Title: The Secret Thread
Author: Eve Chase
Date: 2026
Publisher: Ballantine
ISBN: 978-0-593-97626-5
Quote (from the galley proof): "[I]nteriors queen Mimi Mott is selling her legendary estate."
As regular readers know, one stage in the process of traditional book publishing is, when the author and publisher have agreed that the book shall be published, sending a cheap paperback or electronic copy to reviewers so that reviews can be published on the day the book reaches the store. These copies, traditionally called "galley proofs," go out while there's still time to change a word here and there, so publishers remind reviewers not to quote extensively. This book is about what happens when Mimi sells her estate, so chances are that the line quoted above will be in chapter one of your book when you buy it, but it might not be.
In the world of this novel Mimi Mott's "Mimi House" interior decorating business was not merely a success, like Studio McGee, Kelly Wearstler, or Nate Burkus. It was a household word. Mimi Mott was the influencer of influencers, was to building design what Anna Wintour was to fashion design, became rich and famous.
Jo, a young writer, really wants to be chosen for the job of writing the book that will go with the sale of Mimi Mott's estate. Mimi has never written a memoir before. In her seventies she thinks she ought to write one, but she needs a real writer's help. Jo wants the publicity Mimi can give her career, and when interviewed she likes Mimi's other assistant, but there's more to her story. She has reason to think Mimi is her great-aunt.
Mimi (originally Miriam) and her older sister Pamela, whom Jo calls Granny, are indeed sisters who've avoided each other for years. They were close; they've missed each other.
Their temperaments were different. Their parents had chosen gardening as a business and a lifestyle. Before "going back to the land" became a trend, the sisters' parents felt that their simple, frugal, rural life was part of their Christian faith. (This is back-story; living members of the family don't talk about their religion, if any. Though forgiveness is a major theme this is not a Sunday book.) Pamela was close to her parents and brother, and wanted to preserve her rustic introvert lifestyle as an adult. Mimi wanted to get out and be a socialite in the city. Both sisters got what they wanted; if that were all of their disagreement they could be happy seeing each other once or twice a year. As things are Pamela's never even told her child or grandchild that she had a sister.
It began, Mimi says, when both sisters liked the son of their clients, and he liked them....and she goes on with the three-generation saga of Jo's family, not consciously aware that Jo is part of that family.
The ending is not altogether happy (clue: younger sister over seventy years old) but a family that's too nice to be divided, as this one's been, will be reconciled at the end. Not without Pamela, the quiet rural sister, having her chance to get in the last shocking word....
I enjoyed this novel. I came across just one British phrase that I had to google. Mimi remembers liking "Flakes in my Mr. Whippy." By "Flakes" she means Cadbury Flakes chocolate bars, which were made in a small size especially for tucking into "Mr. Whippy" or other forms of vanilla ice cream. The whole family are fond of food, both "healthy" and junk. If your book club chooses this book, everyone will have something to cook for the monthly book-theme buffet party. (A page of discussion questions is also provided for book clubs.)
Recommended to any adult reader who has, or had, or wanted to have a sibling. I wouldn't expect children to enjoy it but there's no serious violence or graphic sex to hide from them. Well done, Eve Chase, crafting a wholesome story that kept me interested through 52 chapters.
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