I have become a huge fan of Clare Marchant. She writes wonderful dual timeline historical novels that make this genre so powerful. The House of the Witch is a must read!
The two women Sarah and Anne are living centuries apart, but Marchant manages to combine and link their stories with a wonderful parallel.
The intrigue around Sarah was so gripping as I tried to determine her past demons, but I loved Anne's story and the amazing poetry storyline. Another great read!

1500s, Anne Dacre vows revenge on the Duke of Norfolk when he murders her brother. She is forced to marry the Duke's son then bides her time waiting for her opportunity to avenge the past. Present day, Sarah's godmother is dying and asks her to search the house for a secret. But being back in Norfolk reminds her of a terrible event in the past...
The Shadow on the Bridge is a triple timeline historical novel with mystery, intrigue and secrets with an extra helping of spookiness.
The book is written across three timelines: Anne in the 1500s, Sarah in the present day and during her childhood. I felt more engaged with Anne's chapters, possibly as they are written in the first person so the reader can see her emotions and actions more personally.
Anne's story begins when her stepfather the Duke of Norfolk causes the death of her little brother so that he can inherit the family wealth. She and her sisters are then married to the Duke's sons to secure the money and land. The Duke has embroiled himself in a plan to free Mary Queen of Scots and replace Elizabeth I so Anne needs to bring his treason to light to finally get her revenge.
It is clear that an event from Sarah's last visit has left a profound trauma which has influenced her life ever since. I thought the 'mystery' of the event, which wasn't revealed until the end, was pretty obvious and unnecessary. In fact I might have been more emotionally engaged with Sarah if the incident had been defined at the start.
I really enjoyed learning about the historical elements of the book and liked the ghostly presences which feature in both main timelines but are more prominent in the present day.
The Shadow on the Bridge is an enjoyable comparison of two women separated by centuries but both haunted by the past.

This is the first time I’ve read a book that had two different timelines. I found it so interesting and really felt the connection to the characters. Thanks for letting me read!

What a great dual timeline book. I loved the current heroine Sarah and the heroine from the past Anne. The book was focused on Anne's need to avenge her young brothers death, whose ghost haunts the Tudor House, which Sarah is to inherit. Finding a book of poems helps Sarah uncover how and why Anne got her revenge. Sarah, meanwhile, has to heal from the traumatic experience of losing her sister at the house. Overall, the jumps from current to past were well done, the pacing was perfect, the main characters well developed.

#netgalley #TheShadowontheBridge

The Shadow on the Bridge
by Clare Marchant
Pub Date: Mar 11 2025

Now: When Sarah’s summoned by her godmother to remote Norfolk, she doesn’t want to go. Crossing the bridges where the two rivers meet, said to be haunted by the ghost of a little boy, a large Tudor house looms in front of her. And Sarah’s instantly reminded her of the summer when she last visited. The summer she would like to forget. Which left her unable to ever move forward… Can a person ever recover from the loss of a sibling?

1571: Anne Howard, newly-made countess of Arundel, has also lost a sibling. And been dragged from the relative safety of her home in remote Norfolk to London, by her overbearing, manipulative, new father-in-law Thomas Howard; the very person she suspects of killing her beloved only brother. The Howards have greater secrets than this though. Secrets that will lead Anne to a tragedy that will echo down the ages…

When Sarah finds a mysterious book of poems in a hidden chamber of her godmother’s house, she is drawn into Anne’s story. Perhaps the mystery will take her mind off her own loss? But – as the flood waters begin to rise under the bridges – is Sarah laying ghosts to rest, or bringing truths to the surface that should stay beneath?

Thank you Netgalley, Clare Marchant and Boldwold Books for the e ARC of The Shadow on the Bridge.

After reading House of the Witch by this author, I was excited to listen to The shadow On the Bridge. Clare has a great way of writing historical fiction, clearly marking out past timelines and the present. This makes the whole plot and direction of the storyline easier to follow. Very often, the echos of the past seep through to the present and thanks to Clare's subtle foreshadowing, the linkages are often very relatable and poignant.

We follow Ann Howard in the past, a countess in 1571 and Sarah in the present, who after finding coded poems in her God Mothers house, starts on a soul searching journey. Both characters are well developed and so likeable. If you like strong female characters who go through their own self development journeys, then this is for you.

4 stars.

Clare Marchant's 'The Shadow on the Bridge' unfolds a gripping dual-timeline plot that keeps readers hooked with its atmospheric ambiance and engaging characters.

The book beautifully weaves in between the Tudor period and modern times, joining the stories of two women, Anne and Sarah, from different centuries. The format facilitates rich use of mystery from history and emotional odysseys of today.

The manner in which the two periods join hands and how past impacts the current time is a good aspect of the book.

The isolated Norfolk background, including the ancient house and waterways, is an evocative and haunting backdrop that adds to the atmosphere of mystery and intrigue.

The location in the book is extremely strong.

The novel is filled with themes of loss, resilience, and quest for truth. Anne and Sarah are depicted as resilient women who are battling personal issues.

The life of Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, reveals the plight of women during the Tudor era, providing a historical dimension to the novel.

Annes and Sarah's contemporary history, and Sarah's healing process, parallel one another, and the readers have the opportunity to observe the correspondence of their miseries.

The novel is acclaimed due to its enticing plot, involving twists and surprises that keep people hooked until the end.

The blending of historical intrigue and modern suspense makes for a gripping read.

Readers have tended to react extremely well to the book, appreciating its atmospheric style, engaging characters, and gripping plot.

It is a good read for fans of historical fiction, particularly those who like dual-timeline stories.
In essence, "The Shadow on the Bridge" offers a satisfying blend of historical intrigue and contemporary emotional depth, making it a recommended read for those who enjoy atmospheric and character-driven stories.

An absorbing dual timeline, set in Elizabethan times and present day. Anne Dacre lives with her 2 younger sisters and young brother, George Baron Greystoke, at Barnhamcross Hall in Norfolk under the guardianship of the Duke of Norfolk. Whilst the Duke is visiting the family George’s rocking horse collapses whilst he is on it and he falls to his death. Something Anne sees convinces her that the Duke has planned George’s death to gain tighter control over the family’s wealth.

In the present day Sarah is summoned to visit her ill godmother, Cordelia, who is the present owner of Barnhamcross Hall. She very reluctantly agrees as she never wanted to visit the house again after the events of the last summer that she and her family spent there 20 years ago
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A really absorbing story where the tension fairly crackles as Anne risks her life to bring ruin to the Duke as retribution for her brother’s death Meanwhile, as Sarah begins dealing with cataloguing the content of the house for Cordelia, she becomes involved in transcribing a book of poetry that she’s found, wondering if it will solve the mystery behind the house’s motto and help her lay her ghosts to rest.

This author is new to me, and I really enjoyed reading this book, it’s fast paced, tense, easy to read, interesting characters and an absorbing story. I’ll certainly look for others by this author.

Another dual time book from the best author Sarah is called to Norfolk by her godmother it doesn’t have good memories for her but in sorting out things she finds a book of poems that it turns out held codes for the royal household in Elizabethan times. Will ghosts be laid to rest? Stunning book

I loved this latest from Claire. Very atmospheric and I enjoyed the ghostly undertones. Quite creepy at times. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I love all Clare Marchant’s books. This latest one didn’t disappoint. It is historical fiction and a dual timeline, which works perfectly. It is set around 1570 and in the present day. In the Elizabethan era, Anne, step daughter of the Duke of Norfolk, sets to seek revenge for the death of her brother. In the present day, Sarah is visiting her godmother and has just been told she is to inherit her house. Sarah is very reluctant as something bad happened to her here in 2004. Sarah find an ancient poetry book, well hidden under two steps on the staircase. She is intrigued and is determined to find out who wrote it. As the story progresses the similarities between Anne and Sarah become apparent. What will be the outcome?
Clare. Marchant is a fantastic story teller. I do hope she will have another book to offer us very soon. Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood books and Clare Marchant for an arc of this fabulous book.

The Shadow on the Bridge by Clare Merchant

I've read all her previous books and loved them all including this one. The author is a master of dual timeline plots.

Set in 1571, and present day . You are transported back to then and Anne Howard and her brother George .
In the present day we met Sarah,. The two women are linked by the house , in the present Sarah has who is herself still trying to overcome her own loss.
Sarah finds a book wrote by Anne and finds out the house's secrets.
This book was beautifully written with a well thought out storyline and well developed characters.
I would recommend this book and 5 stars from me. Captivating.

Another wonderfully absorbing and atmospheric multiple timeline novel, rich in history and spanning centuries, from one of my favourite authors.

A centuries old mansion with ghosts, its own graveyard and a sad tale of a young boy who died when falling off his rocking horse. Barnhamcross Hall in Norfolk had once been a convent but in 1569 is home to Anna. Her younger brother George dies, in a murder which is made to look like an accident. Her greedy stepfather is responsible and Anna makes it her aim in life to see he is punished, her story talking her to London and to meet Queen Elizabeth. Married to his 16 year old son without any say in the matter, she is taken to live in her stepfather’s / father in law’s house in London which has secret tunnels enabling her to spy on him and his plotting.

In the present, Sarah is asked by her dying godmother to return to her home which she has left to Sarah in her will. Sarah is ver reluctant as she hasn’t been back since something very bad happened there in 2004. Is history destined to keep repeating itself?

Fabulous storytelling and historical facts with fiction cleverly woven through. The pace is spot on and it kept me turning the pages as I got to know more about Anna and her quest for revenge. I was desperate for Sarah to work out what Anna’s poetry book which she found concealed in a hidden cupboard, is to reveal. And very well done to Clare for writing such clever poetry.

Two strong women connected through the years by their losses and by a diary, both of whom must find their way in life without the support of their parents.

Loved it. It will remain with me along with Clare’s other fabulous books and I highly recommend every one!

Thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the tour.

This dual timeline story follows the lives of two women connected to an imposing house in two centuries, in Tudor England and in the present century. In the Tudor story thread, you see the effect of society on women who were regarded as a commodity. Ambitious men plotted to increase riches and influence, at others' expense. In this case, the Duke of Norfolk, an important member of Queen Elizabeth's court, is secretly plotting to advance what he sees as the best for the country and for him. To him, Anne's family is no more than a source of income and he rides roughshod over her wishes. This leaves Anne with a burning sense of anger a need for revenge. Clever and resourceful, she hides her intelligence behind others' assumptions of her capability as a women.

In the present day, Sarah finds herself summoned back to her godmother's house in remote Norfolk. It is an ordeal for her to return there and you find out why slowly as the story evolves. In her childhood, she lost her sibling, a link she shares with the Elizabethan Anne. Sarah has felt guilt related to this loss ever since and been estranged from her parents. She senses ghostly presences in the house and becomes fascinated with researching the past. What she finds out has a profound effect on her and gives her insight into many matters.

I found this novel to be engrossing as the similarity between the two women became evident. There are fascinating period details in the Tudor period and your view of the house helps you to visualise how it ends up centuries later. There are some interesting threads which link the stories, particularly around grief and loss. The Tudor period emerges as a dangerous and deadly time for many, with a strict class system and within the rich and landed, an arrogant tone.

In short: tudor intrigue and present day sleuthing

Have you ever had an incident that was so impactful that it defined your entire life from that moment on? For Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, it was the death of her younger brother, George. She vows vengeance against those who were behind his untimely demise. In the present day, Sarah must return to her godmother’s home, which holds a lot of memories, mostly painful. It is in the halls of this ancient house that Sarah meets Anne through a book of poetry. Can these two women find peace or will the truths bring even more disasters? Clare Marchant tells the stories of these two women, the tragedies and the poetry that unite them, in her latest novel, “The Shadow on the Bridge.”

I would like to thank Boldwood Books and Net Galley for sending me a copy of this novel. I liked the cover and when I read the description, it caught my eye. I have had Clare Marchant on my blog for a guest post, but I have yet to read her novels, so I decided to take a chance. I was not familiar with the story of Anne Howard, Countess of Arundel, so I was excited to read her story.

We begin with Anne Howard, born Anne Darce, and her family at Barnhamcross Hall. She takes care of her young brother George, who is supposed to become the 5th Baron Greystoke. However, tragedy strikes when George falls from his rocking horse. It seems like a tragic accident, but Anne soon discovers that it was done deliberately. While Anne is married to Philip Howard, she secretly plans revenge against her father-in-law, the Duke of Norfolk. Anne Howard is known for her poetry, so she uses her skills with a quill to uncover a plot a bit closer to home.

Sarah, in the modern day, is a woman full of remorse and guilt. She has accepted to visit her godmother Cordelia at her home of Barnhamcross Hall, which holds many secrets and sorrows. Sarah knows what it means to lose a loved one as she lost her sister, Emily. Her parents blamed her, and they are no longer in her life. Cordelia is dying, and she wants to leave her home to Sarah. Sarah agrees to stay and help with organizing the estate, and while doing so, she finds a book of poetry from the past. It is through the story of Anne and George that Sarah finds the strength to confront her past.

This was a delightful read full of discovery, suspense, and healing. It was very well-balanced and gave a new perspective to the Howard family. It was such a gripping read that I want a sequel with the same characters because I became attached to them. I am looking forward to reading more novels by Clare Marchant. If you want a fun dual timeline escape that explores a lesser-known Tudor woman, I highly recommend you read, “The Shadow on the Bridge” by Clare Marchant.

Sarah has been summoned back to her godmother Cordelia's house in Norfolk. It is a former convent that was turned into a house known as Barnhamcross Hall. It is a place that gave Sarah the best times of her childhood, but also the absolute worst experience of her life, the one that she never got over. Cordelia is very unwell, and she has decided to leave the house and all the contents to Sarah, but she wants to start going through the contents before she passes. As for Sarah, she doesn't want this inheritance. There are too many bad memories associated with the house.

In the historical storyline, we meet Anne, a young orphan whose stepfather now has control of her destiny. He is Duke of Norfolk, cousin to Queen Elizabeth, and he wants the land and money that are due to become the property of Anne's younger brother, George, when he comes of age. The Duke is a man who is used to getting what he wants, no matter what it takes and no matter who is in the way

What the Duke has underestimated is Anne's determination to get revenge for his role in her young brother's death. Anne is now married to his son and is expected in London. She is called to the court of Queen of Elizabeth. Anne realises that the Duke is involved in a conspiracy and decides that this is her opportunity for revenge. Soon she is passing information to the Queen's spymaster using coded messages in poetry. Will it be enough, or will the duke discover what she is up to?

Both Anne and Sarah are impacted by the events that happened in their childhood and which shape the women that they are now. Both feel guilty, rightly or wrongly.

In the modern storyline, we see Sarah as she works through the many items in the house. She also finds a book of poetry in a hiding place. It soon becomes clear that it is more than just a book of poetry, and Sarah needs to try to work out exactly what is going on. We also flashback to her last visit to the house in 2005. As we got closer to the big reveal about what actually happened back in 2005, I got more and more tense and almost didn't want to find out what the terrible event was, but then I needed to keep reading. You can't say I wasn't invested!

A couple of days ago I did a Top Ten Tuesday post about books where houses were almost characters. This book could be on that list with not one but two houses with cold spots, secret passages and hiding places, a ghostly apparition or two, plus centuries worth of items to be sorted through in one of the houses.

This was a good read. It's funny that I haven't read a Tudor book for years, and now I have read two in the space of six weeks or so. I do think that some of the characters could have been more nuances. If someone was bad, they were all bad. As usual, I found the historical storyline more interesting than the modern one, although I did enjoy Sarah's gradual understanding that while what happened in the past will always shape who she is, she can move forward and not let it restrain her from finding joy and love.

I have previously read and enjoyed Clare Marchant's novel, The Secrets of Saffron Hall. I have missed a couple but I will try to get hold of those soon. I will also be looking forward to whatever comes next.

Our read on a theme book club theme this month is Spy. This book will be a good selection for that! I wasn't sure what I was going to choose but so far I am up to 3 books with that theme! Turns out this is an easy theme for me!

I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews, and the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge when I host here. I have also shared this with British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog. 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.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

I really enjoyed the last book that I read by this author, so I was looking forward to this. This is a historical novel with a split narrative. In the present day, we follow Sarah, who goes to Barnhamcross Hall to visit her godmother, Cordelia. In the 1500s, we follow Anne, who becomes the Countess of Arundel.

Sarah's return to Barnhamcross Hall brings back memories from her childhood, some of which are very painful. Exploring the beautiful Tudor house, she discovers a mysterious parcel which sparks her interest.

This story swept me away, as Barnhamcross Hall came to life in my mind. I found it easy to engage with both parts of the narrative, connecting with both Sarah and Anne. I was excited to see how the two characters’ lives may be linked. This was a beautifully written book, and it helped me to escape for a while.

Thank you to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Thank you to @rachelsrandomresources for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read Clare’s previous book so was very excited to get a copy of this one to review. And what a book it was! Another dual timeline (well, actually 3 timelines) set in the 1500’s and today, seamlessly blended into one fabulous read.

Sarah hates the old house her godmother lives in, it holds painful memories from her childhood and she has no intention of ever seeing it again - until she is summoned to visit. When she arrives, she is given a task that is going to take weeks and means she won’t be leaving in a couple of days as she’d hoped. When she finds the notebook, things start getting intriguing.

I loved the way the 3 timelines intertwined and led to their conclusion, and there were times I didn’t think there was going to be a conclusion to some of them, but as they unfolded I was page turning as quickly as I could to find out what happened. I hope there is more from Clare soon, will definitely be adding to my must read author list!

Sarah’s childhood memories – a particularly traumatic event, gradually revealed – make her reluctant to return to Barnhamcross Hall in rural Norfolk. And it won’t be a brief visit – her godmother’s health is failing, and she needs her help in sorting out and cataloguing the house’s contents. The house itself has a rich past – a pre-Tudor convent converted into a family home – but the news that her godmother plans to leave it to her after her death, bypassing other family members, certainly isn’t something she’s happy to hear.

In the 1500s, Anne Howard thought of Barnhamcross as her home – although, after the death of her young brother and her subsequent forced marriage, she was required to move to London and into the turbulent world of the Elizabethan court. Driven by a quest for vengeance for her brother’s death, she becomes embroiled in espionage with a plan to bring about the downfall of her father-in-law Thomas Howard – exploring the house’s secret passages, passing on information through a pre-arranged code in the poetry she writes at the Queen’s behest.

While tackling the reorganisation of the library, Sarah discovers Anne’s hidden notebook, and begins to unravel her history – and the author’s narrative moves smoothly between the two timelines, as we discover the common elements between both women’s stories. There’s great sadness in both their lives – and a misplaced sense of guilt that has left Sarah unable to move on, and that has driven Anne down that dangerous path to ensure her brother’s death is avenged, however far-reaching the consequences.

The historical setting is quite wonderfully drawn, capturing Anne’s challenges as a naive newcomer to court circles, helped by her rather frowned-upon friendship with her long-suffering lady’s maid. I was particularly struck by the detail – the unfamiliar and uncomfortable clothing, the conventions that needed to be learned, the restrictions imposed on her to make wider friendships more difficult. And the characters really are so very well drawn – Thomas Howard himself really is evil personified, and you can feel the chill every time he makes an appearance.

But I also very much enjoyed the present day story – the house’s eccentricities (and it’s very much another character in the story) and the way that Sarah’s early-life experiences were slowly allowed to unfold. There are certainly edge-of-the-seat moments, very well written – and a few hints of the supernatural, but it’s really more about shadows and memories, and I particularly liked the way it was handled. And both stories were compelling and intriguing – nicely balanced throughout, with none of those uncomfortable wrenches from story to story.

This was a well written – and impeccably researched – dual-time story that I very much enjoyed. Both the women are strong, well defined and sympathetic, and their issues – separated only by history – most certainly entirely engaged me throughout and kept the pages turning. It’s very different from her last book – but I really couldn’t recommend the author’s writing more highly. I’m just looking forward to seeing what she does next…

With her godmother’s health failing Sarah returns to Barnhamcross Hall in Norfolk where she spent part of her childhood. However, Sarah’s memories of the house are not happy ones and as we flit between the present day and 2004 we start to understand the sadness which she has carried within her for so long. Connnected by ancient memories we also learn the story of Anne Howard who also lived at Barnhamcross Hall in the 1500s and whose marriage, into the Howard family, is filled with sadness, intrigue and revenge.

There is a good sense of history and the author has obviously taken the time and care to make everything feel authentic especially as Anne Howard’s intriguing story is not a well known one. The dual time aspect is imaginatively done, with seamless transitions which bring both past and present to life. I enjoyed Sarah’s modern day story, her sadness is palpable, as is her need to put the trauma of the past behind her. Anne’s story is particularly intriguing especially her uneasy relationship with her father-in-law, and her need to seek vengeance for the death of her younger brother. Throughout it all, the house, with its mysterious shadows, very quickly, becomes another character in the story, especially as it gives up its secrets slowly.

The Shadow on the Bridge is a fascinating glimpse into the complex lives of two strong young women whose voices are very clearly heard throughout the whole of this intriguing dual time story.