In the tradition of THE FORSYTE SAGA, a sweeping historical novel that spans three generations, telling the dark secrets of a family torn apart. Larkswood House. The very name suggests birdsong, peace and elegance. It is home to the Hamilton children - Edward, Cynthia and Harriet - who enjoy the freedom and excitement of privilege. But in the glorious summer of 1896, with absent parents and a departed governess, disaster strikes the family, leaving it cruelly divided. More than forty years later, on the eve of the Second World War, Louisa Hamilton, newly presented at court but struck down with glandular fever, is sent to Larkswood to recuperate. There, for the first time, she meets her grandfather, Edward, home after decades in India. But as Louisa begins to fall under the spell of Larkswood, she realises it holds the key to the mystery that shattered her family two generations before. Will she find the courage to unravel the dark secrets of the past? And can Larkswood ever become home to happiness again?

4 stars - When Louisa Hamilton is sent to Larkswood, her family home, to convalesce she meets her grandfather Edward, home from decades in India. She soon realises the house holds the key to the mystery that shattered her family. DAILY EXPRESS This impressive debut captures the period beautifully, but also delivers a gripping mystery that'll keep you hooked until the end CANDIS If there's a beautiful old house on a book's cover, I want a family saga of richness and breadth, a mystery that runs through that family like a San Andreas fault, captivating characters and gorgeous atmosphere. And this has it all ... Scrumptious storytelling. -- Kate Saunders SAGA MAGAZINE An enjoyable family saga with tones of a darker Downtown Abbey WE LOVE THIS BOOK A very readable family drama with enough mystery to keep you hooked -- Jaine Blackman OXFORD TIMES Larkswood is a mystery stretching back over three generations GOOD HOUSEKEEPING This impressive debut captures the period beautifully, but also delivers a gripping mystery that'll keep you hooked until the end GOOD HOUSEKEEPING I have reread LARKSWOOD and wanted to say I enjoyed it even more the second time than the first. I was genuinely touched by it. By the end you really care about them all. The characters are terrifically well drawn, especially Edward, and it has a powerful atmosphere that lingers long after it ends. You should be tremendously proud of it. It's a really wonderful achievement. -- Sam Mendes, CBE If there's a beautiful old house on a book's cover, I want a family saga of richness and breadth, a mystery that runs through that family like a San Andreas fault, captivating characters and gorgeous atmosphere. And this has it all ... Scrumptious storytelling. -- Kate Saunders SAGA MAGAZINE An enjoyable family saga with tones of a darker Downtown Abbey. WE LOVE THIS BOOK

Valerie Mendes started her working life as a journalist, before moving into book publishing where she worked with Oxford University Press, Penguin Books and Elsevier among others. She lives in Oxfordshire. www.valeriemendes.com