The House at Riverton

by Kate Morton
The House at Riverton cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Historical Fiction
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 1569
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9781439152676
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2008-04-22
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 4

The House at Riverton is a vivid exploration of the last days of Edwardian aristocratic privilege, shattered by the devastation of World War I and the changing tides of the 1920s. Grace Bradley, a servant at Riverton House, witnesses the tragic suicide of a young poet at a society party, a secret she keeps for decades. In 1999, an elderly Grace is visited by a filmmaker, reawakening her memories of the past and the secrets she's kept hidden for so long. This novel is a beautifully rendered window into a fascinating time in history, full of secrets—some revealed, others hidden forever. It's a meditation on memory, the impact of war, and the end of an era, reminiscent of the romantic suspense of Daphne du Maurier. With characters and an ending that readers won't soon forget, The House at Riverton is a page-turning novel of suspense and passion.

Reviews
Barnes & Noble · Anonymous · 2026-01-03
great 4.50

The book is spellbinding and well-written, with a clean and refreshing narrative.

This reviewer was completely captivated by the book, describing it as spellbinding and impossible to put down. They appreciated the clean and refreshing narrative, which they found to be a welcome change in today's literary landscape. The reviewer also praised the author's ability to hold their attention throughout the story, making it a memorable and enjoyable read.

Quick quotes

    This book will hold you spellbound. Could not put it down.

    So well written. Very clean book which is so refreshing in this day and age.

    Kate Morton shows that she is a master storyteller with this captivating novel.

The Storygraph · Anonymous · 2026-01-03
good 3.50

The book is slow and ponderous but worth the effort for its well-written narrative and engaging story.

This reviewer found the book to be a bit slow and ponderous, making it a challenging read at times. However, they believed it was worth the effort due to the well-written narrative and the engaging story. The writing style and the story itself reminded them of other works they have enjoyed, making it a memorable read despite its pace.

Quick quotes

    It is a bit slow and ponderous and quite hard to get through, but I think it's worth the effort.

    It's well written and the writing style (and story) reminds me of other works I have enjoyed.

    The book is a challenging read at times, but the narrative and story make it worthwhile.

Goodreads · Anonymous · 2026-01-03
mixed 3.00

The historical setting is beautiful, but the storytelling is clumsy and the characters feel emotionally disconnected.

This reviewer found the historical setting of the book to be a standout feature, beautifully capturing the atmosphere of the time. However, they felt that the storytelling was not as strong as it could be, with overbearing foreshadowing and a lack of emotional connection to the characters. Despite these flaws, they appreciated the effort put into the narrative and the intriguing plot elements.

Quick quotes

    An enjoyable story and a beautiful historical setting marred by clumsy story telling, overbearing foreshadowing, and an emotional disconnect with characters.

    The historical setting is beautifully captured, making it a standout feature of the book.

    The storytelling feels clumsy at times, with overbearing foreshadowing and a lack of emotional connection to the characters.

Jackie Watson Writes · Jackie Watson · 2025-10-08
enjoyable 4.50

The book is praised for its wonderful storytelling and superb historical detail, capturing the essence of English society before and after World War I. The central mystery and character development are highlighted as particularly engaging.

This reviewer loved how the book immerses readers in the rich historical details of English society, making it a captivating read. The central mystery and the way the characters are developed kept them hooked throughout. They appreciated the seamless blend of historical fiction with a compelling narrative that makes the book stand out.

Quick quotes

    This is an enjoyable book with its wonderful storytelling and superb historical detail of English society pre- and post-World War I.

    And central to everything is a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end.

    The characters are well-developed and the historical setting is vividly brought to life.

Appears in Lists