Set in two timelines this is a story of Richard who is really not a nice man. When he dies his two daughters feel a sense of freedom. They can now be their own person and live without judgement of who their father was.

I really enjoyed this read. I loved the kind of historical sense that this book gave me. it did bounce quickly between past and present and I had to go back a few times to think about where i was but that said it is a well written tale and I enjoyed my reading time.

I found this an absolutely fascinating read. The two sisters lives and their secrets unfolding were shocking but the support they gave each other was commendable.

I was absolutely gripped by this book. I loved the sense of two very different time periods, and I found the main protagonists very interesting characters. The monstrous father and his vile ways are dealt with in a very sensitive and non-sensational way, which makes the ending of the book much more powerful. This is an excellent, well-written book, and I would highly recommend it.

4 - 5 stars

Galway, 1963.
In a modernist steel and glass mansion in Galway, lives notorious and controversial right wing philosopher Richard Acklehurst and his teenage daughters, Aisling and Stella. People from all parts of Europe make their way to The Glass House to seek him out, to hear his views; it’s as if he’s holding court. On New Year’s Eve 1963, a planned glittering party is cancelled due to wild and snowy weather, and during that subzero night, Acklehurst has a fall outside and freezes to death. Fast forward to 1999, when his defiled body is shockingly dug up from its abandoned graveyard site and the area is daubed in graffiti. The two sisters returned to Galway where past and present collide and where they may finally confront their dark family history. The story alternates between 1963 and 1999 and is principally from the perspective of Aisling.

I really enjoy the author’s previous two books and now it’s three for three as this one enthrals me from beginning to end. First of all, Rachel Donohue writes beautifully. It’s often understated , in a less is more fashion and she writes with sensitivity for her characters and readers. There are some powerful images that really stand out amongst the prose. The plot is excellent and we are definitely taken on a rollercoaster ride with Aisling and Stella, with plenty of shocking discoveries and disclosures, secrets that will make their way out with time, lies (some of which are for the ‘right’ reasons) and with justifiable vengeance. It’s riddled with tension and suspenseful moments making it a hard novel to put aside.

The characterisation is exemplary, indeed, it is a character driven mystery thriller. At the centre of the Galway universe is Richard who is a complex man. Initially, he seems to have some light in his personality but then you see he has a pitch black dark and rotten soul. His daughters are in his shadow and witnessing their interactions with him, their battles for survival, how they unravel and the impact he has over their lives even after death, is truly fascinating. These are very good character studies, none of them are run of the mill people and how they interact with each other is gripping.

The novel is dark, it’s emotional, sad and thought provoking and builds to a good ending. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Atlantic Books, Corvus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I loved this book, it was so interesting and moving. The characters were relatable and deeply effected by the world they found them selves so effected by. Thank you for access..