The House at Riverton

The House at Riverton is a gorgeous debut novel set in England between the wars. Perfect for fans of "Downton Abbey," it's the story of an aristocratic family, a house, a mysterious death, and a way of life that vanished forever, told in flashback by a woman who witnessed it all.

The novel is full of secrets -- some revealed, others hidden forever, reminiscent of the romantic suspense of Daphne du Maurier. It's also a meditation on memory and the devastation of war and a beautifully rendered window into a fascinating time in history.

Title: The House at Riverton

Author: Kate Morton
Publisher: Pan
Publication Date: June 2007
Source: Library
Rating: ★★★☆☆

As I mentioned last week, Kate Morton is one of my favourite authors and I was thrilled to find two books I hadn't yet read at the library. The House at Riverton was the debut novel for Morton and whilst I did give it slightly less star rating than the others I read, it was still very enjoyable. I loved the dynamics in the house between the upstairs and the downstairs, the bonds made and how ultimately those bonds became part of the problem. I also loved how the book moved between past and present, as is typical in Morton's novels, it was easy to follow and very engaging. I didn't wish I was in either one, just happy to follow along with the story as the secret was finally uncovered.

I guessed the secret but not the motivation and for me that was the stand out part. I otherwise would have found it a little too predictable. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and one I would recommend if you have a love for early 20th century historical fiction.