The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 1st January 2008
Pages: 552
My Rating: 5 stars

From the #1 internationally bestselling author of The House at Riverton, a novel that takes the reader on an unforgettable journey through generations and across continents as two women try to uncover their family’s secret past

A tiny girl is abandoned on a ship headed for Australia in 1913. She arrives completely alone with nothing but a small suitcase containing a few clothes and a single book—a beautiful volume of fairy tales. She is taken in by the dockmaster and his wife and raised as their own. On her twenty-fi rst birthday, they tell her the truth, and with her sense of self shattered and very little to go on, "Nell" sets out to trace her real identity. Her quest leads her to Blackhurst Manor on the Cornish coast and the secrets of the doomed Mountrachet family. But it is not until her granddaughter, Cassandra, takes up the search after Nell’s death that all the pieces of the puzzle are assembled. A spellbinding tale of mystery and self-discovery, The Forgotten Garden will take hold of your imagination and never let go. 

My Thoughts:

The Forgotten Garden is a complex tale of secrets and discovery that kept me enthralled, a 500 plus page book that I didn't want to end. 

Morton captures the locations and scenery beautifully and develops the characters so effectively I felt like I was actually there, not just an enthusiastic reader. 

 The novel is packed with mystery and intrigue, lies going back through generations of the Mountrachet family. The story narrates from 3 different time periods; Victorian through to 2005 and from a number of locations. Brisbane, Maryborough, Cornwall and London; but rather than causing confusion these transitions heighten interest and add to the suspense. 

I loved the characters, the setting and the plot and thoroughly recommend "The Forgotten Garden" to anyone and everyone, Kate Morton is a new favourite for me.