The Secrets of Roscarbury Hall: A Novel

Sisters Ella and Roberta O’Callaghan have lived in old, crumbling Roscarbury Hall for their entire lives; the house was once grand, but time and lack of care have taken their toll. Now in danger of losing the house, Ella decides to open a cafe, much to the displeasure of her sister. Tension between the two, who haven’t spoken to one another in decades, heightens with the arrival of Debbie, a young woman desperate to locate her birth mother before cancer takes her life. Debbie’s search soon creates a whirlwind as the scandalous adoption practices of the local convent are finally brought to light.

Author Ann O’Loughlin has spun a masterful tale with The Secrets of Roscarbury Hall, a story full of secrets and dark memories. This novel is full of twists and turns, as readers slowly learn the truth about the ugly family row that built such a wall between Ella and Roberta, as well as the truth about Debbie’s birth. There is a lot of sadness in this novel, to be sure–don’t be surprised if it brings you to tears a few times–but there is ultimately hope as well; readers will be left imagining how much better things will be for many families now that the truth is out in the open. Beautiful story.