This is the last in the trilogy of the sweeping historical saga featuring the de Witt family, but my first read of it, it worked mostly fine as a standalone as there is much information on what has happened previously. This has been compared to Downton Abbey, but it is much darker and the majority of the family characters are distinctly more unlikeable with the possible exception of the half German Celia, who nevertheless still manages to irritate me on a few occasions. This novel covers the years from 1929 including the repercussions of the Wall Street Crash to the start of WW2, set in New York and at the family home of Stoneythorpe in Winchester. There had been the revelation from her father, Rudolf, that he and Verena, her mother, had lied about the death of her baby son Michael, that he was in fact adopted in the US. Michael is the product of Celia's love for Tom, although he never felt the same. Her brother, Arthur, had been exonerated of murdering his wife, Louisa, at a sensational trial in London. Arthur is looking to establish a new life in New York, find a rich new wife and save the family firm of Winter Meats, and Celia accompanies him to help, but it is Michael, her son, she really wants to find.

Arthur fails to persuade the financiers to bankroll Winter Meats, it is Celia who succeeds as a capable business woman, launching her range of Flapper Foods, aimed at the rising market of young women looking for convenience foods. Tragedy is to ensue as investments lead to their ruin with the economic crash as Celia is once again burdened by harrowing secrets. Having located Michael, Celia's new fiance Jonathan Corrigan helps her gain custody of him. Returning to a Stoneycroft that she has been advised to sell, she is shocked at just how dilapidated and rundown the family home is. Michael settles down remarkable quickly as he forges a close relationship with Lily, Emmeline's daughter. Celia's plans disintegrate in the face of the intransigence of her parents, refusing to move, and Emmeline expecting Celia to save their house of shadows with its secrets from the past and present. None are willing to shoulder their share of responsibilities, and lack the capacity to adapt to their changing circumstances. Despite the sorrow, grief and horror that her family have burdened her with, Celia's greater allegiance is to her fickle family and Michael, not her personal happiness. The new generation prove to be as traumatising and problematic in ways that echo the history of their elders. Faced with further trials and tribulations, Celia sets about replicating her American business success with the establishment of her Violet's Kitchen food range.

Celia has a saviour complex, the need to save others, and is surprised when her efforts are rebuffed by some, and when it comes to her family, they are willing to exploit this quality in her. I personally feel she would have been better off letting them try to handle their own problems, even if they failed, instead of putting up with their continuous carping and the nastiness of her sister, Emmeline. However, perhaps the tragic loss of her brothers, family secrets, and her need for family acceptance leave her open to their machinations. Kate Williams takes us through key events in the inter war years, such as the Spanish Civil War, the establishment of radical groups, the anti war efforts, planning for war, all through the De Witt family. Williams historical knowledge drives the various threads in the novel and in her characterisation. An interesting and entertaining historical read. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.