Having read the first two books in the series, I was more than happy to return to Woodson Falls for this one. As with the other books, this one could Having read the first two books in the series, I was more than happy to return to Woodson Falls for this one. As with the other books, this one could be a little heavy on the legal processes that Gaby undertakes in her day job, and while the detail is interesting, it does slow the pace of the story as the reader grapples with probate law. The mystery surrounding Win's death - for whom Gaby is acting as executor of the will and completing the requirements of probate - is intriguing, if a bit "on the nose" at times. For me, the case seemed to be solved by accident and the ending felt ironically rushed. It was good to see Gaby & Matt's relationship moving along well; it was a slow but understandable burn of a romance for both of them and it was good to see them both on the same page. However, the underlying plot that challenges Gaby belief about her husband's death (in book one). With more threats via notes and a dead cat, it suggests her husband may not have been the target of the accident after all. This mystery gains significant momentum, and I'll be back to see how it plays out in book four. ...more
Who doesn't love a punny title? It's one of the best things about cosy mysteries, and it certainly caught my attention. I hadn't read any of the otherWho doesn't love a punny title? It's one of the best things about cosy mysteries, and it certainly caught my attention. I hadn't read any of the others in the series but I am definitely planning to go back and check them out. By the way, the story works perfectly well as a standalone, I just want to know more about the key characters. I'll be honest, I did wonder if this would be a historical cosy given the main character is a proper Lady but I loved that it was a contemporary tale with a made-up Royal family of its own. Lady Beatrice, together with her business partner, the fantastic Perry Juke, is working on a refurbishment project for the King while a cooking event is taking place starring Chef Seb - Lady Bea's boyfriend - and a host of other chefs. When one of the main participants - Luca - takes ill and later dies, rumours of an unfortunate case of food poisoning run amok. And so begins the mystery. Had Luca been foraging and accidentally picked poisonous mushrooms? Did someone else plant the mushrooms in his dish? So many questions, so many suspects, and so many secrets. Let me just say that Lady Bea's dog, Daisy knows the answer ;) When it appears that Luca was murdered, Lady Bea's nemesis in the form of DCI Fitzwilliam is brought in to investigate. Now, these two, I understand, have met before in other cases and he is not keen on her meddling. Which means, that's the green light for her to "meddle" and solve the case before him. But will she? There's a frisson of romantic tension bubbling away here which only adds to the fun. Aided and abetted by the marvellous duo of Perry and Simon, not forgetting the instinctive reaction of her dog, Daisy, what follows is an entertaining mystery, and a tongue-in-cheek view of royal gossip. (Timely, indeed ;) )
My only issue was the use of so many POVs which seemed to be used to reveal their inner thoughts and in so doing move the story forward. That said, each POV was presented with consistency and clarity. I loved the setting, the royal obligations to behave a certain way, and the inclusion of Lady Bea's son brought a touch of youthful exuberance to the story (although Perry has his fair share of that too) I loved the characters, their relationship with each other, the behind-the-scenes details of the royal rooms being refurbished... in fact, it was a most amusing and engaging read with the promise of more to come. I'll be back for more; I just need to catch up on the others in the series first. ...more
What a wonderful collection of short stories this is, and each one with its own clear plot and cast of characters. From the very beginning, I knew I'dWhat a wonderful collection of short stories this is, and each one with its own clear plot and cast of characters. From the very beginning, I knew I'd enjoy these stories - yeah, the dog story got me. Go Lurch & Hopalong! But, from thereon, the stories tackled so many themes that tugged on my heartstrings and had me wishing for a happy ending. To name a few favourites (aside from the opening story of The No-hopers Christmas Club), I'd go with: A Rocking Horse Christmas - which tells the story of a vicar and his wife who are trying for a baby. He's so excited, he buys a rocking horse for the nursery, but sadly the baby never comes as they suffer one miscarriage after another. Yet, this is a tale of hope and perseverance, and of choosing a different path towards a happy ending. Simply lovely. Being Gerald's Wife - is the story of a woman whose husband is controlling and coercive, robbing her of a life until the fuss over an unripe avocado turns into a moment of reflection, a chance to be free and to start over. Gemma's Night Out - is a modern take on A Christmas Carol that is both fun and thought-provoking. A story about starting afresh, learning lessons from the past and moving forward, stronger and with confidence. My Stupid Lies - is about the only single woman at the bottle factory, fed up with hearing how wonderful her co-workers' families are and what amazing plans they have for Christmas, so fed up that she fabricates a family of her own... until the lies take over. However, all is not lost, as a kindred spirit is ready to save her from herself, and also to encourage her to follow her heart - which is not at the bottle factory! And, finally, (so many favourites ;) ) Forbidden Feelings - a story that follows a woman from the kitchens of a wealthy family in South Africa to England where a chance reunion confirms that she was never "just a maidservant" in Patrick's eyes, and that love knows no bounds.
As you can see, it's an eclectic collection of stories that covers the amusing side of Christmas with the office Secret Santa to the more poignant and heart-wrenching tales of loss, loneliness and desperation, offset with new starts, friendships and a greater understanding of one's self and others. Highly recommended, and perfect for a tea-break moment or two. ...more
The Fry sisters are coming of age in a time when rights for women are in the news and the future seems positive for them all. Cecelia � Celie � is theThe Fry sisters are coming of age in a time when rights for women are in the news and the future seems positive for them all. Cecelia � Celie � is the oldest of the three, in love with her German teacher, Max, and planning a life with him. That is, until the Great War erupts. Will she ever be able to marry and enjoy life with a man who fights for the enemy? And what of her future? To fill her days, she helps out at her father’s photography shop, becoming a skilled photographer in her own right and taking photos that really tell the story of life during those days. Getting them published, however, is less easy, particularly as a woman.
The twins � Jessie and Etta � are a few years younger than Celie, but both have passions that define them. Jessie is an adventurer, and sees nursing as a platform towards being an independent woman. The war enables her to pursue it further and she enlists with the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service. Working in Egypt, she meets Dr Khalid who notices her exceptional skill as a surgical nurse and insists on working with her. Their relationship turns to romance, and Jessie has to decide whether to give up nursing and be a married woman (the two things are not compatible in those days). But what is she if not a nurse? Can she watch from the side-lines?
Etta has always been the arty type, les restricted by formality and more prone to follow the path less travelled. Upon falling in love with Italian artist, Carlo, she follows her heart � and him � to Italy, but when Italy joins the war, she joins her aunt who helps her raise their daughter. The aunt was there where Etta’s mum, Christina, needed similar help, and she knows Christina’s secret. Is that secret in danger of coming out? Or does Etta have enough on her plate to keep her own secret from her family? I thoroughly enjoyed this book, following the intertwining stories of the Fry sisters through the Suffrage protests, the Great War, and their own romances and life-changing experiences. All of this, while mum, Christina, endeavours to hold on to her secret for as long as she can. The letters exchanged by the girls and their parents and loved ones fill in the gaps but keep the mystery going. Their father is a wonderful man, and his part in their story is both joyful and heart-breaking. I look forward to the next book in the series and will be watching for those big secrets to be revealed. ...more
The Paris Sister picks up directly after book 1 with the three Fry sisters married and scattered around the globe, leaving their mother, Christina, baThe Paris Sister picks up directly after book 1 with the three Fry sisters married and scattered around the globe, leaving their mother, Christina, back in London with the family housekeeper. The story covers almost a decade, from the end of The Great War to The Depression of 1929. It’s told through alternating chapters of the sisters and their mother, as well as through correspondence between them. Love in a Time of War ended with Christina’s secret � one that could devastate her daughters, Celie, in particular � at risk of being exposed. She must surely hope that since the three sisters are so far away, that secret will remain buried. But that hope is about to be dashed, and whether she can maintain the lie � for that is what it is � is a dominant thread that moves the plot forward, challenges relationships, and creates even more turmoil. Of the three sisters, I really liked, and felt for Celie. She has married Frank and emigrated to Canada, learning all too late that the love of her life, Max, is not dead after all. Celie, however, is a strong woman, determined to stay in her marriage, come what may. (And with Frank’s mood swings and not a little misogyny in his attitude to women working, she has more than enough to contend with.) Thankfully, she is blessed with a best friend, Mavis, who ensures that Celie does not succumb to a life of cooking, cleaning and motherhood, as Frank would have her do. Instead, Mavis encourages and helps Celie to be her own woman in so many ways. Without Mavis, Celie would have struggled more to stand by Frank. You might wonder whether that friendship � as wonderful and supportive as it seems � has actually held her back, more a curse than a blessing! Jessie is another of my favourites, now in Egypt with her wonderful husband, Aziz, she has to tread an altogether different path, primarily because of his mother, Layla. Jessie understands, and witnesses first-hand, the limitations for women in Muslim society, and she doesn’t want that for their daughter. This raises tensions with Layla who tries to impose her will on Jessie and Aziz. Fortunately, Aziz backs his wife, although he does seem to be putting off some key decisions, mainly which religion they will raise her under. This topic is a hot potato, made even more difficult when Layla meets Jessie’s mother, Christina. The two grandmothers want different things, and are not above using sneaky tactics to get their way. It’s deliciously entertaining to see them spar with each other. Prepare to race through those scenes; you won’t want to put the book down. Their rivalry and one-upmanship puts the political debate of the time (over Suez, and British rule in Egypt) firmly in the shade. Etta, the third sister, and Jessie’s fraternal twin, is, however, the black sheep of the family. She eloped with Carlo, intending to wed, only to find he was already married. When he is subsequently charged with his wife’s murder, they are separated, he in jail and Etta living with her rebellious daughter and Stephania on the beautiful island of Capri. It’s not a life Etta enjoys, and she spends a lot of her time in Paris, selling her husband’s art work to fund legal costs to get him released. However, the Roaring 20s are here, and Etta is mixing in circles where partying is the main activity. Etta comes across as thoughtless (especially in relation to her family) frivolous and unlikeable, putting herself before everyone and everything. When family members try to help, she digs in further, making matters worse. Christina, their mother, interacts with them via correspondence, though she does visit Jessie, but has her own problems in the form of a blackmailing relative, and a long-lost love that she cannot resist. Together, the lives of the four women makes for fascinating reading, the pace picking up greatly towards the end in preparation for the third in the series. The story is open-ended as a result, with a cliffhanger that has me eagerly awaiting book three. ...more
Based on the real Lebensborn programme - a Nazi initiative to increase the number of children born who met the Nazi standards of "racially pure" and "Based on the real Lebensborn programme - a Nazi initiative to increase the number of children born who met the Nazi standards of "racially pure" and "healthy"Â Aryans - A Child for the Reich is an emotional tale that delivers on so many levels. The main protagonist, Anna Dankova, is struggling to make ends meet and is more than a little annoyed at her husband Josef who left to join the resistance forces some time ago. Having lived in beautiful Prague, it is something of a shock to move to the country where Josef - before leaving them with Dasa's husband too - insists they will be safer. Now, with her daughter, Ema, her mother (Matka) and sister, Dasa and her children, they live without the use of their car (taken by the Germans), many of their livestock (also taken) and are left to support themselves on the little income they can earn at the market selling the vegetables they've grown.
And, as if life were not hard enough, rumours of the Brown Sisters being in their area leave them all fearful of their children being taken next. Given that their neighbours are not the kindliest of people, willing to sell gossip to the Germans in return for better treatment for themselves, who can they trust?
The greatest fear is for Dasa's young baby, a child she will not name until the men come home, but who meets the requirements of the Lebensborn programme perfectly. Consequently, they try to keep him hidden.
None of them expected Ema, Anna's daughter to be the target of the Brown Sisters' next trip to the market. Devastated, Anna concocts a plan to get her daughter back, and using her acting skills (from her days in Prague) and her ability to speak German, she meets with the resistance group to a) locate her daughter, and b) to acquire papers for her to assume a new identity and infiltrate the orphanage where Ema is being kept prior to adoption with a "good German family."
At this stage, I was reeling in shock at the extent to which the Lebensborn programme was being carried out, but at the orphanage itself, my shock levels intensified as the details of the programme became clearer. Anna is risking everything to get Ema back, and as the reality of her situation unfolds, the tension ratchets up, emotions are incredibly high, and the danger of being caught infers life-threatening consequences.
I found A Child for the Reich to be truly absorbing, a compelling read that had me racing through the chapters to the conclusion. The story does, however, tell of more than Anna's courage and determination, it highlights the strength of family and friends (Matka is incredibly supportive and inspiring, witty and thoughtful), and the ability to conquer even the most monumental of challenges when the future of said family is at stake.
If you enjoy reading about strong female characters, particularly during one of the most difficult eras of modern times, then this is the book for you. My thanks go to the author, and publisher, (Harper Collins One more Chapter) for my copy of this book which I have reviewed freely....more
I haven't read any of the previous books in this series and did worry that starting at book 9 might be a problem. It wasn't, in fact it was relativelyI haven't read any of the previous books in this series and did worry that starting at book 9 might be a problem. It wasn't, in fact it was relatively straightforward to follow the backstory of the main character - DCI Jude Satterthwaite - and, for the most part, I didn't feeling disadvantaged by not having read books 1-8. By the way, can I just add that Satterthwaite is the most delightful surname for a police officer, or anyone really, that I've encountered this year. It evokes a sense of tradition, of old school common sense and I felt the case of Thomas's death was in safe hands.
As the opening line of the book description says - Everyone loves Thomas Davies. Don’t they? - Well, I certainly did. In a story with quite a few unlikeable characters, Thomas stood out as a decent man, a good friend and an honest police officer. So, surely his fall from the crags was an accident? Apparently not, and as the story develops, there are many twists, turns and revelations, as well as some deliciously suspicious red herrings. All of which lead to a motley crew of suspects... but then the mother of all twists turns things on its head again.
The author's writing style caused me a few issues and had me flicking back to see if I'd missed something when characters were talking about some of the events that occurred, but generally those issues were cleared up within the next few pages. Overall, this is an interesting story with plenty of intrigue and all set amid the the backdrop of the lesser-explored parts of Cumbria. The police team worked well together, so I can see why there are so many books in this series, and I hope, many more to come. ...more
As a Brummie and avid fan of historical fiction, I couldn’t turn down the audiobook version of The Automobile Assassination, if only to see how the loAs a Brummie and avid fan of historical fiction, I couldn’t turn down the audiobook version of The Automobile Assassination, if only to see how the local dialect was conveyed. Well, the narration was excellent � such a soothing yet perfect-for-the era voice � and the dialect, pretty good taking into account that Erdington at that time was a more rural area. So, it was off to a flying start for me.
Chief Inspector Sam Mason is in need of a challenge, but the latest case assigned to him does not appeal � that of counterfeit coupons infiltrating the area and causing much angst amongst businesses. The government has refused to accept the fake ration coupons, leaving the butcher, baker etc out of pocket. Besides, Mason thinks the sergeant running the case is making sufficient progress to not require his input. Meanwhile, there’s a to do with the AA (The Automobile Association) who seem to be helping their members avoid speed traps, which is just not on! ;) Mason is finding things a little dull, so when a body is found near Castle Bromwich aerodrome, this case is more to his liking. With no identification on the victim, Mason begins his investigation with the help of Sergeant Clara O’Rourke. But at the nearby air base, they say the man is not one of theirs and rumours abound that the victim might be a spy who’s come a deadly cropper. On top of that, there is no vehicle and the body is bent double at the most awkward angle. Questions, questions! However the investigation seems to hit a dead end, and it is only when they follow up with the AA that potential clues appear that might solve the matter of who the victim was � but they’re still no further forward with finding out how, or indeed why the man died, let alone if there is a killer at large.
Mason and O’Rourke make a great team, in fact the police officers are a capable (if plodding along nicely) bunch apart from Mason’s boss � Superintendent Smythe whose passive-aggressive stance sees Mason once more diverted away from the case of the dead body in favour of the counterfeiting case that is gathering steam locally. Nonetheless, Mason will not give up and he and O’Rourke follow up their enquiries up to a point where things really take off. There’s some undisclosed shenanigans at the AA headquarters, and even criminals with guns� suddenly Erdington is no longer the quiet rural place is used to be. Add in the intrigue of the AA shelters where members can call for assistance and fill up (from a jerry can) if they’re out of petrol, the mysterious locked shelter and several maps hidden in dark recesses of said shelters (that fuel the idea of spies being at large) and you have a compelling mystery on your hands.
A fab mystery, great characters, lovely historical touches and knowledge, and the most excellent narrator. I so enjoyed this that I am off to check out the case that made Mason’s reputation � The Custard Corpses � and I’ll add author, MJ Porter to my list of those to follow....more
Gemma has settled into life at the school but finds herself alone when the girls and staff all take advantage of the next exeat. Even Joe (with whom sGemma has settled into life at the school but finds herself alone when the girls and staff all take advantage of the next exeat. Even Joe (with whom she hoped to spend more time) has plans that do not include her. And he seems rather over-friendly with Oriana too, which leaves Gemma wondering about their relationship. So, when a stranger arrives at the empty school asking what could be very awkward questions for the headmistress (Hairnet), Gemma seizes the opportunity to steer the stranger away from the school and ends up enjoying a delicious afternoon tea at the infamous Doilies in town. She agrees to help him find out about his father rather than let him meet Hairnet and ask her about it (Gemma knows Hairnet’s secret and doesn’t want to put her in a difficult and embarrassing position of being exposed.) Back in the staffroom, Gemma grows increasing concerned about Joe and Oriana, and also questions why sections of the local newspaper have been cut out. What is it that is being kept from them all? Does the stranger � Oliver � have anything to do with it? Do Joe and Oriana? Gemma’s curiosity is distracted when one of the girls disappears and can’t be found on school grounds. Life at St Brides is getting more and more mysterious by the day.
This book is certainly packed with intrigue, but it’s also more focused on Gemma’s relationship with Joe. She spends a lot of time second-guessing events, all of which lead her to incessant introspection as she reflects on their relationship. This aspect of the story stunts the flow for me, and while there are mysteries to solve, Gemma is more of an accidental bit-player in their resolution. The story around Hairnet and her daughter seemed a little far-fetched and I couldn't imagine a parent keeping that secret from their child, especially given the circumstances of living at St Brides. Not as fast-paced as book two, but still completely engaging and addictive.
I hope there is more to come from St Brides. ...more
Having read and enjoyed another of the author’s books - The Borrowed Boy - I was delighted to be invited to read her latest book - The Forever Cruise Having read and enjoyed another of the author’s books - The Borrowed Boy - I was delighted to be invited to read her latest book - The Forever Cruise - with its concept of a cruising as a lifestyle choice for retirees. I could totally understand why widow Alice, the MC, seized the opportunity when her daughter was all for selling the family home and moving Alice nearby. Like Alice, I felt sure that a retirement home was just around the corner for her. Instead, Alice stood her ground and opted for a life at sea, visiting new places and meeting new people.
At the helm of Halcyon Seas is the newly appointed captain, Marianne Moore, who has been waiting for this moment for many years, constantly feeling overlooked for the most senior position in favour of her male colleagues. She hopes that by safely and successfully steering the ship on its maiden voyage (or at least the first year or so of its itinerary), the powers that be will finally grant her the captaincy of a regular cruise ship where passengers come and go rather than the permanency of the “residents� of Halcyon Seas. As much as she enjoys getting to know those on board, seeing the same faces for the duration of her tenure is not all it’s cracked up to be.
The early weeks of the cruise seem to prove its idyllic nature, and Alice is loving the stop-offs at cities she’d never visited before. She even makes plans to visit her son when the ship makes its way to Australia. That said, being catered for all the time and never having to lift a finger to keep her cabin clean soon takes it toll, and when she befriends her regular maid, Olive, it’s not long before she and a few other like-minded passengers decide to help lighten the maid’s workload by tidying up for themselves. Alice does have an ulterior motive and enjoys hearing about Olive’s family who are relying on her wage back in Madagascar. But there’s more to Olive’s story than that, and when she can no longer hide her secret, Alice and her friends come up with an extraordinary plot that subsequently changes the ship’s itinerary for good. That change in the ship’s circumstances brings Halcyon Seas into the glare of the public eye. For the management, this is not a good thing, but for the passengers � who are now a little bored of life at sea � their new situation brings out the best in many of them and truly offers them the change in lifestyle they were seeking when they first boarded the ship.
I loved how the passengers came together when faced with their new predicament and how they treated Olive’s family, friends and neighbours with such respect, a respect that was returned many times over. The author creates a stunning image of Madagascar, and you can completely understand why some passengers make the choices they do. Many have formed enduring friendships that they don’t want to walk away from at this point in their lives; they’ve been energised and stimulated in ways that they never imagined, and their forever cruise has turned into something so much more important to them.
Following Alice, Marianne and Olive, the story reflects different perspectives and challenges that combine to tell a heart-warming story of second chances, of romance, and of eternal friendships.
The Forever Cruise is inspirational in rewarding passengers like Alice for taking a risk later in life; it highlights the struggles of Marianne in her career path and how much she has given up personally to reach the top, and finally it is enlightening in showing how different cultures live and heart-warming in proving how those differences can be overcome with respect, kindness and compassion....more
Diving straight into book two sees staff and students returning to St Brides after the half-term break. Gemma Lamb feels much more confident in her abDiving straight into book two sees staff and students returning to St Brides after the half-term break. Gemma Lamb feels much more confident in her ability to teach now, and is looking forward to Catching up with her Year 7 girls as well as her colleagues � some more than others. So when a stranger with a rather familiar face turns up, no one expects his arrival to cause such a fuss. However, the stranger introduces himself � in an American accent � as Earl Bunting, the only surviving heir of their benefactor Lord Bunting, and he’s come to claim his inheritance. While his resemblance to Lord Bunting cannot be denied, there’s something about him that neither Gemma nor her co-workers, and particularly the girls do not like. He may seem to be the soul of generosity by insisting the school continue as it is, but bit by bit he usurps the headmistress’s authority until his true intentions can no longer be ignored. The governors seem happy with his credentials yet Earl � which is actually his given name and not a title � may have thrown his weight around a little too much in the village. That he imagines stories of his weird behaviour won’t get back to the teachers is his first mistake: dropping his accent for one thing, taking out books on inheritance law from the bookshop, dying his hair, and building up a large unpaid tab at the pub only give Gemma cause to suspect he’s not all he says he is.
When it looks like the school’s very existence may be at stake, everyone joins forces to invalidate his claim. However, it’s not so straightforward since he possesses a journal that does link him to the Lord. So how can they get dispute his claim on St Brides ? It’s time to look closer at the man and in particular at his snazzy vehicle. To do this, Gemma relies heavy on Max who looks after the security of the school and its inhabitants. Max has a habit of popping up at the most unexpected times by virtue of the tunnel network created by Lord Bunting, this gives him the perfect opportunity to watch the comings and goings of everyone at St Brides. Put this way, if there’s something dodgy going on, Max will be on the case, and he and Gemma make the perfect double act in uncovering the true identity of the pretender to the estate. But will their evidence be enough?
My only criticism of this story is Earl Bunting's constant, irritating habit of getting everyone's name wrong. Calling Miss Lamb everything from Kidd to Lamp (and it wasn't just her name he got wrong) made me dislike him even more. If he did this to rile people, well... he succeeded!!
Rant over, the mystery in this book is much stronger, the story is fast-paced, and combined with great touches of humour - courtesy of she pranks played on the interloper by the students and the cat! - this is a most enjoyable read.
Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my ecopy which I have reviewed of my own volition. ...more
As someone closer to pensionable age than school age, Dastardly Deeds at St Brides is a veritable blend of fun and nostalgia. Being an avid fan of MalAs someone closer to pensionable age than school age, Dastardly Deeds at St Brides is a veritable blend of fun and nostalgia. Being an avid fan of Malory Towers as a child, the boarding school theme drew me in instantly, and the fact that it’s the first in a series only makes me happier still.
The staff at the girls-only St Brides, apart from the bursar and the head of security, are (supposedly) all female, even the cat is described as such regardless of his very obvious anatomy. It’s all part of the contract that the headmistress, commonly known as Hairnet, struck with the estate of the stately home. Lord Bunting, the last known ancestral owner, stated in his will that in the event of there being no surviving heir, the estate would be run for the education of mother-less girls. Along with his wife, Lady Bunting, they suffered the loss of all their children, the eldest one at the age of nine. And so it came to be that St Brides boarding school for girls took on only female staff (well, almost).
This, together with the bonus of live-in accommodation, is what attracts Gemma Lamb to the job as Head of English. Escaping a controlling ex, Gemma revels in the opportunity to be as far away from Stephen as she can in this remote part of the Cotswolds while finally following her heart to become a teacher, something Stephen had mocked her for and not permitted.
Book one in this series sees Gemma settle in and acquaint herself with the odd yet equally amusing rules of the school. Her pupils, many richer than royalty and some actually of minor royal descent, are welcoming and engaging, and Gemma’s colleagues are just as obliging. It’s all rather wonderful and addictively cosy. However, the book is listed as a cosy mystery, and while there are some mysterious secrets to be learnt, the expected tropes of a cosy mystery are somewhat lacking, and it’s only very near to the end of the book that there’s a potential tragedy and a crime to be solved. That said, I didn’t mind at all, since just reading about how the school functioned, the dynamics between various staff members and seeing Gemma grow in confidence was more than enough to keep me entertained and wanting more. The mini foray into a cosy mystery at the end worked well enough to quench my thirst for sleuthing, and also set the story up for the next in the series. I raced through this book � it’s more a long novella than than full novel at around 200 pages � and once I’d finished I couldn’t wait to dive straight into book two. By now, the characters all feel like people with their own personalities, their own quirks and, most definitely, their own secrets. I am looking forward to revisiting them.
Thank you to the author, Boldwood Books and Netgalley for my ecopy which I have reviewed of my own volition. ...more
Wow, what an emotional read that was. The story starts with Kay Alexander, an American heiress being arrested by the Gestapo in Paris. A young German Wow, what an emotional read that was. The story starts with Kay Alexander, an American heiress being arrested by the Gestapo in Paris. A young German girl, Rachel, has come to warn her, but is also traumatised by the fact her little sisters have been taken into custody as well. From there, the story is principally a long flashback to how Kay and Rachel met, and how their lives became permanently entangled. A light-hearted beginning sees Kay as a reluctant debutante in Philadelphia who rebels against her mother's wishes to "come out" and find a husband. Sneaking off to dances with her instructor, Kay falls in love... but it doesn't end well (I'm not going to spoil things here, you'll have to read it for yourself ;) Sorry, not sorry!) Unable to face returning home with her mother after what she has put her through, Kay moves on to Paris before war breaks out, asked by her uncle to keep an eye on things "over there" and report back.
On a trip to Berlin at her uncle's behest to see how the German citizens are coping, in particular the Jews, Kay takes refuge from the rain in a glorious music shop, not realising that purchasing from Jewish businesses is forbidden. What follows is an enlightenment for Kay, especially on seeing how Rachel stands up for her deaf mother. Kay wishes she had that kind of lovingly loyal relationship with her own mother. Ever the rebel, she buys sheet music and a music box from Rachel's family shop, asking for the goods to be shipped to The Ritz in Paris. It is this connection that gives rise to the heart of the story.
Expect romance for Kay with a quirky British artist/pilot, a deep friendship with the amazing powerhouse that is Gertrude, and a heart-warming and heart-breaking relationship with Rachel and her sisters, whose life in Berlin is getting worse and more dangerous by the day.
The Orphans of Berlin tells the tale of despair turning to hope, casual encounters leading to the strongest of "family" ties, and the difficulty of keeping secrets from those you love. Told from Kay's and Rachel's perspectives the story is based on the Kindertransport scheme that saw 10,000 children be taken to the UK during the war. What seemed to be a rebellious streak in Kay turns out to be a determination to help others, to use her wealth for the greater good. Beautifully told, with an ending as perfect as one can be given the atrocities experienced, it brought a tear to my eye. Highly recommended! ...more
** Audiobook version ** Lucille runs an agency providing secretarial staff, and when one man turns down three of her staff, she's not best pleased and ** Audiobook version ** Lucille runs an agency providing secretarial staff, and when one man turns down three of her staff, she's not best pleased and sets out to find out why. It's meant to be a quick visit to this man - a professor - before heading off to France for her annual stay at her aunt's flat. However, the quick visit is prolonged and Lucille's curiosity is peaked by several incidents - missing paintings, a Frenchman wanting to buy those paintings, and a housekeeper let go by the professor who may (or may not) know where the paintings are. When those events - and the characters - show up in Paris, it's impossible not to be intrigued (and maybe a little confused too). It's a convoluted story at times, but even so, I had to stay listening until the end. 3.5* rounded up...more
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