The Forgotten Palace is a beautiful new historical fiction book by Alexandra Walsh. Set in London in both 1900 and present day, this dual-timeline story features three different women who are divided by time but connected by hidden secrets from the past.
Title: The Forgotten Palace
Author: Alexandra Walsh
First Published: April 12, 2023
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Genres: Historical Fiction
Acquired: from the publisher via Netgalley, from the author, from the publisher
*** Thank you to the blog tour organiser, Rachel’s Random Resources, and the publisher, Boldwood Books, for providing me with an e-copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. ***
In an underground labyrinth a lost soul wanders, waiting for revenge, waiting for love…
London 1900
Alice Webster has made the worst decision of her life. When her Aunt Agatha offers her the chance to go on a Grand Tour she jumps at the opportunity to get away from the glare of scandal. Heading off to see the world as the century turns, Alice begins to believe her broken heart can be healed, and a chance encounter on a train bound for Paris changes everything. When their journey takes them to a Cretan house thick with history, and the world-famous dig at Knossos, stories from the past begin to echo through Alice’s life.
London Present Day
Eloise De’Ath is meant to be a grieving widow. But if people knew the truth about her late husband, they’d understand why she can’t even pretend. Needing to escape, Eloise heads to Crete and the house her father-in-law Quinn left her, and slowly Quinn’s home begins to reveal its mysteries. In his office Eloise discovers his life’s work: the study of the Victorian excavation to find the Minotaur’s labyrinth. Fascinated by the diaries of a young woman from the dig, Eloise is drawn into Alice’s tale of lost love and her growing obsession with Ariadne, the princess of the labyrinth.
Three women divided by time but connected by the long-hidden secrets of the past. As their stories join in a golden thread, a terrible injustice might finally be undone…
Purchase a copy of The Forgotten Palace here.
Another stunning dual-timeline by Alexandra Walsh
As a huge fan of Walsh’s Marquess House Saga, I jumped at the chance to read her newest book, especially after learning that it features the Greek myth of Ariadne and the Minotaur.
The one thing that really jumps out at me whenever I read anything that Walsh writes is the amount of research she must have done because she weaves it so seamlessly into her stories. Dual-timelines can be tough to navigate and The Forgotten Palace does it wonderfully well. There is a lot of detail and I found myself sometimes lost in the descriptions but I love being immersed in the story and really getting to know the characters.
Both Eloise and Alice start the story off at a point in their life when they feel like they’re starting over and unsure of what the future brings. Even though they are separated by so much time, they are mysteriously connected to each other. I love the haunting use of dreams and also the beautiful setting that is the backdrop to the entire story – Crete, and Sfragida House, are almost a character on their own.
While I initially thought that the story was mainly about two women – Eloise in the present day and Alice in 1900 – it really involves three stories because Ariadne’s story is just as important to the overall narrative. The three stories are intertwined together and there’s a different look at the myth of the Minotaur that I enjoyed. I also really liked learning more about the real-life excavation at Knossos in Crete that Alice’s timeline featured.
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with a twist, dual-timelines, complex characters, and the unravelling of secrets should definitely give The Forgotten Palace a try!
About the Author, Alexandra Walsh
Alexandra Walsh is the bestselling author of dual timeline historical mysteries, previously published by Sapere. Her books range from the fifteenth century to the Victorian era and are inspired by the hidden voices of women that have been lost over the centuries. Formerly a journalist, writing for national newspapers, magazines and TV, her first book for Boldwood will be published in Spring 2023.
You can connect with Alexandra online here:
FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB
Quote from The Forgotten Palace
I absolutely loved The Forgotten Palace! The only part where I was confused was in the story of the Minotaur. If the minotaur was killed by Theseus then how in the end were the “sacrifices” plus Ariadne and her brother free to leave the labyrinth. Was this a symbolic ending that was referring to a psychological/spiritual level where love set them free or was this simply an alternative ending?
Hi Susan! I read it as an alternative ending to the more traditional ending that we’re used to. Most of Alexandra Walsh’s other books are about “alternate histories” (ie her Marquess House Saga) so this was why I just assumed this was a re-telling with a new ending. Although, I do also love your idea of a symbolic ending!