Mandeville Mystery

From the bestselling author of A Time to Change, comes the beautiful, moving and gripping next instalment in the beloved Mandeville Mysteries series. The past is like a shadow, sometimes invisible but always there… England, 1924. Nell Potter pens successful romantic mysteries as the enigmatic Margot Evangeline, but off the page, things aren't quite so wonderful. Nell, tormented by a terrible ordeal in her past, can't settle, and her writing is coming less and less easily. When she receives an invitation to Hill House, a stunning Georgian manor deep in the countryside, it feels like a chance to escape her troubles. Hill House is as beautiful as Nell could have ever imagined but, it turns out, not exactly restful. It seems the manor has its own secrets – a series of mysterious thefts have been plaguing the Mandeville family, and there's even whispers of a spirit walking its halls. Will the newly arrived police inspector – the handsome and taciturn James Painter – be able to discover the truth, or is he in over his head? Meanwhile, Nell can't help but think this might be good material for her next book… that is, until the eerie visions begin to become rather personal. Has her past finally come knocking? And what could the tragic history of Louisa Arnold and the esteemed Mandeville family have to do with it? A tale of one woman's destiny within a house full of secrets. A mesmerizing, magical and beautiful tale of mystery and romance, from the bestselling author of A Time to Change. Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Christina Courtenay and Lucinda Riley. What readers are saying about this series: "Loved this book. Didn't want it to end. Cried at the end." Online reviewer, 5 stars "Took my breath away in a way I never thought was possible… filled my arms with copious amounts of goosebumps, whilst also pricking my eyes with unshed tears… It broke my heart, then it fixed it again." Online reviewer, 5 stars "I just couldn't get enough of it… I really didn't want this story to end. I was so wrapped up in it… An emotional rollercoaster of a read… Right from the start the author captivated me heart and soul and I loved everything about it. An absolute must read!" Online reviewer, 5 stars "A really powerful and heart-wrenching novel about love and self-sacrifice… It is beautifully written and for a few hours I got lost in its pages … Now it is ended and I feel bereft… a most beautiful and fabulous novel." Online reviewer, 5 stars

"Bewitching! I was so into this series that I lost track of time… Everything was perfect – emotions, heartbreak, drama and long-lost memories." Reader review, 5 stars 1935. Kate Durrant is helping her mother move out of the little cottage her parents used to share, until her father's heartbreaking death. Full of guilt that she couldn't visit her dad in his last moments, Kate now has only memories for company. Memories and… something else. Since she was a small child, Kate has been able to see and feel the history of objects she touches. She's always kept her gift secret, not knowing fully what it is, or how far it goes. One evening, while visiting her father's grave, Kate wanders into the shadowy woods behind the church. Following the mossy paths, she realises she's lost her way just as she stumbles upon the wrought-iron gates of Hill House, home to the illustrious Mandeville family. Welcomed in and offered a position on the staff as a housemaid, Kate discovers that all is not right within the walls of the splendid manor house. As her gift begins to unspool the history of the Mandeville's home, she realises that an unspeakable tragedy is fated to befall the family heir. Kate also grows increasingly close to Bertie Morrison, the Estate Manager who has known Hill House his whole life. With the family oblivious to their desperate peril, Bertie helps Kate understand her deepening connection to the Mandevilles. With Halloween approaching – when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest – a special visitor from the house's past appears just as a shadow falls over Hill House. The clock is ticking… will Kate's unique gift, combined with the strength of a new love and a timeless love from beyond the grave, be enough to save the Mandeville legacy? What readers are saying about The Mandeville Shadow: "Absolutely loved this riveting read… This is a compelling story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters all gelled perfectly, and the story racked up the tension, drawing me in and not letting me go. Highly recommended." Reader review, 5 stars "So heartbreaking. A must read." Reader review, 5 stars "The first two books were very enjoyable, but this one was even better… a brilliant, captivating story. I really hope there's more to come." Reader review, 5 stars "I loved this story, it has the right mix of mystery and intrigue to give me a very happy reading experience." Reader review, 5 stars "Wow! Another spellbinding story by Callie Langridge!… exceptionally written, creatively imagined and exquisitely memorable... could not put it down until I had read the last word! Amazing writing with never a lull or dull moment. A must read of 2023! I highly recommend this enchanting novel and give it 5 stars." Reader review, 5 stars

"Took my breath away… It broke my heart, then it fixed it again." Reader review, 5 stars Louisa Arnold used to love playing in the grounds of derelict Hill House as a little girl. Now, a devastating loss sends her running to the overgrown gardens, seeking sanctuary in the manor's ruined halls. There, to her astonishment, Hill House begins to transform around her – in place of rotting floors and sagging ceilings, are vast silk rugs of embroidered roses and majestic crystal chandeliers. Maids and footmen flit busily past – is Lou dreaming, or could she actually be standing in this place as it was a hundred years ago? Lou is mystified by the warm welcome she receives as a guest of the illustrious Mandeville family. Over tea parties and shoots, banquets and dancing, she's suddenly living the life she always dreamed of. And, though she tries to fight it, she's increasingly drawn to the Mandeville heir, Thomas, whose heart-breaking fate she knows well from the pages of history. As Lou falls more in love with this world, the truth about Hill House and the destiny of its family begins to unravel. Will the past run its stubborn course, swallowing Lou in its wake – or can she save this beautiful place and the people she's come to treasure from certain ruin? A heart-breaking, beautiful, emotional and unputdownable read for fans of The Time Traveller's Wife, Fiona Valpy and Lucinda Riley. Readers have been swept away by A Time to Change: "I really didn't want this story to end… An emotional rollercoaster of a read… the author captivated me heart and soul and I loved everything about it." Reader review, 5 stars "Wow – this book has blown me away. Wonderful… As a history lover who would love to step back into the past, this story is a dream." Reader review, 5 stars "Loved this book. Didn't want it to end. Cried at the end." Reader review, 5 stars "A really powerful and heart-wrenching novel about love and self-sacrifice. It is beautifully written… I got lost in its pages … Now it is ended and I feel bereft… a most beautiful and fabulous novel." Reader review, 5 stars "Incredible and wonderful at the same time. I could hardly put the book down." Reader review, 5 stars "This has to be the best book I have read in a long time. I just couldn't put it down. Have recommended it to friends and they have said the same. A definite must-read." Reader review, 5 stars

When grief threatens to steal her Christmas spirit forever, baker Freya Harris discovers that some houses hold more than just memories – they hold miracles. After losing her beloved grandmother, Freya faces her first Christmas alone in their family home. So when a last-minute pastry commission takes her to the enchanting Hill House country estate, she expects nothing more than a few days of baking Regency-themed treats for a Twelfth Night ball the aristocratic owners are planning. But Hill House has other plans. Between mysterious dreams of another time, a charming estate manager named Callum who makes her breath catch, and a scruffy terrier with an uncanny ability to appear at just the right moment, Freya finds herself caught between past and present in the most magical way. As snow falls outside and candles flicker in the grand ballroom, Freya discovers that sometimes, when we need it most, the past reaches out to guide us toward our future. An unputdownable festive novella from the bestselling author of A Time to Change. Perfect for fans of time-slip romance and anyone who believes in Christmas miracles. What readers are saying about A Twelfth Night Miracle: 'Got misty-eyed reading this story. Cozy vibes, a dash of magic, and the deep emotional satisfaction of watching Freya thaw out just in time for Christmas.' Reader review, 5 stars 'I'm going to buy the previous books and read them all. I fell in love with the characters and was rooting for Freya to find her dreams. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.' Reader review, 5 stars 'I loved this novella, I devoured it in one sitting. The author's description of Hill House was amazing-I felt I was there. A beautifully written story.' Reader review, 5 stars 'A very sweet story and an uplifting one which I would truly recommend to everyone.' Reader review, 5 stars 'A utterly gorgeous story which gave me goosebumps as it was so well written. A festive story with lots of cheer as well as sadness.' Reader review, 5 stars 'Wonderfully written... A lovely book to curl up with on a snowy evening!' Reader review, 5 stars 'Engaging, descriptive, vivid-but with a gentle touch.' Reader review, 5 stars 'I enjoyed this book very much. The novel had all the elements I like in a story, and I plan to read the others in the series. Thank you for this delightful story.' Reader review, 5 stars 'A romp between two time periods with love and romance beckoning in both. The story kept me reading till late, wondering if Freya would be brave enough to take the guidance from the past.' Reader review, 5 stars

"I love, love, LOVE this series… I'm not ashamed to say I cried reading these books." Reader review, 5 stars 1937. When her young protégé is killed in suspicious circumstances, celebrated photojournalist Hettie Turner is wracked with guilt. Desperate to escape her grief, she travels to the distant Hill House to help with an unusual request. Arriving at the ancestral home of the Mandevilles, Hettie finds a family struggling to accept the passing of the head of the household. Hettie is enlisted to catalogue the eclectic collection of antiquities amassed by Sir Charles Mandeville when he explored the world as a young man, and, as she works, she finds herself turning to the family's groom, the handsome ex-soldier Rhys Lewis, for help. The longer she stays at Hill House, the more she learns about its history, the more it gets under her skin – from the graceful sweep of the central staircase to the soft rustle of pages in the old library. At first, she dismisses the legend that a cursed object is responsible for the many tragedies that have befallen the family. But as Hettie delves deeper into her work, increasingly unsettling experiences occur around her. Could there really be a curse over this family? And if there is, can Hettie break the hold it has over Hill House and over her? Readers absolutely love The Mandeville Curse: "A captivating blend of mystery, history, and emotion… a must-read." Reader review, 5 stars "The best atmospheric historical dual timeline mystery I have ever read. I did not see the twists coming especially at the end!" Reader review, 5 stars "This was such a wonderful book… I thought about it going to bed and woke up excited to read it in the morning… So many secrets, mysteries, twists, etc. Just brilliant!" Reader review, 5 stars "A true triumph that left my heart bursting with positive emotions! … a definite must-read." Reader review, 5 stars "I didn't think that Callie could top her last book but oh boy she did in great style… Absolutely brilliant." Reader review, 5 stars "So good! … so captivating… I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes historical fiction, mystery, time travel, or just reading books so well-written they seem to sing off the page." Reader review, 5 stars "I just adored this book. It is a beautifully told tale and wonderfully written." Reader review, 5 stars "Another delightful atmospheric historical dual timeline mystery from Callie Langridge. A wonderful new addition to a great series!" Reader review, 5 stars "Just gets under your skin. Wonderful." Reader review, 5 stars