The Birdcage: The spellbinding new mystery from the author of Sunday Times bestseller and Richard and Judy pick The Glass House

Three half sisters all very close in age are connected by their artist father. He is a disarming free spirited portrait artist splitting his time between his London studio and his studio in his parents windswept cliff edge house in Cornwall. The Cornwall house is where he spends his summer with his three daughters often painting portraits especially his numerous nude models who it would appear do more than just sit for their portrait to be painted.The story begins when all three sisters return as adults back to the house for the first time since they were children. They each reflect on an incident that happened the last time they were there during the solar eclipse of 1999 that had a lasting effect on them all and an unknown who clearly doesn't want them to be there.It is an atmospheric book with twists and turns with a current day resolution.A book whose title that didn't grab me but the story drew me in wandering what really did happen that day.For readers of general fiction

From the opening this has you hooked. There are so many hints at secrets, some easier to unravel than others. It keeps you hooked throughout.

Enjoyed this book but it's very easy to work it all out. A good book if you just want something to read occasionally as you don't have to concentrate on the plot.

During lockdown, I came across ‘The Glasshouse’ by Eve Polly Chase and it became one of my favourite reads! I have now had the pleasure of catching up with her previous novels and enjoyed those too.'THE BIRDCAGE' is a ‘five star ‘novel. It has all the hallmarks I have come to expect and love about this author. Her, detailed, evocative descriptions of the landscapes the characters inhabit, creates a beautifully layered addition to the storyline as Eve includes elements linking landscape and emotion.In the dual timeline novel ‘The Birdcage’, three half- sisters with closely kept, but interlinked secrets from their Summers spent together in an unconventional family home in Cornwall, return as adults at the request of their artist father. As with all Eve’s writing, the characters are well drawn, diverse and interesting- whether they are major or minor. Their individual histories and how they connect to each other are tantalisingly introduced gradually as the plot unfolds. During the reunion, the sisters confront difficult memories, whilst at the same time finding themselves discovering the need to change and move forward in the future. It is a beautifully woven tapestry as a novel- one of those stories where you find yourself caring very much about how the story concludes whilst at the same time wishing it will never end!Needless to say I loved it and highly recommend it.

It was too complex and it slipped from person to person and past to present. However, I read to the end and I had guessed the outcome so no surprise.

Complicated family saga, moving backwards and forwards in time.

I enjoyed the characters, the setting. I lived near there in 1999 and Eve evokes the atmosphere very well. It's a bit overlong though, and most of the twists are pretty obvious.

Engaging and we'll written with a nice twist at the end. Very satisfying.