Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, from Tuesday/First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the opening paragraph (sometime two) of a book she decided to read based on the opening. Feel free to grab the banner and play along.
My opening this week comes from The Secret Rooms: A castle filled with intrigue, a plotting duchess and a mysterious death by Catherine Bailey.
Blurb
At 6 am on 21 April 1940 John the 9th Duke of Rutland, and one of Britain’s wealthiest men, ended his days, virtually alone, lying on a makeshift bed in a dank cramped suite of rooms in the servants’ quarters of his own home, Belvoir Castle, in Leicestershire.
For weeks, as his health deteriorated, his family, his servants – even the King’s doctor – pleaded with him to come out, but he refused.
After his death, his son and heir, Charles, the 10th Duke of Rutland, ordered that the rooms be locked up and they remained untouched for sixty years.
What lay behind this extraordinary set of circumstances?
For the first time, in The Secret Rooms, Catherine Bailey unravels a complex and compelling tale of love, honour and betrayal, played out in the grand salons of Britain’s stately homes at the turn of the twentieth century, and on the battlefields of the Western Front. At its core is a secret so dark that it consumed the life of the man who fought to his death to keep it hidden. Amazon
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First Chapter ~ First Paragraph ~ Intro
PART 1
18 – 27 April 1940
Two doctors were already at the castle; a third, Lord Dawson, Physician to King George VI, was expected. It was mid-morning on Thursday 18 April 1940 and they were gathered at the entrance to a suite of rooms. The door leading into them was made of polished of gunmetal, it was the type used to secure a walk-in safe.
The door was firmly closed.
So what do you think? Do you want to know more?
If you have an opening to share, please leave your link in the comments box below.
I would definitely keep reading. Thi sounds fascinating. I hope it’s a good, deep, dark, secret at the end.
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So do I! It sounds so good!
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Oh wow, that’s a great first paragraph. I want to keep going. I like this time period too.
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I’m really looking forward to getting into this one properly – a good time period and a secret!
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I like both the opening and the premise. I want to know more.
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Thanks for stopping by Beth – unhappily I’ve still not got very far, busy week!
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Hmm, the concept sounds interesting, though the intro style didn’t pull me right in. Is anyone else creeped out by the way the kid on the cover looks?
My First Chapter post is here: http://www.bookpunks.com/begins-smoke-gets-eyes-caitlin-doughty/
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Haha – I agree with you! Thanks for visiting and leaving your link 😉
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Oh, this sounds really intriguing, Cleo!! History mixed with mystery – a great combination in my opinion. Looking forward to your review of it.
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I’m hoping for a big juicy mystery, so very pleased with this find!
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Sounds like a very interesting story. There’s something about castles and their secrets that’s intriguing.
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I’m so looking forward to reading this one – I love secrets and this surely has to be a good one?
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That is one I probably would not have considered, until I read your intro –sounds good.
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That’s what I love about these posts Diane – you get to look at books you may otherwise have dismissed – thank you!
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After avoiding it for years, I’ve only recently discovered that I actually enjoy historical fiction. Sounds like an interesting one.
Mine this week: The Octopus: A Story of California by Frank Norris at http://wp.me/pZnGI-sc
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Oh I’m glad you’ve got into historical reads, they span such a lot of different subjects which helps avoid the ‘samey’ feel.
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Sounds like fascinating historical fiction. The opening makes me want to keep reading to find out what’s behind that gunmetal door.
Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving a comment.
Sandy @ TEXAS TWANG
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You are very welcome – thank you for returning the call!
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Oh, now I must know what happened and why…and I love stories about secrets. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
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I know I can’t wait to find out more! Thanks for visiting me too 🙂
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Hmm…interesting beginning. Nothing too crazy to want to read more, but I am still curious!
-lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
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I want to know what on earth went on behind that locked door but I’ve been so busy this week I haven’t got very far.
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I don’t know if I want to read the book, but I do want to know the secret! Is it a true story?
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I think that’s quite possibly cheating 😉
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and yes it is apparently a true story!
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I’m dying to know more of the story. For a room to be sealed shut for sixty years, I can’t imagine.
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No nor can I – I’m hoping it’s good!
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wow sounded so good, I went to add it to my Goodreads TBR shelf, only to discover it’s already there, lol!
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Haha – I’ve done that more than once!
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I have a copy of this one. I’ve read reviews that say it’s anticlimatic
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😦
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Since I like historical fiction books, I would keep reading.
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Thanks for stopping by 😉
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This sounds good. Girl Who Reads
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Thanks 🙂
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That’s intriguing.
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Very but Christmas stuff is squeezing out my reading time!
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