This is the story of four sisters. One summer they return to Applecote Manor to stay with their Aunt and Uncle. The last time they were there their cousin was alive but she disappeared after they left and had never been found. This is the last summer the sisters will be together and the presence ot two local lads adds excitement as well as jealousy to their holiday
Things go horribly wrong between the sisters with far reaching consequences
.Parallel to this story is the one of the current owners of the Manor and we now find out what happened all those years ago and the price paid by all.
Poignant story and beautifully written.

A richly detailed and atmospheric dual time-frame story about the long reaches of a family’s dark secret. The setting, both in the contemporary and the historical strand, is beautifully imagined -- the tumbling-down house, the wild and overgrown garden and orchards -- with just the right touch of gothic darkness. The emotional upheavals of the two families, past and present, are sensitively wrought and drive the story towards the solution of the mystery. I'll be looking out for other books by this author -- really enjoyed it and would highly recommend for fans of Kate Morton and Hannah Richell.

An absorbing story of the disappearance of a young woman in the 50's, it weaves a beautiful narrative around family, growing up and grief. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because I disliked the 'present day' chapters which I felt contrasted badly with the ones in the 50's, they felt forced and derivative.

I enjoyed this enigmatic tale set over two timelines and would recommend to other readers. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the chance to review this book and look forward to her next one.

As soon as I had read the first chapter, I knew this was going to be a book that I would enjoy. What an intriguing,suspenseful storyline as it journeys between the past and present. It was very well written and you could visualise Applecote Manor in the Cotswolds. The book has a dual timeline and a duel narrative. Excellent Summer read.

I love this book! A Kate Morton style historical look back mystery with a bit of the Outcast by Sadie Jones! Set in 1959 and the present day- in the gothic and rundown Applecote Manor- four sisters attempt to discover what happened to their cousin Audrey Wilde! The body dragging opener is winner and the reader wants to know how it fits and what happened to divide a once close group of sisters and ultimately what happened to Audrey! A really well written and paced book- very addictive and sticks around in your head for a good while! I really enjoyed this book and I am heading for the authors previous book- thanks to NetGalley and the publishers!

I really enjoyed this book particularly the segments set in 1959 which really evoked that time period in a cinematic fashion. I found I would get so caught up in them that it was quite a surprise when the narrative switched back to present day. A great study of families and the bond between sisters. The ending was the cherry on the cake for me and caused a wee happy tear in my eye.

What an intriguing,suspenseful storyline as it journeys between the past and present about two families who lived in the same house, one past owner and the new one.

Rather compelling - draws you into the intrigue, but I found some parts a little slow in terms of the narrative arc. Well written though and an enjoyable read.

It's quite a gripping opening; back in the 1950's 4 sisters are dragging a bloody body through the fields. It isn't until the end of the book that we discover the events that led to this moment and who the body is. This isn't a crime story though, more a gentle exploration of two families, both marked by tragedy in different ways, and the house that forms the connection between the Margot and Jessie.

The book has a dual timeline and is narrated by two voices - Margot in the 50's and Jessie in the present day. I enjoyed Margot's story more than Jessie's; the Summer as she comes of age is really evocative and almost dreamy in tone and I would have liked to have lived in her world for a little longer.

Thanks go to the publishers and net galley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed the dual timeline but felt the sections on the 50's were much stronger than the present day...the Wilde sisters lived and breathed where as Jesse, Will, Bella and Romy felt 2D in comparison. Applecote Manor was very well drawn and there was a very strong sense of place throughout. An atmospheric page turner.

Slightly disappointing story told with flashbacks as an old mystery is uncovered. The book begins with the girls at the centre of the 1950s section of the novel trying to hide a body so some of the suspense is lost straight away. The modern day section followed the much-used formula of a young family moving to a new house where the heroine is going to find herself isolated and in danger as her husband travels to London for work every day and her teenage stepdaughter hates her. I found the parts set in the 1950s much more entertaining than the modern day ones and wanted to read on to find out who'd been murdered and why.

If I had to describe this book in three words, they would be: captivating, haunting and relatable. Maybe unusual words for a novel set in the countryside during the 50s, but The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde had me hooked until the very end.

I wasn’t sure whether this would be the novel for me. When I read the first few chapters, I felt like I was reading something akin to Atonement, albeit set a little later in the 20th century. But, as I continued to read, I was dazzled by every aspect of the story.

The novel actually has two narratives, one from the perspective of Margot Wilde, and the other from present day, Jessie who has just moved into Applecote Manor. I always love stories like this because reading one plot can be a little boring sometimes. Every time I started a chapter from Margot, I was desperate to carry on reading to get to Jessie’s next chapter and vice versa.

What began as a slow plot centred around the Wilde sisters, became a thrilling mystery with so many twists and turns. What I loved most about the novel were the descriptive passages where I could feel the hot, hazy nights and those childhood summers you still remember with such nostalgia.

All in all, the novel was a lovely Summer read with an incredibly captivating mystery at the heart of it.

A must-read for fans of Kate Atkinson’s Case Histories series!

<b> 4.5 Stars </b>
<b> A compelling and atmospheric page turner, a rich gothic tale for lovers of books like the [book:The Thirteenth Tale|40440] Set in large period Manor deep in the English countryside a once imposing home but now slightly dilapidated overgrown estate. A house with a sense of intrigue about it and an unsettling history where strange rumours surround the Estate and the family that lived there in the past. </b>

<i> Present Day</i>
Applecote Manor captivates Jessie with it promise of hazy summers in the Cotswolds a perfect escape for her troubled family, far away from London and its madness and a new beginning in a home that she can at last make her own. But the house has a hidden history and strange rumours surround the estate, rumours which the locals are not about to divulge too easily.
<i>The Fifties</i>
When the four wilde sisters come to stay with their Aunt and Uncle at Applecote Manor, they find that the vanishing of their young cousin Audrey 5 years earlier still remains a mystery and the hot summer of 1959 becomes one they will remember for some time.

Beautifull descriptive writing by Eve Chase and a terrific air of suspense with a tightly woven and mysterious plot, I was captivated from beginning to end, for me this is the sort of novel that only comes around once in awhile and not only has the author a remarkable literate style she has a terrific imagination and I have no hesitation in recommending this novel for loves of gothic intrigue and haunting tales where family secrets and period houses come to life.

My thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this one in return for an honest review.

A lovely book that follows a slow pace but still keeps you engaged. It's a story that stays with you long after you have finished the book. A delightful read.

A book to lose yourself in: so many great characters, and a vividly drawn and atmospheric setting.
Set in dual time-frame in the evocatively named Applecote Manor, a story of family, of love and loss. Perfect for a lazy weekend or a holiday. I'll be on the look-out for more of Eve Chase's books.

Nostalgic yet disturbing, you want so much for it to be idyllic, yet it can’t be...
The story begins with four girls who are dragging a body across a field in late August 1959, We don’t know who the body is, simply that they are four sisters working together, bonded by this act.

There are two overlapping tales in this book – the first taking place in the summer of 1959, the second 50 years later. The earlier tale is about the four sisters who had gone to Applecote Manor an idyllic country house set in extensive grounds with an Italiante swimming pool for 2 weeks, each summer, until the mysterious disappearance of their cousin, Audrey who lived there with her parents. The later story is of a modern family who move to escape the pressures of London life and who are trying to make sense of their new relationships after the sudden loss of the father’s first wife.

The four sisters return to Applecote Manor five years after the disappearance of their cousin, when their mother goes abroad for a job. They find Audrey’s parents diminished and reclusive, and their strict rules limiting and oppressive. They expect a boring summer. Margot, the storyteller bears a physical resemblance to Audrey and was her closest playmate out of the four. ‘Audrey ’cannot be mentioned either in the Manor or outside. Villagers turn away when they realise where the girls are staying – this is a mystery that has never been solved, and suspicions abound.

The girls feel most uncomfortable near their Uncle Perry (Audrey’s father), but whether this is from anything concrete or just the imaginings of adolescent girls we’re not sure. This is a novel about awakening sexuality and Summer suddenly appears much brighter when two boys associated with the ‘big house’ of the village make their appearance and show their eagerness to share summer with them.

Meanwhile the modern day ‘Tucker’ family hopes to change their hectic London lifestyle to a more restful, nurturing one; especially for their 16 year old daughter Bella. Bella lost her mum (and Will, his first wife) in an accident. Bella resents her new stepmum, Jessica, who tries to build bridges but is in turn afraid of being rejected. She falls in love with Applecote Manor and they all move in along with their toddler Romy, not without misgivings on the part of Will. Bella seems fascinated by the ‘aura’ of the place and among the feelings of bereavement, resentment and jealousy on Bella’s part and paranoia and inadequacy on Jessica’s side, she wishes Will were present a lot more, (as originally planned); but he has unforeseen business problems to sort out in London first.

Both stories are haunted by ‘the person that isn’t there’. You so want to know what happened to her. The late 1950’s sunny summer heatwave sequences are beautifully written about the 4 girls, almost “Enid Blyton-does-adolescence and-awakening -sexuality’” if you could ever imagine such a thing! Super-nostalgic writing for me who loved EB as a child and still appreciates her as an author of her time. It all seems idyllic, but at the back of your mind, there is always the missing Audrey.

I loved this book, about the bond of sisterhood and modern family ties and relationships . Family strengths, really. An absolutely super read, highly recommended and one which will make your mind boggle about knitted swimwear on middle-aged sleeping men…! (Sorry, can’t shake that rather unwanted image).

‘Applecote Manor captivates Jessie with it promise of hazy summers in the Cotswolds. She believes it's the perfect escape for her troubled family. But the house has an unsettling history, and strange rumours surround the estate.
When teenage Margot and her three sisters arrive at Applecote during the heat wave of '59, they find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their daughter, Audrey, five years before.
The sisters are drawn into the mystery of Audrey's vanishing - until the stifling summer takes a shocking, deadly turn. Will one unthinkable choice bind them together, or tear them apart?’
This is a beautifully written and atmospheric novel, with strong female protagonists and a gothic feel to it. The description and imagery of the Cotswold’s is brought vividly to life and you can see, feel, hear the house around you as you read. The novels themes are around family, love and the sisterly bond that can overcome all obstacles. There is also an underlying mystery throughout the book and half way through, it does turn into a pacy page turner.
The prose is sharp and on point – I devoured it eagerly. I fell in love with the Wildling sisters – beautiful Flora, sharp-tongued Pam, invisible Margot and baby Dot. I wanted to move into Applecote Manor, was longing to spend an idyllic summer there in the grounds and picnicking, basking in the sunshine. This is a perfect read either on the beach or curled up in front of the fire in winter.
I would recommend this book.

This book is set in two time frames.

In the present day, Jessie, her husband Will, baby daughter Romy, and Will’s troubled teenage daughter Bella move from London to an old house in the countryside in the hope of bringing the family together. They arrive at the start of the winter, and begin to investigate the secrets of the house.
In the fifties four sisters are sent to the same house to spend the summer with their aunt Sybil and uncle Perry, whose daughter Audrey disappeared five years previously, while their widowed mother works abroad. The idea of being a teenager in the more innocent 1950s is beautifully evoked, as is the feeling of being on the cusp of womanhood, half woman, half child.

I loved the contrast between the stories, the languid hot summer, and the sexual awakening of the girls, the dangers of growing up and understanding the world, and how their actions start to heal Sybil and Perry.
Contrasted with the cold dark winter as Jessie struggles to build and keep her relationship with her fractured family, and another teenager, Bella, has to cope with the changes in her life.

And tying the two narratives together, Audrey, and what happened to her.

Naturally, secrets are revealed, and the two narratives come together beautifully at the end.


Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin UK Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read this book.

The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde is an exquisitely written mystery/ historical fiction. The writing is rich and descriptive, immersing you in the scenery and the lives of the characters. I felt like I could envisage the rambling house and walk through the gardens with its tantalising smells of flora and delightful views.

The dual line flips between the present day and 1959 with the full picture slowly emerging as the book progresses. The perspective is told from two perspective; 15 year old Margot in 1959 and Jessie in the present day. The storytelling was effortless, with the two times effortless leading from one to another.

Applecote Manor, The Cotswolds 1959
Flora, Pam and Margot are sisters and only a year apart - then there's Dot who was a surprise three years after Margot was born. Their mother Bunny Wilde was different - more bohemian - than other Mothers and their father died in a terrible accident a few years ago. Their Fathers older brother and wife - Perry and Sybil Wilde who live in Applecote Manor - pay for the girls to attend boarding school in Oxfordshire at Squirrels Ladies College. Their daughter - Audrey their cousin - went to a grander (and warmer!) school in Dorset. The Wildes ensure no money goes directly to their Mother, who they don't approve of.

With acting and modelling work drying up, Bunny decides to take up the offer of a job in Marrakesh, meaning in the school holidays, the girls will be staying at Applecote Manor in the Cotswolds. None of them are keen on going, although they used to spend two fun filled weeks there every summer. However the summer visits all stopped five years ago and now something dark and long forgotten is attempting to form itself out of the blur of their memories. Not long after the girls last visit five years ago, Audrey their cousin disappeared without a trace one hot August summers evening, when fishing in the river on the other side of the meadow. Like a magician performing a disappearing act, she simply seemed to evaporate into thin air.

Present day
Jessie is in her mid 30's and has been married to Will for a few years. Wills wife Mandy tragically died leaving him to look after their daughter Bella. Then he met Jessie and in quick succession they got married and had Romy. Jessie has a rather prickly fractious relationship with her two daughter Bella, who is still grieving for her Mum and doesn't see Bella as a permanent fixture in her Dads life. Jessie tries her best, but Bella makes her feel like she is second best to the seemingly perfect memory of Mandy.

Jessie dreams of moving away from London to somewhere in the country. She wants Romy to grow up away from the city, and believes a move will help get Bella away from a bad crowd and an incident that happened at school the family want to forget about. Only Jessie can't...

Jessie organises a viewing on a house in the Cotswolds - Applecote Manor - it has a gorgeous garden, an orangery, a woody area known as the Wilderness, small walled orchard, and derelict swimming pool. A pretty iron gate lies at the end of the garden looking out over an expanse of meadow with its ancient stone circle of knee high stones. She thinks the house and countryside could solve all her anxieties about the future and Romy and Bella. Eight months after the viewing and persuading Will, they move from London to start a new life. Only the house appears a bit different. Like someone has been there since the last time they visited in March.

In a strange case of history repeating itself Bella will also be starting at Squirrels Ladies College in September like the Wildes in the 1950's. She then begins to dig into the history of the house and the girl who disappeared. A mysterious woman in a headscarf is seen around the perimetres of the ground. Just when Jessie wants Will around the most, he has to spend more time in London, leaving her alone with the girls. Her relationship with Bella seems to be disintegrating further and with Will spending more time in London, she feels they are growing apart. Has she made a huge mistake in uprooting her family? Applecotes secrets start seemingly come full circle with the past and present beginning to merge.

I adored this book. It was deliciously descriptive and simply beautifully written. The past story of the narrative which concentrates on the Wilde siblings and the mystery of what happened to Audrey, is beautifully evocative of times gone by. I was utterly lost in the hazy never ending summer and the story and mystery of the characters. It focused on the relationships and dynamics between the sisters, and how this started to change as the girls began growing up over the summer. Of course the mystery of what happened to Audrey is also delved into.
The present day is more driven by the relationship between step families and attempting to start afresh. I do think the Wilde sisters story could have been a stand alone story, but the present day brought it all together and led the book towards a fantastic conclusion. What brought the two time periods together is the theme of loss, and obviously the mystery of what happened to Audrey at Applecote that long ago summer.

If you love historical fiction and/ or mysteries that really make you feel part of the story with rich and beautifully haunting
writing, then The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde is a must read. This is one of my favourite reads so far this year, I really am beginning to adore historical fiction such as this. Writing that can really set the scene and weave a compelling and suspenseful story, that also manages to touch your soul. If you don't like story's that move along at a deliciously slow pace, immersing you fully into the world of the characters, this may not be fast paced enough. I'm finding books such as this utterly absorbing with the rich and lavish descriptions really touching me. Eve Chase is a new author to me, but I really need to read more of her works. If this is a taste of her writing, she will be straight onto my instant purchase list. Simply beautiful.

With many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin U.K - Michael Joseph and Eve Chase for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for an honest and unbiased review.