I absolutely love Rachel Hore’s novels, the historical aspects, the dual timelines and the characterisation, so was thrilled to have the opportunity to read The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge.
It’s set in Norfolk in 2010, when journalist Stef moves back to live with her mother. . Stef is researching women scientists and when she meets Nancy she hopes to interview her. The reader is taken back to Nancy’s life in 1940s and 50s London as Stef discovers the secret Nancy is hiding.
I felt that the novel started off well, I loved the setting in the Norfolk Broads and the characterisation of Stef. I didn’t immediately warm to Nancy but as soon as the story moved to the earlier setting and I began to have an understanding of Nancy and her life I became completely immersed. I definitely preferred the earlier setting, this part of the story was well researched and gave a good insight into women’s lives at this time.
As with the author’s previous novels this was an easy and immersive read that I loved.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Journalist Stef Lansdown is researching
women scientists who remained in the shadow of their male counterparts. One such woman is Nancy, a neighbour of Stef's mother on the Norfolk Broads. Initially reluctant to trust Stef, but later keen to tell her story, her fascinating account reveals how life was for a female scientist in the 1940s and 50s. This is not only a satisfying novel but also an informative and interesting one.

Rachel Hore's latest novel, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge, is a masterful tale of secrets, scandal, and redemption. When journalist Stef Lansdown meets Nancy Foster, she uncovers a shocking secret that has haunted Nancy for years, destroying her career and personal life. As Stef delves deeper, she realizes she has the power to restore Nancy's reputation and heal her wounds, but only if Nancy trusts her. However, someone else is determined to uncover the truth first, and will stop at nothing to keep the secrets buried. Spanning decades, from the Norfolk Broads in 2010 to post-war London, Hore's gripping narrative explores the complexities of women's lives, past and present.

I found this book a curious paradox. On the one hand it theoretically explores the limits women are placed under, and some of the ways they can challenge these, but on the other is filled with a vocabulary, phrasing and concepts that confirm and emphasise those limits. The writing is also loaded with numerous obvious cliches, which read, to me at least, as if the author has been informed by old romance novels, which I found off-putting. It is also unnecessarily long, and would have been a more impactful and enjoyable read if it had been more concise. The length felt self indulgent and to contain many unnecessary details that added nothing. The story Nancy relates to Stef is presented as if it’s a novel in itself, interspersed with the present narrative, rather than the relating of events one person might share with another, which is how it’s theoretically offered.
Nancy is repeatedly referred to by Stef as ‘the old lady’ which was an artifice I found irritating and divisive, without serving any useful purpose other than to contradict her supposing genuine interest in her, and the commonality between them. I found the writing overall to be dated. I was tempted to give up several times, but did persevere in the hope that it would get into its stride. I got slightly more engaged as it went on, but not to the degree I wanted to know how it would play out, because that was predictable on all scores.
I was thrown by the dates of events as I wrongly assumed a novel published in 2025 would be set at the same time, until I realised it was 2010, at which point that made sense, though I was a little puzzled as to the reason for the 15 year gap.
There has clearly been a considerable amount of research into the scientific background, but the bigotry and misogyny which is emphasised with good cause is partly lost in the diminishing of the main female characters and their priorities in the writing,.
I apologise if this review seems unkind, but as reviewers are asked to give an honest review anything else would be false. I haven’t read any of the authors previous books, and from reviews I seem to be in the minority, so perhaps we’re just not a good match. I’m not really a romance novel type of girl, maybe that’s why.

Pure joy! I absolutely loved this latest book by Rachel Hore. It effortlessly draws you in right from the start. I enjoyed the two timelines and hearing about the young Nancy’s experiences in the 1950’s. It’s an enlightening subject and throws light on the way women in science were perceived 75 years ago and the many challenges they faced. The modern day part of the story is equally enjoyable. I enjoyed the setting of the beautiful Norfolk Broads. The characters are interesting and complex. The storyline is compulsive and I loved the conclusion of the book when all the threads were gradually drawn together in a very satisfying way! A great read all round.

I found this to be a delightful read. The research that has gone into it is obvious. This is fascinating and scintillating read. The dual timelines are easy to follow and the characters provide an engrossing and rich story. A really good solid read.

Thank you Netgalley

I always enjoy Rachel Hore's books and this is no exception. It's a wonderful, intricate tale, full of really interesting information about female scientists at a time when they were a rarity and struggled to be accepted as equal to men. I personally preferred Nancy's story but I still found Stef's story and all the people she meets kept my interest. The locations, both academic and domestic, were also really vividly drawn. The side characters were very true to life, though some narratives, such as the sister's marriage troubles may feel as though they don't really have a purpose in the story. I looked forward to reading this over the last few nights and its conclusion was perfect and will leave a smile on the reader's face.

Honestly, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what this book is about… The storylines intertwine so much that I wasn’t sure where to focus or what the main story was supposed to be. It just didn’t quite work for me.

Sweeping Norfolk landscapes and a Broadland nature reserve are the background to the story. A story which develops intriguing tributaries as Stef researches a book she is writing concerning female scientists of the 1940’s and 1950’s and the misogynistic attitudes of their male colleagues.

A lovely book written from 2 points in time. Nancy as a younger woman and older Nancy. All woven together beautifully.

Another well researched, informative book by Rachel Hore. Although a love story it highlights the misfortunes suffered by women who were trying to make a name in a well established 'man's world'. Lady scientists were not seen to be able to do as well, if not better than the men and were therefore given as little help as possible. Nancy is a force to be re-conned with and in the end she gets the acknowledgment she deserves whist suffering personal disaster. The description of the Norfolk Broads is wonderful but also shows how they can change from beauty to danger very quickly.

The secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is a dual timeline story of two women. Stef is a journalist who is researching women for her new book and Nancy an elderly lady who lives alone in a cottage at the edge of a nature reserve. After attending a talk given by Nancy, Stef is eager to include her story in her new book when she discovers the predjudices she received as a woman scientist in the post war period.

This is an interesting and compelling read with likeable characters and I recommend it to readers who enjoy general fiction with a historical touch.

Wow, a stunning read. Set between present times and post war Britain it follows the story of a writer as she maps the history of women scientists focusing on the story of Nancy and the secrets and misjustices she suffers being a female in a predominently male career,
I loved the warm and relatable characters and the story moved forward at just the right pace. - this was in my opinion quite unforgettable.

An enjoyable read, as I've come to like about Rachel's style of writing, even paced character development and story lining.

I think this is possibly my favourite of Rachel's books to date (and I've read all of them).

It's the story of journalist Stef, at a crossroads in her life after going freelance and a relationship breakup; and Nancy, an elderly woman living at the edge of a nature reserve. Stef hears Nancy's talk and thinks her story would be perfect in her new book about the lives of women scientists, and gradually persuades Nancy to tell her the story.

The period details are spot on (we are so, so lucky that the glass ceiling isn't as low now as it was back in the 40s and 50s), and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Nancy's confidence grow along with her friendships.

There are some parallels between the women's lives - particularly the difficult sibling relationship - and they were drawn beautifully. The characterisation is fantastic; and both of them are aware that their lives aren't how they want it to be, but neither whine or expect someone else to sort it out for them. They're strong and purposeful, and very relatable. The setting is gorgeous, too. (I live in Norfolk, so am a teeny bit biased, but it's beautifully done and reminded me very much of Wheatfen Broad.)

The ending, too, is very satisfying: Nancy's story being told, a mystery cleared up, and a slow-burn romance that really has worked.

A gripping five-star read. Thank you to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review - all views my own.

I enjoyed this book it was a teeny bit predictable but nevertheless very enjoyable and interesting.
Centring around Nancy a zoologist struggling in a man's world it was really well researched and gave an insight into the outdated ideas of people back in the 1940s and 50s.
If you are a fan of Lucinda Riley , Katherine Webb and of course Rachel's other nooks you will love this.

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge by Rachel Hore
I felt This was a slight deviation from her usual way of writing but equally as readable as the others .
Two women , both with a love of nature , and struggling to make their life work heard .
I really enjoyed it and seeing how they overcame those struggles . An excellent read.

nancy foster has harboured a devastating secret from the mid 1950s that shattered her professional and personal life. on meeting her, journalist Stef lansdown realises that she has the power to restore nancy's reputation and to heal the wounds, if only Nancy trusts her. but someone else wants to get to the bottom of the story first, someone who doesn't want it to be told.

Everyone has a story and everyone has a past. As this story unravels we read about the secret that Nancy has kept for most of her life. Studying zoology in a male dominated career Nancy believes her story ruined her life. It is only when she meets Steph, a journalist, that a friendship develops and Nancy feels the time is right to share her story.
The secret itself is a fascinating and insightful story. Set against the backdrop of the Norfolk broads the reader can feel that they themselves are in this beautiful reserve.
Well written. An absorbing and magical read that had me gripped from the start.

Rachel Hore’s ‘The secrets of Dragonfly Lodge’ tells the stories of two women. Stef is a journalist who is at a crossroads in her life after going freelance and also becoming single after the breakdown of her relationship. Nancy is living alone in a cottage at the edge of a nature reserve, surrounded by the flora and fauna that she loves. After attending a talk given by Nancy, Stef is eager to include her story in her new book about the lives and struggles of women scientists.
A dual timeline then emerges as Nancy relives her history through her conversations with Stef.

I really enjoyed ‘The secrets of dragonfly lodge’ and admired Nancy’s spirit amidst the difficulties she faced and the attitudes she had to live with. The story was engrossing and I would definitely recommend it.