The Forgotten Garden

By: Kate Morton

Narrated by: Anna Skellern

A lost child: On the eve of the first world war, a little girl is found abandoned on a ship to Australia. A mysterious woman called the Authoress had promised to look after her – but the Authoress has disappeared without a trace.

A terrible secret: On the night of her 21st birthday, Nell O'Connor learns a secret that will change her life forever. Decades later, she embarks upon a search for the truth that leads her to the windswept Cornish coast and the strange and beautiful Blackhurst Manor, once owned by the aristocratic Mountrachet family.

A mysterious inheritance: On Nell's death, her granddaughter, Cassandra, comes into an unexpected inheritance. Cliff Cottage and its forgotten garden are notorious among the Cornish locals for the secrets they hold – secrets about the doomed Mountrachet family and their ward Eliza Makepeace, a writer of dark Victorian fairytales. It is here that Cassandra will finally uncover the truth about the family and solve the century-old mystery of a little girl lost.

2009, Australian Book Industry Award (ABIA), Winner

2009, Indie Next Pick, Winner

©2008 Kate Morton (P)2023 Bolinda Publishing

Critic reviews

‘[A] dark, suspenseful feast for history-lovers.' (Sunday Telegraph)

'The Forgotten Garden simmers with secrets and strangeness.' (Good Housekeeping)

‘A compelling, richly layered mystery.' (Australian Women’s Weekly)

The fairy tales .

This was so beautifully written and even though it spanded several years and 4 generations you never lost track and the fairy tales wove it all together. I couldn't put it down.

This was a little tricky and kept one guessing up to the near end.

Very much enjoyed the story. Good for the brain keeping up with the sequence of events and the characters.

What a wonderful Saga!

Such an intricate tale that spanned decades and centuries. Stories within Stories. Kate never fails. I will have to get the hard copy. Eliza was such a giving beautiful character. All her descendants as the main characters (Nell & Cassandra) are very interesting complex characters. I will say Rose was not worthy of the love and care Eliza wasted on her. Such a great storyline in wonderful Cornwall with a secret garden. Enjoyed it all!

Loved it all

Voices, storyline, descriptions! Inspirational! I read it twice!
Kept me interested the whole way! Highly recommend

The mystery

You think it’s one thing and then it turns and then realize you knew all along. Great book. Enjoyed listening to it while working in my garden