The Secrets of Saffron Hall

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About this listen

Two women. Five centuries apart.
One life-changing secret about to be unearthed…

1538
New bride Eleanor impresses her husband by growing saffron, a spice more valuable than gold. His reputation in Henry VIII’s court soars – but fame and fortune come at a price, for the king’s favour will not last forever…

2019
When Amber discovers an ancient book in her grandfather’s home at Saffron Hall, the contents reveal a dark secret from the past. As she investigates, so unravels a forgotten tragic story and a truth that lies much closer to home than she could have imagined…

An enchanting historical novel about love and hope in dangerous times, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Kathryn Hughes.

‘Emotional and intense, this is a page-turning story of secrets that echo through time’ Rachel Hore, author of The Love Child

‘A rich and vivid historical story, this is one of those rare books that is totally engrossing. I loved it’ Nicola Cornick, author of The Forgotten Sister

‘The past and present is skilfully entwined in this captivating and emotional debut’ Heidi Swain, author of The Secret Seaside Escape

‘Emotive, immersive and compelling, a beautiful story that captures the heart’ Liz Fenwick, author of The Path to the Sea

‘This pulled me in and didn’t let me go: a page-turner with such historical depth and tender touch that it enchanted my heart. I adored it.’ Laura Jane Williams, author of Our Stop

‘Intriguing and fascinating, a real insight into a turbulent time in England’s history’ Kathleen McGurl, author of The Secret of the Chateau

‘An intensely gripping, emotional read, that kept me turning the pages until the early hours of the morning. An atmospheric story sure to please all fans of timeslip novels!’ Christina Courtenay, author of Echoes of the Runes

‘A beautifully written story which pulls you in and whisks you away to another time.’ Rosie Hendry, author of the East End Angels series

Christian Fiction

Fiction

Genre Fiction

Historical

Historical Fiction

Medieval

Renaissance

Romance

Small Town & Rural

Middle Ages

Tear-jerking

Tudor

Christian Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Medieval Renaissance Romance Small Town & Rural Middle Ages Tear-jerking Tudor

Most relevant

I really enjoyed this book, and found it to be addictive listening. It’s a very sound dual timeline story, connecting two women who share a tragedy that many women have suffered.

I have a few things I didn’t like so much about it, though overall I did very much enjoy it. Being an author and historian myself I understand what a mammoth task it is to write like this. However, the author used the English slang terms “sat, stood” etc instead of “sitting, standing” in both the modern and historical timeline. If used in dialogue in the modern timeline it would work, but used all throughout the book in descriptive and historical passages, it grates.

There are a few instances of modern words being used in the historical timeline that are not great for historical context. Such as saying that a villager has bronchitis - a word no one in 1538 would have known. The character of Joan, best friend to the historical heroine Eleanor, was never filled out in the slightest bit. It left her much like an empty character, just a name to use to make the story work. In the final chapter Joan shows a tiny bit of life but we were never shown the bond between Eleanor and Joan, only told of it. The best friend to the 2019 heroine was more fleshed out.

Since the book is set in 2019, and I read it in November 2020, I did want to shout at the 2019 Amber to brace herself. She thinks she’s over the worst of it - and she probably is - but she’s also about to step into a global pandemic.

Although these small imperfections were a bit annoying at times, I did really enjoy this book, and I will be growing saffron next year. A solid four stars!