"A castle filled with intrigue, a plotting duchess and a mysterious death in Catherine Bailey's The Secret Rooms.


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. This extraordinary mystery from the author of Black Diamonds, perfect for lovers of Downton Abbey, Brideshead Revisited and The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.

Praise for The Secret Rooms:

'Reads like the best kind of mystery story. It is a tale of mistresses and heirlooms, cowardice and connivance, and a deeply dysfunctional family...gripping' Sunday Times


'Astonishing...jaw-dropping...It would spoil the book if I revealed the whole works, suffice it to say...what a family' Sunday Telegraph

'An extraordinary detective operation' John Julius Norwich

Catherine Bailey is the author of Black Diamonds. She read history at Oxford University and is a successful, award-winning television producer and director, making a range of critically acclaimed documentary films inspired by her interest in twentieth century history. She lives in West London."

Thank you so much for this kind gift, Zoooz. I always love it when the postman brings me a book from my wish list, where I'd added this after reading the brilliant Black Diamonds by the same author.
Unfortunately and coincidentally, I was taking it back off my wish at almost the same time as you were packaging this up for me, having found a copy in the red telephone box book exchange in Aldwark last Friday afternoon! Sorry!
The Secret Rooms
I've already read it, well more like devoured it really, and loved it. It's a well written, well reseached and totally fascinating account of an amazing story! So, I'm quite happy to now have two copies to pass on to family and friends, with my very highest recommendation.
Thank you again!

To tree-hugger! Enjoy! Good to see you, lass!

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Looks great, thanks for passing it my way Nu-Knees

I do like learning about the skeletons in the family closet! The author structures this book so that we readers discover the secrets alongside her, which makes it very readable & engaging. There was a bit towards the end where I slowed down a little, but mostly it was gripping stuff. I don't envy the family the life they lived, for all their wealth.

I passed this onto Chuggypig last weekend with my recommendation