The truth is waiting to be told ...

'Stunning' SANTA MONTEFIORE

'Spine-tinglingly good' AMANDA GEARD

'Incredible' LORNA COOK

***

Cornwall, 1934.

Violet Ellis is living in the shadows of her father's ruined reputation. So, when wealthy widower James Atherton offers her employment, she immediately begins the treacherous journey to his home on the remote Cornish island of Aoife's Bay - despite the bone-chilling allegations surrounding his late wife Elizabeth's death.

In James's company, Violet begins to feel the love that has been missing all her life. But when anonymous letters start to plague the bay's residents, threatening to expose what really happened to Elizabeth, Violet feels the hostility towards her grow. She has an unsettling sense of being watched in her new home, and as the mysteries of the island draw her in, she starts to fear she might never find a way out ...

Sweeping across London, Oxford and the wilds of the West Country, this novel is perfect for fans of Santa Montefiore, Louise Douglas and Lucinda Riley.

***

READERS ARE SPELLBOUND BY SECRETS OF THE WATCH HOUSE:

'You'll be obsessed by the mystery, haunted by the shadows and beguiled by the love. Just brilliant!' NATASHA LESTER

'Amazingly addictive'

'An absolute page-turner ... gorgeously atmospheric' TRACY REES

'Brilliant storytelling, atmospheric setting, intriguing plot, together with mystery and romance all of which kept me hooked'

'A glorious, and sometimes creepy, read' RACHEL BURTON

'A spell-binding story with so much heartache and mystery'

The spellbinding new historical romance, set on a mysterious island, from the bestselling author! Perfect for winter 2025!

About the Author

Jenny Ashcroft is the author of several historical novels, including Secrets of the Watch House, The Echoes of Love, Beneath a Burning Sky and Island in the East. She previously spent much of her life living in, working in and exploring Australia and Asia, and now splits her time between Australia and the UK.

Reviews

Praise for Secrets of the Watch House

'The most thrillingly atmospheric novel I've read all year. With this book, Ashcroft proves herself to be a storyteller at the top of her game. I exhort everyone to step into the Watch House, where you'll be obsessed by the mystery, haunted by the shadows and beguiled by the love. Just brilliant!' Natasha Lester

'Off the Coast of Cornwall, Jenny Ashcroft creates a delectable darkness and threads it with light. Jenny is one of my favourite authors; with her I always know I'll be captivated, transported, swept away. With serious Du Maurier vibes, this was spine-tinglingly good. I adored it. Superb' Amanda Geard

'A multi-layered, captivating mystery ... twisty and clever, this is reminiscent of Du Maurier at her best. It's completely irresistible' Gill Paul

'An absolute page-turner ... gorgeously atmospheric with a tremendous sense of place ... compelling' Tracy Rees

'A haunting and atmospheric novel infused with a memorable cast of characters ... the mystery and suspense ebbs and flows like the tides around the remote Cornish island setting. Another masterclass in historical fiction from the brilliant mind and assured pen of Jenny Ashcroft' Hazel Gaynor

'Absolutely devoured this STUNNING thriller. Dark, compelling and eerie ... I barely dared breathe as I raced through it because I HAD to know ... brilliant plot, deftly written with characters who live and breathe. Deeply satisfying' Santa Montefiore

'I just kept turning the pages ... Fantastic. [Ashcroft] is an absolutely incredible writer' Lorna Cook

'A gloriously gothic read. I loved it' Liz Fenwick

Book Information
ISBN 9780008469092
Author Jenny Ashcroft
Format Paperback
Page Count 480
Imprint HQ
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 320g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 33mm