The Garden of Lost Secrets

9 year old girl liked it a lo and read it very quickly and wants more from the same author so I guess that does qualify for 5 stars. Her favoirite book is Skylark’s war, so if you are looking for other books that is a recommendation.

Gift your daughter this book and see her marvel at it. She loved it so much that she was sad that it ended. No gadget can replace a beautiful imagination a book can create.

This beautifully written story captures the atmosphere of a bygone era and the world of a country house garden and estate during the First World War. Sent away from home to stay with her uncle and aunt, who work on the estate, Clara is keeping secrets - as are all the characters in the novel. The garden setting is gorgeously realised, particularly the glasshouses where exotic pineapples and mandarins are grown. AM Howell's characterisation is excellent - and subtle - as everyone has reasons for their behaviour, with their own losses or hardships to deal with. I was totally absorbed in Clara's world, in her fears, and in her friendship with Will, and was very keen to find out the key to the mysteries going on! I loved how Clara grew in bravery to defend what was important to her. Wonderful!

This is an atmospheric and captivating story set against the backdrop of WW1 and has all the emotion and style of a "classic" from the very first chapter. It's packed full of rich language and detailed description as the reader follows the story of young Clara,sent to stay with her Aunt and Uncle in the grounds of a larger country estate, where the losses and burdens of the war create an oppressive and unsettling atmosphere .It is a beautifully written,intriguing mystery that engrosses the reader and draws them completely into Clara's world. Wonderful .

This book builds on authors such as Frances Hodgson-Burnet, L M Boston and C S Lewis in creating a completely believable world with strong characters we want to follow. The framework is life on a great estate in Edwardian times, bought to life through young eyes. There is mystery, mis-direction, mischief and ultimately mercy. A highlight for me is how the exotic hothouses are brought to life. Also the careful handling that brings the affairs of the outside world into the timeless life on the estate. I highly recommend this book for breadth and pace of storytelling and look forward with anticipation to the next one.