I’ve long been a fan of Rachel Hore when I stumbled across one of her earlier books, The Memory Garden many years ago in my local library and since then I have read everything she has written. I enjoy all her books but the last few I found to be just OK but with this new book, One Moonlit Night, I definitely feel the author is back to the form of her earlier books and from the moment I picked it up I couldn’t leave it out of my hands. I had other books I should have been reading before this one but this story, its setting and its characters just called to me and I kept reading until I reluctantly turned the last page. It’s an absorbing and beautiful, atmospheric read full of tension and mystery and reminded me why I love historical fiction so much. Fans of Judith Lennox and Kate Morton will love this book as it has plenty of family secrets and an enigma at its centre. I felt like I had travelled back in time deep into the English countryside during the war years with the family home Knyghton at the centre of the story where there is an air of tension, unease and suspense. What are the people who reside there hiding? Will the house give up what it has concealed for so many years?

A brief prologue set in 1977 introduces us to Grace who is waiting in a teashop for someone. She has a sister Sarah and a letter had recently arrived that had shocked the family back into the past. We do not hear more from the timeline set in 1977 until the very end and to be honest I completely forgot it had even been mentioned simply because I became totally captured by the story that followed set during the war years. That’s not to take away from the importance of the meeting that Grace is waiting to happen. It is crucial to the plot and helps things come full circle but at the end I was jolted back to that time period and I would have loved just a little bit more even a few pages as it felt just too quick. But really that’s a very minor issue in the overall scheme of things considering I really enjoyed and embraced this book from beginning to end.

London, 1941 and Maddie Anderson awakes to find herself and her two daughters Sarah and Grace in unfamiliar surroundings. Then it all comes rushing back to her, the night before they had barely escaped with their lives when a bomb destroyed their family home.They are left with nothing except some bare essentials and a package rescued from the rubble. The package belongs to her husband Philip who has been missing in action, presumed dead, since his unit was slaughtered in cold blood.The package contains a photograph album of Knygthon, Philips family home, the house in Norfolk where he lived with his Great Aunt Gussie when his parents were living in India. Maddie knows nothing about the time Philip spent there and a mysterious figure in the background of one of the photos catches her eye.

Maddie has no one to turn to as her father had remarried and he himself is unwell so bravely she makes the decision to leave London and travel to Knygthon hoping there will be a welcome for her and the girls. In doing so, she hopes she will feel closer to Philip and it will help her accept what has befallen him. Throughout the book, Maddie never wavered in her belief that because nothing had yet been officially been confirmed about Philip that he may still be out there somewhere and unable to communicate his whereabouts. Others may have given up and attempted to move on with their lives but she couldn’t let any small glimmer of hope go until she had true evidence in front of her. She is strong in the face of adversity and the many challenges and unexplained things that she encounters and the love for both her husband and her children radiates from every page.

There was a varied cast of characters that lived at Knyghton and the surrounding village of Monkton and although Maddie knows full well the affects of war it’s like when the trio arrive at the manor house that the war seems to be on the outskirts. Yes, there is the farm where the Land Girls work and Philips cousin Lyle is struggling to keep it going and the war does affect them in that sense also. But Knyghton, as in the house itself, embraces Maddie and the girls and offers protection where they can try and forgot about being bombed out and try and establish a new life for themselves. But the inhabitants are all dealing with their own issues, worries, troubles and insecurities and Maddie doesn’t feel like she has received the welcome she would have liked.

Why do the residents of Monksfield hold something against Great Aunt Gussie and her family? Why is Sarah shunned by the pupils at her new school and why does Maddie feel an unusual presence as she wanders the rooms of the house where paintings of past ancestors stare down at her? Cook Mrs Flegg and her husband Mr Flegg seem amiable enough but what are they not saying or who are they protecting? And what of Christine, the woman Maddie employs to take care of Grace whilst she works on her illustrations for a children’s book? There was something distinctly off about her. Just what do the walls of Knygthon know? Are they ready to reveal what seems to be haunting/following the inhabitants of the manor house? Can Maddie get to the bottom of the atmosphere, unease and things left unsaid that seem to echo from every corner and everyone?

Knyghton becomes a lifeline for Maddie and the girls but there is something unusual that Maddie feels when she enters certain rooms and when she is working on her illustrations something seems to take over her. She finds herself drawing a picture of a young girl she has never met. Here there was a slight supernatural element that entered the book as well as Maddie seeing thing’s and usually I would find this laughable and so unrealistic but here it works so well and fitted in perfectly with the overall tone and mood of the book. It worked well and only added a heightened sense of unrest and of Maddie needing to find out just what went on at the house which has led to Lyle being so aloof and argumentative and Gussie becoming a person almost cut off from the real world and retreating into a small cocoon with just her and her beloved dogs. It was as if the heart of Knygthon had been lost and was filled with empty ghosts.

Maddie becomes determined to ask the questions that linger in the air and she treads where others wish she wouldn’t and I was with her every step of the way as I desperately wanted to know what had happened in the past to make everyone so closed off. Lyle was a moody man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. I found him to be abrupt with Maddie and it was as if he was going through some mental torment of his own. I thought Maddie tiptoed around him in fear of upsetting him further but surely there would come a point when he would have to open up the further Maddie approached the truth. As for Gussie, in her old age, she seemed so innocent and away with the fairies but deep down you just knew she was fully aware of what was going on and what had occurred in the past. She was lost in a world of memories and Maddie needed to find the key to unlock them.

One Moonlit Night is an excellent read and the author was an expert at creating strong voices for her characters. The descriptive writing helped build a clear image of Knygthon and the surrounding landscape which adds to your overall reading enjoyment. Maddie is a character who I have deep admiration for because she never gives up hope that Philip may return to her but at the same time the bravery and courage she has in establishing a new and life for both herself and her daughters is admirable and deserves due respect. When Maddie had no choice but to leave London, she couldn’t even begin to realise the journey she would be taken on but in doing so it brought her closer to Philip and she came to know more about her husband and his family. There were so many things he kept secret from her and maybe this was for the best because Maddie reawakened Knyghton from its slumber and she had characters questioning themselves and revealing things which should not have been kept under wraps. This is a fantastic story with a realistic plot and just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I love when a surprise is revealed at the last minute which in turn helps tie all the strands of the story come together so satisfyingly and this occurred here. I have no hesitation in recommending this book. It’s gripping and I could think of nothing better than an afternoon spent in the sunshine becoming lost in the world of Knyghton.

The book starts with two pages set in 1977, with Grace waiting to meet someone in London.

Then we travel back in time to 1941, when a very young Grace finds herself homeless after a German bomb destroys her family home. Her mother Maddie has been told that her husband is missing after the Dunkirk evacuations. Maddie, Grace and Sarah travel to Norfolk to stay with Philip’s family at an old manor house, Knyghton.

Knyghton holds many secrets for the Anderson family, and Maddie starts to learn more about the family as she settles into her new life.

We also hear Philip’s story, about his journey across France, avoiding the occupying German forces, whilst trying to get back home to his family.

One Moonlit Night was an enjoyable read, full of mystery, history and family drama. Maddie is a strong character who is seeking to do her best for her family. This is another excellent historical fiction novel by Rachel Hore I’m happy to recommend.

Once again another outstandingly beautiful book from this fabulous author she never dissapoints can highly recommend.

Rachel Hore has long been an automatic go to author for me when it comes to historical fiction, and this novel set in the blitzed London is an excellent example of her talent. It is both emotional and uplifting, showing love at its strongest.

Gentle, easy read exploring a moment in time in WW2. Maddie and her children, bombed out of their house in London, move to her husband's family home in Norfolk. Her husband is missing in action over France, believed killed. Maddie has never visited his family home before, but why? Secrets tumble out, fears are raised, families are never simple.

This is a quiet, gentle read which explores a family, the extended family and their lives during WW2. The revelations are surprising but not shocking - until the very end. Then the reader is left feeling empathy with Maddie and even slightly angry.

It is rich in period detail, with interesting characters and a sense of mystery. The two parallel narratives offer further insights into the marriage and the characters themselves, and I wanted more. However, I did find the ending rather rushed and therefore it was a little disappointing.

A lovely, gentle read for a Sunday afternoon by the fire.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

At the start of the book, it’s 1977 and in London, Grace is waiting to meet someone.

From there the story goes back to 1941., and its about a young Grace, who after a German bomb falls on her family home, is now homeless. Maddie, her mother has been informed that her husband is missing following Dunkirk evacuations.

So, the Maddie and her daughters, Grace and Sarah go to Norfolk, where they will stay with Philip’s family at a manor house in Knyghton.

The place has many secrets for the family and slowly Maddie begins to find out about them.

We get to know of We Philip’s story, and his travelling across France, missing the German forces, as he attempts to get back home to his family.

I liked reading One Moonlit Night, it’s a book full of mystery, family drama and history I found Maddie was a strong character, wanting to do her best for her daughters.

A fabulous historical novel and I recommend it.

An evocative wartime story about secrets, and the echoes they make down generations.
I love Rachel Hore’s books, particularly as she often uses historic Norwich as a setting.
This is my favourite of all though, and although set in rural Norfolk with the odd glimpses and reference to Norwich in the war, could almost be anywhere. The clever writing creates a micro world within the house of secrets and sadness that is Knyghton.
The story is beautifully crafted like a jigsaw puzzle, and just as you think you have the right piece to place, you find it actually doesn’t fit, and the one that doesn’t look right at all fits.
A must read, and not just for fans of historic fiction.

I’ve read a lot of Rachel Hore’s novels and love the wonderful writing which fully immerses you in the period. This book is set in WW2 and deals with the aftermath of the loss of a husband and a home. The beautiful descriptions of Maddies’s new home and circumstances had me totally captivated. Being a fellow claustrophobe, some of the situations Maddie finds herself in were quite difficult to read which demonstrates the quality of the writing. Highly recommended.

I love Rachel Hore and usually love her books but I found this one a slight let down. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the boom but it wasn’t one of her best. Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read it. #OneMoonlitNight #NetGalley

A fantastic read, almost like a warm hug. I was instantly drawn into the life of the main characters and enjoyed the story told from two perspectives. The mystery began to unfold and I felt characters were developed well. It was a gentle story in that I felt there was no major climax- but due to the story being set during WW2, it felt more realistic for having a storyline that was not overly dramatic and was fascinating enough to be a part of these characters lives!

An interesting mixture of a Second World War story and family mystery, the more I read of One Moonlit Night the more it intrigued me.
With her husband Philip missing in action after Dunkirk, Maddie is bombed out of her London home and her only safe option seems to be to take her daughters to the house in Norfolk where Philip grew up. But Knyghton holds its own secrets, including the reason why Philip rarely spoke of it and never took her there.
The characters are beautifully drawn and their reactions to the new arrivals complex, convincing and very much of their age.
Although told mainly from Maddie’s point of view, the story is interspersed with Philip’s dangerous journey across France to escape the German occupiers and return to his family and this adds contrast and an extra layer of tension.

This is the story of Maddie, her husband, their family and his family during World War 2. When Philip goes off to fight Maddie is left alone to look after their 2 daughters. When she fails to hear from him after Dunkirk she remains optimistic whilst those around her assume that "missing" equates to ""dead". As he struggles to get back to her, she is forced to take drastic action to keep their family together.

This is a tale of family secrets, friendships and survival.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book.

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Another great read from Rachel Hore set during the Second World War.
Maddie and her daughters are left homeless during the blitz and they travel to her husband’s childhood home in search of a place to stay.
Great characters and a story that kept me entertained.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set mainly in the second World War, Maddie and her two young daughters arrive at her husband's childhood home in rural Norfolk after being bombed out of their London home. He is missing in action in France and she knows little of his childhood. Through the rich cast of characters she encounters she becomes intrigued by the secrets they appear to be concealing. Meanwhile her husband, having survived being shot, is struggling to make his way home. This is a great piece of storytelling that demands emotional engagement from the reader.

Great book, as a historical fiction book, this was set up in a wartime Britain and France, and Maddie as a young woman falls in love with an army boy. This book describes their story, intense, tense, family secrets. I love it.
If you like historical fiction with a love of history and family secrets this book is for you.

I live in Norfolk so chose to read this because I enjoy Rachel's writing and also had the connection. There are only a few gentle references to the setting but I think it was appropriate one as Norfolk was an even more remote place some 80 years ago than it is now!
I won't try to re-write the blurb and describe the plot as I always believe the professionals do it better without giving anything away. This is a different slant on a story about WW2 refugees moving out of London to a manor house in Norfolk and all the mysteries of its past. I enjoyed the idea but if I'm honest there was a little bit missing, I found that I just wanted a bit more from it and felt a little flat at the end. Good writing, characterisation and the drama in the middle all helped to make this a good read however.

I really enjoyed this book. It had all of the right elements for an excellent read -
War , an old country house , family tragedies, family secrets need I go on?
If you like books by Judith Lennox and Katherine Webb this is for you

The story of Maddie and Philip kept me reading until the very end. Maddie overcame trying times, on her own with two young children, whilst trying to earn a living. She made good and bad decisions, befriended people who were initially against her. She kept believing in her husband, when everyone else feared the worst.

I enjoyed the writing of this book. I liked the intertwining of Maddie and Philip's stories, with the different timepoints increasing the suspense.

I will be looking out for further books by Rachel Hore.

One Moonlit Night by Rachel Hore
Publish Date: - 12 May 2022
Book - 480 pages

I have read a few of Rachel Hore's novels. I was excited to start this novel and I was not disappointed. I really enjoy Rachel's writing style. The story is wonderful, with believable characters and dialogue.. The timescale and chapters go between 1941 and 1977. I found the story captivating and intriguing.

I would recommend this novel. I give a 4 star rating

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REPLY

A fantastic read. A real page turner!
Maddie and Philip meet, have a whirlwind romance, marry and have two daughters. Then Philip leaves to fight in the war and Maddie is left alone to bring up the children. When her home is bombed she moves in with a neighbour. A folder is handed to her by one of the rescue men. It belongs to her husband. It contains a photograph album she's never seen and the name of a place, Knygton where Philip spent his Summer holidays. Maddie knows next to nothing about Philip's past and is curious. She tracks the place down and asks if they'll take her and the girls in because it's out in the countryside and they agree.
This was my favourite part of the book. I loved the place. In my minds eye I could see the idyll, the author painted with words, which was Knygton and the village of Monksfield.
There are lots of secrets in the place and these slowly unravel over the course of the novel.
There was one episode which happened very quickly and I didn't think it added much to the story. The last chapter could have been a bit longer with a bit more detail about what happened to them all. But these minor woes doesn't warrant dropping a star.
This is my first book by this author and I will definitely be looking out for more.