Review: Secrets and Lords by Justine Elyot

Lord Deverell's new wife has the house in thrall to her theatrical glamour. His womanising son, Sir Charles, has his eye on anything female that moves while his beautiful daughter, Mary, is feeling more than a little restless. And why does his younger son, Sir Thomas, spend so much time in the company of the second footman?

Into this simmering tension comes new parlour maid, Edie, with a secret of her own – a secret that could blow the Deverell family dynamic to smithereens.

If you think of this book as Downton Abbey with added spice you won't be far wrong. The story is told from the perspective of Edie, the new parlour maid with suspiciously little skill and hands that have clearly never seen a day's work - so why is she there? Deverell Hall is a house full of secrets, both above and below stairs, and the story is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Edie is a likeable heroine, she is naive yet brave and determined. And as for Sir Charles.. safe to say that I'd be powerless to resist his charms! This is a quick read that I enjoyed. Love the cover too! 4/5 stars.


*This book was available for free on Amazon at time of purchase and was read as part of the Clean Out Your e-Reader Challenge!*