I just finished The House in the Water by Victoria Darke and here are my thoughts.


Philip and Meredith are over the moon with their purchase of May Day house. They cannot wait to start this chapter of their lives after all the tragedies they have gone through but as they start their renovation plans on the house, they are met with fierce resistance from their neighbors. With every drawback, Meredith begins to unravel. She begins to hear voices, see figures that are not there. She finds solace in a notebook someone wrote in during the war and she learns about the patients that were held on the island during the war.

Will the past threaten her future and quote possibly her life?

The book is written over 2 time periods. Present day and the war. It was really well done. I found the 2 times, while their own stories, were woven into each other beautifully with real skill. I was fully invested in both timelines, which for me, is really rare and I found all the characters relatable and likable.

May House has some of the best gothic vibes. I loved the idea of the place and seeing the house in 2 timelines really was the icing on the cake for me. I did feel the book was trying a bit too hard though and I found the romance was unnecessary.

I loved the book. It was exactly what I needed to get my reading juices flowing. The paranormal undertones were not done quite right though. They needed to have more or remove it all together because I needed more here and I was left unsatisfied.


Overall though this book was a really great historical fiction with some really excellent writing.

4 stars

Thank you to @netgalley and @theboldbookclub for my copy.

May Day House

This is a dual timeline tale. The first timeline is set in 1942 during WWII in a hospital for servicemen with PTSD which was called Battle Fatigue at that time. It follows a young nurse named Ellen. She soon finds out the methods at the hospital and the traumatized servicemen will not help her escape her own problems. This part of the story involves the stories of traumatized soldiers, methods used to treat them, a romance and a daring escape.

The second timeline is set in 2013. A young couple named Philip and Meredith have purchased May Day House and dream of making it their dream house. However, from the start strange things start to happen. Meredith is frightened and cannot figure out what is going on, nor who is behind the incidents. Could it be related to an old accident that happened years before? Could it be unrestful spirits from the past? Meredith finds Ellen’s notebook and reads it, which causes her nightmares, or so Phillip tells her. Can she solve the mystery so they can keep May Day House?

It was a good story and well worth reading, I would recommend it.

Thanks to Victoria Darke for writing a great story, to Boldwood Books for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary copy to read and review.

Meredith and Philip sink all of their money into the dilapidated May Day House but with local opposition renovations are not going to be easy. Meredith spends far too much time alone in the house and with some sinister goings on she pretty much finds that she is isolated and becomes more and more afraid of things that only see can see.

Back in 1942, Ellen, a young Irish nurse, arrives at May Day House to help care for those WW2 soldiers who have been sent to the secluded hospital to recuperate from mental trauma. However, the brutal methods employed by the doctors cause Ellen much distress especially as she is also hiding some traumatic secrets of her own.

This is such an immersive novel that I barely looked up from the page and such was the pull of each time frame that each fitted comfortably within the concept of the story. I was slightly more drawn to the WW2 sections and Ellen's story and yet the modern day setting with Meredith and Philip was filled with such sinister undertones that it kept me on the edge of my seat. I liked the hint of mystery which runs like a thread and I have thoroughly enjoyed watching how all the stands of this complicated story come together.

The House in the Water is a fast paced and brooding dual timeline mystery with more than enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.

Edge of your seat reading, The House In The Water has twist after twist right up to the last page. Setting the story on a River Thames island created a sense of isolation, even though the river banks were not far away. The rising and falling river levels and river currents added to the tension in both timelines, ramping up the danger for both heroines. I loved Meredith, 2013, and Ellen, 1943. Both were strong, determined women, each keen to make their mark despite the many challenges they faced. Though this is not a romance, there are strong romantic threads, particularly for Ellen, who has fallen for one of her patients. There are plenty of fabulous characters in this book, many of whom are not quite what they seem, though of course their stories are revealed in the end. The plot is fast-paced, packed with secrets and hints of ghosts and I couldn’t stop reading. Overall this is a thoroughly fascinating book and a great introduction to a new-to-me author. It’s definitely going on my keeper shelf.

The House in the Lake is a riveting dual timeline novel. Both timelines are set at a house located on an island in the Thames River, and feature strong, brave women whose lives are impacted by the house. There is mystery, there is romance, and there are secrets that threaten the lives of both women.

I'm reviewing this via NetGalley, as part of a tour with Rachel's Random Resources.

This is a historical novel with a dual narrative. One narrative follows Ellen, who was a nurse at May Day House during WWII. The other narrative, closer to the present day, follows Meredith, who has just moved into May Day House with her husband, Philip. When Meredith discovers an old notebook in the house and starts to read it, she starts to have strange experiences that she can't explain.

I find myself more and more drawn to books like this, as I enjoy the fact that there are two stories for the reader to escape into, sometimes like a mystery to be solved. When I first started reading this, I had the impression of a peaceful place with a dark secret from its past, and I was keen to find out more.

I connected with both Meredith and Ellen, and became emotionally invested in both narratives. I think initially, I was expecting a light, romantic read, but I was a little surprised at how eerie and suspenseful this was in places - I almost felt like I couldn't read quickly enough! I still found it light enough to read in a few hours and it helped me escape for a while, which I enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books, Rachel's Random Resources, and to the author, for the opportunity to read and review this.

Thank you net galley for giving me this opportunity to read "The House in the Water".
This is a dual timeline book, during WWII and 2013/14.
Ellen is a nurse in the army during WWII and is assigned to May Day House, which is a rehabilitation hospital. May Day House is on an island in the Thames river in London.
Forward to 2013 Philip and Meredith buy May Day House and hope to have events there.
There is a group of people who rescent what Meredith and Philip plan to do with the house.
As Meredith goes through the boxes which were left she stumbles upon a notebook and is soon caught up in the young nurse Ellen.
Philip is a pilot and is often away for small stretches at a time. When Philip is away Meredith hears/sees things which shouldn't be there.
These are my own opinions. Thank you again to net galley.

I got real Kate Morton vibes reading this book - high praise indeed!! It was so easy to sink in to and I found the pages whizzing by as I became totally swept up in the goings on at the house in the water!

Told over 2 timelines, 2013 and 1943, the setting is a house that is on its' own island in the Thames. The house is called the May Day house and is a very well known house in the area and has been vacant for some time. In the 2013 timeline we are introduced to Meredith who is drawn to the house, and surprises her husband Phil, by showing it to him and persuades him that it's their dream home to do up! And then the spooky goings on begin!! Meredith also finds a notebook while clearing up the house, and that takes us to the house during the war years.

Back in 1943, the house was used to aid recovery for soldiers who are battle scarred, and we see it through the eyes of a nurse, Ellen. Her story really is the strongest as she's been through so much as a character and continues to care for others, but still battles her own demons. The treatments used at the time too were rather shocking so that added to the trauma for all those in the house at the time.

Meredith too uses the house for her own kind of therapy, as she's grieving the loss of 2 babies and that's why she wants this new start. But the more she uncovers about the house, the darker things get and I loved seeing the timelines work so well against each other - there's noises, shadowy figures and you feel there's people who don't want Meredith to be there, but why?

I raced through this and look forward to reading more from this author as she really captures the emotions of the characters so well, alongside using the presence of the setting to add to the drama!

Every now and then, a book comes along that grabs you from the very beginning, wraps you up in its story, and refuses to let go. This was an entirely gripping and wonderfully handled dual time story, the threads tied together by unexpected links and a stunning sense of place – the contemporary story becoming a psychological thriller with touches of the supernatural, the historical thread both fascinating and disturbing, and so very well researched.

In the present day, after a difficult time in their lives, Meredith and Philip take on the challenge of renovating May Day House, a former hospital on an island in the Thames, and making a fresh start by starting a business. The challenges are considerable – it’s very isolated, only accessible by boat, and the locals don’t exactly welcome them with open arms. And Meredith is often there alone – he’s an airline pilot – when her imagination begins to run away with her. Or might the rumours that the house is haunted be true? The discovery of a journal written by a nurse who worked a the house during World War 2 reveals a fascinating and compelling story, and provides some distraction – but present day issues and problems begin to take over, with things being not quite they seem and with a particular edge of threat and danger.

Ellen arrives at May Day House in 1942, a nurse with disturbing wartime experiences of her own, keen to help with the care and treatment of men suffering with what we now know as PTSD. She expects the methods to reflect her previous experience with a particularly caring doctor in Egypt, but finds that the treatment they administer is considerably more brutal – injections of insulin to induce coma, reliving traumatic experiences, and electric shock therapy – with the aim of returning them to the front. And when one of the men becomes rather more to her than a patient, her life becomes – putting it mildly – increasingly difficult.

The way the perfectly paced stories become entwined makes it such a compelling read, full of the unexpected, shocks and surprises, and echoes from the past. The author is a quite wonderful storyteller, building an exceptional level of sympathy and engagement with both women, making you feel present throughout their experiences – and May Day House itself almost becomes another character in their stories, wonderfully drawn and described, slowly revealing its disturbing secrets.

This was a book I found entirely impossible to put down, reading into the early hours – and when I wasn’t reading, I could think of nothing else. I was so very engaged at an emotional level, and the twists and turns just kept coming all the way to its perfect and wholly satisfying ending. A stunning read – and I really couldn’t recommend it more highly.

A gothic mystery set on an island in the Thames river and over two timelines. The author has researched both time periods well especially the treatments war ravaged military endured. I felt there was something lacking in the relationship between the modern protagonist and her husband. However, an enjoyable read.

4.5 stars
The idea of a gothic rundown house in the middle of the Thames grabbed me straight away, and I could definitely see its appeal for Meredith.
The dual timeline works really well in this story - Ellen’s tale is so interesting and emotional. She’d suffered so much so early in her life yet still cared for the patients with such love and compassion. Meredith couldn’t help but become invested in the house’s history and having found the notebook try to understand that little bit more.
The mystery of the shadowy figures and who to trust was cleverly woven into the story of the flooding. It made the whole island feel claustrophobic and unsettling, with that cut off feeling that Meredith experienced.

this is another duel timeline novel but it was easy to follow and it was very absorbing. well written and full of twists and turns.
Victoria Darke has written a great novel for 2024.

In a Nutshell: A Gothic novel in dual timeline, focussing on some strong themes and incorporating actual events. The character development could have worked better for me, but the research and the fabulous setting of the Thames, were impressive.

Plot Preview:
2013. Meredith and her husband Philip have just purchased May Day house, a semi-dilapidated historical mansion that served as a hospital during WWII. They intend to restore it and open it up for events. But as the house stands on its own island in the Thames, the riverside community is against any restoration fearing environmental pollution. As the couple struggle to get things going, Meredith begins to hear voices from the river and see strangers in the house. This worsens when she finds an old notebook in a room, detailing what happened at May Day during the war.
1942. Ellen has just arrived at May Day House to serve as a nurse, helping the men there to get over their mental trauma and return soon to duty. However, though she is experienced in handling such patients, she isn’t sure about the approach used by the doctors. Things get further complicated with the arrival of a new patient.
The story comes to us in the third person perspectives of Meredith and Ellen, alternating between the two timelines.

Avid historical fiction readers might wonder why to pick up yet another novel with a dual timeline with a journal/diary serving as a link to the past set during WWII. This is a common pattern, right? But there are many features in this story that set it apart from the standard formula.

Bookish Yays:
💙 The strong Gothic feel generated by the enigmatic May Day House and its complicated history.
💙 Each timeline has enough to make it stand on its own, while still being interconnected. The distinct vibe in each provides us with two strong stories within a single novel.
💙 Unlike most dual timelines with old letters or diaries or journals, the contemporary character isn’t obsessed with her discovery. She is curious about the content but also handles her own issues. The link between the two timelines isn't the key focus, though it's important.
💙 I am often puzzled by just how much *journals* reveal about historical events, including details on physical intimacies, but this problem is avoided by the use of third person for the historical timeline, with Ellen’s letters forming only a part of the past narrative. This gives a genuineness to Ellen’s story.
💙 The River Thames is almost a character in this book. It is always present, whether silent in the background or bursting from its banks. The description of the river and the river people feels totally authentic, which isn’t a surprise once you learn about the author’s place of residence from her parting note. I always love it when authors make proper use of a novel location rather than just mentioning it in passing and then forgetting all about it.
💙 Further from the above, I've read other books with river people but all were historical fiction. I never knew that river people are still in Britain. It was eye-opening to learn about them, and how they are looked upon by “land-dwellers”.
💙 Appreciate the incorporation of several real-life events into the fictional plot, both historical and contemporary. The author’s note gives great insight on her writing choices.
💙 Love how mental health is the key focus in both timelines, albeit in different ways. The change in the attitude towards mental issues now and then is interesting to read.

Bookish Mixed Bags:
🔷 While the plot and the setting leave a strong mark, the characters (main and secondary), especially in the contemporary timeline, didn’t impress me so much. Their detailing seems somewhat ad hoc. The historical timeline has somewhat better characters, with their moral greys generating intriguing conundrums. But I couldn’t connect with both Ellen and Meredith. I find it tough to root for characters who mistrust their own family instantly but readily believe what strangers tell them.
🔷 There are many intense themes in the story, many of which are handled excellently. However, some of the themes felt superfluous as they don’t directly impact the plot. I wish the themes had been streamlined as the story went into misery overload at times. Some of the topics could be triggering.
🔷 While Ellen is an army nurse, there’s not much direct medical action on the page. We do get to hear procedural details, but only in conversations. I was hoping for a more intimate depiction of the job of a WWII nurse. Then again, I suppose it is better this way than to have an inaccurate representation of medical details.
🔷 Romance has a key role to play in the historical timeline, which is never to my liking. This is a personal preference, and won’t bother those who like romantic tracks in non-romance genres.
🔷 While there were enough twists throughout the book, the final quarter took me by surprise. I thought I had guessed the mystery, but the plot ended up going in a different direction. I am not sure if I liked the resolution, but at least it was not entirely predictable for me.

Bookish Nays:
🔵 The prologue is fabulous and creates great expectations about the paranormal content of the book. However, the rest of the book doesn’t match up. I am not at all happy with the otherworldly instances as they were too convenient to be convincing. Moreover, I am still trying to figure out who exactly the prologue was about.
🔵 A couple of the plot inclusions and character decisions were farfetched.

All in all, this is a good book, with the storyline and the setting creating an appealing combination. I just wish the character detailing, especially in the contemporary timeline, had been more consistent.
Recommended to historical mystery readers as well as contemporary fiction lovers, who would enjoy a story highlighting mental health issues with a dash of romance. The author also writes contemporary fiction under her own name, Victoria Scott. This is her first Gothic mystery under this pseudonym.
3.5 stars, rounding down as the mixed bags are heftier than the yays.
My thanks to Rachel's Random Resources, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of 'The House in the Water'. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
Content warnings: Mental health issues, PTSD, sexual abuse, pregnancy and related heartbreaks, infidelity, war-related trauma, natural disasters.

The House In The Water, by Victoria Darke. Set in 1943 and 2013 in a house filled with mystery and history. A natural disaster surrounds May Day, as past and present collide, a fight for survival and secrets are revealed makes this novel an interesting read. The book highlights mental illness and treatments during WW2 and touches on treatments that are present today. An emotional ending perfect to wrap a story filled with twists, love and loss. 4 stars
I would like to than Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this complimentary copy for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheHouseintheWater #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this story. Told in two different timelines, during WW2 and the current time, the way the story switched from one timeline to the other was well done and easy to follow. Both stories are centred around a house built on an island in the middle of the Thames. During the war it was used for terrible treatments to “help” men suffering from what we now know as PTSD and now it is run down and has been bought by Meredith and her husband, Philip, to do up as their dream home. Some weird things happen in the house and have Meredith thinking that she’s going crazy. But is she, or is someone playing around with her? And what is the mysterious connection to the past? You will have to read it to find out. Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Victoria Darke’s "The House in the Water" is a compelling blend of historical fiction, psychological drama, and supernatural mystery, skillfully weaving together two timelines to create a rich and immersive narrative.

1942: The story begins with Ellen, a young Irish nurse, who arrives at the enigmatic May Day House during World War II. Situated on an isolated island in the Thames and surrounded by water, the house serves as a rehabilitation center for war-traumatized soldiers. Darke excels at creating an atmosphere of suspense and unease as Ellen uncovers the disturbing methods employed to prepare these men for a return to duty. Ellen’s journey is not just about the patients but also a path to confront her own buried traumas. The setting, rich in wartime tension and the eeriness of the secluded house, serves as a perfect backdrop for Ellen's gradual realization that May Day House is far from a refuge.

2013: Fast forward to the present day, where Philip and Meredith have become the new owners of the now dilapidated May Day House. Seeking to escape their own personal tragedies, they envision a fresh start in the tranquil riverside community. However, the house and its surroundings resist their attempts at renewal. Meredith, in particular, is drawn into the island's mysterious past, encountering spectral voices and apparitions. The discovery of an old wartime notebook becomes her gateway to the island’s secrets, connecting her life to Ellen's experiences seventy years earlier.

Darke's ability to seamlessly interweave these two timelines is a highlight of the novel. The transitions between Ellen’s and Meredith’s stories are handled deftly, maintaining suspense and gradually revealing the dark history that binds them. The characters are well-developed, with Ellen's resilience and compassion contrasting beautifully with Meredith's modern-day struggles and growing sense of dread.

The novel’s pacing is steady, building tension as the mysteries of the house and its former inhabitants unfold. Darke’s prose is vivid and evocative, bringing the eerie atmosphere of May Day House to life. The historical details are well-researched, adding depth to the 1942 storyline, while the modern-day narrative captures the psychological strain of living in a haunted space.

However, the book is not without its flaws. Some readers might find the supernatural elements slightly predictable, and the resolution, though satisfying, leaves a few threads tantalizingly unresolved. Additionally, a deeper exploration of the secondary characters could have enriched the narrative further.

Overall, "The House in the Water" is a gripping read that masterfully combines elements of history, mystery, and the supernatural. Victoria Darke has crafted a story that is both haunting and heartwarming, leaving readers reflecting on the lingering impact of past traumas and the resilience needed to face them. A thoroughly enjoyable novel for fans of historical fiction with a ghostly twist.

This book was beautiful, emotional and in some parts a tad scary, I loved how it blended historical fiction with thriller (and caused an obsession in googling of islands in the Thames).
Firstly the notebook, It was so interesting being able to read it alongside Meridth, whilst experiencing it with Nell. One part that really stood out for me, was when Meredith cleaned the room and saw two bed rooms leant up, I felt emotional as I knew who they belonged too, despite only meeting one of them pages before..
This is a book that seriously gives you goosebumps, it's a must for Lucinda Riley fans as it reminded me of her writing and how engrossed you get within the story and the timelines.
The characters are all interesting, thought provoking and such wonderful people to get to know (bar Damon), the links to the past come together perfectly, I don't want to risk any spoilers, but this is an absolute must read.

I was delighted to get the opportunity to read this book as I love mysteries, WW2, ghosties and renovation stories. This was my first Victoria Darke/Scott novel and I must say that after reading this, I’m a fan! To me, this wasn’t just a spooky tale or just a dual timeline story. This book had more twists and turns and felt extremely genre bending at times. I went from spooked to annoyed to calm to angry to vengeful then satisfied. My doggy companion was certainly confused by the frequent changes in my face and mood as well!

I was intrigued with whether it would turn into a psychological thriller or whether there would be explanations at the end, and I was happy with the ending and level explored vs explained.
I felt a lot of compassion for Ellen as she was bound by her occupation, gender, status and circumstances and didn’t truly ever seem free. As a comparison, Merry seemed to relish her freedom and found herself backed into corners by the choices that she made.

All in all, a very different book but one I would recommend if you are searching for something grittier than a safe fairytale.

Thank you to the author, publisher, Netgalley and RaRaResources for the opportunity to read and review with my honest opinions.

This is a dual timeline story covering the present - 2013/4 and the past - 1943/4.

It tells the story of a house called May Day house on an island in the Thames from both timelines. Ellen is a nurse stationed there during World War II and Meredith and her husband by the house in 2013. Meredith finds Ellen’s notebooks and starts reading them all the time becoming more and more unsettled by the house and strange goings on.

An enchanting story that draws you in and keeps you engaged from page one till the end. This is a slow burn of a read but it really picks up pace towards the end with twists you don’t expect.

The cover to this book is beautiful and the story itself is engrossing.

This engaging historical fiction novel is set in a dilapidated house on a secluded island in the Thames near Weybridge, England, unfolding over two timelines: 1943 and 2013. The narrative alternates between Ellen's perspective in 1943, serving as a nurse in what was then a hospital providing experimental treatments to wounded soldiers, and Meredith's in 2013, who purchases the house to renovate and begin anew after enduring personal losses.

The story weaves between these eras, drawing intriguing parallels. The characters, particularly the women, are endearing, and the setting—a hauntingly atmospheric house beside the river—becomes a character in its own right. The plot progresses briskly, though it does take a more measured pace midway. There's plenty to captivate readers: a wartime romance that defies the rules, the struggles with PTSD, unfriendly neighbors, hidden aspects of Meredith's husband's history, ghostly encounters in the house, and the real-life peril of the Thames flooding in 2014.

A touching and accessible piece of historical fiction, this book promises to be a delightful addition to your summer reading list.

A special thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for providing this eARC.