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The Secret Hours

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The Secret Hours

By: Santa Montefiore
Narrated by: Genevieve Swallow
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‘Let the wind take me and the soft rain settle me into the Irish soil from where I came. And may my sins be forgiven.’

Arethusa Clayton has always been formidable, used to getting her own way. On her death, she leaves unexpected instructions. Instead of being buried in America, on the wealthy East Coast where she and her late husband raised their two children, Arethusa has decreed that her ashes be scattered in a remote corner of Ireland, on the hills overlooking the sea.

All Arethusa ever told Faye was that she grew up in a poor farming family and left Ireland, alone, to start a new life in America as did so many in those times of hardship and famine. But who were her family in Ireland and where are they now? What was the real reason that she turned away from them? And who is the mysterious benefactor of a significant share of Arethusa’s estate?

Arethusa is gone. There is no one left to tell her story. Faye feels bereft, as if her mother’s whole family has died with her. Leaving her own husband and children behind, she travels to the picturesque village of Ballinakelly, determined to fulfil her mother’s last wish and to find out the reason for Arethusa’s insistence on being laid to rest in this faraway land.

Praise for Santa Montefiore:

“Nobody does epic romance like Santa Montefiore.” JOJO MOYES

“An enchanting read, overflowing with deliciously poignant moments.” DINAH JEFFRIES

“Santa Montefiore hits the spot for me like few other writers.” SARRA MANNING

“One of our personal favourites.” THE TIMES©2019 Santa Montefiore (P)2019 W. F. Howes Ltd Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Women's Fiction Heartfelt Marriage
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Utterly brilliant, captured my imagination and I loved every second. Reduced me to tears and I will miss it very much. Congratulations to all concerned.

One of the best reads ever

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Thoroughly enjoyed this book . I have read the rest of the series but this is the first one I have listed to on audible .
Beautifully narrated . You get sucked into the story . Didn’t want it to end .
Another hit by Santa Montefiore

Fabulous

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This book has been the best ever. Lovely blend of old and new. With a few love stories thrown in too. Looking forward to the next one.

Excellent

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Great Story. Continues the saga of the Deverils. Interesting that it's time frame is not in the current day but back to the late 19th century and the sixties

An exceptional read

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Written with such depth of character I could empathize or get angry when needed didn’t wNt the book to end as it was like saying goodbye to old friends!

Wonderful as ever!

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