📖 Blog Tour ~ The House of Echoes by Alexandra Walsh

Boldwood Books
30 January 2025

My thanks to the publishers for my copy of the book
and to Rachel's Random Resources for the invitation to the blog tour

‘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.

My Review..

Growing up in the shadow of the Tudor court was no easy place to be and with her step-mother being, not only Mary Tudor, Dowager Queen of France, but also Henry VIII’s beloved younger sister, Anne Brandon is more than familiar with court intrigue. Anne’s ill-fated arranged marriage to Edward Grey of Powis and the subsequent scandal of Anne living openly with another man forms part of the story and is the link to the modern day element of the book which features Caroline Harvey and her quest to discover more about the history of her Pembrokeshire house, and land on which she is living.

The dual time plot is complicated and whilst both heroines are very different there are connections which are revealed as the story moves along. I found both Anne and Caroline fascinating and not knowing much about Anne Brandon other than her scandalous relationship with a man who was not her husband, I looked to discover more about her, as women at this time had little choice in the way they lived their lives, so it was interesting to see how all the stands of her particular puzzle came together. I also really enjoyed the literary references in Caroline’s part of the story and in particular her association with a series of sci-fi novels written by her grandfather. I thought this was cleverly done and brought an interesting dynamic, especially when some big twists are revealed at the end of the book. Keeping everything together is the House of Echoes itself which gives up its secrets slowly. 

The House of Echoes is an interesting dual time story about the lives of two strong women and the place which connects them both.

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.

Facebook: @themarquesshousetrilogy

Twitter: @purplemermaid25 #TheHouseOfEchoes

Instagram: @purplemermaid25

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AlexandraWalshNews

Bookbub profile: ​​@acwalsh69