THIS is a wonderful first novel, it tells a story of love, mystery, family rebellion and a woman with an enviable adventure-filled life and an extraordinary memory.

The story centres around two sisters, Hannah And Emmeline, who come from a wealthy and privileged background, and of a young housemaid at Riverton, Grace.

It is Grace who narrates the story through the use of flashbacks, which are very neatly integrated into the story - so well that the reader doesn't even notice the story keeps switching from past to present.

The characters are deeply developed and entirely credible, they really leap off the page and into your living room.

The story is fast-paced and beautifully written, the suspense mounts gently, layer upon layer, until you can bear it no longer.

How does it end? That is a huge surprise and well worth the wait.

Grace's secret that she has kept all this time is a very unexpected twist. I would recommend this book to anyone.

If you want to know about more great books to read and want to join a readers' group, pop in to Redditch Library.

Denise