There are many things on Saffron ‘Saffy’ Cutler’s mind such as her grandmother’s health, husband’s career, mother’s absence but most of all, her soon-to-be-arriving baby. As of now, she is focused on renovating her cottage at 9 Skelton Place which has been lovingly inherited from her beloved grandmother.
She and her spouse, Tom are ready to settle in their own place quite early on their life. Therefore, this modest property in a tiny Cotswold village comes as a boon for their growing family. That is until, they undertake the home renovation and appoint the builders to start working on the kitchen extension project. As the work starts on this project, what comes out of its extended end in the garden shocks everyone.
As it turns out, there are two human bodies buried beneath the back garden of 9 Skelton Place, adding an eerie quirk to the place’s name. Police are suspicious that these unearthed bodies were buried there for at least 30 years. During which, the house has seen many occupants entering and leaving it as tenants. All of them unaware about the bodies buried underneath their feet.
However, police investigation puts their firm focus on the years between late seventies and early eighties when Saffy’s grandmother- Rose was living there with her toddler daughter- Lorna. As their investigation progresses, Saffy and Lorna find more incoherent pieces of puzzles forming Rose’s mysterious past. Soon, they both realized that what they know about Rose is quite limited to what has been buried (pun intended) in her enigmatic past.
While Saffy has grown under Rose’s benevolent influence, developing into a calm, measured and mature-beyond-her-years person, Lorna, on the other hand, is more boisterous, outgoing and fun-loving woman always in search of better options. Although, Rose has brought up Lorna with all the love and care still she feels a certain unnamed loss in her life from early on. Having a romantic relationship resulting into teenage pregnancy didn’t help Lorna much but at least she is happy to have a kind and responsible daughter like Saffy.
From here on, the novel comes together like a giant jigsaw puzzle crisscrossing multiple timelines, places and people. There is nostalgic tinge while reminiscing the past but we can always feel the dark truth lurking beneath the seemingly normal lives. This remembrance is less on Rose’s part as she is suffering from the onslaught of dementia even though she is key to unlocking all the suspense for 9 Skelton Place.
This is the first book that I have read by Claire Douglas and I have to say that I am impressed by her penmanship. Although, you find certain buzzwords or character actions become repetitive or stagnant, that feeling doesn’t linger much longer. Because the plotline is solid, the mysterious affairs are intriguing and the suspense drama is gripping. There are enough uncertainties, dramatic events, romantic escapades, domestic troubles and murders to keep you hooked till the end. This is definitely a worthy addition to your reading list.