Review: Homecoming by Kate Morton
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Homecoming by Kate Morton is the latest novel out by author Kate Morton and all I can say is it was worth the long wait to get this book.
Homecoming is certainly a testament to Kate Morton’s storytelling prowess. In this novel, Morton skillfully combines elements of a family saga with a cold-case murder mystery, resulting in a riveting page-turner.
The story is told through two different timelines, which is enhanced by the effective use of the “book within a book” trope.
My review of Homecoming by Kate Morton will not only give you a short synopsis of the book but also, I’ll tell you what I really thought! In other words, you’ll get my 3 Rs of book reviews here. Should you read, reread, or reconsider reading this book?
Contents
- Homecoming by Kate Morton
- Who Is Kate Morton?
- Publisher’s Synopsis of Homecoming by Kate Morton
- Homecoming by Kate Morton – What I Liked
- Homecoming by Kate Morton – What I Disliked
- Homecoming by Kate Morton – Read, Reread, or Reconsider?
- Homecoming by Kate Morton – Conclusion
- Related Mystery/Thriller/Suspense Posts:
Homecoming by Kate Morton
Homecoming is Kate Morton’s 7th novel and was published in 2023.
Before I talk about the book itself though, I’m just curious – are you already familiar with author Kate Morton?
Just in case you’re not, let’s introduce you.
Who Is Kate Morton?
Kate Morton is an Australian author who spent her childhood in the mountains of southeast Queensland, Australia. She currently divides her time between London and Australia with her family.
Morton holds degrees in English literature and dramatic art, and although she once aspired to join the Royal Shakespeare Company, she eventually realized that her true passion lay in writing rather than performing.
Nevertheless, whenever she attends the theatre and the lights dim, she still feels a twinge of nostalgia.
Morton’s six previous novels, including The House at Riverton, The Forgotten Garden, The Distant Hours, The Secret Keeper, The Lake House, and The Clockmaker’s Daughter, have all achieved New York Times, Sunday Times, and international bestseller status. They’ve been translated into 38 languages and are currently sold in 45 countries.
Her books are always wonderfully atmospheric and often combine historical fiction, contemporary fiction, mystery, and romance all in one long page-turner of a novel.
Publisher’s Synopsis of Homecoming by Kate Morton
Adelaide Hills, Christmas Eve, 1959: At the end of a scorching hot day, beside a creek on the grounds of a grand country house, a local man makes a terrible discovery. Police are called, and the small town of Tambilla becomes embroiled in one of the most baffling murder investigations in the history of South Australia.
Many years later and thousands of miles away, Jess is a journalist in search of a story. Having lived and worked in London for two decades, she now finds herself unemployed and struggling to make ends meet. A phone call out of nowhere summons her back to Sydney, where her beloved grandmother Nora, who raised Jess when her mother could not, has suffered a fall and is seriously ill in the hospital.
At Nora’s house, Jess discovers a true crime book chronicling a long-buried police case: the Turner Family Tragedy of 1959. It is only when Jess skims through its pages that she finds a shocking connection between her own family and this notorious event – a mystery that has never been satisfactorily resolved.
An epic story that spans generations, Homecoming asks what we would do for those we love, how we protect the lies we tell, and what it means to come home. Above all, it is an intricate and spellbinding novel from one of the finest writers working today.
Homecoming by Kate Morton – What I Liked
It’s hard to know where to start – there are so many things I liked about this book. One of my favorite things is definitely the author’s use of the dual timeline style of telling the story. Not only is there a dual timeline, but there’s also a book-within-a-book woven into the story. So clever!
The story opened with a bang, almost literally! It started with a shocking crime that happened in the earlier timeline which was in the 1950s. That crime ended up being a cold case and the mystery surrounding it not only kept my interest throughout the entire book, but it kept me guessing until the end. The ending was a total surprise to me – one that I just didn’t see coming.
The title of the book – Homecoming – was one that really made me ponder the word even when I wasn’t reading the book. What did the word homecoming actually mean within the context of the book? I certainly thought about that, but also considered what the word homecoming actually means to me, to you, and to many other people. What does it mean to come home? Is home for you represented by a house, or a building you grew up in? Is it represented by your country? Or by a person in your family? Does home feel the same if you’ve been away for a while?
I like books that make me think about different parts even after I’m finished reading them. And this book certainly did that and gave me something to think about later on, well after I finished the book.
Homecoming is a long and complicated novel, with many twists and turns. That’s a total win-win for me, personally, and it would have been impossible for the author to tell this story in the same way in a much shorter book.
Homecoming by Kate Morton – What I Disliked
Nothing to say here – I loved this book and can’t think of anything that I disliked.
Homecoming by Kate Morton – Read, Reread, or Reconsider?
And now, for my 3 Rs of book reviews. Should you Read, Reread, or Reconsider Homecoming by Kate Morton?
A Definite Read!
Homecoming by Kate Morton – Conclusion
I thought that Homecoming was an excellent book, and I highly recommend it if you like atmospheric books with some elements of historical mystery and family drama.
The book is long, however, and you need to be OK with that. Long books are my personal favorite, so the longer the better for me. But only you can decide if you feel the same way about that.
Looking for more to read in this genre? Head over and explore a variety of different types of mysteries.
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If you’re one of those people, here’s a nice opportunity to try Audible for 30 days.
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