This is the latest novel by bestselling author Jane Corry, a former journalist who has spent time working as the writer in the residence of a men’s’ high security prison.
Nancy’s mother and stepfather were brutally murdered at the hands of Martin, her stepbrother, while she was in attendance at her mother’s house. The high-profile murder trial has just finished, and Martin has been convicted of double murder. But the press is convinced that Nancy is hiding something. In an attempt to disappear, Nancy flees to her grandmother’s seaside, secluded inn, Tall Chimneys. Unbeknownst to her, the inn holds many of its own dark wartime secrets. Soon, the press became aware of her new location, and she shut herself away in the old inn. Then Nancy receives a letter from an unknown source stating they know the truth about the murders and promise to come find her. A parallel storyline that transpires at the inn during World War II reveals the dark secrets of the house. In an attempt to distract herself from the trouble ensuing in her own life, Nancy begins to investigate the events of her grandmother’s life at Tall Chimneys and the lives lost in the inn.
The novel is a dial timeline story, toggling back and forth between Nancy’s present-day predicaments and the story of Elizabeth Montague, the original owner of Tall Chimneys, and her best friend Adeline, Nancy’s grandmother. It should be stated that this novel is more of a mystery/historical fiction hybrid than a true thriller. So if you’re expecting fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thrills, you’ll likely be disappointed. On the positive side, both storylines are still very captivating. Nancy’s story does have a few thrills and twists, as she must decide who to trust and also how to protect herself from her deranged stepbrother. Elizabeth’s story is heartbreaking and inspiring, as she suffers much adversity and loss during World War II but also finds a way to move past it all.
Narrators Meg Travers and Olivia Darnley both deliver strong performances of Nancy and Elizabeth. Travers is very convincing as paranoid and high-strung Nancy by delivering a performance full of tension and drama. Darnley’s performance of Elizabeth is very authentic and captivating, as listeners are quickly drawn into a dramatic retelling of Elizabeth’s adversities. The two storylines come together at the end, making for a satisfying ending. If you’re a fan of dual-timeline novels filled with suspense and original storytelling, you may really enjoy this one!