Gemma
The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin is a charming novel set in Nottingham during world war 2.
Widow Emma Taylor finds herself in need of a job but with restrictions prohibiting widows with children from most employment, Emma finds herself in a difficult position. However, Emma manages to convince the manageress of Boot's Booklover's Library to give her a chance as long as she keeps her marital status and daughter a secret.
With the threat of war approaching Emma has to make the hard decision to evacuate her daughter. In her daughter's absence she throws herself into her job and volunteering, leading her to form heartwarming friendships.
This was a feel good novel despite the subject of the second world war. I particularly loved the quirky characters who visited the library along with Mrs Pickering, Emma's landlady. I had no idea that Boots had an established library and that people would pay a subscription to loan books. Not only did this hidden gem of history thrill me it also intrigued me. I loved finding out more information about it, especially its location on the top floor, at the back of the shop.
Obviously, set during the time of world war 2 there were a lot of heartbreaking moments in the book. Such as having to send children away from their homes and parents, the effects of war and death. As a mother, I couldn't imagine being faced with the decision of sending a child away, especially with not knowing where they were going or who they would be living with. During the war my grandmother was evacuated and we would often have chats over tea about her experience. She was sent to two different families, one she loved and one she wasn't happy in. Reading this novel took me back to my chats with my late gran. Although in the midst of war this book is a reminder of how resilient and resourceful people were. And the power of friendship and love. A wonderful read, highly recommend.
Holmes and Moriarty the new Sherlock Homes mystery written by Gareth Rubin, officially authorised by the Conan Doyle estate.
I loved The Turnglass so was very excited to hear of Rubin's new novel. Homes and Watson are hired by actor George Reynolds. He wants to find out why the audience who come and see him perform every night are the same people, only wearing disguises.
Meanwhile, Moriarty, Holmes' archenemy is implicated in the murder of a gang leader. Moriarty and Moran have no choice but to go on the run and find out who has set them up for this crime. But their investigation puts them in the way of Holmes and Watson and it's not long before all four realise that they are being targeted by the same person. They need to form an alliance in order to save their own lives and unmask the true villain.
This intriguing mystery triggered my arachnid phobia leaving me terrified. I won't go into detail but I wasn't expecting the fright that this novel delivered; a great read for this time of year. I loved the premise of this novel that two enemies have to come together in order to solve the mystery and save their own lives. But to put trust in someone who wants to destroy you, is an act of faith in itself.
The setting was atmospheric and I loved the hidden tunnels and the strange hotel setup. The characters all had an air of mystery sounding them and it was difficult to know who you could trust and rely on. The chapters alternated from Watson's to Moran's viewpoint which I felt added to the pace and the plot.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, especially if you are a Sherlock fan or enjoy mystery novels.
Sharp Glass by Sarah Hilary has a unique storyline. One woman trapped alone in a cellar whilst her captor remains upstairs in the remote house with no chance of escape and miles from anywhere. The last thing she remembers is standing outside the empty house.
This is basically a story of two people's dialogue and memories as they try to solve the mystery of a murdered teenager. A girl one of them knew from her birth, the other after her death. This is a story about obsession, hidden secrets, and trauma.
It was difficult to know who to trust as both characters were unreliable in their own state of mind. With an interesting twist part way, it was like a cat-and-mouse game of captor and victim where the roles reversed several times. A real gut-wrenching psychological thriller.
Sharp Glass has an interesting premise, and at times, I was glued to the pages wondering who the killer was or how the story would pan out. However, on occasions, I did find it quite repetitive and not as fast-paced as I had initially hoped for.
Overall, Sharp Glass is an intriguing read, full of surprises and some dark disturbing moments. There are trigger warnings of suicide and sexual abuse.
The Betrayal of Thomas True by A.J. West is a heartbreaking Georgian tale set in the underworld of the molly houses. It had my heart from the outset, and I was completely broken by the end pages.
This is West's second book, and although both books are equally fabulous, I think The Betrayal of Thomas West is my favourite. West's storytelling is immersive, painting the scene of London's hidden gay community and the deadly consequences they face if caught. The characters are flamboyant and feisty, taking great risks at the double life they are leading.
The Betrayal of Thomas True is a captivating read. It is a blend of genres; historical fiction mixed with a thriller vibe as you try to discover who amongst the mollies is a rat. There are some shocking scenes, added twists and an ending that I did not see coming. I loved the setting and the rich portrayal of characters. West's writing flows from the pages seamlessly and I appreciate all the hours of research that went into writing a book of this calibre. It is an emotive read portraying hope, love, betrayal and treachery.
To put it simply, this book is a steal of a read and as fabulous as its sprayed edges
The Midnight Hour by Eve Chase is a family drama set in Notting Hill, London.
Maggie, a seventeen-year-old, finds herself alone with her little brother Kit when her mother, Dee Dee, doesn't return home one night. With Dee Dee being a model and local celebrity, Maggie keeps her mother's dissappeance a secret. When a young lad named Wolf comes to her rescue after a near miss with a van, Maggie finds herself not so alone after all and a budding relationship blooms. However, one fatal night the two lovers know they must flee the area and become strangers if they are to keep their deadly secret.
The Midnight Hour follows Maggie over two decades to discover the secrets of her past and what happened to her mother when she disappeared. It is a touching story of love in its many forms and in protecting those you love. The complexities of family dynamics and how hidden secrets can destroy relationships made for an interesting read. This was a character driven novel that I was very invested in. I loved Cora, the elusive aunt, and felt a lot of empathy towards her.
The chapters jumped around from London to France, past to the present day, making this quite the pageturner. A great summer read, I couldn't put it down.
Thirty Days of Darkness by Jenny Lund Madsen translated by Megan E Turney is a debut Nordic Noir thriller that marks the start of a new series.
Hannah, an award-winning writer, is challenged to write a crime novel in thirty days. Her snobbish attitude is that although her books have fewer readers, her writing is far superior to Jørn Jenson, a successful crime writer. She is convinced that writing a popular fiction novel is easy and agrees to the challenge. Her editor, Bastion, sends her to Iceland so she can devote the next 30 days to her novel.
On Hannah's arrival, she is picked up by Ella, a local woman who she will stay with over the coming month. However, a few days in Ella's nephew, Thor is found dead. Convinced this is not an accident, Hannah starts to investigate Thor's death, much to the annoyance of the local police man. As the days stretch on, things turn more sinister and Hannah's own safety is in jepody. Can Hannah solve the murders and find the killer as well as writing her crime novel?
Hannah is the most unlikeable antagonist at the start of the novel. She is opinionated, self-righteous and rude. However, as the novel progresses, Hannah's determined to solve the mystery surrounding Thor's death softens her hard outerior, allowing the reader to see a more rounded and vulnerable side.
Although Thirty Days of Darkness is a crime thriller, there was plenty of humour and romance that weaved its way throughout the novel. For me, it had the right balance of genres and themes, making this such an enjoyable thrilling read. The Icelandic scenery was atmospheric, adding to the murdererous and locked-in feel of the story. There were twists and turns along the way with mysterious characters that kept me guessing until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed it
The Secret Keepers by Tilly Bagshawe follows a family spanning 4 decades.
The Challants, a wealthy family, have a number of properties where they spend time during the different seasons and holiday periods. The father of the house, Charles Père, a religious, strict man with high morals but a softness towards his youngest daughter, Ines. Clotilde, a loving mother of four but feels constrictive in her marriage and in her capacity to explore creative pursuits. Genevieve, the oldest daughter, dreams of becoming a writer. Renèe, known for her tomboy antics, Charles Fils, the only son who will take over his father's business and Ines, the beautiful baby, loved by them all.
One summer, tragedy occurs with a local boy dying in a fatal accident on the family's land. This begins the downfall of the family and their slow decline of being torn apart. Over the following decades, they finally piece together what happened on that fatal night and what other hidden secrets are lurking, casting shadows over their family history.
Set before, during, and after World War 2, I found the story fascinating and couldn't put the book down. Bagshawe has an enchanting way of storytelling. Her writing is powerful and emotive. I loved how this story weaved it way through the decades, following the family as they thrived and declined over the years. I enjoyed the character of Gunn, whose own story ran parallel to the Challants until they collided.
A beautifully written story full of heartbreaking moments that mould and shape the characters, and too reflects the period in history in which it is written.
The Other Tenant by Lesley Kara is an intriguing psychological thriller that kept me guessing until the very end.
I loved the premise of this novel. To be a ‘Property Guardian' sounded like a really cool idea, especially if it meant living in a really unusual building. However, I don't think I would be as brave as the characters who took tenancy in these empty buildings. The thought of living in an old girls' school or a church would petrify me! Marlow, however, seeks these buildings for rent. The more unique, the better. However, when she finds a room in her old Victorian school, she is hesitant to move in. Could she really live in the same building where her best friend tragically died all those years ago?
When Marlow arrives, she immediately realises she has made a huge mistake. The past keeps coming back to haunt her, and there is something sinister going on. One of the tenants has gone missing, and she suspects the other nine guardians are not being honest with her when she delves into the missing woman's disappearance. But knowing who to trust is problematic, and someone is determined for her not to discover the truth.
I galloped through this book, not wanting to put it down. There was a gothic feel to the book with the description of the buildings, which I loved. This, in turn, then added an eerie presence to the storyline, creating moments when I was on the edge of my seat waiting for something to jump out on the characters. I loved the fact that the other guardians had an air of mystery surrounding them and you didn't know who Marlow could trust. As the pages turned, more information was slowly revealed about these characters, and the storyline opened up, adding more confusion as to what had happened to Hayley and why. I really enjoyed and appreciated this aspect of the novel.
A thrilling read which I would highly recommend.
This powerful family novel centres around five strong women: Margo and her daughters Rachel, Imogen and Sasha. Margo's sister, Alice, although in the background, MUST be included in the count of the Garnett Girls. She is the glue that holds them all together, quietly in the background and showering them all with love and support.
Margo falls passionately in love with Richard, who she meets as she enters womanhood. Their relationship, deeply disapproved by her parents, leads to Margo escaping to London to be with Richard. Their love affair turns to marriage, and then the birth of three beautiful girls. However, Richard suffers from alcoholism and is not often present for his girls. One day, he dissappears, leaving Margo heartbroken and unable to look after her girls. Rachel, her oldest, with the support of Alice, helps to keep court while Margo recovers.
The story explores the effects of losing a parent/lover, constantly wondering why and where they might be now. I loved how each of the sister's experiences were explored into the loss of their father and their relationship with their mother. I loved reading about each of them as adults and their family gatherings at their home in the Isle of Wight.
The characters are larger than life, dramatic and totally addictive. I loved how different the Garnett ‘girls' are and the real sense of sisterhood this novel gave. Although the novel came to the end and the story was beautifully concluded, I could have continued reading about the 5 women on loop. Racy, in parts, this novel captured my heart and was a pacy read. If you love character-driven novels set in an idyllic beach location, then this is the book for you. A book about the lives of women and the strong bond of sisterhood.
The Wrong Sister by Claire Douglas is an amazing, fast-paced thriller that kept me guessing the whole way through.
When Tasha and her husband, Aaron, get away for a few days, she leaves her sister Alice and her husband Kyle in charge of her twin girls. However, one night, there is a break-in, leading to devastation. Kyle is murder and Alice is attacked whilst the girls are asleep upstairs. When Tasha and Aaron rush home, they discover a note saying they got the wrong sister. Was Tasha the real target?
I read this during a Tandem Collective Readalong and really had to control myself by not reading ahead of the allocated pages per day. This book had it all, in my eyes: the perfect page-turner, with lots of unexpected twists and turns, as well as family drama thrown in for good measure. The characters were well developed with an air of mystery surrounding them all so that you were never quite sure of their innocence. The only one I felt I could truly trust was Tasha.
I really enjoyed the backstory of Tasha's younger sister, who had been abducted as a baby. The pain and emotions were still very raw, surrounding this heartbreaking disappearance. You got a real sense that as the story developed, it would become clear what had happened to Holly all those years ago. Could the two stories even be related somehow?
Living in Somerset, I really appreciated the setting of Chew Norton and could really picture Tasha's house and the village. There was so much to love about The Wrong Sister that I am now sourcing other books from the same author that I haven't already read. I highly recommend this twisty family thriller. All the stars from me
Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan is book number two in the Kat and Lock police procedural series but can be read as a standalone.
Having heard great things about In The Blink of an Eye I knew I needed to see what all the hype was about. I binge read both novels back-to-back. I was hooked. What a unique concept: an AI working with a team of detectives to solve a series of crimes. I love the tagine: One detective driven by instinct, the other by logic. It will take both to find a killer who knows the true meaning of fear . . .
In Leave No Trace, a body is found crucified at the top of Mount Judd. Having worked well in a previous cold case, DCS Kat Frank and her team, including AIDE Lock are given their first live case. However, with a media frenzy around the use of AI to help solve a murder case, Kat is put under even more pressure to find the perpetrator. And then another body is found, also crucified. It seems that the killer is just getting started. Time is running out for them to join the dots, so they must combine their human instinct and algorithms to catch the killer before they strike again.
This book had a lovely balance of a police procedural with characters at the core. As the book unfolds, the characters are developed further, and you get to see a softer, more vulnerable side to all of the team members. Issues such as loneliness, loss, and friendship are explored. AIDE Lock appears as a hologram, which reminded me of the TV show Quantum Leap. I loved how he attempts to develop human characteristics in order to improve his own detective skills.
Both books in the series have an interesting, unpredictable storyline. Leave No Trace had more gore and gruesome crime scenes. A fantastic read.
Seven Summers by Paige Toon is a charming story about love and loss that I couldn't put down.
This story, weeves from the current day back through the past seven summers that Liv and Finn spend together in Cornwall. Although spending only a few weeks together each summer, the pair full madly in love only to find that their time is cut short and they must spend the rest of the year apart. Having a long, distant relationship was too painful, and so they both agree not to put their lives on hold waiting for one another. Instead, they agree that if they are both still single when Finn returns to the UK each summer that they will enjoy a week of passion before saying goodbye again.
I loved how the story jumped from the present day to the past, following Liv's life. Beautiful written, I felt like I was there alongside Liv. I loved the setting, from the beach to her place of work and home. The tragedy of losing her parents at such a young age and feeling responsible for caring for her older brother was heartwrenching, especially since it shaped her life leading her down a path that she probably wouldn't have taken otherwise.
This was a character driven plot, and I just adored Tom. The air of mystery surrounding his appearance was very appealing, and I found myself longing to read more about the present day. This book tugged at my heartstrings, and I'm so glad we got to find out how Liv's future evolved. Although I did feel the ending was a bit rushed, I appreciate knowing the full outcome of Liv's life.
Poles Apart by Anna & Jacqui Burns is a hilarious feel-good novel. Set in a quiet Pembrokeshire village, four women find themselves united at pole dancing fitness classes, much to the uproar of the rest of the village. But the pole dancing classes prove to be more than just a great fitness workout they allow the women space to find themselves and develop budding friendships.
Emery is born with a heart condition, which means her heart could stop at any time. The first time it happens, she is only 5 years old. Throughout her life, Emery's heart stops suddenly, and whilst she is waiting to be brought back to life, she meets Nick. Some may say, a guardian angel helping people transition between death and the afterlife. During these meetings, Emery starts to get to know Nick and feelings develop between the two of them. Once she returns to her life, Emery longs for time with Nick again. But in order for that to happen, she needs to die.
This was such an intriguing and thought-provoking novel. I loved reading about the life of Emery, from her childhood right up until her final death. I found it really interesting how Nick consumed her thoughts and ultimately influenced, although subconsciously, her decisions to let others in and to fall in love.
Meet Me When My Heart Stops is a character driven novel with a complex family situation. I found this novel tugged at my heartstrings as I know from first hand what it is like to have a child with health issues. I know the strain it can cause on a family, and I really felt for her parents who had conflicting thoughts on what was best for her. I could empathise with Emery, who didn't want to be wrapped up in cotton wool but lead a ‘normal' life. As a parent, letting go is the hardest part, and I completely understood her Dad's fears and decisions he made.
This novel was definitely close to home for me and therefore provoked a lot of emotions. I loved the characters, especially her supportive sister, Amber and best friends, Bonnie and Colin. It was beautifully written and the plot was carefully thought out. After I turned the last page, I was fully content with the outcome. An excellent read.
Sharp Scratch is an intriguing thriller, dark and mysterious. Each chapter is headed by a fictional test question. Each question is linked to the chapter. I loved this! It added a unique feel to the novel and gave you a glimmer as to the content of the chapter you were about to read. I also loved the era the book was set in and loved having references to the music and food, taking me back to my childhood.
There were quirky characters, most unlikeable, which definitely made it hard for me to predict who the murderer was and what their motive was. I was clueless right up until the end
I love a cosy mystery, and The Mystery Guest was the perfect read. This is the second book in the series featuring Molly the Maid, whom I adored in The Maid. This time, Molly is head maid and finds herself in a new mess, with a new mystery to solve.
The book is written in a dual-timeline, going back in time to Molly's childhood, where she first encounters Mr Grimthorpe. Here, we get a true insight into Molly's life and how the events of her past have shaped her into the person she is today.
In The Mystery Guest, we meet new characters but also some familiar characters found in the previous novel. There are some shocking revelations along the way, as well as a few red herrings. Making this a real page-turner.
Highly recommend if you love character driven novels combined with a cosy mystery.
Happy Publication Day to The Book of Doors by Gareth Brown. My two favourite things, New York and books, feature heavily in this fantasy novel.
Fantasy and Sci-Fi are not my go-to genre, but occasionally, I find a novel that blows my mind, opening a whole new realm for me to get my teeth into.
Cassie works in a book shop in New York. She loves her job, organising rows of books on shelves and talking to customers who pop by. The book begins with a regular customer, Mr Webber suddenly dying in the shop, leaving behind an unusual book which Cassie pockets. Cassie soon learns that this is no ordinary book but one that has special powers. It is the book of doors and can transport its owner to any door, anywhere.
Cassie soon discovers that this is not the only special book out there and that there are people who are willing to do anything to get their hands on the book of doors. Time-travel, battles, and magic unfold on the pages of this novel, making for such an exciting read. I just loved it, getting caught up in the gripping tension and gore of this adventure story.
The characters, for me, were the at core of this novel, and I was routing for Cassie to be victorious. I loved the chapters featuring Mr. Webber and the whole backstory of Drummond Fox were fascinating along with the Fox library.
I got totally swept away with the concept of this novel. The twists and turns were an unexpected but delightful surprise. The imagination and mind of Gareth Brown to think of this plot is mind-numbing
Anna O by Matthew Blake is a mesmerising, psychological thriller. I loved the premise of this novel: A woman accused of killing two of her best friends but then falls into a deep sleep. Did she murder them in cold blood, or was she sleepwalking at the time and not in control of her actions? Guilty or innocent? And how can you prove it either way?
Blake's writing is hypnotic! I also found it quite poetic at times. I loved the references to other texts in the book, such as Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, as well as the mention of Medea, Anna O theory and resignation syndrome, to name a few. I did find myself researching a lot, and then getting stuck into these fascinating subjects.
The story is told mainly through Ben's point of view. Ben is a sleep expert and works in a sleep clinic in Harley Street. However, there are also chapters dedicated to Anna O's notebook, as well as Dr Bloom's case notes and some other characters. I have to admit I couldn't predict the outcome of this thriller. It took me completely by surprise and I loved the twist and turns. A fantastic book from start to finish. I did take my time reading it purely because I wanted to savour every page and not miss anything, but I also got caught up in my own research along the way.
Anna O is a phenomenal debut novel. This is one to add to your TBR pile.
The Beastly Baron of Beaux Bottom, written by Jeremy Hullah and illustrated by Zsuzsa, is a hilarious tale of one man whose day goes from bad to worse.
The Beastly Baron of Beaux Bottom is a lazy, mean man. He's ill-tempered, overweight, and spends his day doing nothing of any significance.
One day, he takes his mother's advice and joins the major for a ride in the countryside. Well, he doesn't join in with the ride, rather goes for a walk in the woods. Here, he meets the warty witch where things take a turn for the worse.
This fun cautionary tale is perfect for children aged 6-9. The host of characters the Baron meets on his travels are very entertaining. My personal favourite - the Greedy Goat.
The cute illustrations are scattered throughout the book and the bottom of each page is decorated with a beautiful garden floor. I love the text type changes within the book to highlight significant parts of the story. This all adds to the charm of the book and the storyline.
I very much enjoyed reading this book and would look forward to reading further adventures that the Baron finds himself on, especially those featuring the witch and the goat.
This is a highly addictive psychology thriller.
Erin and Will are happily married with a young child. Their lives are perfect. That is until Erin starts to feel a strange sensation around her husband. She realises she feels afraid of him. As things escalate, they decide that in order to save their marriage, they must seek professional help. But with accusations being thrown around and the past being dug up, will they be able to save their marriage and get to the truth behind what has been happening?
In true Heidi Perks style The Last Resort keeps you guessing right until the end. It is a page-turner where I found myself trying to guess all the possible different outcomes. I loved the way the chapters alternated between the months leading up to the accident and the present day. As well as hearing from the viewpoints of Erin, Maggie (the therapist), and the police investigating the hit and run.
The storyline was very intriguing, with two stories running parallel. A thoroughly enjoyable read with great pace and tension, making this a fantastic psychology thriller.
This is a heart-warming story of one man trying to make sense of the world around him.
Joe-Nathan lives a simple life with his mum Janet. He works at the local Compass Store, which he loves, as everything has a place and is clearly ordered. His mum packs his lunch everyday, they go to the pub every Friday night and order a takeaway on a Saturday evening.
In order to prepare Joe for an independent life, Janet writes down a set of guidelines in a pale-blue notebook. The book, divided into sections based on the different rooms in the house, covers everything from how the clean the furniture to recipes. As Joe learns how to become independent, he also discovers what it means to step out of his comfort zone and develop meaningful relationships.
I just adored Joe-Nathan and his mum Janet. A woman who has dedicated her life to her son, even though she craves a life of travel and freedom. This book has a host of loveable characters and a few villains as well for good measure. It champions those who may feel like an outcast or who approach life in a different way. Joe is clearly the hero of this story, and I couldn't put this book down wanting to find out what Joe would do next.
Helen Fisher's tackles the issues in the story sensitivity, adding humour and endearment. I felt drawn into the story and that Fisher's heart and soul were pouring from the pages. It's such a brilliant book to lose yourself in. If you love books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and Saving Missy, then this is a must-read.
I highly recommend this beautifully written book that will tug on your heartstrings, make you laugh, and cry simultaneously and have you thinking about the characters in the book long after you have turned the final page.
Lena is back! Having survived her journey onboard the Queen Mary, sailing from London to New York, Lena arrives in Harlem to delve into her family history. What were the real reasons why her father, Alfie, left in 1908? Although this book follows the characters from Miss Aldridge Regrets, it can be read as a standalone. Although, as I loved both books equally, I would recommend you read both
The Turnglass by Gareth Rubin. This unique Tête-bêche novel was a first for me; I absolutely adored it. Two books printed back to back. Two novellas that actually intertwine, blowing your mind and turning everything that you thought you knew on its head.
Book 1: 1880s England. I love historical fiction and books that feature an old mysterious house, especially those that have a gothic feel about them. This book ticked all of the boxes for me. An isolated house cut off from the mainland during high tide with a host of unusual characters. One believing he is being poisoned as his health deteriorates.
Book 2: 1930s California. This book had a Gatsby feel about it. An ultra modern glass house set on the beach where a man is found dead. Brushed off by the police as a suicide, Ken Kourian is determined to discover the truth as he knows his friend wouldn't take his own life.
Both books are equally enjoyable on their own as standalone novels, but together, you realise the genius of Rubin to intertwine these two stories. On face value, I loved the premise of the book. To actually have to flip the book over to read the next was a cool concept. I read the 1880 England one first and then turned the book round to read the next book. It was only once I started reading the second that my brain kicked into action. I noticed similarities: glass elements of the house, a prominent library, and murder. And then character's names which started to appear that were in the previous book!! As I tried to make connections, I realised how clever this book is! I started to flip the book back over and skim through the text, hoping to find clues that I had missed. Just genius. I was even tempted to read the first book again after I finished the second.
The Turnglass is an engaging, mesmerising, and 100% memorable unique read. I can't recommend it enough, a must-read.
I am a big fan of author Hazel Gaynor, so I was very excited to hear about her new book, The Last Lifeboat. Historical fiction at its best and based on true events.
England, 1940. The war is raging with air raid sirens going off more regularly, the blackouts and the Blitz. The government need to come up with a plan to keep the children from areas most at risk safe. Initiative CORB: Children's Overseas Reception Board, where children are to be evacuated to counties such as Australia and Canada.
This touching, heartwrenching story tells the story of Lily and Alice. Lily, a recent widow, mother to 10 year old daughter Georgie and younger son Arthur, is torn about whether to send her children away. However, with the bombing becoming more frequent she decides to register her children with CORB. Alice, a teacher, makes the decision to sign up as an escort for the CORB programme.
As the story alternates between the two women, both face their worst nightmare as the ship carrying Alice and the children is hit by a U-boat in the Atlantic. With the other boats in the convoy not able to rescue them, those that did mange to board the lifeboats are tossed around by the stormy sea.
Gaynor writes with pure passion and emotion, drawing me into the storyline and characters, transporting me to another place and time. This was an emotive read which I couldn't put down. I loved the fact that this was inspired by the true events of SS City of Benares, which was escorting children and other passengers to Canada when it got hit by a torpedo. Throughout the book there are also extracts from the Mass Observation project, which was set up in 1937 to record the everyday life of Britain. I really looked forward to reading these insightful passages.
One of my favourite books this year! Highly recommend.