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LESBIreviewed Review:
The Secret of Matterdale Hall by Marianne Ratcliffe
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantastically chilling!
Susan takes up a position as a teacher at a school, Matterdale Hall, hidden in a remote part of Yorkshire as she is desperate to support her family following her father’s death. Something at Matterdale Hall doesn’t seem quite right and as Susan settles into routine she becomes suspicious of her new employers and soon starts to uncover the truth.
Absolutely edge of your seat, bone-chilling mystery, with a lovely sense of heart and soul for doing what’s right and inclusivity for all. Matterdale Hall, the second Susan arrived there really gave me chills, and like her I was instantly on edge and suspicious of everything. The more Susan learnt, the more secrets were revealed and the unthinkable became clear. It was so intense that I just couldn’t stop to put it down as I just had to know, even when I wasn’t sure if there really was anything to know. The story covered so much, but had a great focus on inclusivity. Despite the dark and harrowing nature of everything Susan was finding out, all of it was carefully considered, sensitively explored and woven into the story in meaningful and only as much as it was relevant to explain.
Marianne really cleverly built suspense into the story, every character was suspect apart from Susan, and as we got to know each and every one of them it became easier to narrow down possible dodgy characters and scenarios that might reveal the secrets. I loved how Susan was fearless, eager to explore and even when she met Cassandra, she didn’t make assumptions about her as everyone around her appeared to have done. She really wanted to get to know her and when she did she found a brave, strong, loyal friend. As they grew closer, their connection was so sweet and everything they did to brighten one another’s lives really melted my heart.
There was so much packed in to this story that I cannot recommend it enough. Marianne draws you in, keeps you steady and wondering, then wows with what is uncovered!
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