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The Distant HoursKate Morton

Historical mystery

The Distant Hours

by Kate Morton

A letter delayed for half a century causes editor Edie Burchill's guarded mother to reveal that she was evacuated during World War II to Milderhurst Castle. Edie visits the decaying Kent estate, where the three elderly Blythe sisters still live beneath the legacy of their author father and his frightening children's classic. Her mother's attachment to the youngest sister and the disappearance of a wartime fiance point toward a stormy night the family has never explained. Gothic and atmospheric, this dual-timeline novel suits readers who enjoy old castles, literary mysteries, difficult mothers and daughters, wartime evacuation, eccentric sisters, and long-buried truths preserved inside the stories families tell.

Paired for this story

Chawton Garden Tea + Chapterhouse Amber Ale

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At a glance

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Spice1 of 5
Suspense3 of 5
Creepy0 of 5
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No surprises at chapter twelve

Content notes

Crime, danger, violence, and death

Alcohol-Free Pour

Chawton Garden Tea

Milk, honey, and lavender lend this tea a gentle garden sweetness.

What you'll need

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How to mix it

  1. Steep the tea and any herbs or whole spices in hot water according to the tea type, then strain. Stir in sweetener and juices. Serve hot.
  2. Garnish: Citrus peel, herb, or fruit from the recipe, if applicable.
  3. Glassware: Mug.
21+

Cocktail Pour · 21+

Chapterhouse Amber Ale

For adults of legal drinking age. Please drink responsibly.

A mellow, malty pour suits an evening of clues and clever sleuthing.

What you'll need

  • 12 oz Amber ale

How to mix it

  1. Pour into a clean pint glass and serve at the appropriate cool serving temperature.
  2. Garnish: None.
  3. Glassware: Pint glass.

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