Homecoming, Kate Morton
I was gripped by this book from the first page to the last and read it very quickly. It follows Kate Morton’s now familiar style of narration alternating between events in the past and the present day. In 1959, in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, a terrible tragedy befalls an entire family, shocking the small local community. In 2018, Jess, living in London, receives a call telling her that her beloved grandmother Nora has had a fall and is in hospital. Jess flies to Sydney, to find that Nora’s condition is much worse than she expected and conversation is impossible. A few muttered words make her think something is preying on Nora’s mind and, using her journalistic experience and the internet, she starts investigating.
Nothing could have prepared Jess for the discovery that the 1959 tragedy involved members of her own family whom she’s never heard of. By the end of the book, she has to question everything she’s ever believed about Nora and about her own mother, Polly. This is because the whole saga is based on lies. Just as you think one mystery has been solved, another clue appears and with it, yet another mystery. Just about every character has lied, either in 1959 or over the years. It turns out that Polly knew some of the story but has been told she must never tell Jess. Polly is almost the missing person in this story as, after she was ten, Jess was brought up by Nora. Polly became my favourite character. We do finally get at the truth and I had trouble believing that Jess and Polly could cope with it. Luckily, they are tough. A brilliant read if you enjoy a good story and a long book. I’m now longing to discuss the book but as I read it thanks to NetGalley and it’s not out until 13th April, I can’t! I hope people will read it and share their thoughts.