets and the man she loves who the world seems determined to keep her apart from. As tensions grow, Dorothy finds herself caught between the warring factions, danger everywhere. Then Dorothy discovers her family are the keepers of the legendary Rose, the talisman both sides believe will guarantee them victory in this deadly conflict. Now Dorothy will have to risk everything to keep the Rose safe; the fate of the country and the men she loves rests in her hands.
Present Day: Hannah Armstrong has returned home to Bamburgh Hall for work but when she discovers that her stepmother Diana has been keeping worrying secrets, her focus shifts to getting to the truth. Their family home once belonged to heroic Dorothy Forster, whose portrait graces the walls and whose spirit lingers in her home, but soon Hannah learns that there was much more to this formidable woman. Because Dorothy left behind a mysterious legacy and it’s not long before Hannah realises it’s one people are willing to kill for. Now Hannah is in a race against time to unravel the secrets of the past before danger arrives at their door.
Two women divided by time but bound by a centuries’ old mystery. Bestseller Nicola Cornick is back with a brand-new thrilling adventure, a heartbreaking love story and the unforgettable story of how the courage of one woman can save a family and even save a nation.
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/SecretsOfTheRose
About the Author
Nicola Cornick is the international bestselling and award – winning historian and author of over 40 novels featuring women from the footnotes of history. Translated into 25 languages and previously published by HQ, her first book for Boldwood, set in the time of Charles II, will be released in March 2024.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: @Nicola.Cornick
Twitter: @NicolaCornick
Instagram: @NicolaCornick
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Bookbub profile: @NicolaCornick
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