Another Julie Klassen, and another story set in 19th Century England; well researched and an accurate picture of the times. You know when you pick this book up that you are not going to want to put it down till the end! Olivia Keene flees her home in great distress and eventually finds herself employed at Brightwell Court first as a Nursery Under-Nurse and then as her worth is realised as Governess to the children. That story line is only a fraction of the tangled web that Julie Klassen actually weaves in this absorbing book. The quotations at the start of each chapter are peculiarly apt, almost written to fit this book rather than written long ago. I was easily able to imagine myself in Olivia’s position and feel her fear, frustration and loneliness, and felt relief as the tangled story was resolved into happiness at last.

Julie Klassen's third novel is definitely her best yet. Olivia Keene is a runaway with a big secret, who blunders into Edward Bradley's own secret with life-changing consequences for them both (not just in the obvious or expected ways!). A multi-layered 'mystery romance', with lots of twists and turns and a whole host of great characers, I hope Julie's next is as good as this one.