I think Kate Morton can see into my soul and know exactly what I'm looking for in a book because I haven't been disappointed yet! I would describe this book as gothic because it has all of the makings: family secrets, a castle, the idea of ghosts, and tragedies. Edie is a young woman who works in the publishing company and is directly connected to Milderhurst castle, an old place owned by the three reclusive Sisters Blythe, although she has no idea. She discovers her connection when her mother receives a long-lost letter in the mail from Juniper Blythe, the youngest of the sisters. Her mother, Merry, reveals that as a child during WWII, she was evacuated from London into a local village. Juniper chose Merry to live at Milderhurst castle with the Sisters Blythe and their father, Raymond Blythe, the author of a children's book that would go on to inspire Edie's love of literature and her calling to the publishing industry. The origin of the story (The True History of the Mud Man) becomes a 75 year old mystery in the book-world, which Edie sets out to unravel.returnreturnEmotionally, this book reminded me how connected we all are and how important people's stories are. Unless you're the first occupant of your home, someone has lived there before you. That person had a story, a life, and their own form of tragedy. This book reminded me that a little piece of that person lives on in that home and we brush up against it daily.returnreturnMorton always does an excellent job of creating characters that have essences of the person that I want to be. She is skilled at jumping back and forth in time, but allowing the reader to easily follow and understand. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves books about castles, family secrets, WWII, and eccentric old women!