I have become such a fan of Alexandra Walsh’s books over the past few years so I am delighted to be taking my turn on the blog tour today, which is publication day for her latest book, The House of Echoes. My thanks to Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to take part in the tour and to the publisher for my digital copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly and impartially.
‘The Brandon blood is dark with lies and treachery and as it flows through my heart, my vow is this: they will all pay.’
Hampton Court Palace 1530s
Anne Brandon has always understood the power of a king’s patronage and, though the court of Henry VIII is a dangerous place for women, as the daughter of the king’s best friend, Anne feels safer than most. But Anne’s husband Lord Powis is tiring of her childlessness and when Henry VIII begins plotting to rid himself of a queen in his quest for an heir, suddenly Anne’s life is in danger. And as whispers of the name of her friend Anne Boleyn get ever louder, there is peril in every loose word, every forbidden conversation.
Caroline Harvey has spent years helping her grandfather, the reclusive bestselling novelist Dexter Blake, hide from his legions of fans in his home on the Pembrokshire coast. After his death, the vultures begin to circle Dexter’s fortune. When Caroline’s ownership of the house she has inherited is called into question, her research into its history reveals it was once owned by Anne Brandon who had sought refuge there. Intrigued, Caroline is determined to discover why Anne fled the court of Henry VIII.
Two women divided by centuries but joined by secrets and courage. And when a twist in their histories threatens them both with the same fate – losing the man they love – their revenge will be the same too. Because there’s no one mightier than a woman underestimated or more powerful than the need to save those they love.
The best thing for me about reading this type of historical fiction is learning about lesser known characters from the relevant period. I have read a lot of both fiction and non-fiction featuring the Tudor period, as have most people I suspect, but I have come across very little about Anne Brandon. Her father, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, is always a prominent figure in books about Henry VIII and the Tudor court but and, much less so, so this book was a fascinating new subject for me.
And it is obvious that the author has done a huge amount of research into this topic, but used it wisely, to bring a Tudor woman out of the shadows and in to her own story. As Caro says in the book, the female members of the Tudor court are always a footnote in the story of a man, and it is wonderful for them to have their own voices heard. Their lives were often perilous and unhappy, pawns in men’s pursuit of power and valued only for the status they could bring to their families and the heirs they could provide for their husbands. If they failed in these duties, they were blamed, reviled, cast aside and disrespected. To hear their stories, and discover the strength and resilience they displayed in the face of adversity, fills my heart with joy, and Anne Brandon has this in spades in this book.
The author brings the Tudor court and its intrigue and perils to vivid life in this book. It is rich with colour and life and danger and as exciting as any modern day thriller you could pick up. This author always displays great empathy and understanding for these lost women of history and you can feel her love and respect flowing off the page, the reader cannot help but share it. Anne’s story kept me up late into the night, desperate to learn of her fate and whether she managed to find a kernel of happiness.
The modern day story was slightly less compelling in this instance, mainly because I found Caro’s story a little convoluted and unbelievable, particularly at the end. I wasn’t sure it all made sense and fitted together, which was a bit distracting, I was much more drawn to the historical chapters in this instance. That being said, this did not ruin my enjoyment of the book and I would not hesitate to recommend the book to anyone who enjoys this type of dual timeline novel, because the history is compelling and this author does the genre particularly well.
All in all, a fascinating story that brings to life the world of an overlooked woman and a book that definitely rewards the effort put in to reading it. Looking forward to what comes next from this author.
The House of Echoes is out today in all formats and you can get a copy here.
Please do visit some of the other blogs taking part in the tour for this book:
About the Author
Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries. Formerly a journalist, writing for national newspapers, magazines and TV, her first book for Boldwood will be published in Spring 2023.
Connect with Alexandra:
Facebook: Alexandra Walsh
Twitter: @purplemermaid25
Instagram: @purplemermaid25
