Margot had been particularly close to Audrey, they had always resembled one another; and when she was in her family home, when she saw how deeply her disappearance still troubled her aunt, she couldn’t help being drawn into the life that he cousin had left behind and being troubled by the unsolved mystery. The author wound the story around until the two timelines merged in a poignant way, slowly releasing the pent -up tensions, and bringing closure to all in a satisfying way.

I was captivated by each story, because both narratives had the ring of truth as they spoke in their different ways of evolving family relationships, of the ways that the past can haunt the present, and the complications the come with growing up.The present day is more driven by the relationship between step families and attempting to start afresh. I do think the Wilde sisters story could have been a stand alone story, but the present day brought it all together and led the book towards its fantastic conclusion. What brought the two time periods together is the theme of loss, and obviously the mystery of what happened to Audrey at Applecote that long ago summer. I found this symmetry between the sisters’ relationships and those of the mothers and daughters in both past and present was something that worked well and helped to give a sense of balance to The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde. (Although I did have a slight preference for the storyline set in the 1959 heatwave because it felt more atmospheric.) I also liked how the mystery was handled between both timelines. Eve Chase paces the suspense beautifully until she’s ready for the reveal and brings characters together from the past and present to reach a resolution. I truly wanted to love this one more! An atmospheric, character driven, gothic novel set in an aging house in England's countryside. The story weaves past with present as it follows the mystery of Applecote Manor. It is beautifully written in a lyrical way. It was unsettling for all four sisters, and because the summer was warm they were able to spend much of their time outside, That was how they came to meet Tom and Harry Gore, whose family spent their summers at the neighbouring Coniston Place. And that was what unsettled the relationship between the four sisters ….

Eve Chase is the pseudonym of a journalist who has worked extensively across the British press. Eve Chase always wanted to write about families – ones that go wrong but somehow survive – and big old houses, where family secrets and untold stories seed in the crumbling stone walls. She lives in Oxford, England with her husband and three children. Jessie, our protagonist in the present day, was highly likeable and roused my sympathies instantly. Trying to carve out her own identity as a new mother and wife, she increasingly compares herself to her predecessor, always selling herself short. Moving to Applecote Manor is not only a new start for the whole family, but also a late in life coming of age for Jessie. She’s a character who shines throughout, honest in her introspection, and I admired her tenacity, particularly when it came to interacting with her step-daughter. I felt the author depicted this precarious relationship to perfection, and likewise, the second marriage dynamics. It would be such difficult terrain to navigate, stepping into a dead woman’s shoes and through Jessie, I got a true sense of this struggle. I always felt she acted accordingly, never in a way that was unjustified or unbelievable. The very soul of authenticity. Present-day Jessie is aborting the chaos of London life and transporting her family to gorgeous Applecote Manor. Nestled in the depths of the English countryside she images this rural retreat will be the miracle that will restore her fissured family. However, her husband still finds himself reeling from a life split between week-day London and weekends in the countryside, and Jessie finds herself isolated with a toddler demanding constant attention and a teenage step-daughter who continues to despise her and still grieve for her deceased mother.Evocative, beautiful, and heartbreaking are just some of the words that I would use to describe this breathtaking novel but even they do not do it the justice it requires. I'm really in awe of Chase's power of description. It is magical and she sharpens every sense -- Veronica Henry * Daily Express * They find their aunt and uncle still reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, five years before. No one seems any closer to finding out the truth.

A stunning new writer has arrived - gripping and heart rending, this novel is full of original characters which don't let you forget them I enjoyed both the present and past stories and loved the descriptions of Applecote Manor and its grounds when they were in pristine shape and in present day when both the house and grounds needed a lot of work. Which Alton sibling is your favourite? Why? Which sibling do you most identify with? Are they the same character?As children, Amber and Toby are almost inseparable, but after their mother’s death they both change dramatically—Amber reflects that she “no longer feel[s] like a girl inside” (p. 93), and Toby becomes increasingly angry and wild. Why do you think the twins grow apart, instead of together? Do you think they would have stayed close if Momma had lived? Why or why not?

None of that would be simple, nothing really went to plan, and when she learned the history of her new home Jessie began to question whether she had really done the right thing for her family …. It is a fascinating story of sibling rivalries and jealousies of unrequited love and mystery, of lives lost and lifetimes wasted.The four sisters move to Applecote Manor to live with their Aunt Sybil and Uncle Peregrine when their mother goes abroad. Aunt Sybil has imprisoned herself in the home since the disappearance of her daughter, Audrey, five years earlier. She went down to the river one day and was never seen again. I do however think The Vanishing of Audrey Wilde does have potential, and it would definitely appeal to readers who love slower paced character driven mystery, that has a real gothic feel. With lots of drama. They find their uncle and aunt still reeling from the disappearance of their only daughter, five years before. An undercurrent of dread runs through the house. Why did Audrey vanish? Who is keeping her fate secret?