Master storyteller Kathleen McGurl deftly blends mystery, history, passion and intrigue in a dual timeslip novel that sweeps readers off to the Palace of Versailles and modern-day France in her latest mesmerizing page-turner, The Secret of the Chateau.

Pierre and Catherine Aubert, the Comte and Comtesse of Verais, have been enjoying the splendour and sumptuousness of the Palace of Versailles. In a world where every whim and desire is catered for and indulged, young Catherine Aubert is absolutely hypnotised by the sheer hedonistic magnitude that is on offer. Impressionable Catherine cannot help but find herself drawn into this world and the more time she spends with the Queen, the more she finds herself wanting to emulate her and to live the kind of lifestyle which she takes for granted. Having married a much older man, Catherine has grown up knowing that women are powerless and without agency and it is only their beauty that can enable them to improve their circumstances. Pierre might not be the man she imagined she would be spending her life with, however, she has grown to care for the man with whom she hopes to build a life and a family with. But the dark clouds of unrest are fast gaining momentum in France. The poor are sick and tired of all the hardships they endure, while the aristocrats of the country swan around with not a care in the world exploiting them and taking them for granted. Things need to change in France and the only way they will change is through a revolution which jeopardises and puts in peril the lives of all the country’s aristocrats, including Pierre, Catherine and their children…

In the present day, the last couple of years have been tough for Lu. Her beloved mother died recently leaving her grief-stricken and heartbroken and her children have fled the nest, leaving her feeling rather rudderless and wondering what the next few years have in store for her. Luckily for her, Lu has the support of her husband and her friends from university. When after a dinner party, the group of them begin chatting about moving to France and buying a chateau there, Lu goes along with it thinking that this is merely an indulgent whim which will be all forgotten about by the morning. But when morning comes and everyone still is as determined as ever to move to France, it looks like fate is telling Lu to leave the past behind and forge ahead in this new beginning. As Lu begins to settle in in the marvellous chateau that is now her home, she finds herself unable to resist digging into the house’s history – and unravels a centuries old mystery about a woman called Catherine Aubert who had vanished without a trace…

As the past and the present converge, long-buried secrets come to the light leaving Lu even more determined to discover the truth about what really happened to the Comtesse of Verais…

The Secret of the Chateau is superb storytelling at its finest! As always, Kathleen McGurl deftly and seamlessly blends two narratives together and succeeds in writing two full-bodied, intense, emotional and dramatic stories without one overwhelming the other. Kathleen McGurl brings the French landscape to such vivid, glorious and colourful life and takes readers back in time and into a richly drawn world full of nuanced characters, heart-pounding danger, immersive period detail and high stakes emotion.

The Secrets of the Chateau is an involving, engrossing and captivating timeslip novel from a gifted storyteller: Kathleen McGurl.

A Mystery Uncovered

A strong dual story-line and fast-paced, descriptive writing style make this books one o the best I've read this year. Partly set during the 1790s, partly in current times, this is the moving story of the Aubert family. Their family had owned chateau Aubert for many generations and were about to have their lives irrevocably changed by the French Revolution.

When retired historian Lu, her husband Phil and three friends buy the chateau and move in, they hear strange noises. Is this just beams of the old house settling, or is it something more sinister? Lu starts to research its history. Through the dual time-line, the reader gradually learns the devastating truth. A powerful story well told.

I really enjoyed this book. I am a big fan of historical fiction. I was really interested in the details about the French Revolution. I loved the way events during that period of time linked in with the lives of the characters in the 21st century. Living with a group of friends in beautiful peaceful surroundings sounds idyllic and was lovely to read about but I don’t think I could do it myself.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Exciting historical fiction fuses with a making a new start contemporary story in an absorbing page-turning read.

The contemporary story seen from Lu 's point of view follows the adventures of five friends in their late fifties who decide to sell up and move to France. Believably crafted easy to like characters and a vividly described setting make this contemporary French adventure full of humour and poignancy.

Full of vivid imagery and colourful characters the historical story set in the late eighteenth century has a menacing atmosphere. The dangers faced by the count and his family realistic.

The past and present merge when Lu investigates what happened to the Chateau's previous aristocratic inhabitants.

Both stories are engaging and their connections easy to follow in this historical timeslip mystery.

I received a copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Kathleen McGurl for the opportunity to read The Secret of the Chateau.

I was absorbed from the first chapter, whisked away to the south of France and a beautiful chateau which has been purchased by five best friends relocating in their retirement for a better quality of life.

The story switches between these new occupants and the story of Pierre and Catherine who were resident in the same chateau at the time of the French Revolution in the late 1700's. The story is told in an effortless, silky way as though you are being led along a winding path through the grounds of the chateau and the events of the book are happening around you. I absolutely adored it and whizzed through the whole book on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I haven't read any books by this author before but since reading this I've purchased several others. A gem of a book.

As a fan of historical fiction and Kathleen McGurl, I had super high hopes, and was not disappointed. I loved the dual timeline, especially The French Revolution aspect. Combining the story of the family Aubert with the adventure of the British retirees made for a fascinating read, connecting the past and the present through the château in the Alpes-Maritime and the village it overlooked. 

The story of the Pierre and Catherine Aubert, the Comte and Comtesse de Verais begins at the Palace of Versailles, as members of the Court of Louis XVI and Marie Antoniette. As the Revolution takes a hold, Pierre and Catherine flee to his family castle and live a relatively quiet life, raising children, and supporting their tenants and the villagers alike. When revolutionary forces move out of Paris in search of Louis's supporters, the family is placed in danger again. Someone has betrayed them, and they must flee to safety once more.

If only it were so simple. Baying crowds descend upon the château before they are ready to leave. Will they make it to safety? What becomes of the castle?

In alternating chapters (between the events of the 1780s), the author tells the tale of five Brits looking to start a new life together as retirement beckons. During a boozy evening together, the idea is raised about clubbing together to buy a place in France. Was it an alcohol-fueled pipedream, or could it become a reality? One member of the group, Lu, is less enthusiastic than the others but does not want to be the one to shatter everyone's dreams. And so, the château is purchased. With its many rooms, outlying buildings and towers, there's a lot of work to be done, but they get stuck in and start renovating. It's not until Lu's son Tom comes for a visit that the window without a room is spotted. Lu's intrigue is piqued. While her husband tends to the garden with his new pet goat, she starts to research the castle. As they settle into their new life, the secrets of the château are gradually revealed. 


The opulence of the French Court and the exceptionalism of the nobility is set against the poverty and anger of the working classes. In the modern setting, the village is harmonious and beautifully depicted. The story explodes at great pace, keeping the history alive as the modern-day residents delve further into what might have happened to the castle's original owners. 

If you love a touch of history with your mystery, then this is the book for you. The pages fly by as each chapter reveals a new layer to the characters and their stories. 


Another winner for me from Kathleen McGurl.

I’m always a complete pushover for a well told dual timeline story – and this one most definitely delighted me.

The historical story begins at the court in Versailles with the approach of the revolution. Catherine, the Comtesse de Verais, naively adores Marie Antoinette and their privileged lifestyle, but when reality bites she and husband Pierre flee to their château in the Alps, hoping to escape what is to come. At first, I’ll admit it took me a few chapters to engage with their characters, and thought they lacked a little depth – Catherine seemed particular vain and vacuous – but that certainly changed once they arrived at the Château D’Aubert, fearing for their lives. I haven’t read many books with this historical perspective, and this account really deepened my understanding of the challenges, the realities, and the consequences – the author’s research really shines through, and she makes the twists and turns of the story really gripping too.

In the present day, five friends in their fifties – two couples and a single friend – decide to change their lives and buy a property that they can renovate to live in together, and find themselves at the Château D’Aubert. As chance would have it, this isn’t the first book with a theme of fresh starts and communal living that I’ve read this year – but I particularly liked this one for the strength of its characters and the way the historical story clashed with the present. Needing a challenge and something to fill her days, Lu (formerly a history teacher) decides to research the château’s past and the fate of its earlier owners, and uncovers quite a story. There’s an excellent mystery at the story’s centre, with an added ghostly frisson, and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the story unfold.

The two stories are told in alternating chapters, and I must say I raced through this book, the pages turning faster and faster. I never felt any wrench moving from one story to the other, largely because they’re so well tied together – as Lu uncovers the past, we watch it unfold before us, and if I doubted my emotional engagement with Pierre and Catherine at the book’s start I was certainly heavily committed by the book’s end. The historical action is particularly edge-of-the-seat reading, with some really well written moments of high drama – but I equally enjoyed the interactions and relationships between the well-drawn characters in the contemporary story. I must mention the well-drawn setting too – the Alpes-Maritime area is somewhere I’ve never visited, but the author’s descriptions certainly brought it to life.

A perfect escapist read for current times, real depth and interest in its historical background, and excellent storytelling – I thoroughly enjoyed this one…

(Review copied to Amazon UK, but link not yet available)

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary advance reader copy of this book in return for review based upon my honest opinion.

Every book I read from this author is a joy to read. This book is told in a dual storyline, the present day in the 1790s in France. In the present, a group of five friends in their late 50s has a little too much to drink one night and decide to buy a château in France together, it seems like a fantasy. When they start talking about it more, they realize they all really want to do this. The house they choose is a French château with a history that they will need to uncover, a history that leads back to the French revolution, rumours that their château is haunted, and rumours of the last Comte de Verais and his missing wife.

The past story is told from the viewpoint of the Comte and Comtesse de Verais who were nobility who lived in the palace of Versailles and who fled for their château as the revolution endangered their lives. But how safe will they be at the château, and what will they do to try to save themselves and their children.

I loved all the characters, they were well written and enjoyable, I mean who doesn’t want to buy château in France with their friends? I liked the history of the book, I have not read many historical fiction books from the time of the French revolution. The scenery was stunning and set the scene very well. The book seemed very well researched and the story was moving and left me with a smile.

A group of five friends, who went to University together whilst chatting decide now that they've paid off their respective mortgages and their children have grown up, it might be the perfect time to move into a mansion in France. Crazy as it is, it just makes sense. After finding the perfect chateau, they up sticks and move to a their new property, which has more history that even history teacher Lu could possibly imagine!

This is a gorgeous contemporary book with a dual timeline. I loved the historical elements in the story being interspersed throughout. There's a great deal of history relating to the French Revolution with plenty of mystery to slowly unravel throughout the book.

The book seemed to be perfectly paced and the two narratives ran seamlessly alongside one another. Both sets of characters from each timeline were likeable and realistic. It felt like a real mix of a read with very vivid imagery of both narratives. I found myself excited to swap timelines each chapter and felt like it was brilliant escapism.

A lovely easy read perfect for being stuck inside during lockdown but it would be even more enjoyable to read on holiday!

This is another brilliant dual timeline story from this talented author! In this case five people who have been friends since their university days decide to buy a home together in the French Alps. They are all in their late fifties, all retired and include two couples and their friend, Grey. The present day story is related as a memoir from the point of view of Lu, an ex-history teacher who is intrigued by their new home and decides to research its past…..

Their new home is a fabulous Château which used to belong to the Comte and Comtesse de Verais, Pierre and Catherine Aubert. Their story involves the French court and revolution, escape and mystery but it is a mystery that Lu is determined to solve!

The well developed characters from both eras, together with the skilful alternating of historical and current events makes this a fascinating read. It portrays the challenges of moving to a new home with friends, settling into a new community, making new roles for yourselves there and making new friends, alongside the worries concerning health, offspring and their new life. Intertwined with this are the historic events pertaining to the demise of the French aristocracy, their changing attitudes and roles and uncovering just what happened to them during the French revolution and tracing their descendants to the present day. I didn’t want to put it down until I’d finished it. It was a totally engaging read, a great mix of contemporary life with family drama, with a side helping of romance and, of course, historical events, related in an enthralling and highly entertaining manner – superb to escape into and a real page turner!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it and thoroughly enjoying doing so.

When five friends, all in their fifties, decide to pool their collective resources and relocate, from England, to a shared property in rural France, they discover the beautiful Château d'Aubert in the tiny town of Saint-Michel-sur-Verais in the Alpes-Maritime region. The château is very picturesque, but with some areas that need renovating, the five set about transforming the château into a stunning home. However, as with all old buildings there is much to discover and the air of mystery, and occasional ghostly feelings which surrounds the château, draws them ever deeper into its history.

Told in alternate chapters we get the modern day story of the château as seen through the experiences of Lu, once a history teacher, who is fascinated by the history of the château which stretches back to the tumultuous days of the French Revolution. Throughout the story we get to learn more about complicated lives of Pierre and Catherine Aubert, Comte and Comtesse de Verais, who fled Versailles when the troubles escalated into danger and despair. However, they soon discover that escaping to the Château d'Aubert is not without its problems.

I was equally at home in the modern day château as I was heading back in time to the days of the terror and the collapse of the ancien regime. The author describes everything so beautifully that time and place come alive and as one chapter ended I found that I was looking forward to either returning to the present with Lu, and the gang, or of heading back to the past to see how Pierre and Catherine were faring.

The Secret of the Château is a beautifully written dual time narrative which takes you back to a dark period in French history and a time when to be a privileged aristocrat was fraught with danger. It was interesting to watch just how the historical strands of the story played out whilst at the same time allowing the modern day protagonists to bring the history of the château back to life again.

History, mystery and a hint of ghostly activity make The Secret of the Château a perfect 'Lock down' sort of read 😊

A dual timeline story that is heartwarming and moving, engrossing and entertaining.
I liked the well thought characters, the plot that flows and the historical parts.
It was a good read, recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Pierre and Catherine Aubert, the Comte and Comtesse de Verais, were just married and had moved into the royal palace. Catherine was so excited to be with Queen Marie Antoinette. She was now one of her Ladies in Waiting. The apartment was so beautiful, opulent, and sumptuous. She trusted her husband even though he was older. He was still good looking even at fifty. He worshipped her and would do anything for her.
The other half of the book is about Lu and Phil, Manda and Steve, and finally Gray. They decide to sell their houses and move to France. They have been forced into retirement and have nothing keeping them in England.
There are a lot of twists and turns. So many things happen to all of them. It is heart-rending and heartwarming. You will go through a wide spectrum of emotions. Crying, laughing, and just being happy. The characters are engaging and it keeps our attention. France is described in such beautiful prose. The excitement of court and the fear about what comes later is present. You can feel the tensions grow and the mystery is always present for Lu. I also highly recommend it.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and voluntarily reviewed it and loved it.

Having previously read this authors books I knew that I would enjoy this and get transported away for a few hours.

We meet Lu and her lifelong friends as they contemplate a simpler life together in the french countryside. A move to a Château leads to an unexpected discovery, love and new beginnings.

We also travel back in time to the 18th century at the time of the French Revolution. As King Louis and Marie Antoinette are removed from the throne courtiers Pierre and Catherine Aubert retreat to their Château in the hope of a safer way of life.

As the two stories start to intertwine the reader discovers the fate of the family and Lu discovers what secrets the Château has hidden for centuries.

This was well structured and easy to read. We easily learn and warm to the ex pats and the community they have moved to and intrigued to find out how the story unfolds.

I do love a dual timeline historical story, and this is brilliantly gripping and emotional as the story switches between now and back in the 1700's in France, as times were becoming very different for those in the royal palaces. It gives you 2 storylines that are equally as compulsive and I loved how both came together to provide a fitting ending.

In the present day, we meet Lu and her husband Phil and their friends. All in their 50's and wondering what lies ahead for them all next, when one of them has the genius idea of pooling all their resources and buying one property in France so they can all live together! Everyone is up for the idea, although Lu seems a little hesistant and wonders if it will come to be! Their group has had crazy ideas in the past and they've never panned out! But this time it happens, and when they stumble across an old Chateau that needs a bit of refurb it seems they've found their new home!

And in 1785, we follow the story of Catherine who finds herself living at Versailles (lucky!!) after marrying Pierre who is an advisor to King Louis XVI, so they are part of the inner circle of the royal court and life seems blissfully happy. But things are changing outside the palace walls, and as tensions rise their lives are about to become much different.

Both women have to face new changes in their lives and I loved seeing how they both reacted to these shifts in their set ups. Both are plagued with doubts and nerves but they find inner resolve and prove themselves to be quite resilient as they try to overcome challenges and tragedies that befall them.

I loved the sense of history portrayed in the past storyline, and I really enjoyed Lu trying to solve the mystery aspect in the present timeline. This was a wonderfully absorbing read and I highly recommend it!

Five friends who met at university are now in their late fifties. Comfortably well off and children out of the nest a drunken evening leaves them deciding to buy a French property to do up and live in. There are pitfalls along the way but eventually the group decide on a chateau and move in.
Is the chateau haunted though? The prologue to the story puts us in the time of the French revolution with the owner of the chateau running for his life .The author intersperses the tale of the chateau today with life at Versailles and the chateau during the terror of revolution.
This an entertaining read with enough mystery to keep us guessing. What is the secret of an unreachable window in the tower? How Lu Marlowe, one of the new owners, finally manages to work it all out is excellently told. We have a really satisfying end to the present day and also find out the sad secret of the chateau. If you enjoy reading Joanna Trollope you should like this story as well.

I did enjoy this book quite a lot. I enjoyed the modern day story more than the one in the past. The book tells the story of a French noble family caught up in the The Terror and a modern day set of couples who buy the Chateau to make their home. Right up until the end I was going to give the book 4 stars but the last page made me give it 5. I was not enamoured with Catherine but I guess she was a woman of her time. Manda was a very silly woman who I found extremely irritating. What made me give the book 5 stars was because I really connected with the line "we were lucky to have freedom of movement" and that so resonates with me at the moment. To the author- go and buy your Chateau- I have bought my own piece of a foreign land where I aim to live permanently and have gone through mountains of paperwork to achieve my dream. This made me realise that actually Lu and I had more in common than I thought and that we felt the same-so 5 stars it is-besides- it is a charming story

Lu and her husband, Phil, have been friends with Steve, Manda and Grey since university. With their children grown up they decide one evening to pool resources and buy a chateau in France. The chateau was once owned by the Pierre and Catherine Aubert who were part of the Royal Court around the French Revolution.
Charting how the friends get on in France and life for the Auberts in late 1700s. The friends are told there is a ghost. There's been a fire years ago demolishing half the building and the lights flicker. Could the ghost be trying to tell them something?
I loved the present day story and seeing the challenges each had and how they were overcome. The 1700s part was a little fluffy. I didn't connect with Catherine as much and more could be done to round her character. I also didn't feel that the atmosphere was captured.
But an enjoyable read. Story flowed well.

Follow the relationships of friends as they change their lifestyles. A really enjoyable story which was also moving and powerful about how the French revolution affected the previous owners of the chateau.

The Secret of the Chateau is a gripping story that enthralls from beginning to end.

The setting is gorgeous- from Versailles to a chateau in the French Alps. If you are ever going to fall in love with a setting in a book, this is a strong contender for your affections. I’ve been to Versailles, and a small village in France and this story quickly took me back there.

It is two stories in one - a modern-day tale of a group of friends transitioning into retirement together and a historical tale of the Comte and Comtess of Verais during the French Revolution. I found the historical fiction to be the most compelling and poignant of the two stories. That period is fascinating to me. Admittedly it is fascinating in a car wreck kind of way but still engaging. It was a clear case of man’s inhumanity to man. So many people died by Guillotin when their only crimes were being born to a titled family and obliviousness. Most nobles were not malicious or perpetrators of crimes.

The current day story was not as intriguing, but it was still a charming tale. I would never even think of having a retirement home to live in with my spouse and our three closest friends. Their plight, though, did not hold my attention like the struggles of the chateau’s former occupants.

The mystery and the paranormal aspects gave the novel a fun, chill-inducing twist. I love a good haunting story, and this one did not disappoint. I also enjoyed the plethora of pets, from the kittens – Flip and Flop – to the dog, Felix, and Clarabel the goat. It is a lovely cast of pet characters that are all endearing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.