From the international bestselling author of The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden comes a brand new tale of love, mystery, betrayal and dark secrets . . .
The Distant Hours
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Review
'A dilapidated castle, aristocratic twins, a troubled sister and a series of dark secrets cast a whispery spell in Morton's third book' --Marie Claire
'An absorbing and haunting read' --Woman & Home
'A bewitching tale of family secrets and betrayal' --Good Housekeeping
'Shades of I Capture the Castle haunt Kate Morton's The Distant Hours as protagonist Edie is drawn into the past.' --InStyle
'Enthralling romantic thriller... will stun readers'
--Publishers Weekly
'In this, her third book, Morton writes in her usual engaging style, taking the reader to the heart of the Blythe family, so that from wartime evacuations through to the machinations of modern-day publishing, you live through every twist and turn.' --Waterstones Books Quarterly
'A page-turner of mystery and suspense.' --ASOS magazine
'Kate Morton's stunning new novel will not disappoint' --Best Magazine
'Kate Morton's clever and compelling new novel is yet more evidence of her place in both the bestseller charts and the hearts of her readers. In this atmospheric and evocative tale of a daughter's journey into her mother's past, a long-lost letter leads Edie Burchill to Milderhurst Castle in Kent and a forgotten world... An intriguing and beautifully observed story.' --Lancashire Evening Post
'Morton (The Forgotten Garden) has quickly established herself as a master of modern gothic, producing complicated and completely satisfying historical mysteries. Her third novel solidifies her dominion... Featuring a fresh and thrilling gothic mystery, cinematic storytelling, and fully developed characters who possess layers of deliciously surprising secrets, this complex story is developed at a leisurely but compelling pace that keeps readers hooked. Recommended for a wide readership, including mystery lovers and historical fiction fans.' --Library Journal
'Morton's writing has enough atmosphere, intrigue and, whisper it, intelligence for The Distant Hours to wheedle its way into the most cynical of hearts...The Distant Hours proves there will always be a readership for melodramatic tales of family intrigue - and Morton is adeptly carrying that tradition into the 21st century.' --Metro
'A cleverly crafted and beautifully descriptive novel.'
--Choice
'An absorbing and haunting read' --Woman & Home
'A bewitching tale of family secrets and betrayal' --Good Housekeeping
'Shades of I Capture the Castle haunt Kate Morton's The Distant Hours as protagonist Edie is drawn into the past.' --InStyle
'Enthralling romantic thriller... will stun readers'
--Publishers Weekly
'In this, her third book, Morton writes in her usual engaging style, taking the reader to the heart of the Blythe family, so that from wartime evacuations through to the machinations of modern-day publishing, you live through every twist and turn.' --Waterstones Books Quarterly
'A page-turner of mystery and suspense.' --ASOS magazine
'Kate Morton's stunning new novel will not disappoint' --Best Magazine
'Kate Morton's clever and compelling new novel is yet more evidence of her place in both the bestseller charts and the hearts of her readers. In this atmospheric and evocative tale of a daughter's journey into her mother's past, a long-lost letter leads Edie Burchill to Milderhurst Castle in Kent and a forgotten world... An intriguing and beautifully observed story.' --Lancashire Evening Post
'Morton (The Forgotten Garden) has quickly established herself as a master of modern gothic, producing complicated and completely satisfying historical mysteries. Her third novel solidifies her dominion... Featuring a fresh and thrilling gothic mystery, cinematic storytelling, and fully developed characters who possess layers of deliciously surprising secrets, this complex story is developed at a leisurely but compelling pace that keeps readers hooked. Recommended for a wide readership, including mystery lovers and historical fiction fans.' --Library Journal
'Morton's writing has enough atmosphere, intrigue and, whisper it, intelligence for The Distant Hours to wheedle its way into the most cynical of hearts...The Distant Hours proves there will always be a readership for melodramatic tales of family intrigue - and Morton is adeptly carrying that tradition into the 21st century.' --Metro
'A cleverly crafted and beautifully descriptive novel.'
--Choice
Book Description
Edie Burchill and her mother have never been close, but when a long lost letter arrives with the return address of Milderhurst Castle, Kent, printed on its envelope, Edie begins to suspect that her mother’s emotional distance masks an old secret. Evacuated from London as a thirteen year old girl, Edie’s mother is chosen by the mysterious Juniper Blythe, and taken to live at Millderhurst Castle with the Blythe family. Fifty years later, Edie too is drawn to Milderhurst and the eccentric Sisters Blythe. Old ladies now, the three still live together, the twins nursing Juniper, whose abandonment by her fiancé in 1941 plunged her into madness. Inside the decaying castle, Edie begins to unravel her mother’s past. But there are other secrets hidden in the stones of Milderhurst Castle, and Edie is about to learn more than she expected. The truth of what happened in the distant hours has been waiting a long time for someone to find it . . .
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By C. Castle
Format:Paperback
I was really excited when I picked this up. The blurb was interesting and the thickness of the book promised a really satisfyingly good read. Oh dear.
Firstly, by the end of page one I knew why the book was so long. Ms Morton uses twelve words to say what most people would say in six. Far too much description, flowery prose and adjectives. I found I skim read nearly the entire book - except the end which I didn't even read - more on that in a minute.
The twins at the centre of the novel and their poor mad sister are not attractive characters. I don't mind characters that are flawed but you just can't bring yourself to care about this trio. Percy is vile and Saffy is a wimp.
The key twists in the plot I had guessed by a quarter of a way through. There was a slight twist that I didn't see coming but it was delivered in such a flat manner that I gained no enjoyment from it.
At that point I gave up. The book should have stopped around there anyway, but I figured as I had learnt the great 'mystery' there was little point in torturing myself anymore.
I agree with the other reviewers - what was the editor thinking? Nice setting, good premise but awful characterisation, unfulfilling plot and meandering amateurish writing. Sorry Ms Morton - but this goes in the Send Direct To Charity Shop pile.
Firstly, by the end of page one I knew why the book was so long. Ms Morton uses twelve words to say what most people would say in six. Far too much description, flowery prose and adjectives. I found I skim read nearly the entire book - except the end which I didn't even read - more on that in a minute.
The twins at the centre of the novel and their poor mad sister are not attractive characters. I don't mind characters that are flawed but you just can't bring yourself to care about this trio. Percy is vile and Saffy is a wimp.
The key twists in the plot I had guessed by a quarter of a way through. There was a slight twist that I didn't see coming but it was delivered in such a flat manner that I gained no enjoyment from it.
At that point I gave up. The book should have stopped around there anyway, but I figured as I had learnt the great 'mystery' there was little point in torturing myself anymore.
I agree with the other reviewers - what was the editor thinking? Nice setting, good premise but awful characterisation, unfulfilling plot and meandering amateurish writing. Sorry Ms Morton - but this goes in the Send Direct To Charity Shop pile.
120 of 130 people found the following review helpful
By L. Bretherton
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
What on earth went wrong with this book? Was there no editor involved? It is at least 100 pages too long, there is endless overlapping of plot and descriptions of rain and thunderstorms. Chapter after chapter underlining the terrible fate of the lost love of Juniper, and then this huge build-up towards the final revelation of what actually happened... and.... it all seems a bit of a damp squib. After all sorts of dark references to the Father and his power over the 3 sisters, any suspense just fizzles away into the muddy moat.
Yes, there is some lovely descriptive language along the way, but SO much repetition, and so many allusions to other classics - Great Expectations, Rebecca, I Capture the Castle, and of course, the author's own first two books.
In the end, after days of struggling to reach the end of this heavyweight tome, I felt like throwing it across the room. So many words for such a small outcome.
Yes, there is some lovely descriptive language along the way, but SO much repetition, and so many allusions to other classics - Great Expectations, Rebecca, I Capture the Castle, and of course, the author's own first two books.
In the end, after days of struggling to reach the end of this heavyweight tome, I felt like throwing it across the room. So many words for such a small outcome.
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By Lilia
Format:Hardcover
I asked for this book for Christmas as I had so enjoyed The House at Riverton and the Forgotten Garden. I was really looking forward to starting it but ended up very disappointed. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt and thought maybe it was a slow starter but it never picked up. It seemed to take ages to get to any kind of point and when the secrets were finally disclosed, I found I had already guessed them anyway! It's ridiculously and unnecessarily long and the characters were unlikeable (with possibly the exception of Thomas) and I honestly didn't care what happened. I only gave this 2 stars rather than 1 as I did manage to finish it.
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Keep a it
Toyed reading this initially but gave up as too tired to concentrate. Read again on holiday and loved it once I got to grips with changes in time. Read more
Published 6 hours ago by L G Currie
3.0 out of 5 stars
Too much about dark and stormy nights
I did read this book all the way through without resorting to major speed reading, so I can't say it was all bad. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Katie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Read it for yourself!
I read other readers' reviews before I read 'The Distant Hours' for myself. I'm so glad I ignored the majority of the reviews and decided to find out for myself. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Margaret
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent read.
Really enjoyed this. Best of Morton's yet. If you like books that unfold as they progress but keep you guessing, this is for you.
Published 8 days ago by avid reader
4.0 out of 5 stars
Another Time-lapse Tale
I have read all of Kate Morton's books and enjoyed this one which is typical of her genre. A good holiday read.
Published 8 days ago by GS
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Distant Hours - Kate Morton
This book was an excellent read. I chose to read it because I have read the other two Kate Morton books and found it was a very good story, as were all the other novels of hers.
Published 10 days ago by bookworm
1.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing
I was delighted to pick this up for 50p from a book stall, and savoured the opening of the first pages. I too had enjoyed The House at Riverton and the Forgotten Garden. Read more
Published 11 days ago by Book kid
5.0 out of 5 stars
gripping
This book was fantastic!! It had me guessing all the way through, there are twists and turns. You get to know your characters and can become completely immersed into the book. Read more
Published 15 days ago by battydora
5.0 out of 5 stars
Holiday reading
Excellent delivery - keeping it for my next holiday- the other books have been most enjoyable. Good to have it on Kindle
Published 18 days ago by vemm28
5.0 out of 5 stars
She does it again!
Kate Morton never fails!
A brilliant storyline, well written. Whilst it had a slow start, the book realy got going about a quarter way through.
A brilliant storyline, well written. Whilst it had a slow start, the book realy got going about a quarter way through.
Published 19 days ago by Woolpack
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