by Paul Newman
First published 2016
Grace Tyler arrives at Dommoc Hall in 1935 to restore a hidden fresco. The Suffolk estate belongs to Lord Alvey, whose family covered the artwork decades ago due to whispered scandals about their bloodline. Grace begins peeling back layers of paint and plaster, searching for authentic details beneath. The house holds more than artistic mysteries. Lord Alvey's household harbors secrets that stretch from the manor's rooms to the ruins of nearby Dunwich Abbey. Grace discovers that deception runs deeper than old paint. The residents conceal relationships and past events that could destroy reputations. As Grace works on the fresco, she uncovers truths that some would kill to protect. Romance complicates her mission when she falls for someone connected to the family's dark history. The restoration project becomes a race against those who want the past buried forever. Grace must choose between her professional duty and her personal safety as the house's secrets threaten her life.
Genres: art, romance, historical-fiction, 20th-century, mystery
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: deception, enemies-to-lovers, secrets
Setting: Dommoc Hall, Dunwich Abbey, Suffolk
Period: 1935
206 pages · Paperback · CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Content warnings: violence