The House of Echoes

By Alexandra Walsh

What it’s about?

‘The Brandon blood is dark with lies and treachery and as it flows through my heart, my vow is
this: they will all pay.’

Hampton Court Palace 1530s

Anne Brandon has always understood the power of a king’s patronage and, though the court of Henry VIII is a dangerous place for women, as the daughter of the king’s best friend, Anne feels safer than most.

But Anne’s husband Lord Powis is tiring of her childlessness and when Henry VIII begins plotting to rid himself of a queen in his quest for an heir, suddenly Anne’s life is in danger. And as whispers of the name of her friend Anne Boleyn get ever louder, there is peril in every loose word, every forbidden conversation.

Pembrokshire Present Day

Caroline Harvey has spent years helping her grandfather, the reclusive bestselling novelist Dexter
Blake, hide from his legions of fans in his home on the Pembrokshire coast. After his death, the vultures begin to circle Dexter’s fortune. When Caroline’s ownership of the house she has inherited is called into question, her research into its history reveals it was once owned by Anne Brandon who had sought refuge there. Intrigued, Caroline is determined to discover why Anne fled the court of Henry VIII.

Two women divided by centuries but joined by secrets and courage. And when a twist in their histories threatens them both with the same fate – losing the man they love – their revenge will be the same too. Because there’s no one mightier than a woman underestimated or more powerful than the need to save those they love.

Bestseller Alexandra Walsh is back with a compelling, captivating insight into the Tudor court through the eyes of a woman who had only her guile to keep her alive. Perfect for all fans of Barbara Erskine, Philippa Gregory, Anne O’Brien and Elena Collins.

What I think:

Alexandra Walsh is an auto-read author me!

I absolutely love her Tudor mysteries, dual timelines and complex women.

She is an absolute master at giving a voice to the forgotten women of the sixteenth century and exploring the gaps in their stories to create intriguing mysteries.

Anne Brandon was at the heart of the Tudor court. As the daughter of Henry VIII’s best friend, The Duke of Suffolk, she was also step-daughter to a princess. She lived through one of the most notoriously turbulent periods of British histories. Loyalties were tested and families had to be clever and often pragmatic to maintain their power.

Walsh’s Anne is beautiful and charming. She is also clever and confident. While dutiful and obedient, she is willing to take incredible risks for her own happiness and to seek justice.

Her story highlights how women were used and often mistreated by men. Expected to marry men chosen for them and provide heirs, their happiness is disregarded. Henry VIII’S treatment of his wives sets a precedence at Court. Anne’s marriage is violent and abusive. Luckily for her Anne, her father has never played by the rules and she is offered a chance to escape with her honour intact and find love.

Running parallel to all of this is the story of Caro. Granddaughter to a world famous bestselling writer, she understands all about legacy,  inheritance and duty. With lost love and secrets of her own, when she starts investigating the life of Anne, she sees the similarities in their stories.

Overall I was less engaged with Caroline’s story. Some of her secrets were easy to guess although a few did surprise me. While I did didn’t quite buy into all of that side of the book, I enjoyed the research she did and always love a trip to the archives at Marquess House – a series I always recommend to people.

This is a clever book. So much research has gone into the Tudor story and the planning gone into Caroline’s story is staggering! The geek in me  I really enjoyed the notes at the end and finding out which parts of Anne’s  story were true.

About the author:

Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published
by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries. Formerly a journalist, writing for
national newspapers, magazines and TV, her first book for Boldwood will be published in Spring
2023

Social Media Links –
Facebook: @themarquesshousetrilogy
Twitter: @purplemermaid25
Instagram: @purplemermaid25

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlexandraWalshNews
Bookbub profile: @acwalsh69

Thank you to Boldwood Books for my gifted digital copy of The House of Echoes and to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to be a part of this intriguing blog tour.

Check out the other stops on the tour: