This was a story told at three different eras. First we have Holly, whose brother goes missing. So she stays at their holiday cottage and tries to figure out what he was researching and where he can be.

And there is a sort of curse, and dark objects.

Through her research we see the POV of Lavinia, a courtesan in the early 1800s. Her story is at Ashdown and what might be hidden there.

But the beginning is with Elizabeth of Bohemia. A mirror and a pearl, hidden magic, and she is the connection to it all. I did like her POV. I have actually never read a book about her and even though I knew a few things, I'd love a book about her. I always want to dig deeper.

The mystery of how these women are connected is slowly shown. Will she find her brother? The objects? Oh and there is this part where she meets the locals and this man. That has to be mentioned.

I liked the mystery of it all, the women's lives (tragic and interesting.) And of course I hoped Holly would find the peace she needed.

That would make is historical fiction with a mystery thread through out it. Interesting.