I’m so delighted today to be joining the blog tour for The House of Lost Whispers, the new book from the wonderful Jenni Keer, and sharing my review. Published by Boldwood Books on 27th April, it’s now available as an ebook (free via Kindle Unlimited), in paperback, and as an audiobook. Thank you, as always, to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and support, and to the publishers for my advance reading copy (provided via netgalley).
I can remember when Jenni wrote light romances – I particularly enjoyed The Unlikely Life of Maisie Meadows, and made it one of my 2019 Books of the Year (you’ll find my review of it here). But when she began to write historical fiction (in her own inimitable style) her books became even more special. First there was The Secrets of Hawthorn Place (you’ll find my review here), then The Legacy of Halesham Hall (review here): and then she joined Boldwood Books, and probably found her perfect home. No. 23 Burlington Square was one of my 2023 Books of the Year (and plenty of other people rather loved it too) – a really clever “what if” story with alternative timelines, and I honestly couldn’t have loved it more (you’ll find my full review here). But At the Stroke of Midnight might have been even better – so many twists and turns, quite glorious storytelling, and the most wonderful characters (you can read my review again here – and yes, of course it was on my 2024 Books of the Year list!). And then there was The Ravenswood Witch – a compelling story that chilled me to the core (but I loved every moment), an intriguing mystery at its heart, and a particularly emotional and engaging story (you’ll find my review here). And now we have another – and I was so looking forward to this one…
On 15th April 1912, RMS Titanic sank and 1500 people lost their lives. But what if it had stayed afloat?
When the ill-fated maiden voyage of the Titanic leaves thirteen-year-old Olivia Davenport orphaned, she’s sent to live with her guardians, the Fairchilds, in their huge Jacobean mansion – Merriford Manor. But the Fairchilds have more to worry about than a grieving young girl – with war in Europe imminent and four sons to protect.
Olivia feels alone and friendless. That is, until she hears a voice from behind the wall in her tower bedroom. A voice from a man called Seth. At first she thinks he’s a ghost. But it soon becomes clear that he lives in an overlapping world that is just a shudder in time away from her own. A world where the Titanic never sank… Where everything since has been just slightly… different.
All Olivia wants is to find a way into his reality. And not just to see the faces of her beloved parents once again. But also to meet Seth. Who might just be the love of her life…
A totally unforgettable romantic historical novel, perfect for reading groups and fans of Titanic and Outlander, from the bestselling author of No. 23, Burlington Square.
This book is so much more than its highly original premise – that notion of a parallel world, hinging on a moment, that shapes its story. It’s also a wonderful blend of historical fiction, the world before and during the First World War impeccably recreated, a particularly authentic coming of age story, a pitch perfect and moving romance, and completely unlike anything I’ve ever read before. I found this book absolutely stunning – it only left my hands when I really needed to sleep, and the author’s imagination continues to astound me.
Thirteen year old Olivia’s life changes when her parents die in the sinking of the Titanic, becoming the ward of the emotionally distant Fairchilds, sharing their mansion with their family of four boys. The youngest becomes particularly attached to her, the older boys when they return from school make her life less than comfortable, but she looks for friendship with the distinctly grumpy young gardener – who’s happy to answer young Benji’s many questions, but makes it clear she’s an annoyance. Her escape is into the world of her imagination, and she’s enchanted by the possibility of moving into one of the mansion’s towers – once the precious orchids are removed, and the gardener who sleeps there to guard them can be moved out. It’s everything she wanted it to be – a special space to call her own – until, one night, she hears a voice from behind her bedroom wall, a man called Seth.
At first, they each believe the other to be ghosts – but, as they slowly become friends, it becomes clear that they live in parallel worlds. In Seth’s world, the Titanic never sank, and her parents didn’t die – but it seems there’s no way of bringing their different worlds together. And as well as finding that devastating, Olivia – now growing up – desperately wants to be able to meet Seth, who has become particularly special to her through the years of their nighttime conversations.
One of the wonderful things about this book is how easy it is to suspend disbelief – we live with Olivia through the years, the voice and their interactions suspended for a while as her real life moves on, but feel the same much-needed sense of comfort when their contact begins once more. And I so desperately wanted them to find a way to be together – but couldn’t see how there could possibly be a happy ending for them both. And for Olivia, there’s also an ongoing compelling real life story – unexpectedly finding love, experiencing further loss, her relationship with the family who took her in changing through their shared experiences – until she becomes increasingly driven by her need, shared with Seth, to try to make sense of their alternative versions of reality.
I hardly need to say that this was, without question, one of my books of the year – its whole premise is so very original but perfectly developed, the timelines so cleverly managed, all delivered through a story that totally engrossed me from its beginning to its uplifting and emotional ending. With individuals I took to my heart navigating a situation that never felt anything other than real in every detail, the author’s writing has never been better – and this was a book I entirely loved.
About the author
Jenni Keer lives in the glorious Suffolk countryside with her four grown up children, three demanding cats, but just the one husband. She is often frustrated by their inability to appreciate that when she’s staring into space, she’s actually working, and that watching television counts as research. Much younger in her head than she is on paper, she adores any excuse for fancy-dress and is part of a disco formation dance team.
She has now written two contemporary rom coms and six quirky historical novels: the best-selling No. 23 Burlington Square (her 1920s sliding doors mystery) has now sold over 100,000 copies.
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Oh, Anne!! Well, that’s got me bit emotional. As you know, I value your opinion very much. What a glorious review ❤️ As ever, thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my book, and then write such a comprehensive review. I’m thrilled you enjoyed Olivia’s story.
Jenni x
You have me hooked,Anne, with your great review. It sounds so intriguing. Thank you so much
I love her writing too.