This book has an easy flow. It tells Stef’s story who, as a freelance journalist, is researching her new book about women in science. She meets Dr Nancy Foster, now well in her eighties, who studied Zoology in the 1940s and graduated with a PhD in her field. Nancy’s life is the story within Stef’s story. Nancy started her work life full of hope and thirsty for discovery but her ambitions got thwarted by traumatic bullying in a professional environment totally dominated by men. It exposes the vast number of microaggressions suffered by female scientists in a world controlled by the power of male networks. It also raises questions raised about ethics and moral responsibility – if science is only about establishing facts, who takes the decisions about how these findings are applied and who is responsible for the impact these applications might have?

These considerations are embedded in an easy narrative involving love and family interests for Nancy and Stef and those close to their hearts. This aspect of the book felt a bit too smooth and over-worked, since all loose ends get tied up into a happily ever after.
However, although I had expected less predictability and a bit more edge and grit given the subject matter, I found the story quite enjoyable and a pleasant read.

I am grateful to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK Ltd for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderful read from Rachel Hore dealing with the prejudice and mysogyny faced by women in the 50's and 60's, in academia and scientific research. In the epilogue the author explains that she got a lot of her subject matter from her aunt's who went through exactly the experience of Nancy in the book. This for me makes it even more poignant. Although I am slightly younger than Nancy I have had similar personal experiences. Things are improving but not quickly enough! Brilliantly researched, wonderfully written and a joy to read. Well deserving of a 5* review. One of the best books I've read this year.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

An emotional read that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Another excellent book by one of my go to authors. Happy to recommend.

This was an interesting and inspiring story that examined the work of female scientists in the 1950s
Sadly they faced discrimination and jealousy from their male counterparts leading many to give up research and forge a career in other areas.
There is a dual time line plot set in 2010 and the 1950s as former research zoologist , Doctor Nancy Foster’s early life is revealed. Nancy is reluctant to reveal too much to journalist, Stef, who is writing a book about women who achieved a high level in various fields of science, several of whom were never recognised for their achievements.
I liked Nancy and Stef, both strong female characters who know what they want and despite their difference in age, it appears they have a lot in common.
The setting of Norfolk was wonderful as it is a area full of wildlife and animal sanctuaries. It was almost like another character in the book.
The author has obviously done a lot of research and I was interested in to read about her own female relatives who had been scientists during this time. Their obvious input into the story really brought it to life.
I thoroughly enjoyed “The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge” and would definitely recommend as an entertaining Summer read.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

I enjoyed this book, i liked reading about what women faced years ago, and seeing what a marked improvement has been made.
It wasnt necessarily an easy read, but it was interesting and I'm pleased I gave it a go.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

2010, England. Stef Lansdown is a free-lance journalist, she’s visiting her mum in Norfolk and is considering writing a book about women scientists.

Nancy Foster lives in Dragonfly Lodge overlooking the Broads, she has her cat for company and loves animals. Nancy is a private person, her grandson Aaron is very protective of his Nan, he knows something happened when she was younger and she won’t talk about it. When Nancy and Stef meet, Nancy is very reluctant to share any information about her past, her time at university and work history and certainly doesn’t want to be included in a book.

Over a few weeks Nancy gets to know Stef and she discovers she’s not a sensational journalists, they develop a bond and she changes her mind about sharing her past. Stef is taken back to a time when ladies didn’t want to further their education and Nancy had to fight to do this, and overcome countless challenges and obstacles along the way and even once she graduates and working; she’s paid less and is told not to mention something she discovered and it could have tragic consequences.

I received a copy of The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge from NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK in exchange for an honest review. This is my favourite book by Rachel Hore, I felt like I was in Norfolk and overlooking the Broad and it was lush with descriptions of the area, old cottages and wildlife.

The narrative highlights the problems and prejudice women faced in the 1940’s and 1950’s and especially in the scientific field, many didn’t get credit for their work and achievements.

A story about society and women roles, lack of opportunities and being taken seriously, following your dreams and friendship and with some intrigue and secrets and possible sabotage included to add a bit of mystery.

The perfect read for Women’s History Month, I savoured every page and five stars from me and I highly recommend.

This wonderful book tells the story of Nancy and her early career as a research scientist in the early 1950s. It is set over two timelines, with a freelance journalist writing a book about women scientists. As I studied zoology myself (though 30 years after Nancy), I found the details of her work absolutely fascinating. The Norfolk Broads location is a character in itself, with beautiful descriptions of the nature reserve. The characters are complex and the relationships between them are drawn out as the book develops. I found myself thinking about the book after I had finished reading it (and the unequal opportunities women had and still have), and will be looking out for further books by Rachel Hore.

oving effortlessly between post-war London and the present day, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge uncovers the untold legacies of women whose brilliance was too often ignored. At its heart are two unforgettable voices: one shaped by secrets, the other by the search for truth. This is a novel of quiet power and long shadows, about what we inherit and what we choose to reveal.

This book is set on two different timelines with two strong career minded women. It looks at hidden stories, secrets and reputations. It's a very easy read with an unexpected ending.

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge Rachel Hore

5 stars

Another beautiful story

I have read a lot of Rachel Hore's books and have always enjoyed them. She writes a beautiful story which I was immediately drawn into with believable characters.

Stef Lansdowne is a author trying to earn a living and her current project is talking about women in science and the problems that they face especially in the past. When she visits her mother, who is living on the Norfolk broads she is introduced to an elderly lady, Dr Nancy Foster who is living in the house of the title of this book.

Stef discovers that Nancy is exactly the type of person that she needs in her book but Nancy is adamant that she does not want her story made public. However after she injures her ankle and is confined to her house, Stef comes to help her and Nancy finds herself opening up.

The story switches between Nancy's career in the early 1950's and Stef's story currently and the blossoming relationship between her and Nancy's grandson Aaron. As Nancy describes her early career as a researcher in science in particular locusts, it soon becomes apparent how women were treated in those days. Despite Nancy's superior intellect to most of her male colleagues she is treated as a second-class citizen on less pay and much less attention.

As always this book is filled with some wonderful descriptive prose about the setting of the book, in this case the Norfolk Broads, as well as telling a very interesting and thought provoking story.



Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net Galley

Thank you @netgalley and @simonschusteruk for sending me this eArc to read and review before it's release next month. This book is due to be published 29th July 2025.

Let me start by saying four days! That is what it took for me to finish this book and what a book it is.

This book got me from the very start. The book is set in two timeslines Britain in the 1940/50's and then the 2000's and the shift between the two timelines is seamless.

We meet Stef, a thirty something freelance writer who has pitched a book about the work of women in science. Her mother has happened across a Dr in zoology during her recent move to the Norfolk broads and has invited Stef to stay with her to attend one of Dr Nancy Fosters talks.

Initially closed off to the idea of sharing the story of her time in university and the struggles she comes up against, she decides that maybe it's time to share her experience.

What follows is a story of hardship, of constant blockers from the men within her field of study but also determination, of justice and of truth. Whilst Nancy is sharing all of the up and downs that came with being a woman of science, we see Stef make some discoveries of her own as she navigates the ever changing landscape of her family, new relationships and finding love.

This book is a beautiful celebration of all that women have achieved but also a stark reminder that there was such a difference in how women were viewed, in how they were treated and that unless their names were attached to a male counterpart, their voice was just lost.

A solid 4 ⭐️ from me!

Rachel Hore's The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is a masterful tapestry of interwoven timelines, exploring the resilience of women in the face of societal constraints. The book is set in Norfolk Broads in 2010 and the bustling streets of 1940s and '50s London, the novel delves deep into the lives of two compelling women: Nancy Foster, a retired scientist who has a life-altering secret, and Stef Lansdown, a journalist determined to shed light on overlooked female scientists.

A tribute to women who want to change the stereotyped impressions of men from the 1950's who felt our place was in the home!

A lovely dual timeline novel, set in post war Britain and early 2000's.
Stephanie is an author who is writing a book about female scientists and the roles they played. She is introduced to Dr Nancy Foster, who is reluctant to tell her life story. However she relents, and this novel is her story. A story of hard work and determination to make a name for herself at a time when there was no acknowledgement of the important role women scientists had in society.
It was an enjoyable read, loosely based on the author's family memories. Set in the beautiful Norfolk Broads, the book is very descriptive.

I’ve enjoyed many Rachel Hore books in the past and was intrigued by the title of The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge.

This is a dual-timeline novel with one foot in post-war Britain and one in the (almost) present day. We follow the early life of Nancy, trying to make her way as a scientist amidst a wall of sexism and prejudice and then catch up with her again as an elderly lady. Also in the present day sections we follow Stef who is trying to make her way in the world of freelance journalism.

I loved the Holkham/Norfolk Broads setting of the book and also really like the premise. All the characters (bar the obvious ones) were likeable & I was invested in outcomes for Nancy and Stef.

However, overall I found the book disappointing. It felt incredibly laboured & long-winded with too many information dumps and way too much waffle about locusts! I also failed to understand why the author mirrored the set-ups of main character’s sisters (both sections mc’s had elder sisters who were in identical situations with identical reactions and also both sections featured a divorced male mc with a young daughter). I am puzzled why the author thought this a good side plot as it is confusing to the reader & jars the reading experience . I thought she was trying to illustrate that actually times haven’t changed much but actually Helen ends up with the better job and lifestyle.

All in all I sadly found the book to be waffly & confusing despite a good basic premise. 2.5 stars. I’ve put editing queries in notes to publisher.

I had high hopes for this one but sadly I felt it was lacking. It was extremely wordy, very repetitive and ultimately predictable. Initially the scientific parts going back in time were interesting but I felt these parts just began to drag on and on. There are only so many locusts you can read about. The story between Stef and Aaron was inevitable from the start, yet we didn’t even get ‘their story’ it was summed up at the end. Nancy’s trials and tribulations battling sexism and prejudice when she was young were true of the time, but I’m not sure why she just gave up to teach. In both timelines, the characterisation was far too similar and became confusing to the reader (in my opinion). There were so many names and I just felt that I didn’t care who was who and whose marriage wasn’t working out. I also noted that from around 75% to the end, the grammatical errors were horrendous, lots of missing words too. All in all, quite a disappointing read but it could be edited to read so much better in half the time.

This was a wonderfully absorbing read, that had me hooked to both timelines! Full of fascinating characters and exploring how the attitudes of the past hindered women.

Set in post war London, and in Norfolk in 2010, we meet 2 women who are bought together to share a story that has had devastating consequences. And there seems to be people out to stop the story being shared altogether so you're left wondering what have they got to hide.

Nancy is a retired scientist who lives a very quiet life in Norfolk on the edge of nature reserve - already she has my interest as to why she's happy to withdraw from life. Stef is a journalist who is researching women of the past, and uncovers the story of Nancy so wants to learn more about her and share her story - of which Nancy isn't keen and is still very wary and unable to trust those from outside. But the more time she spends with Steph, the more she sees she is able to trust her and that's when we learn about her career as a scientist, and the struggles she had being accepted as a female scientist.

I loved the backstories in this book. There's so much to delve into, especially with looking back over Nancy's life that you get really involved and really get to understand why she's so unwilling to trust - she's been wronged in the past and that's very difficult for her to shake off. Stef is just the write kind of person to delve into her life and is so understanding and rightly outraged at what Nancy had been through.

A great look back into the issues of the past that faced many women who were trying to pursue their own career in a male dominated world. Highly recommended!

As soon as I started reading The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge, I was completely drawn into the story. It is an absolutely fascinating read where I learnt so much.

The novel unfolds across two distinct time periods and across two striking locations - the Norfolk Broads in 2010 and then London in the 1940s and 1950s, skillfully blending the past and the present.

I felt totally immersed in the setting and how it was captured so beautifully. It made me want to go and visit the tranquil and picturesque Norfolk Broads and experience the area that the book brought so vividly to life.

At the heart of the novel we meet Nancy Foster and Stef Lansdown whose lives are unexpectedly drawn together by the secrets of the past. Nancy, a retired scientist, leads a quiet and contented life in her idyllic home on the edge of a nature reserve, where she finds peace in her surroundings. There is a bookcase in Nancy’s home where her notebook was carefully kept – this is so significant to the story.

Stef is a journalist and has a natural curiosity, constantly asking questions and exploring different ideas and perspectives. After attending a talk given by Nancy, journalist Stef is very keen to include her story in her upcoming book. Stef is captivated by Nancy and wants to find out more.

The relationship between Nancy and Stef starts off understandably very guarded. Nancy does not want her secret to be exposed and is worried that by sharing her story with Stef this will happen. Their bond does strengthen as Nancy slowly opens up. I really loved the relationship between Nancy and Stef and how it grew slowly but steadily. I loved how Nancy saw Stef as the one person she could finally open up to, after so many years. Their friendship was beautiful, built on trust, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to uncover long-buried truths.

This is an extraordinary book, highlighting the enormous challenges and fight that women had in pursuing careers in science and overcoming barriers to become scientists in a male dominated field. I was fascinated by the actual work that was being undertaken and have since read a lot about DDT and its significant and devastating environmental impact. I will continue to read more as The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge has had such an impact on me and I am constantly thinking about the novel.

The book explores the many difficulties women encountered, from unfair wages and lack of acknowledgment to the obstacles that slowed their progress in male-dominated professions. But it also highlights the resilience of women, fighting for the respect and opportunities that they (and the future generations) so truly deserved. They had been denied them for far too long. They deserved accreditation for their work – Nancy struggled to receive credit for her vital contributions, with her work frequently overlooked or attributed to male colleagues. This is so unfair and totally wrong, robbing Nancy of the recognition and opportunities she rightfully deserved.
This is an incredibly written book, which has been deeply researched. A captivating story of long-buried secrets, inner strength, and the quest for truth. And some romance too!

This is a truly special book and an unforgettable five-star read. Thank you! The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is my favourite book by Rachel Hore.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster UK for my advanced copy. This review is based on a NetGalley ARC provided in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

Sadly, I seem to be in the minority that didn't enjoy this novel, so I'll keep my review short and sweet.

The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is based on a very interesting concept, and I enjoyed that the novel champions female scientists and women in STEM. At its heart, this book is about past historical struggles against male oppression and the importance of these career women receiving justice and recognition.

However, I found the novel to be overly long and dull, and the writing certainly was not for me. I felt very distant from Stef and Nancy, so I didn't feel any empathy for them (even when I should). The tone is quite monotonous, and the romance felt extremely forced. In the end, I struggled to finish and had to persevere through each chapter.

That said, other Goodreads reviewers seemed to really enjoy this novel. Therefore, unfortunately, this was probably just a case where the writing didn't work for me personally. So, if you're a fan of Rachel Hore or stories of women overcoming substantial challenges, go ahead and give The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge a try. You might have a better experience!

*Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC*

Journalist Stef meets an elderly lady, Nancy, who once worked as a scientist, and is keen to interview her for her book on overlooked women scientists. But Nancy isn't keen - what secrets is she hiding?
This story is told in parallel time frames, following both Nancy and Stef as they negotiate the tricky world of love and work and family relationships, fifty years apart. They are both warm, sympathetic characters, and Nancy, in particular, has an interesting story to tell about male dominance in the science field, and how even the best of men would betray their female colleagues in their determination to get to the top of the tree. There are hints of industrial espionage, and of very real danger to Nancy, both in the past and now, which helps add tension to the plot.
But overall, this was a gentle story with no huge twists and turns - just the tale of one woman's determination to be true to herself, and another woman's determination to make sure that history remembered female pioneers in male-dominated fields.

A book about a writer/journalist, Stef, who is writing a book about women scientists and their struggles in the mid 1900s. She meets Nancy, a former zoologist, and quickly forms a bond with her. Nancy shares her story of how it was to be a woman in a man's field.
This was a nice read, with an easy to follow flow. I enjoyed hearing Nancy's story, while also feeling invested in her elderly age pov.
Nancy was an easy to like character with layers. Stef was a solid protagonist who had a surety of herself that can be lacking in novels sometimes.
There were a few parts of the story that I didn't think added to the overall theme (the random, threatening letters Nancy gets sent).
However, the book as a whole was informative and enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!