I really enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting. Great characters and a great plot line. I would highly recommend this book to anyone.

Beautifully written, this novel is a wonderfully satisfying read. Brimming with exquisite detail, relecting the WW2 era perfectly and a masterful depth of evocative prose, this book deserves to be a huge success.

The cover had me hooked and I was so pleased to be given the opportunity to read it. I love children’s fiction and rarely stray from that path but this book was worth the detour.
It is haunting, spooky at times but so heart warming too that I was enthralled!
Hetty, a female museum director, moves her mammal collection out of London for the safety of a country house during WWII. Her hosts are a widowed man, his daughter and their staff. Hetty doesn’t have the strongest social skills and ends up arguing with much of the house over her animals. She takes her job incredibly seriously, almost to the point of obsession.
Over time, Hetty develops a friendship with Lucy, the daughter of the house. It enables them both to feel safe as there is a madness in the house and it disturbs sleep for both women. Mysterious things happen to the animals and you almost think they are alive, but it isn’t until the end that light shines on the events at the house.
The book is full of intrigue, mystery, spooky sightings, a mad mother and a dangerous liaison.
It is beautifully written and completely enjoyable.
Highly recommend.

A very moving book. The damage that our parents can do to us - that never goes away. Fear of being trapped - turns out to be a forgotten remembrance f being locked in a room by a parent. Love and loss to the backdrop of the early days of World War 2.

I read a free advance review copy. This review is voluntary, honest and my own opinion.