REVIEW TO COME!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

This book shed light on an interesting time, made all the more interesting by the author’s close link to real-life female scientists of the 1940s and 50s. The story seemed impeccably researched and full of detail of the time. As always, Rachel Hore writes well, and the characters are interesting and flawed.
Unfortunately, for some reason I found it difficult to engage with the characters on an emotional level. I expected to feel outraged at the women’s treatment, but I never really had the sense of jeopardy ‘weeded for that. Maybe the dual timeline worked against it as I knew Nancy would do ok and live a good life even if not the one she had originally aimed for. Still, a worthwhile read.

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is the latest book from Rachel Hore. It’s told through the dual timeline format, set in 2010 on the Norfolk Broads and the early 1950’s where Nancy one of the main female protagonists studies science in a very much male dominated field. In the present day journalist Stef has just been made redundant from a national broadsheet newspaper and less than a year ago she broke up with her boyfriend. So to say she’s not having the best of times would be an understatement. She has previously written one book and is seeking ideas for her next. The topic of women scientists proves too irresistible to not delve further in to. Even more so when her mother Cara who has recently moved to the Norfolk Broads mentions that she has met a lady named Nancy now aged 81 who was once a scientist. Stef thinks she would make a good subject for her book. Looking up Nancy online Stef can’t gain access to Nancy’s thesis. Access denied. That’s strange. Why would that be? Has Nancy something to hide?

Leaving London behind for a while Stef goes to stay with her mother and hopes to speak to Nancy and learn more. But Nancy is evasive and not one to open up to just anyone. Why should she tell her story to someone who has appeared out of nowhere? Nancy’s grandson Aaron is not very forthcoming either. In fact Stef thinks he is quite rude but really he is only protecting Nancy especially seen as she is receiving threats that she must leave her beautiful cottage on the nearby reserve. A place which she has called home for many years with all her menagerie of domestic and wild rescued animals. The aspect of the plot regrading the threats fell a little flat to be honest and it was glossed over at the end as if the author forgot it was there earlier on in the book and needed to mention it in order to resolve any lingering plot threads. It needn’t have been there at all in my opinion. Over time Stef grows close to Nancy and they develop a good friendship. One in which Nancy feels comfortable in opening up and sharing her story.

Stef’s story does feature too but to a lesser degree. Similarities between herself and Nancy do occur in terms of family and relationships as Nancy’s vulnerability and defensiveness starts to break down but I found myself far more intrigued by Nancy in the past that Stef in the present. Stef was the glue that linked the past and the present and was very much a necessary inclusion as she by writing about Nancy was bringing important themes to the fore and helping Nancy with her own personal sadness which still hung over her regrading her secret. Romance does feature for Stef and there was a nice community feel created with her mother and Ted and learning bits about the reserve, the birds, the wildlife, the insects and the area in general but once Nancy’s story got going that’s when my attention really began to be held.

In the past we learn of Nancy’s family and home situation growing up and to be honest I got through those bits as quickly as possible because they weren’t overly interesting or adding anything to the story as I have outlined down below. Nancy in the early 1950’s was a woman ahead of her time and one of very few who wished to work in the area of science specifically zoology.The author deftly explores the societal roles of women at the time. The role of women was viewed as being in the home and if one wished to work and then marry then they would have to quit their jobs. As Nancy navigates school, then university we see her mix with fellow male students. One in particular James catches her eye but hers is an unrequited love. The plot regarding James really picked up in the latter half and no matter how much Nancy was obsessed with him there was just that little something about him for me that seemed to good to be true. I always felt he had ulterior motives.

Nancy was diligent, hardworking, intelligent and very ambitious. She strived to overcome the narrow minded opinions that women wouldn’t be any good in her chosen area. There were many obstacles thrown in her direction which allowed several twists and turns to develop. Her interactions and relationships with her fellow colleagues both male and female were explored as well as her love life. She wrestled with the fact that at times her heart was telling her one thing but her brain and her long term goals and what she wished to achieve with her research were telling her something else. She didn’t want to be one of those women who had to leave their studies and work because she might have gotten married. But at the time no balance could be struck and it just makes you realise how far we have come to the present day and without those who have gone before us fighting for what it right and just we could very well be in the same situation. Throughout it all a secret is at the heart of Nancy’s story and I hoped that when it was revealed that it wouldn’t be underwhelming or anticlimactic. Thankfully it wasn’t at all and the ending was perfect and helped bring things full circle.

Overall, I did find the book did take quite some time to get into. It was overly long and not in the usual sense that the ending was dragged out more so that the first half of the book was too long with not much happening. It was like one long big introduction and I was questioning would I ever get to the crux of the story because it seemed to be taking an awfully long time to get there. Reducing the length of what I termed the long intro would have benefitted the book overall in my opinion. I did wonder was this the book for me and once I’ve begun a book I never give up and persevere until I reach the end and with this one I was thankful that I did. That joyous moment when a book has only been so so up to a certain point and then bang something clicks and you are off on a journey and you find yourself rapidly turning the pages and before you know it a hundred pages or more has passed by in the blink of an eye.

Well, that moment came for me and despite my reservations about the first half I found myself becoming deeply invested in the story. In fact I’d go as far as to say that I was fascinated with all the research Nancy was doing regarding the effects of pesticides on locusts. Who would have thought that would have been interesting? Not me that’s for sure. Something that could have been boring and like wading through it and like reading a science textbook Rachel Hore made interesting and the further I read in the later half of the book the more curious I became as to what had destroyed Nancy’s promising career in science. The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge may not have been my absolute favourite by this author, her earlier books still hold a special place in my heart, but as I’ve mentioned up above get through the first half and you are in for a great read that wonderfully highlights the achievements of women in a male dominated world and how ambition and fighting for what you want in life will see you go far despite the many stumbling blocks placed in your path.

This story starts in 2010 with Stef Lansdown, who is a journalist and author. She has recently split up with her partner, Sam and now finds herself in Norfolk staying a few days with her mother. Whilst there she meets Dr. Nancy Foster, who Stef would like to interview for her next book about women scientists. It was Nancy’s story that I found the most interesting. It starts around the 1950s and tells of the attitude of some men to a woman working in ‘their scientific world’. They really were such brave and intelligent women who were not always credited for their discoveries. They often faced criticism, jealousy and rivalry. It was difficult for them to break through the barriers to make advancement in their chosen career. There is romance in the story, in both eras. I particularly enjoyed the ending where everything came together. There is a blackmailer as well but I did think that could have been missed out. However, I really enjoyed this book. I have read books by this author before and always enjoyed them. The characters stay with me for a long time. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Another superb novel from Rachel Hore!

Nancy Foster - like most of us - has a secret; in her case, it devastated both her personal and professional life. Decades later, journalist Stef Lansdown realises that she can restore both - but only if she can get Nancy to trust her enough.

This is another satisfying read from this author. Telling the story both past and present it kept me glued throughout in a state of utter bliss when I reached the end. I do enjoy a well-told tale and this has everything going for it. A sparkling five star read, easily worth my recommendation.

My thanks to the publisher for my arc via NetGalley.

A freelance journalist, Stef is also a frustrated author – her first book wasn’t received as favourably as she’d hoped, but she now has plans for her next, featuring the lives of women scientists. During a stay in Norfolk with her mother, she is introduced to Nancy – who formerly worked in the zoology field, is now in her 80s, and who she feels might have a story to tell. At first, her approach is rejected – and Nancy’s visiting son Aaron is particularly fierce in protecting her – but she slowly wins her trust and her agreement to share her experiences. Living in an isolated – and rather neglected – cottage on a nature reserve, she now lives a simple and solitary life, caring for animals who need her intervention in her garden shed. And there are those who no longer want her there, making her life rather less comfortable than she wants it to be.

But she goes ahead with sharing her story – to tell Stef more about what it was like to be a woman at that time trying to make a name for herself in a scientific world dominated by men, but also gradually revealing her personal story. In childhood, there was that first chemistry set from Aunt Rhoda – then her decision to study zoology at Prince’s College in Kensington in the late 1940s, when they were rebuilding the department after the war and willing to offer opportunities for women. To some extent, hers is a coming of age story at first – mixing with the opposite sex for the first time, forming friendships and relationships – but it becomes a story of prejudice, inequality of treatment, and ultimately others (men, of course) taking credit for her work. She also becomes involved in particularly controversial work with a chemicals firm, in a time when their agricultural use was believed to be needed – but it turned out there were other, much more personal and emotional, secrets that ultimately ended her research career, and saw her becoming a teacher for the rest of her working life.

The bond that develops between the two women is particularly touching, and something I really enjoyed. As Nancy’s story unfolds, her son Aaron softens in his opposition to her telling her story – and, with Stef newly single, there are also the beginnings of a possible (very believable) romance. And they do need to work together to protect Nancy from those who might want her to move on – with some particularly well-written drama along the way. But there are also other aspects to the present day story punctuating Nancy’s storytelling, providing many of the lighter moments – notably Stef’s mother and her constant concerns about her love life, and her rather over-dramatic sister seeking refuge from a failing marriage.

I very much enjoyed both timelines – although Nancy’s back story was perhaps the more compelling. This was a substantial book – 480 pages, and I’ll readily admit that I thought that might be overlong – but I really was entirely engaged by both women’s stories throughout and consumed it in a couple of sittings. The pacing is perfect, the descriptions of the atmospheric Norfolk setting quite stunning, and Nancy’s voice in telling her story – in third person, but very much from her perspective – exceptionally engaging. As you might expect, there’s a substantial amount of scientific detail, but I found it both fascinating and easy to understand – while becoming increasingly angry about her experiences, because she was an individual I really took to my heart.

This was a book I very much enjoyed – and having rediscovered the author’s wonderful storytelling once more, I’m looking forward very much to seeing what she does next.

Stef Lansdown has lost her job and her boyfriend.
Struggling to meet ends meet as a freelance journalist, she is researching her next book on women scientists.
Whilst visiting her mother, she is introduced to a lady in the village called Nancy, who was a scientist in the 1950’s.
Reluctant to tell her story at first, Nancy soon opens up to Stef and we learn about her life, her secrets and the prejudices she faced along the way.
Told over a dual timeline, I really enjoyed this book and it made me appreciate all the women who never gave up on their dreams so we could achieve ours today.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge as I was so quickly drawn into the story. Stef Lansdown is a journalist and novelist who has recently chosen the title and subject matter of her next book “Curious Creatures”. She is particularly drawn to the stories of women scientists who had to battle through a man’s world in order to be taken seriously and to make their mark in their chosen profession. Stef’s mother, an artist, has recently moved to Norfolk and has met Nancy Foster who gained a PhD at her university and went on to complete important research only to leave her post when she made some important discoveries. Nancy found herself in a difficult position when she tried to pass on this damning information to the Professor supporting her research and the chemical company producing the crop spray. As a result, Nancy loses the man she loves and her career and leaves the profession. The story moves from present day to the 1930’s and 40’s and provides an interesting window into the lives of women scientists at that time and how they were treated.
I warmed to both the main characters and loved their connection and the satisfying ending to this enthralling story. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reading copy and this is my honest review.

Another great story by this author. Working well in two timelines Stef writes about the life of Nancy a scientist in the 40s and 50s who was overlooked because of her male counterparts. I really liked both of the main characters but as is often the case in dual timeline stories I preferred the historical section to the present day. A well researched book with good storyline that is well worth reading

This was wonderful book with a very strong nature / science feel which I really enjoyed. I’m a fan of dual timelines and felt this story was told perfectly.

I loved Nancy, her determination to be treated the same as men in the field was impressive. Her dedication to her studies and research was engaging and I loved her keenness to do well. Her resilience and independence in later life made her such a strong character.

Stef was also an interesting character, her work ethic but her care and compassion made her very likeable. I loved her uncovering Nancy’s life through the decades from the 1940s and her own story added depth to the plot.

The setting was lovely, the tight knit community and the importance of nature was all very well written.

A powerful novel where the past and present are woven together was a lovely read.

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is probably one of the most skilfully put together dual timeline novels I’ve read. Because of the way the author has chosen to reveal Nancy’s story as a post war scientist in what was very much a man’s world, it flows so seamlessly, ebbing and flowing into the contemporary narrative with consummate ease.
Journalist and writer Stef is putting together a book about women scientists, focusing on how their work was often ignored, or worse, taken up by male colleagues who stole the glory. One of her mother’s new neighbours is an elderly botanist, Nancy Foster, and Stef sniffs out that she has a tale to tell. But a genuine empathy grows between the two women, and a degree of trust which allows Nancy to reveal secrets she thought she would carry to the grave.
Contrasted with the brooding atmosphere of Nancy’s crumbling cottage on the edge of the Norfolk Broads, the comfort and the threat from nature – and from an unknown hand – the book is hard to put down and I thoroughly recommend it.
It’s just such a shame that the publisher felt the need to hype the connection between the threat and the secret so much in the; the book doesn’t need it. It’s better than that; perfectly magical and beautifully tensioned as it is.

I was fascinated by Nancy’s story and her fight for justice in such a patriarchal world in the late 40’s and 50’s. I felt so frustrated on her behalf so many times as we learnt of her life.
I felt Stef was a great character- her empathy in how she worked with Nancy to gather the stories of her life for the book was evident from the very beginning and it felt like she was honoured to be trusted with such an important story.
Cara, Ted and Aaron added warmth and fun to the story too and the family feeling in the village was lovely. A wonderful emotional story full of heart.

Rachel Hore is an imaginative and talented writer and I have enjoyed her books in the past.
although the synopsis of this title intrigued me I did find that the book was a little drawn out and the ending slightly abrupt.
However, reminding us about the disparity between men and women in the workplace and the lack of respect and authorship given to women historically are powerful and important issues. Rachel treats these issues with careful consideration..
A powerful read

This is a warm and interesting novel set across two timelines.
In the present Steph is a freelance journalist, who is planning to write a book about female scientists whose work has been overlooked because of male scientists. Her mum has just moved to the Norfolk Broads and introduces her to Dr Nancy Foster, an entomologist whose work seems to have been buried in an attempt to discredit her in the 1950s.
Through Steph’s interviews with Nancy we learn what it was like to be a zoologist and researcher in the 1950s, and what it was like to be betrayed by male scientists chasing the same research. In the present the same kind of male and female tensions exist, and this book explores what it’s like to face a dilemma between work and parenting.
I enjoyed this a lot. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

For me the fascinating part of this book was the back story bringing to light the struggles female scientists faced in the 40’s and 50’s to have their work recognised
The story unfolds as Stef interviews Nancy , the scientist, to include reference to her in a forthcoming book.
It is told in two time lines , then and now

3.5⭐️ rounded up to 4
2010 - Stef is a freelance journalist and author who is writing a book about women scientists from the past.
Her mother who lives in Norfolk tells her about a lady she has met called Nancy who was a scientist in the 40s and 50s and thinks she’ll be perfect for Stef to talk to.
Stef visits Nancy who is reluctant at first because there are secrets that she really doesn’t want to get out but after a minor accident she has a change of heart and proceeds to tell her about her life after the war.

While I did find the middle of the book dragged and was rather “waffley” overall I really enjoyed this book. The ending redeemed it for me and the history of women in that time period was really interesting.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A lovely story but just a bit long/slow moving for me.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This book just wasn’t for me; it was terribly long and nothing really happened. I found the ending unsatisfactory and to be honest, I couldn’t wait to get to the end. I found the subject of women in science to be really interesting but I thought the book focused on completely the wrong parts of Nancy’s life and career and just became about romance.

Rachel Hore’s The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is a quietly compelling novel that blends a present-day storyline with history, offering a thoughtful reflection on women’s lives and ambitions. It is a sweet, gently-paced read that has an evocative setting and meaningful subject matter.

The novel unfolds across two timelines: one set in 2010 and the other in the 1940s–1950s. In the present day, we meet Stef, a writer visiting her mother in a picturesque Norfolk cottage. There she meets Nancy, a former zoologist whose previous career is somewhat of a mystery. Stef, who is working on a book about women scientists, is drawn to Nancy’s story… though Nancy is reluctant to revisit her past. What is Nancy hiding, and why?

The historical timeline is the real heart of the novel, shining a light on the challenges faced by women in STEM fields during the mid-20th century. Rachel Hore explores gender, ambition, and societal expectations in this novel, and through Stef’s interviews with Nancy we hear how women like Nancy were often forced to choose between personal fulfilment and professional development.

I enjoyed reading about the treatment of women’s roles across different eras, especially Nancy’s determination.

The historical sections were my favourite, as Stef’s character in the present sometimes felt underdeveloped and oversimplified. The romance subplot involving her didn’t fully land for me.

The Norfolk Broads setting is almost a character in itself anda setting I always love reading about in books. It’s no surprise that Hore, who once taught me during my English Literature degree at the University of East Anglia, writes about this part of the country so well. Having lived in the area myself, I found her descriptions vivid and nostalgic. Though not perfect, I enjoyed The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge and would recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable read.

This book has an easy flow. It tells Stef’s story who, as a freelance journalist, is researching her new book about women in science. She meets Dr Nancy Foster, now well in her eighties, who studied Zoology in the 1940s and graduated with a PhD in her field. Nancy’s life is the story within Stef’s story. Nancy started her work life full of hope and thirsty for discovery but her ambitions got thwarted by traumatic bullying in a professional environment totally dominated by men. It exposes the vast number of microaggressions suffered by female scientists in a world controlled by the power of male networks. It also raises questions raised about ethics and moral responsibility – if science is only about establishing facts, who takes the decisions about how these findings are applied and who is responsible for the impact these applications might have?

These considerations are embedded in an easy narrative involving love and family interests for Nancy and Stef and those close to their hearts. This aspect of the book felt a bit too smooth and over-worked, since all loose ends get tied up into a happily ever after.
However, although I had expected less predictability and a bit more edge and grit given the subject matter, I found the story quite enjoyable and a pleasant read.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK Ltd for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.