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Uncovering secrets that span generations, Rachel Hore delivers intriguing, involving and emotive narrative reading group fiction like few other writers can.
Nancy Foster has harboured a devastating secret that shattered her professional and personal life. On meeting her, journalist Stef Lansdown realizes that she has the power to restore Nancy’s reputation and to heal the wounds, if only Nancy will trust her. But someone else wants to get to the bottom of the story first, someone who doesn’t want it to be told.
Set in the beautiful environs of the Norfolk Broads in 2010, and in London in the ’40s and ‘50s, when life for career-driven women was so different, The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is Sunday Times multi-million copy bestselling author Rachel Hore’s utterly compelling new novel, interweaving the past and the present.
MY THOUGHTS
My thanks to SJV and Team BATC for the tour invite and for the paperback copy to review. The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is published by Simon & Schuster (31 July 2025) in ebook, audio book and hardback with the paperback to follow on 26 February 2026).
This has a dual timeline, set during the 1950’s and 2010 featuring two main characters – former zoologist Nancy Foster and Stef, a freelance journalist with a controversial book publication behind her. Whilst Stef is visiting her mother at her new Norfolk home, she is introduced to Nancy, now in her 80s and living on a remote nature reserve. Stef is very keen to interview Nancy for her new book focusing on female scientists however Nancy clearly has reservations about being included in the project – there is something in her past she is keen to keep secret.
Unusually, I enjoyed both timelines equally. Nancy’s story began in the 1930’s as a child and the family dynamics have a long lasting effect on her. She is determined to pursue her ambitions but is met along the way with misogyny, obstruction and prejudice just because she is a woman trying to succeed in a man’s world. Nancy was a fantastic character – being resolute and principled but also vulnerable in the face of betrayal.
Stef is also struggling professionally. Newly single, her book is important to her and she is keen for Nancy’s recollections. However she first has to gain the trust of not only Nancy, but also her grandson Aaron who in protecting his grandmother comes across as being hostile and suspicious. I loved that Stef genuinely cared for Nancy and was always there in time of need.
North Norfolk is one of my favourite places and with mentions for locations including Blakeney and Holkham the richly detailed descriptions, especially of the Broads nature reserve, give a visual and evocative feel to the story. Although this is a fiction novel, there is also the detail of Nancy’s academic life and the inclusion of scientific fact relating to her chosen subject matter.
There is much to enjoy here. Besides the historic societal aspects and expectations facing women of that time, there is mystery, drama and romance. Nancy’s ‘secret’ was frequently referred to and whilst I imagined all manner of scenarios in the lead up to the reveal, the real enjoyment for me was learning about Nancy’s life (and loves). The author explains in the end notes that the story was inspired by the experiences of her own family.
Although Nancy’s story is the focus, I was completely engrossed in the lives of both women. My proof copy was 467 pages but I flew through the story keen to discover more. Definitely recommended.
Rachel Hore worked in London publishing for many years before moving with her family to Norwich, where she taught publishing and creative writing at the University of East Anglia until deciding to become a full-time writer. The Secrets of Dragonfly Lodge is her fourteenth novel. She is married to the writer D.J. Taylor and they have three sons.
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Other reviews: The Silent Tide
