A haunting at Holkham by Anne Glenconner

Holkham Hall is a big house with lots of secrets hidden within.

The story begins with Lady Anne Coke on a business trip when she is called home due to a family emergency. When she arrives home, she finds her beloved grandfather is dead, having fallen down a flight of stairs. As she talks with her parents Anne starts to believe that things are not all as they seem, and when a childhood friend of Anne’s is also found dead, she starts to believe that there is more to it.

Anne has some happy memories of her childhood with her grandfather at Holkham Hall as well as some not so happy memories from that time, that still cause her fear. She finds an unlikely ally who helps her to unravel both the horrible memories of her childhood, that she has concealed for so long, and the fate of what really happened to her grandfather and childhood friend. As the memories slowly return Anne finds that they lead her to the discovery of the truth.

Anne finds out that not everyone is who they pretend to be, starting with her childhood governess.

'Such a lot goes on under one’s nose and we don’t even notice'.

The way the story is written with the present story woven through with the story of Anne’s 11 year old self makes for a great read. This story will keep you engaged till the very end as you try and work out who are friends and who can’t be trusted.

Themes: Mystery.

Karen Colliver