debjazzergal's review against another edition
4.0
A very interesting read. It was especially interesting as I've been watching Mr. Selfridge on Pbs. His house is mentioned in this book, and Lady Diana Manners who is in this book has been mentioned in the series. It's amazing what was deemed important.
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
DNF
Good for Catherine Bailey, who was able to switch her focus when her intended topic didn't turn out. It was too dry for me at this time.
Good for Catherine Bailey, who was able to switch her focus when her intended topic didn't turn out. It was too dry for me at this time.
mary_r_m's review against another edition
Plot moves too slow. I guess I just wasn't into it.
cakereads's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.25
picked this up on a whim while browsing the WHSmith at Edinburgh Waverly station on my way back to London. i really wanted to read some british history, and the premise of this book is so interesting that i couldn't resist (plus it was buy 1 get 1 half price wth i miss the bookshops in uk already). i am so glad i stumbled upon this book: i haven't had a non-fiction book i plunged through in just a few days before, because the way this is written is so much like a mystery that it was quite unputdownable. highly recommend! this touches on family drama, ww1, shame, and trying to stand against what others wants of you. just really good and kinda sad.
bergha1998's review
medium-paced
3.0
Really intriguing true story of a historian finally allowed into a British aristocrat’s home only to find periods of the family’s life wholly erased. But through careful research she rediscovers them.
booksnaturemagic's review against another edition
2.0
This book was so promising. I don't typically read much historical nonfiction. Not because I don't like history - but more due to how dry they can be. Even when presented with a fascinating subject. I was really into this book for the first half of it. The three mysteries presented were fascinating and her discoveries were interesting. But she lost me amongst an interminable recitation of facts, and excerpts from not entirely relevant letters. Dry and boring - way too many unimportant details. The book suffered from a want of judicious editing! (And one of the mysteries was never solved - just kind of dropped and never mentioned again.)
plaidpladd's review
4.0
This was good. Really interesting. Probably could have been edited down a bit, though