I love the cover of The Legacy of Halesham Hall – the lilac colour scheme is gorgeous. I picked this up from a charity shop in Ely for the weekend a couple of months ago.

What it’s about?

Solve the house’s puzzle. Claim the Bellingham inheritance . . . Uncover the truth behind the mysterious legacy of Halesham Hall in this page-turning dual-time novel from the author The Secrets of Hawthorn Place, perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton.

A love that seems lost, may still yet be found, for real love always endures.

1890. One summer evening changes everything for Sidney and Leonard Bellingham when their beloved mother disappears from the family home, Halesham Hall. Left with their bitter father, they are taught to trust no one but themselves, with brother pitted against brother to see who is worthy of inheriting the Bellingham Board Games company. But the series of twisted games they are forced to play will have far reaching consequences.

1920. Phoebe Bellingham arrives at Halesham Hall determined to solve the puzzles that will allow her to claim back the Bellingham inheritance. But this legacy involves more than one secret, and soon Phoebe realises that the stakes are higher than she ever could have imagined.

What I think:

I liked the premise for this and the pretty cover drew me in.

The two timelines tell different versions of the same story. Both involve trying to solve a mystery that is built into the very fabric of the building; Halesham Hall has been designed to challenge.

Clement Bellingham is clever and eccentric. Having made a fortune from board games and puzzles, he creates his masterpiece – a puzzle that pots his two sons against each other. Whoever solves it first will inherit the family fortune.

Sidney and Leonard have a long-held sibling rivalry, which grows as they do. It culminates in quest to win the house and the heart of a beautiful young woman whom they both love.

30 years later, Phoebe Bellingham returns to reclaim what she believes should have been hers to find d that not all of the puzzles have been solved and that there are more secrets behind the gothic doors of Halesham Hall.

This was an enjoyable read with an intriguing set of puzzles. The puzzle is essentially solved twice as Phoebe revisits the clues that the brothers solve a generation earlier.

The book considers the value of money and love. One brother ends up poor but happy while the other is rich but miserable and alone.

The ending felt a little rushed to me, and I wasn’t sure it was all necessary. Do t want to give any spoilers, so I won’t say more. I liked Phoebe a lot – she is resilient and patient and clever. The puzzles were interesting, and the house is described so that the reader can clearly picture it in their mind.

I think this was a solid three star read and I would definitely read more by this author in the future.