The Distant Hours

"Perhaps it was just me, but I couldn't get into the story no matter how hard I tried! It's a DNF."

"I almost gave up 1/3 of the way through because this one had such a slow start. However, I’m glad I came back to it, because it kept rolling faster and faster. I don’t think I’ve read anything quite this dark maybe ever though. It’s not to my taste, the darkness - and surprised me from Kate Morton. But the characters were well crafted and the plot held together. I like how Morton is so good at respecting the intelligence of her reader."

"Kate Morton just might be my favorite author right now. This book was different from her others - it is much darker. I can see why some did not like it because it has a much slower pace. Instead of moving the plot forward quickly, this book is more about setting a mood, and it did that very well. Wonderfully gothic, this ranks up there with Wuthering Heights, Jane Eyre and Rebecca in my opinion."

"I thought it was good. If you decide to read it, I hope you like it."

"Loved it!"

"Great."

"Well it's been some time since I've been able to read, not to mention getting these reviews done. New job, new home, wedding plans. They all make for a busy person. But on with the review. I couldn't have been given a better birthday present. I held off so long on reading this book, mostly because the cover is beautiful. I know, I know. The cover is not a reason not to read or to read a book. But I didn't want to ruin the book.<br/><br/>The book started out slow. Eddie is a publisher of Billing & Brown Book Publishers, who becomes obsessed with her mother's evacuation to the Milderhurst Castle during World War II which just happens to be the home of her favorite books author. The True History of the Mud Man written by Raymond Blythe and the newly discovered history behind her mother's behavior drives Eddie to meet the three Blythe sisters that walk the halls of Milderhurst. Percy, Saffy and Juniper having been living in the shadow of their father's book. Saffy and Percy have spent most of their lives caring after their younger sister Juniper who suffers from what they call lost time.<br/><br/>Then we are thrown a twist to the book. What do I mean by twist? The book is thrown back to World War II to the Blythe's family's daily life and the experiences that have made them who they are today. The first is during 1949 while Percy and Saffy are waiting for Juniper to come home from a long visit in London. Saffy is in a flutter getting ready to welcome Juniper home with open arm as well as meet the mysterious Mr. Cavil who is coming to call. Percy and Saffy aren't sure who the Mr. Cavil could be or why he's coming with June.<br/><br/>Next is a young Meredith before the wedding and two children named Daniel and Eddith. Meredith and her two siblings are sent to Kent to get away from the horrors in the middle of London during the war."