The Secret Thread

by Eve Chase

At a lavish summer party on an English country estate, tensions between social classes lead to deadly consequences that won’t stay buried in this twisty, engrossing suspense novel by the author of The Midnight Hour.

Even the darkest secrets unravel in time. . . .

2024: Jo O’Mara, a young writer, lands a job working for Mimi Mott, a wealthy style icon and legendary founder of a decorating empire. Newly widowed and in her seventies, Mimi is preparing to auction off her possessions, through them finally telling the story of her early life. Famously private, Mimi has kept her past shrouded in mystery. Jo doesn’t dare reveal how closely it touches her own.

Tasked with collecting the untold tales behind each auction lot, Jo peels back the layers of Mimi’s origin story and discovers it’s far darker than anyone ever suspected.

1969: Mimi and her sister, Pamela, live in a cramped, musty staff cottage on the grounds of Rushwood, an idyllic English country estate owned by the Caswell family, their demanding new employer. Working alongside their gardener parents, the girls have been raised with their hands in the soil and know only a traditional, simple life—but spirited Mimi hungers for more.

When the Caswells’ adult children, Nancy and Lawrence, arrive at Rushwood for the summer, the sisters are drawn into a privileged, intoxicating world, unsettling their own, and passions spark under the blazing sun—until a shattering death at Rushwood’s high-society party tears Mimi and Pamela apart.

Now time is running out. Jo discovers both a missing auction piece and a missing sister and vows to find them no matter how dark the secret they expose—or the cost to herself.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

368 pages, Paperback

First published May 28, 2026

About the author

Eve Chase is an internationally bestselling British novelist who writes rich, layered and suspenseful novels. Including R&J pick, no.1 kindle bestseller The Midnight Hour, The Birdcage, The Glass House (The Daughters of Foxcote Manor, US) Sunday Times top ten and Richard and Judy Book Club pick, The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde (The Wildling Sisters, US) longlisted for the HWA Gold Crown Award, and Black Rabbit Hall, winner of Paris' Saint-Maur en Poche prize for Best Foreign Fiction.

Say hello @evepollychase on Instagram, X, and Facebook

Reviews

[Shelley's Book Nook · Rating 3 out of 5]

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⭐⭐⭐1/2
The Secret Thread
Eve Chase
Publication Date: June 30th, 2026
Ballantine Books
368 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: General Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers | Women's Fiction

I love me a good atmospheric mystery mixed with family dramarama. This one features sibling rivalry, which I will never understand as I am close to my siblings.

We're given two timelines. The first is the summer of '69 and the second is in the present. In the present, Jo gets a job working for an older designer, Mimi. Mimi has recently lost her spouse and decides to auction her stuff. Jo is given the job of cataloguing everything, and while doing so, reveals the stories behind the items. Jo has a secret agenda, though—Mimi and Jo's pasts are intertwined.

In 1969, we're at a country estate called Rushwood. Mimi is a teenager, and she and her sister, Pamela, live in a tiny cottage on the estate because their parents are the gardeners. Mimi dreams of a better life, and when the older children of the owners come home, both sisters are lured into the high-flown lifestyle. Then, everything is thrown into chaos after a mysterious death during a party on the estate. This tears the sisters apart, and the family is left in tatters afterward.

The author's writing style is engaging, and her descriptions of the estate and the parties were wonderful. The timelines were well-written, moved back and forth effortlessly, and were woven together nicely at the end. The relationships were realistic for the most part, but the pacing slowed down once in a while, and the twist—which I saw a mile away—was very predictable.

Overall, it's very thoughtfully written and character-driven, and I enjoyed it for the most part. The covers chosen for the different formats are all absolutely beautiful, too!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Legendary interior design queen Mimi Mott is auctioning her properties and objects which may spill the secrets of her early life. She’s not a words person and so employs Jo O’Mara as her assistant to fulfil that role of telling “A Life in Objects”. Who exactly is Mimi and how did she build her interior design empire? What lies in her past and particularly what happens in 1969 at a Wiltshire Manor House where her family work? Jo, who has secrets of her own, is drawn into Mimi‘s world and it’s an intoxicating one in which she must take risks to unravel truths, one thread at a time but she must also tread very carefully.

Although the novel doesn’t pull me in immediately, the thread works their magic and it becomes increasingly intriguing and I’m immersed. I think the premise is fantastic with the links, interconnections and threads back to 1969 and it doesn’t feel forced or unnatural. It’s very well written with the dual timelines blending well. To describe it as an atmospheric read doesn’t quite do it justice as everything relates back and centres around the beautiful, currently neglected, Wiltshire Manor House. The descriptions are colourfully vivid with the late 1960s depicted so well in the fashions, food and attitudes of the time. The characters spring to life and I can almost smell the flowers that Mimi’s family plant as the gardeners for the Caswells, the owners of the property. The Caswell siblings - Lawrence and Nancy - are both likeable, charismatic and magnetic personalities and Mimi and her sister Pamela are drawn to them like moths to a flame.

Mimi is quite simply fabulous. She’s very ambitious and driven and it’s clear from the start that she won’t be contained in Wiltshire. She’s creative, glamorous and stylish but also enigmatic which is clearly witnessed through the objects and descriptions which further deepen the mystery of the events of 1969. Everything in the present day has its origins in that year and the need to know and understand what happens becomes paramount. I also grow to like Jo very much and wish for the best for her. Her story is revealed piece by piece alongside that of Mimi.

The different types of tension build and you know it’s not going to end well as the bad vibes swirl around the beautiful Wiltshire property. The heart of the mystery within the novel is paced well, it’s complex and has complicated relationships which feel very authentic. The reveals are delivered and achieve an emotional response from me as the threads are finally pulled and tightly knotted.

It’s a full circle novel and a most satisfying read.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.

[Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this so much. It had me hooked from the moment I started reading and I found myself immediately immersed in the story.

Despite owning and founding one of the most popular design brands in the world, Mimi Mott has always maintained an air of mystery regarding her past. When she reveals her plans to auction off her estate and finally tell her story, every journalist around is dying to be chosen as her assistant. Jo O’mara is the lucky girl who gets the job—but we quickly learn she has her own motivations for accepting the position.

Mimi’s story begins in 1969, when her family worked at Rushwood tending the gardens for the wealthy Caswells. These chapters demonstrate how Mimi was drawn into the world of opulent wealth and glamorous events—and where her love for fashion and decorating began. As beautiful and alluring as these chapters are, it is clear that they are leading towards some mysterious and tragic event.

This story seamlessly transitions between past and present, alternating POVs between Jo, Mimi, and Mimi’s estranged sister Pamela. The characters and their personalities are so well written that I could picture them all vividly. I loved seeing how differently Mimi and Pamela perceived the major events of their youth—even though Pamela’s perception annoyed me most of the time.

The writing is full of vivid imagery, palpable tension, and a horrible sense of foreboding. The numerous secrets and mysteries unfolded naturally throughout the story with some big reveals at the end that did not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Design icon Mimi Mott has been living in seclusion since the death of her husband a year before. Now the art world is buzzing with the news that she intends to auction off items from her youth, and tell the story of why each is important to her. Her early years have always been shrouded in mist, so anticipation is high. Mimi is a genius with fabrics and interior design, but knows she has no skill with the written word, so she’s seeking someone who can write the catalogue for the auction, including her story. Jo O’Mara applies for the post and Mimi is immediately drawn to her. And so Mimi starts to tell of the summer of ‘69, when she and her family worked in the gardens of Rushwood, helping to make everything perfect for a big party the owners intended to throw. Jo has an ulterior motive, though – she has learned recently that Mimi is Miriam, her grandmother’s estranged sister who is never talked about, and Jo is desperate to learn what caused the rift and, if she can, bring the now-elderly sisters together again…

This is being billed as both mystery and women’s fiction. While there is a mystery in it, it is not a mystery novel in the sense of a crime and an investigation. To me, it stands four-square in the women’s fiction category, and it’s a very good entry in that field. But anyone looking for a mystery novel will almost inevitably be disappointed. That’s my public service announcement over!

The story is told mainly by Mimi to Jo, as they select the items to be included in the auction. I hesitate to call it dual timeline, since we are never really in 1969 – we are always in the present day listening to Mimi talk about back then. But for all that, the bulk of the story takes place in that distant past, when Miriam was the younger sister of twins Pamela and Alf. All three are close in age, in their late teens, on the cusp of adulthood. Their father works as gardener for the rich and snobbish Caswells, but it’s a family effort – their mother and they all work in the gardens too over the summer months.

The Caswells have two children, Lawrence and Nancy, also young adults and considerably less class-conscious than their parents. To the disapproval of both sets of parents, the five young people find themselves becoming tentative friends. Alf and Pamela aren’t altogether comfortable with this – they feel wary around these people who, however pleasant, have a golden glow of wealth and privilege. But for Miriam it brings an awakening of something inside her – the beauty of the Caswells’ grand home, Nancy’s effortless style, the gorgeous clothes, the furnishings. Suddenly she finds a creativity she never knew she possessed, and a longing to do something different with her life than work in someone else’s gardens. And she feels another sensation new to her young life – desire for the beautiful Lawrence, the unattainable golden boy.

It’s a slow-moving novel, but very well told and with a steady momentum that held my interest throughout. We know from the beginning that whatever divided the sisters happened that summer and it’s foreshadowed clearly that tragedy is involved. Mimi isn’t hiding secrets from us – she’s just taking her time telling the story, reliving her past and telling us how her career began as well as about her family and the Caswells. The characterisation throughout is excellent – we get to know Mimi best, but we also learn about Jo’s own history, also touched by tragedy when her parents died in a car crash. This led to Jo being brought up by her grandmother, Pamela, so they are very close, and even though Miriam’s name isn’t mentioned, Jo has picked up that her grandmother still hurts over the separation. Now she is learning that Mimi hurts too, and it seems unbearably sad to her that these two elderly women, both now widowed, can’t find a way to forgive each other.

The writing is very good, although I felt it got a little lush sometimes when talking about the loveliness of the grounds of Rushwood – fewer descriptions of nature would have suited me, since I felt they mostly served to slow the pace even further. But when talking about character and emotions, I found her astute and realistic – there are no villains or heroes here, just ordinary people who are sometimes loving and generous and other times selfish or jealous, even occasionally mildly spiteful, but all within the boundaries of any close family group. I’d guessed the reason for the sisters’ breach long before it was revealed, but it didn’t spoil anything since the book was less about the mystery than the relationships. Women’s fiction isn’t my favourite genre, but I still found myself fully absorbed and hoping along with Jo that somehow these two stubborn but decent women could build a bridge over the chasm. And yes, it succeeded in the aim of all women’s fiction – it made me cry! But just a little…

NB: This book was provided for review by Michael Joseph via NetGalley.

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[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Penguin Random House for a copy of this novel in return for an unbiased review.

The Secret Thread has secured itself firmly as a new favourite on my bookshelf. Eve Chase's ability to bring family drama, exciting twists, and a sense of English country garden elegance to a heartfelt and engaging story is wonderfully recieved by this reader.

It has all the excitement of an American hi-styled life, secured with its glitz and glamour, but secreted behind this is a real family story of loss, longing, and with the daring to be courageous, its heroine Mimi, follows her own path.

With all her mystery and her secretive past being slowly revealed, Mimi Mott delivers a powerful edge to this beautiful story.

[Lydia Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful read. I was captivated from the start with the premise of an ‘auction of memories’ & the beautiful storytelling kept me enthralled.

It is the heatwave summer of 1969 and teenagers Alf, Pamela & Miriam Bramley are growing up with their gardener parents in Dorset, in a cottage on the beautiful Rushden Estate, home of the rich and powerful Caswell family. Tension is building as the families work towards making the Caswell’s summer party the total success it needs to be. But as the heat intensifies so does the tension between the Caswell & Bramley teenagers & when finally the night of the party arrives, a tragedy ensues. Both families implode leading to completely irreconcilable differences- the effects of which are destined to last a lifetime.

Fast forward fifty years and Miriam, now known as Mimi Mott, a world famous designer, decides to auction off her possessions - a lifetime of memories. As her items are listed, well-hidden secrets are revealed, will this cause more division or a catalyst for change?

I loved the skilful format at play here & how each item listed triggered the dual timeline narrative for memories to be revealed. The house of Rushden itself is a major character, full of atmosphere & character. A beautiful read which turns full circle to reach a satisfying conclusion. I spent most of the book so angry with Pamela and yet totally understood her by the end. Her ‘butterfly wing effect’ was totally at play here; a thousand repercussions from one moment in time.

The Secret Thread is definitely one which will stay with me & also one I’d like to revisit on audio.

Grateful thanks to Net Galley and Penguin Random House for this ARC. And to Eve Polly Chase for brilliant story telling!

[Helen Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book as beautiful as its cover…

The Secret Thread by Eve Chase is a beautifully layered story told across multiple POVs and timelines, moving between the late 1960s and present day. Mimi’s chapters shift between first and third person, while Jo and Pamela’s perspectives are told in the present, creating a rich and immersive reading experience that slowly unravels the truth thread by thread.

At the centre of the story is Mimi Mott – celebrated designer, style icon and fiercely private woman. Born into a modest family as the head gardener’s daughter, Mimi always longed for more than the small, ordinary life expected of her. She had seen how the other half lived and wanted a place in that world for herself. Eve Chase captures that yearning so beautifully, alongside the tension between ambition, family and identity.

Then there’s Jo O’Mara, Mimi’s new assistant. At twenty-eight, skint, single and feeling entirely unimportant, she couldn’t be more different from the sleek and polished Mimi. Yet Jo is desperate to win her trust – while quietly hiding secrets of her own.

The writing throughout is stunning. Descriptive and atmospheric without ever feeling overdone, Eve Chase paints vivid images so effortlessly that I felt completely transported into the story. I especially loved the shifting timelines and the way the past slowly shaped the present, revealing who these characters once were and how they became the people they are now.

And Pamela… oh Pamela, you’re a bit of me. “I’d honestly rather be weeding. Or reading… does that make me a freak?” Honestly, Pamela – me too.

There’s a quiet sense of tragedy woven throughout this novel. I could feel it approaching long before it arrived, but it still left me sat frozen and emotional when it finally unfolded. Fragile family history surging with secrets, grief, heartbreak and distance. Chapter 36 genuinely brought tears to my eyes.

At its heart, this is a story about life’s fragility and the butterfly effect – how pulling on one thread can unravel everything.

A beautiful, captivating and emotionally immersive story that I was fully invested in from beginning to end.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Eve Chase novel I’ve read. I was drawn to the book by the title and the promise of glamour and mystery. Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the eArc.

This is a story of family rifts and secrets, and of mistakes that change lives. Told through multiple viewpoints, the narrative switches between Mimi, her past and her present as she prepares for an auction of memorabilia from her life, Pamela, her sister and Jo, Pamela’s grand-daughter, who is trying to uncover the truth behind Mimi and Pamela’s rift.

This a well-paced novel that’s an easy read. Although the blurb talks about Mimi’s glamorous life, it’s the setting of Rushwood, a Wiltshire House in the late 1960s that really stands out and is at the heart of the story. It’s easy to imagine the summer heat, the lush gardens, the excitement of a party and the horror of the event that broke the family apart. The novel captures a world very different to the present, where class barriers still prevail but are starting to break down.

I did find the story slightly predictable - I guessed what the big secret would be long before the end - but that didn’t stop my enjoyment. Without giving away the ending, only a cold-hearted person wouldn’t feel any emotion at how Mimi’s and Pamela’s story concludes.

I’d recommend for anyone seeking a quick summer read with some romance and mystery. I definitely intend to read more of Eve Chase’s novels in the future.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elegant, atmospheric, and filled with carefully layered secrets, this novel is a captivating blend of historical mystery and family drama. Moving seamlessly between past and present, it slowly unravels a decades-old tragedy while exploring the complexities of ambition, identity, and the stories we choose to tell about ourselves.

At the heart of the novel is the enigmatic Mimi Mott, a celebrated designer whose decision to auction her treasured estate becomes much more than a farewell to a remarkable career. Through the eyes of her assistant, Jo O’Mara, the narrative peels back the carefully curated image of a style icon to reveal a woman shaped by love, sacrifice, and long-buried secrets. Jo’s own hidden motives add another compelling layer, making both women equally fascinating to follow.

The mystery unfolds at a measured pace, with each revelation adding depth rather than simply providing answers. The glamorous world of design contrasts beautifully with the darker undercurrents of family rivalry, obsession, and betrayal, while the return to the pivotal events of 1969 creates a rich sense of atmosphere and suspense.

Thoughtfully written and emotionally engaging, this is a novel that rewards patient readers with well-developed characters, evocative settings, and a satisfying mystery. Fans of character-driven historical fiction and elegant suspense will find plenty to admire in this richly woven story.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lush, spellbinding, and full of heart—Eve Chase weaves a gorgeous story of secrets, sisterhood, and long-buried truths. In 2024, writer Jo researches iconic designer Mimi Mott’s life ahead of an auction, unravelling a tragic, fateful summer in 1969 that tore two sisters apart.

Richly atmospheric, with stunning settings and lyrical prose, it moves seamlessly between past and present, brimming with glamour, grief, and love. A deeply moving, twisty mystery that stays with you long after the final page. Simply exquisite. ✨🪡🕯️

[Vanessa Figueroa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story about family and their secrets. The dual timeline kept me engaged, and I quickly became invested in the characters. Perfect book if you love multigenerational stories with a touch of mystery

[Chloë · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5✨

Publication date: 28th May 2026

A page-turning, emotional but glamorous novel for readers who enjoy -
💙’The Glass House’ & ‘Midnight Hour’
🩵 Intriguing mysteries
💙 Characters that stay with you
🩵 Twists & turns

⭑ Remember to check all content/trigger warnings prior to reading!


~ plot ~

Through dual timelines & multiple POVs, we’re told the story of the glamorous, ambitious Mimi Mott, a legendary interior designer with a mysterious past. She hasn’t always lived a life of luxury & has been carrying the weight of a tragic event that drove a wedge between her & her sister Pamela in 1969. After the passing of her husband, she decides it’s time to share her story by auctioning off her estate.

Enter Jo O’Mara - a young, strong willed journalist hired by Mimi to help catalogue the items for auction. It’s the gig of a lifetime but Jo has secrets of her own, other reasons to be there & unbeknownst to Mimi, their lives are intertwined.

For every item logged, a thread in the tapestry of Mimi’s life works loose & piece by piece, the mysterious life of Mimi Mott is revealed.


~ review ~

How I’ve not read Eve Chase’s work before is absolutely criminal & I apologise profusely🫣

The Secret Thread is a beautifully captivating, vivid, atmospheric tale that I’ll be thinking about for a long time. It features exciting twists, glitz & glamour and explores grief, family drama & a tense fractured sibling relationship. It’s emotional, heartfelt & sure to leave a lasting impression.

I found Eve Chase’s writing to be extremely moving. She doesn’t just tell you a story, she envelopes you within it. Her writing is engaging, enchanting & the way in which she is able to paint such vivid imagery is fantastic. I really couldn’t put this book down.

The dual timeline format which takes place in present day London & in a remote Wiltshire manor in the Summer of 69’, paired with Mimi’s, Jo’s & Pamela’s (Mimi’s Sister) POV does an excellent job of telling a complete, thorough story. There are no holes or lingering questions & the ending delivers a satisfying resolution.
While it didn’t grab me immediately, it didn’t take long for this book to reel me in & once it had me, I was all in! The pacing was perfect, the chapter length ideal & the switches in timeline & POV were clear, well placed & easy to follow.

The buildup to the reveal of the tragic events of 1969 was executed brilliantly. There was a clear sense of foreboding throughout that keeps you teetering on the edge of your seat. I was totally invested, willed to read on & the emotional rollercoaster I went on in the process was intense in the best way possible.


~ final thoughts ~

Overall, this was an absolutely fantastic read. Captivating, magical & heartfelt with emotion that lingers. As someone with a Sister, I know what that bond means, how important it is & the redemption & reconciliation was exactly what I was hoping for. Every thread was pulled together into a tight, neat bow. The small cast of characters were well built, well introduced, easy to connect with & I definitely shed a tear or two in the latter part of the book. I’m now off to add Eve’s previous books to my TBR & I highly recommend adding The Secret Thread to yours!

Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House, NetGalley & Eve Chase for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily❣️

[chronic_dino · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This review contains spoilers.

This is a very readable historical fiction. Following 3 POVs across 2 timelines (present day and then predominately late 60s into early 70s), this is foremost a novel about family relationships- what happens when they splinter, crack and then seem to break entirely. And then ultimately-whether they can be put back together, healed and mended.

This my first read from the author and although there were aspects of the writing style that didn’t quite gel with me personally- this was a read that I always wanted to pick up. It’s a real page turner and I was drawn in. I wanted to learn more about Mimi and what happened to her relationship with her sister, Pamela. And I felt connected to Jo, who felt like a character I had a lot of empathy for, without feeling like the author wanted us to pity her for the tragedy she had experienced.

I did find many of the reveals in this to be predictable. I also at times found it very hard to empathise with Pamela. I usually have no problem with unlikeable or complex characters, and realise the author’s aim in this book was likely that at times we would sympathise more with Mimi and at others more with Pamela. However I found a lot of internalised misogyny in some of Pamela’s chapters (and not just in the past timeline- in the present she has an embarrassing amount of ‘I’m not like other girls’ energy for a woman in her 70s). This was believable but also hard to read at times.

This book makes some really strong points about how envy, jealousy and grief can tear families apart. I was ultimately happy to see Pamela and Mimi reconcile, although I did personally feel that Pamela was maybe not held accountable enough for some of her actions and their impact over multiple decades and generations.

Although this book is at its heart about the sister relationship between Mimi and Pamela, I feel one of its strengths is the wider cast outside of them. I adored Nancy and found her and Lawrence and their interactions with the sisters fascinating. I loved Doris, the housekeeper, and what she represented and her role in the story. The author’s exploration of class and social hierarchy in the past timeline was well done. I also liked the inclusion of Whipple and his importance to Mimi, which felt like an important tribute to a generation of gay men who we lost in the AIDS pandemic.

Overall this was a solid and very readable novel. There were aspects that I didn’t love personally, but there’s a lot here that many historical fiction/mystery fans will enjoy. I would be interested in reading other works by the author.

Thank you very much to Michael Joseph and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC! The Secret Thread is out this week in the UK.

[Brittney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Thread • Eve Chase

One phrase: English estate secrets unravel slowly 🧵🏛️

The Secret Thread is the kind of atmospheric, slow unraveling story that pulls you in one thread at a time.

In 2024, Jo O’Mara is hired by legendary design icon Mimi Mott to write the stories behind the objects being auctioned from Mimi’s private collection. Mimi is glamorous, creative, elusive, and famously private, but her past is about to be told through the things she kept.

The problem?

Jo has her own connection to that past.

And the deeper she digs, the darker everything becomes.

In 1969, Mimi and her sister Pamela are living in a staff cottage on the grounds of Rushwood, an English country estate owned by the wealthy Caswell family. Their parents work the gardens, and the sisters have been raised in a traditional, working class world. But when the Caswell siblings arrive for the summer, Mimi is drawn into their glittering, privileged orbit.

And then one summer party changes everything.

What I loved most was the way everything connected. The auction pieces, the manor house, the sisters, the class divide, the old wounds, the missing object, the missing sister, all of it slowly builds into this emotional mystery rooted in family, memory, and the stories people spend decades avoiding.

The writing is vivid and lush, especially when describing Rushwood, the gardens, the fabrics, the food, the fashion, and the late 1960s atmosphere. You can feel the heat of that summer and the bad vibes gathering beneath all the beauty.

Mimi was such a fascinating character. Ambitious, stylish, mysterious, and clearly meant for more than the life she was given. I also really liked Jo and the way her own story unfolded alongside Mimi’s.

This is not a fast paced murder mystery as much as it is a layered, emotional suspense story about family, class, betrayal, forgiveness, and the secrets that refuse to stay buried.

And by the end? The threads are pulled tight in the most satisfying way.

✨ Tropes and vibes:
🏛 English country estate
🧵 family secrets
📜 dual timeline feel
🌿 1960s summer atmosphere
💎 design icon heroine
🖼 life in objects
👯 estranged sisters
🕯 emotional mystery
👀 class divide
🥂 high society party
💔 buried grief
🔍 slow unraveling secrets

📚 Read this if you like:
Atmospheric mysteries, women’s fiction, English estates, family secrets, dual timeline storytelling, glamorous older women with hidden pasts, and emotional reveals that make everything come full circle.

This was immersive, elegant, emotional, and a beautifully threaded story about the past finally finding its way into the light.

#TheSecretThread #EveChase #MysteryBooks #HistoricalFiction #BookReview @Ballantine

[Andrea Hulme · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Thread is a sumptuous and beautiful novel. It is tense, atmospheric and threaded with an emotional and twisting storyline that I absolutely. Eve Chase is always brilliant at bringing stories to life, off the pages and into your head with vivid and wonderful descriptions of people and places. The grand houses that are often at the heart of her stories are like characters in themselves and this was no different with this fabulous book. This was a tale about identity, legacy, and the stories we choose to tell through the objects we leave behind.

Mimi Mott is a mesmerising figure from the moment she appears on the page. She is enigmatic, stylish, and effortlessly charming. The decision to auction off her estate becomes the perfect narrative to dip in her life behind the glamorous facade, and step into her past where there's secrets and intrigue to unravel. We meet Mimi as she appoints Jo O’Mara, her new assistant, to get her objects of her life in order, document her story and prepare for the auction of her estate. What Mimi maybe isn't quite so prepared for is the deeper dive into her life, particularly from the year of 1969 which was a pivotal year in her life. What we see, though is also that Jo is also holding a few secrets of her own. The relationship between Mimi and Jo is really wonderful. It blossoms so well and the dynamic between them is tenderly and beautifully written.

The story is told through a dual timeline, which I really like to see. We flip between London in the present to the summer of 1969 in rural Wiltshire. Mimi's father is the head gardener for a gorgeous manor house. We see the story of her life with her parents, sister and brother, along side the residents of the manor house. The past sections shimmer with nostalgia and unease, capturing the glamour and danger that envelopes both families. The mystery at the heart of that long‑ago summer unfolds with exquisite pacing, each revelation providing us with an emotional glimpse behind the scenes.

Chase’s writing is luminous and full of evocative descriptions. You can smell the roses in the flower beds, feel the luxurious fabrics and designs of the clothes that Mimi once wore. She evokes place with precision, from elegance of Mimi's current house, to the wildness of the countryside where secrets and heartache burst off the pages.

This is a story about family, sisters, ambition, and the fragile threads that bind people together. A story of love and loss, of grief and separation, secrets and what really happened during that fateful summer in 1969 and how that shaped the life that Mimi and her family lead.

My thanks to Eve Chase, the publisher and netgalley for the eARC

[Books By Your Bedside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

I’ve read a number of Eve’s books, some I liked better than others, but her last book I loved so I had high hopes for this.

You feel it’s going to be a contemporary novel, and it is, but there’s elements of a mystery novel, an historical novel tool.

It is set in the present, but we also go back in time to the 60s which was a good way to tell the story. I did enjoy the flashbacks but I preferred the current scenes. And it wasn’t always obvious when it was a flashback and so you had to read half the chapter before you realised.

Eve has a way of crafting a story, especially one with two timelines, blending them together so they work as one but are still distinct.

The characters are not all likeable. There aren’t any villains as such, but there were certainly those I enjoyed reading about less.

Mimi is fabulous. She’s glamorous and stylish and charismatic, knows what she wants and gets what she wants. She lives in this world of luxury but that’s not all she’s ever known, there’s a hardness behind her which I liked. Our other protagonist Jo is a young lady who is a bit lost and is holding something behind. She was a great contrast to Mimi and felt very relatable. Our third POV is Mimi’s estranged sister Pamela – I won’t go into too much detail for fear of spoilers – but I found it interesting to compare the two sisters who came from the same place but lived different lives.

I loved the glamour of it all. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not all glamour, there’s some difficult bits in the book, but on a shallow level I loved all the glitz. I also love an auction and cataloguing items so that really grabbed my nerdy side.

It didn’t grab me straight away. That’s not to say it started badly because it’s didn’t. but it took a bit of work to get into and it improved as it went along.

I can’t fault her storytelling and sense of space. It’s all very vivid, rich and atmospheric. The world building was good and familiar and reachable for the reader, and the details were wonderful and really made the story leap off the page.

It’s about sibling rivalry, sister dynamics, rich/poor divide, memories, regrets, trust, loyalty, grief, selfishness, love, family, friends, presence, tragedy, heartbreak, passion, secrets, desires – it’s got soc much going for it.

It’s not my favourite of her books but still very enjoyable.
 

[Jerica Mercado · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Thread by Eve Chase is a beautiful blend of historical fiction and contemporary fiction that tells the story of two sisters and the secrets that drove them apart. Set along two timelines, one in 1969 and the other in the present day, the story jumps in time as celebrity Mimi Mott decides to auction off memorabilia from her personal collections and tasks her new assistant with detailing the stories each item holds. As Mimi's story develops, though, her assistant Jo senses that there's more to the story than Mimi wants to share, and as she digs further Jo starts to find dark secrets that may have torn a family apart.
I really enjoyed this read. I was initially drawn in by the promise of suspense and mystery -- Jo has secrets of her own prompting her to seek work with Mimi, while Mimi is reluctant to share the darker side of her memories from 1969. As the story unfolds, though, I found myself less invested in the mystery and more absorbed by the extravagant county estate setting and the era fashion and the developing family drama between Mimi and her older sister, Pamela. The story of the past takes place over the course of a few weeks, and Eve Chase's descriptions of the estate, its maintenance and gardens, and the efforts of Mimi and family to prepare for a major party at the estate were lovely and peppered with charming details and historical accents. My internet search history was a bit odd, but it was fun looking up dress designs the characters wore and the distinctive accessories they carried. These details really helped me feel immersed.
And I did enjoy the mystery. For a copy assistant, Jo makes an excellent detective, tracking down the estate where the fateful party took place and finding clues in Mimi's story to indicate what happened that summer and what exactly drove Mimi and Pamela apart. I did figure out the big reveal early on, but I was so invested in the story and its characters that I didn't mind.
This was my first novel by Eve Chase, but it won't be my last. I enjoyed her writing style and her blending of genres. I raced to read the resolution of the story and immediately regretted finishing it too soon because I was so enjoying my time in the story. This is a perfect read for fans of historical fiction and mysteries and readers of Kate Quinn or Marie Benedict.
*I received an advanced copy of the ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Ballantine Books; this review is entirely my own.

[Teresa Nikolic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Present day and writer Jo O' Mara lands herself a job working for designer and style icon Mimi Mott who, newly widowed and very guarded about her private life, has decided to auction off prized possessions she has gathered through her life but she wants someone to put into words the story behind these possessions and the importance of them, what Mimi doesn't know, as she works closely with the writer, is that Jo has a vested interest in her background. Rewind to 1969, Miriam Bramley and her twin siblings Pamela and Alf are living with their parents in a staff cottage on the grounds of the Rushwood Estate belonging to the Caswell family who are there for the summer, where they all work as gardeners. They live a simple life but, when Nancy and Lawrence, the Caswell children arrive they are drawn into their world and Miriam's head is turned, then an unexpected death during a high society party tears the Bramley family apart and Miriam leaves the country, will returning many years later repair the rift with her family and will Jo uncover the secrets of that summer?

The Secret Thread is the new historical fiction by Chase, told across two timelines and from various perspectives. This beautifully written tale of family, friendships, secrets and lies is laid out so perfectly by the author that you imagine you are part of the story, which flows so well between past and present throughout the book. I loved how the author stripped back the layers of Mimi's past and told the journey of her life through her possessions, this brought meaning and depth to each and every one of those auction lots and explained why Mimi thought it so important to do this. I adored most of the main characters but Mimi and Jo were definitely my favourites and their growing closeness shone through, I also loved the close relationship Jo had with her granny. This is an emotional read that did, at times, reduce me to tears, had me totally invested in the story from start to finish and will stay with me for a long time to come.

I'd like to thank Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for inviting me to read this story, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secret Thread is a gorgeously crafted novel—quietly tense, richly atmospheric, and threaded with the kind of emotional resonance that lingers long after the final page. Eve Chase has always excelled at stories steeped in memory and mystery, but this one feels especially assured: a tale about identity, legacy, and the stories we choose to tell through the objects we leave behind.

Mimi Mott is a magnetic figure from the moment she appears—enigmatic, stylish, and fiercely private, yet clearly shaped by shadows she’s spent a lifetime outrunning. The decision to auction off her estate becomes the perfect narrative device, each item a doorway into a past she has never fully confronted. Enter Jo O’Mara, her new assistant, whose own secrets make her both an observer and a participant in Mimi’s unraveling. Their dynamic is beautifully drawn: wary, tender, and increasingly intertwined.

The dual timelines—London in the present and a remote Wiltshire manor in the summer of 1969—are seamlessly interlaced. The past sections shimmer with nostalgia and unease, capturing the glamour and danger of a world on the cusp of change. The mystery at the heart of that long‑ago summer unfolds with exquisite pacing, each revelation deepening the emotional stakes rather than simply delivering shock value.

Chase’s writing is luminous, full of sensory detail and quiet insight. She evokes place with painterly precision, from the hushed rooms of Mimi’s estate to the wild beauty of the countryside where everything first went wrong. And as the auction draws closer, the tension tightens beautifully—an elegant countdown to truths that can no longer stay buried.

This is a story about sisters, ambition, reinvention, and the fragile threads that bind people together. It’s propulsive yet thoughtful, glamorous yet grounded, and ultimately deeply moving.

A standout novel from Eve Chase—mysterious, immersive, and exquisitely told.

My thanks to Eve Chase, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[DeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 atmospheric stars *now available

Oh, how I love a new Eve Chase book! This is my sixth book by this author, and this one did not disappoint! This author creates such an atmospheric read that I feel completely immersed in the story filled with secrets. I could not put this one down!

There are two storylines here, one from 1969 and one from the present day. I’ll start with the older storyline. Miriam lives with her family in the gardener’s cottage for a lavish estate, Rushwood, currently occupied by the Caswells. Miriam’s whole family tends to the gardens, and the upcoming summer party is creating a lot of extra work. There are Miriam’s parents, her sister Pamela, and her brother Alf.

The Caswells have two children, about the same age as Miriam and her sibling, but their families would prefer they don’t socialize. Nancy and Lawrence are gregarious, though, and soon the younger set is swimming and socializing. They are even invited to the summer party – after dinner, of course! I loved the detailed descriptions of the house, gardens, pool, fountains, and conservatory.

Miriam has a unique sense of style and can take a look at a garden or room and know just how to make it better. A providential accident leaves the party designer without an assistant, and Miriam is moved up to the house to help with preparations. She’s always wanted more than a life in the garden, so this is her chance!

In the present-day story, we have Jo O’Mara interviewing for a job with the iconic interior designer Mimi Mott. Mimi is auctioning off pieces of her past and needs someone to write up the stories to go with them. She’s been very secretive about her past, so the world anxiously awaits! Mimi is a delight, having lived quite a life. Jo has some secrets of her own.

The two storylines intersect as we learn more about the decades-long estrangement between Miriam and her sister Pamela. We don’t know for quite a while what happened on that fateful summer party night.

This was a delightful read, and I loved every word of it!

My thanks to Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and honestly review this one.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we meet Mimi Mott who is a legend in the world of interior design. We have caught her at a rather interesting time as she has decided to auction off a bunch of her possessions, along with their raisons d'être, and, of course, the life story that goes with. Now, where she is a whizz with design and art, she is pants with words so she advertises for an assistant... Enter Jo O'Mara, who appears to be a godsend...
We then go back to 1969 to see Mimi's early days when she was still Miriam Bramley, living alongside her sister Pamela and her parents in a cottage in the grounds of Rushwood Manor - where her parents were staff. We watch as the sisters meet the children of the estate owners - Nancy and Lawrence Caswell and how the four of them spend that summer - and, eventually, witness the tragedy that struck on the night of a big society party... and indeed its aftermath...
We also find out that Jo is not a complete stranger to Mimi, but I will leave you to discover who she really is for yourself...
This is a slow burn of a book which, through various objects and their stories, opens up layers of interest and intrigue as each one connects to and divulges more of the past. Alongside this, we also get to know Jo better and the part she will eventually play in the whole story. It's well plotted and expertly teased with just the right amount held back for maximum impact once exposed.
The characters are all well drawn and play their parts well. This is especially important as it is quite a character driven story being told and they are more than able to hold up their end of things.
And the ending when it eventually came was simply wonderful and perfect, and left me wholly satisfied.
All in all, a cracking addition to an already well impressive back catalogue, most of which I have already read and enjoyed, the rest I will endeavour to bump up my tbr. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Milly Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve only ever read The Glass House by this author but this one makes me think I need to search out some of her previous books. Mimi Mott, a famous interior designer is somewhat reclusive, but now she has decided to auction off some of the items from her early life, something she has always been incredibly secret about. But as she is not a words person, she needs an assistant to write about the history behind these objects and employs Jo, who we find out has a very particular reason for taking on the position. Mimi’s story begins in the summer of 1969. Her father is gardener for the wealthy Casswell family at Rushwood. The whole family are involved with the gardens, Mimi, her mother and her siblings - twins Alf and Pamela. Although at that time, Mimi was just Miriam. For me, this is not a dual timeline in the usual sense. Yes, we do spend a lot of time in 1969 but it is Mimi who is telling the story. Right at the beginning we know that Mimi and her sister are divided and we sense that a tragedy is at the heart of it. This is a slow novel but there is a mystery at its heart that keeps a sort of tension. Mimi isn’t hiding her secrets, she’s just telling us her story slowly, reliving these moments as she tells them to Jo. Jo’s story is also one of tragedy, her parents died in a car crash and she brought up by her grandmother Pamela and Miriam’s name was never mentioned. There are no bad people in this story, just young people in the 1960s who were sometimes generous, sometimes selfish and jealous - just like any group of young people. But at the heart you have two elderly women who have never been able to forgive. We have the POVs of Mimi, Jo and Pamela and I really enjoyed the threads back to 1969. The descriptions of Rushwood and the gardens are lush and the 1960s era is very well depicted. An excellent read. Rounded up to 5*

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo O’Mara is given the task of cataloguing a series of very personal items which the celebrated designer, Mimi Mott feels encapsulates her eventful life. As Jo becomes immersed in Mimi’s story, she begins to learn more about her childhood, growing up at Rushwood, a remote Wiltshire estate, where Mimi’s parents worked as gardeners. The story works really well and as we move back towards Mimi’s time spent at Rushwood we start to learn about hidden family secrets, of Mimi’s difficult relationship with her parents and siblings, and of her dangerous connection to the wealthy family who call Rushwood home.

The story flows beautifully, with a cast of characters who quickly make their mark on the story. I was equally at home in the past with Mimi as she grows from feisty teenager into the style icon who becomes Mimi Mott. Jo’s own personal story is just as compelling and the hidden secret which she is keeping from Mimi is explored well and adds a different dimension to this cleverly plotted family drama. Reminiscent of time and place, the latter years of the 1960s come vibrantly to life and sit very comfortably alongside Mimi’s story in the subsequent years of her life.

Fast becoming one of my favourite authors this latest novel from this talented writer captured my interest right from the start, the pages practically turning themselves as I raced through the story eager to learn more. The Secret Thread is a beautifully written family drama which moves effortlessly between past and present and which captures the essence of sibling rivalry and some deeply buried secrets. This is such a lovely read I am delighted to make to make The Secret Thread my Favourite Read of the Month for May.

[Teresa Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Thread by Eve Chase
The premise of this story is that a famous interior designer has decided to sell off objects from her early life which will reveal all about her hitherto hidden past. Jo, a young freelance writer, takes the opportunity to approach this legend and write the history of the objects and uncover Mimi Mott’s hidden past. Jo however has her own secrets and it is a while until we discover how important Mimi’s story is to her.
The story of Mimi’s life begins in a manor house the West Country in 1969 and gradually one thread of the story is revealed at a time. We know that there was a cataclysmic event at a party here but just like Jo we must carefully peel back the layers to unearth what is at the heart of Mimi’s life. I became fully involved with the characters and wanted to find out the secret at the heart of the story.
I loved the descriptions of the 1960’s and having been alive then they seemed very real. The gap which existed back then between the gardeners and the people who lived in the manor were evoked very clearly and it was interesting how such seemingly insignificant events could echo through the years.
The characters are vivid and engaging and Mimi’s yearning for more from life than working with the family gardening, then marrying and having babies was very powerful and reminded me how people used to worry about being “on the shelf” in their early 20’s! Jo too has here own tragedies and her story is well paced as we discover more about her background and childhood.
I will be recommending this book at my various book groups and found it well paced, engaging and with believable characters.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunning story that I was not able to put down. Set in the past and the present, the author has skilfully created a story of love, loss, fractured families, mixing in secrets and mysteries.

Mimi Mott is a famous designer, curator and collector. She has influenced many over her life, and now she is deciding to have an auction to clear some of her things. The most personal ones come with a story; this story has never been told. It involves her past and how her once close family split, the reasons behind the split and how the lives of two families changed over one summer.

Jo O'Mara has successfully landed the job of assisting Mimi with collating and relating the stories that Mimi is going to tell for the first time. Jo is excited but also has something of her own that she needs to keep hidden until the right moment.

The author weaves the tale of a fateful summer and the present day through the stories of Mimi, introducing the characters, their positions, expectations, and how society still had a hold over what was considered to be appropriate for the time. The characters range in position, involvement and how important they are to the overall story.

In amongst this, the author tells of a wonderful summer, until everything went wrong. But the full story only emerges later in the book. A story of love and loss, of grief and separation, secrets and what really happened.

An absolutely gorgeous story that I had to read in one sitting and that I would definitely recommend.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable novel - the first I have read by Eve Chase.

It is told in 2 timelines - one from the summer of 1969, when Miriam, Pamela and Alf are teenagers living with their parents in Dorset, on the Rushwood estate of the Caswell Family, where their parents are the gardeners. The Caswells young adult children, Nancy and Lawrence, befriend the teenagers and pull them into their privileged world. The second timeline is current day, when Miriam, now known as famous style icon Mimi Mott, is going to auction off her prized possessions and share secrets of her previously hidden life, and needs a writer to help create the auction catalogue descriptions. Young Jo O'Mara gets the job and fails to explain to Mimi how closely she may be connected to that private life.

As Jo and Mimi work together on the catalogue, we start to peel back the layers of what happened that summer, when live changed forever and families were torn apart. The search is on for missing auction pieces and a missing sister.

The story is told from multiple points of view and that really made the novel a great read. The characters are complex and very well written, and we unearth secrets as the story unfolds. The descriptions of the locations, from the gardeners cottage to the Rushwood estate, to Mimi's current location filled with treasures, are excellent and I really felt like I was there.

There were a few twists and turns along the way, and the major twist I did not see coming.

A great read!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mimi Mott, celebrated designer and famously private style icon, is auctioning off her legendary estate, intent on telling the true story of her life in objects.

In London, her new assistant, Jo O’Mara, is determined to win Mimi’s trust. But Jo carries a secret of her own, and time is running out to unpick the past before the auctioneer’s hammer falls.

Who is Mimi, really? A woman who rose from humble beginnings to build an interiors empire – but at what cost? What happened in that remote Wiltshire manor house where Mimi and her family worked during the summer of 1969? Who died the night of the glittering party that stole the headlines?
As the auction countdown begins, Jo is drawn into an intoxicating world of obsession, sisters and secrets – and must risk everything to unravel the truth, one thread at a time.

I think I fell in love with this story when we were told about Miriam and Lawrence's fossil-hunting trip to Lyme Regis. The language is so immersive, I could feel the heat and smell the sea and I was totally engrossed from that point onwards. The characters come to life and just stay in your head as the plot unfolds with one auction item at a time - a great way of moving the story along. A fabulous read, I'm quite bereft now that I've finished.

My thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Joyce Cacioppo stein · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Thread by Eve Chase weaves together 3 generations, their history, connections and the secrets they held. Jo lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her grandmother Pamela. Jo is now a writer and is lucky to get a job working for famous interior designer Mimi Mott who is auctioning off her prized possessions. Jo’s job will be to write up the descriptions, but Jo actually has an ulterior motive for wanting this job.

Pamela, her sister Miriam, and brother Alf grew up at Rushwood, an estate owned by the Caswell family. Their parents were gardeners, responsible for taking care of the grounds. The Caswell’s children Nancy & Lawrence are similar in age but their parents felt they should not be associating with the hired help. At the Caswell’s society party an accident takes place and Nancy and Alf die. The family splits up; Miriam leaves home and Pamela stays with her parents and marries. Miriam and Pamela become estranged as a result of things that happened that night,

Miriam becomes Mimi, creating a glamorous and profitable life for herself. As Jo is writing her auction items, she knows that there is secrets there that go back to her family. She wants desperately to find the link, discover the story, and bring her family back together.

Eve’s writing is wonderful. The descriptions give us a detailed picture of all that has happened and all Mimi wishes to let go. The characters are likable and are well described. I like the way secrets are revealed a little at a time up until the end.

I would like to thank Net Galley and Penguin Random House for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC.

[Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read this book

Another great book about complicated families (and which one is not?) from Eve Chase. It took me a while to get into it, but after the slow start I just couldn't stop reading. The plot was not exactly surprising, and the great mystery at the heart of the rift between Mimi and Pamela could easily be figured out, but all the wonderful relationships (the sometimes sweet, sometimes twisted sibling dynamics, the fast friendships, the budding romances) kept me glued to the page. This novel is just full of great characters, every single one of them will give you feelings. I loved how I was reading a chapter from Mimi's POV and I was like "Pamela is such an asshole" but then I was reading one from Pamela's POV and I was like "Mimi is so incredibly selfish", and then Jo in the middle of all that. I can't really talk about the ending without giving anything away, but I found it bittersweet, which I liked, and athough it was mostly satisfying, there is something that is still bothering me that I cannot let go of, hence the four stars. I just think that things got solved too easily, people too ready to let go after way too many years holding onto secrets and grudges, but maybe that was exactly the point of the whole book.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohhh, I adored this book. Fabulous characters, set in the Wiltshire countryside with a manor house, Rushwood, being the summer home of a wealthy family at the centre of the story back in 1969. Sisters Pamela and Miriam (Mimi) both lived within the manor house estate, along with their brother Alf and mum and dad. Their dad was head gardener at Rushwood with all the family helping out with all the work involved in maintaining the grounds.

Back in the present there’s Jo who has managed to gain employment working for Mimi Mott writing descriptions of the lots Mimi is putting aside for the auction and how they relate to Mimi’s rise to success in the interior design business. The story threads back and forth in time as Jo sits with Mimi, notebook in hand ready to listen to the stories behind each memento of her life she decides to auction off.

Wonderful, evocative writing with fabulous characters, there are so many emotions and story threads running through, certainly an apt title for the book. It’s a story of sibling relationships, with Pamela and Alf being twins and having the typical twin closeness, Miriam did sometimes feel like a bit of an outsider. The main mystery is what happened at that party for Miriam and Pamela to become so estranged. There are so many twists to untangle making for a very compelling read. I loved this book, all the characters, I don’t think there was a single character not to like, the narrative, everything and didn’t want to reach the end. I read The Glass House not long ago and thought that was good but this was just outstanding as I felt completely drawn into the characters lives.