The Winter Garden by Nicola Cornick does what I love about historical fiction. It teaches me something new in history. I read the story and am off to search nonfiction sources for the actual history. I have, of course, heard of Guy Fawkes and Bonfire Night. However, I had never before heard of Robert Catesby and his role in this history. The fact that the fiction is from the perspective of the women leaves me wondering of the actual women of this history and if anything is written of their roles and contributions.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2024/05/the-winter-garden.html

Reviewed for NetGalley. ( )

I love the front cover of this novel, it is absolutely gorgeous. Unfortunately, the story itself didn't live up to the cover. The plot was satisfying, just unremarkable. Once again, there was a dual timeline but, for once, I preferred the modern story to the historical one.

I found Lucy's struggles with her career-ending illness far more interesting that the historical characters, Catherine and Anne, but none of the women really connected with me. However, I adored Geoffrey, the big, black labrador. He reminded me so much of my beautiful Taji and I also loved the idea of a Tudor winter garden.

"The Winter Garden" had a strong supernatural element running through it with ghosts and visions which didn't appeal and the secrets were rather mediocre. Overall, a fairly disappointing read. ( )

The Winter Garden is a classic sort of multi-strand mystery novel with a long-ago problem being rediscovered and investigated in the present day. The long-ago part of the novel focuses on the Gunpowder Plot, but not in the usual way. This isn't a novel of men determined to destroy one another for the glory of their faith. Instead, the two women in the Elizabethan strand of this novel are mother and wife to one of the plotters, worried about the impact his decision to pursue violent action will have on the family through the generations.

In the present-day, Lucy, a concert violinist and rising musical star, has had her life forced to a halt because COVID and a long-term pulmonary infection have left her without the stamina needed to continue pursuing her musical career. Lucy is staying at the home of her Aunt Verity, who worked in Bletchly Park during WWII and is now a demolition expert. (Bletchly and demolitions don't really play a role in the novel, but those details are too good to leave out).

Aunt Verity's home, parts of which date back to the Tudor era, is the site of a present-day archaeological investigation of its grounds, which show signs of once having featured a magnificent garden. The archaeological aspect of the story adds two more threads to the plot: the head of the dig is a) a romantic interest for Lucy and b) mourning the sudden death of his brother who had also been working on the dig.

And for good measure, Lucy finds herself bring haunted by Catherine, the wife of the gunpowder plotter.

The thickening plot is neatly constructed and provides the kind of read that, while not remarkable, is quite engaging and satisfying. If you like historical mysteries, "women's fiction" (a label I find irritating, but appropriate here), budding romance between characters who have intellectual and personal connections, as well as an attraction to one another, or cross-century paranormal activity—you'll find The Winter Garden a pleasurable read.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher; the opinions are my own. ( )

This is a fantastic historical mystery. I love that this is based on a true happening that took place in the early 1600. I loved both the story in the past and the present. I loved that the characters in the past and present come to help each other out. I love the paranormal aspect of the story also. I did not want to put this book down. I loved Lucy, Anne and Catherine. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )