Fox is hard writer to review. Her books are marmite. I finally finished this work and while I'm glad to have read it, i don't think I'll be requesting future books

There was much to enjoy here, but I found I couldn't connect with it. I'd read more from this author in the future though.

I think Essie Fox is a really wonderful atmospheric historical fiction writers and this book is an excellent example of that.

I recently bought a new kindle after my old one broke. For some reason I was unable to download this title from the cloud onto my kindle, therefore I will be unable to review this title. I am sorry for any inconvenience caused.

There really are some lovely moments, and the cover is absolutely delightful. I did, however, find it really distracting that the main setting of the book - which was very clearly Brighton - was called Brightland, whilst the house itself remained in the real location of Seaford. It messed with my suspension of disbelief so much that I didn't ever get lost in the story, which I think this book needs.

I am not going to be reviewing this book, but thank you for the approval.

Those of you who read my reviews regularly tell me that I have a few overused favourite words – two of them are “mesmerising” and “enchanting” and I make no apology for using them again while writing about this wonderful book. How could I not? Leda’s young life, the experiences that shaped the lives of Leda and her brother Theo, the passions that changed them both and the love affair that had such a massive impact and aftermath all make for an amazing read. There’s an immense depth of detail in the descriptions of and images from the world of early film – plainly written by someone with a love for the medium – bringing the whole process vividly to life. The book’s setting too is wonderful. White Cliff House becomes another character from the moment Ed – in the 1970s – begins to approach it through the encroaching undergrowth, and the studio in its grounds simply fascinating. I loved Leda’s “mirrors” as the device for revealing the story – and I was totally transported into the world they created.

I’ve seen so many comparisons to “early Sarah Waters” – yes, equally excellent and I can see it, but Essie Fox’s style is really entirely her own, with a particular talent for creating an all-consuming atmosphere and suspenseful feel that I just haven’t come across before. And the ending, as the layers of long kept secrets unfurl and the book reaches its really unexpected – but quite perfect – climax, is superb. I loved this book – and perhaps the best bit of all is that I still have Essie’s three earlier books to catch up on…

(And I really must add that although I’m not a particular aficionado of book covers – I think maybe reading on kindle has damaged my appreciation of the art – this one was absolutely perfect for the content and exceptionally beautiful.)