Book Review: The Hidden Girl by Lucinda Riley

 The Hidden Girl

by

Lucinda Riley

with Foreword by Harry Whittaker

 

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Publication date: 10th September 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction / Contemporary Fiction

Pages: 576

RRP: AU$34.99

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Hidden Girl

I wasn't quite prepared for how dark The Hidden Girl was. I have read a few books by Lucinda Riley and I don't remember them having so much heavy content.

 

The Hidden Girl is narrated through multiple timelines and multiple characters spanning generations.

 

Present Day: Rose and David are estranged siblings however reconnect when David asks Rose to take his 16yo son for the semester break. Brett has a brief holiday romance with village girl Leah who years later will take the modelling world by storm.

The Hidden Girl is a generational saga going back to David and Rose's parents, the concentration camps of WWII and to the present day.

From Yorkshire to London to the catwalks of Milan then on to New York, the hectic and not so glamorous life of a top model is riddled with competition, obsession and sabotage.

The Hidden Girl is a big book, over 500 pages, refreshed and updated by Lucinda's son Harry Whittaker. There is also an informative foreword by Harry.

With themes of the concentration camps of WWII, murder, allusions to child abuse, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, obsession, suicide,  male dominance, servitude, gaslighting and rape. The Hidden Girl is not for the faint hearted.

 

I have to say though, the story had me glued to the pages even though I was continually shocked by the content, the twists were many and just when I thought I couldn't be shocked anymore I was hit by another twist.

My rating 3 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐

 

 

Book Review: Codename Parsifal by Martin Roy Hill

 Codename Parsifal

by

Martin Roy Hill

A WWII Thriller

Publisher: 32-32 North

Publication date: 4th September 2023

Genre: Military Thriller

Pages: 221

RRP: AU$11.99 (kindle)

Source: eBook courtesy of the author

 

Review: Codename Parsifal

The Spear of Destiny. The Roman Legionnaire's lance that pierced Christ's body as he hung on the cross.

Legend claims whomever possesses it will become a great conqueror.

Martin Roy Hill has taken this legend and developed a compelling read that intricately weaves themes of betrayal, myth and WWII into the high-stakes world of special services as the Americans, Germans and Russians all race to find the legendary spear.

 

Codename Parsifal has a masterful blend of action and character development as we get to know the thoughts and actions of soldiers from each side of the war.

 

Hill skillfully portrays the psychological effect of belief as the spear is sort after for its power.

 

Set against the backdrop of the final days of WWII Hill uses vivid imagery and meticulous attention to detail to give a believable portrayal of the special services mission to find the authentic spear.

Hills expertise in crafting engaging action sequences is complemented by his ability to develop a rich, believable plot line.

 

Codename Parsifal is a thought provoking exploration of the idea of talismans, superstition and mysticism. 

 

my rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: Buckham's Bombers by Mark Baker

 Buckham's Bombers

by

Mark Baker

THE AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN WHO HUNTED HITLER'S DEADLIEST BATTLESHIP

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 30th July 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / War Stories

Pages: 304

RRP: AU$34.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Buckham's Bombers

In Buckham's Bombers Mark Baker brings to life a unique part of airforce history with the story of one of the finest Australian air crews of WWII.

 

Baker recounts the events that led up to the destruction of Germany's most powerful battleship, the Tirpitz.

 

Buckham's Bombers is an extraordinary story of courage, perseverance and outstanding bravery. 

Baker has recounted the story from extensive interviews and contributors' recollections, both recorded and written.

 

I have read many fictional WWII stories but I found Buckham's recollections to be far more harrowing than any fictional story.

 

Buckham's Bombers follows Bruce Buckham, and his crew, from enlistment to training, the different aircraft used, and the bringing together of his crew. This is not only about Bruce Buckham and his crew but also the working of the RAF and RAAF, and the aircraft used during the war. 

 

Interspersed throughout Baker's narration are notes by Bruce Buckham in his own words and I loved his turn of phrase. Many times he played down his own role in an operation praising his crew for getting them through.

I learnt so much from this book: How the RAF & RAAF worked together. How the top echelons saw the men as numbers and not fathers,sons,uncles. How men who developed a mental illness, now known as PTSD, were labelled as having LMF (lack of moral fibre). This shocked and angered me!  

 

Buckham's Bombers is a confronting read. I laughed at their hijinks and deeply felt their losses. I also felt great pride for these men who fought, and died, for my freedom.

 

The book concludes with pages of acknowledgements, endnotes, bibliography, index and photographic inserts, showing just how much work went into this extraordinary story of Buckham and his crew.

 

I could go on and on about the extensive research Baker did before writing this book, years in the making, but it would be much better to read it and see for yourself. It is a truly fascinating read!   

 

 

My rating  5/ 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: The Youngest Son by John Byrnes

 The Youngest Son

by

John Byrnes

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 30th July 2024

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400

RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Youngest Son

The Youngest Son is an epic tale that follows the lives of three siblings growing up during the great depression and spans the years 1929 to 1943 encompassing events of WWII in Tobruk and New Guinea.

 

John Byrnes has brought the streets of 1930's Sydney to life. The Leach family lived in Ultimo (The Mo) where most people were poor and desperately trying to keep a roof over their head. Evictions were rife and the common man was fighting back with picketing and riots. Prostitution, street fighting, illegal gambling, drugs and crime were an everyday part of life.

 

John, the eldest Leach sibling, had visions of attending University and then joining the priesthood. He had great empathy for the underdog and felt he had his life plan in order.

Maureen wanted more out of life than what her mother had settled for. Maureen had stars in her eyes and wanted the glamorous life of the women she read about in magazines. 

Bob, the youngest Leach, learnt early on that his fists talked louder than words. Him and his friends start out as petty criminals but soon find themselves mixing with the big boys of crime in Sydney's shady underbelly.

 

The Youngest Son is rich in flawed characters. I had great empathy for the Leach siblings, they were all very naive, made bad decisions, couldn't control their emotions and when things went wrong they seemed to always react in a detrimental way. 

I loved the Australian vernacular, the language and imagery of Sydney and surrounding suburbs was spot on. I was actually thinking at one point "yes, I know exactly where that factory is."

This is a gritty story which includes murder, scenes of war, drug use, sex scenes (these are more to add humour than spice) and profanities. 

The Youngest Son is a captivating story of power, revenge, betrayal and family. A real page turner, once I started I didn't want the story to end.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Plus that extra star for a character named Veronica 🌟

 

Book Review: Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me by Andra Putnis

 Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me

by

Andra Putnis

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Publication date: 2nd July 2024

Genre: Non Fiction / Biography

Pages: 304

RRP: AU$34.99 (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me

I often wonder with biographies if we are really getting the full story or just the watered down version of the person's life. The nice bits.

 

I can honestly say that Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me comes across as a 'warts and all' telling. The grandmothers reveal long held secrets and even air, what might be considered to them to be, their dirty washing.

 

I loved Andra Putnis' grandmothers for their honesty. Nothing is held back in this sincere biography.

 

Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me is a heartfelt story on a grand scale. I have read much about the lives of ordinary people displaced by World War II and the measures they went to to escape persecution; however I have never come across anything on the war in Latvia and the people who were forced to flee their homeland.

Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me is a book that champions the courage and resilience of these remarkable women. It opened my eyes and my heart to these women.

 

Andra retells conversations with her grandmothers, Milda and Aline, and also other members of the family and people from the Latvian Community in Australia. The story goes beyond the war and escaping Russian rule to venture into life in Australia and trying to adapt to a new country whilst also trying to hold onto their own heritage.

 

Thank you Andra Putris for sharing your family's story with me and also your treasured family photos which were truly an honour to pore over.

 

Stories My Grandmothers Didn't Tell Me is an emotional story, filled to the brim with love.

Do yourself a favour and read this remarkable book!

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book Review: The Wartime Vet by Ellie Curzon

 The Wartime Vet

by

Ellie Curzon

Publisher: Bookouture

Publication date: 4th April 2024

Series: A Village at War #3 

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 331

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: The Wartime Vet

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery/historical fiction set in 1942 country England during WWII.

 

Laura moves from her job as a small animal vet to the country town of Bramble Heath where she is employed to care for the local farm animals; the sheep and cows that will provide food for the nation.

 

I loved that Laura was strong and determined, the 1940's were a hard time for women to be taken seriously in jobs that were usually undertaken by men. When she believes that someone is sabotaging the farms she does not falter at going over her curmudgeonly bosses head to notify a higher authority. 

 

Ellie Curzon includes the invaluable work of the Land Girls Army and how they had to overcome sexism and suspicion.

I could easily imagine the small country town of Bramble Heath with children evacuated from the city running around on the farms. However these idyllic little towns didn't escape the air raid-sirens and the danger of enemy bombs.

 

The Wartime Vet is a cozy mystery novel with a light romance thread running through the story. It also explores heavier themes of PTSD, disrespect for servicemen with mental health problems, traitors, the land girls army and how women had to fight for the same recognition given to men.

 

My only complaint is that it became quite repetitive at times, going over and over things that had already been explained.  

 

My rating 3.5 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐½ 

 

 

Book Review: Those Girls by Pamela Rushby

Those Girls

by

Pamela Rushby

Publisher: Walker Books

Publication date: 3rd April 2024

Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction

Pages: 336

RRP: $19.99AU (paperback)

Source: Courtesy of publisher

 

Review: Those Girls

In Those Girls, Pamela Rushby writes about a little known area of women's involvement in the second world war.

As men leave the country to join the fighting a void is left in the area of food production. This is where the Australian Women's Land Army (AWLA) was formed and many young women left their homes to make their contribution to the war effort, working on farms picking and packing fruit, digging potatoes and milking cows. The back breaking and relentless work was vividly described as the girls work hard and support each other making firm friendships along the way.

Those Girls is an easy, engaging read. Descriptions of the farms and working conditions are well portrayed as the girls endure harsh summers and bitterly cold winters. Rushby gives a wonderful insight into the lives of these girls (mainly aged 14 -18 years). Even with working long hours the girls find some time to socialise and have some fun, go dancing, meet American soldiers and even fall in love.

Snippets into the girls' lives before the Land Army work and the lives of their families at home waiting on news of their missing sons is well researched and written to target the young adult audience of 14+ years.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Publisher recommended age 14+ years

Alludes to consensual sex

unplanned pregnancy

unwanted advances

 

Book Review: The Last Line by Stephen Ronson

 The Last Line

by

Stephen Ronson

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Publication date: 16th November 2023

Genre: Historical Fiction / Crime

Pages: 341

Price: $16.99AU (kindle edition)

Will be out in paperback in Australia on 13/2/2024

Source: Courtesy of the publisher via Netgalley

 

Review: The Last Line

I have to say I love to read any stories set during WWII. I have read many and they have all been diverse in the area of the war the stories are centred on.

 

The Last Line is set in country England on the outskirts of the war zone but the citizens are still very much aware that the Germans could arrive at any minute.

 

The protagonist John Cook is a farmer but he has fought in WWI and Afghanistan. He is a trained killer.

When a young woman is found murdered on his land he is the prime suspect to a lazy police force. Knowing the murder won't be investigated further, John turns vigilante and starts his own reconnaissance work, never expecting the level of corruption he will become embroiled in.

The Last Line is a fast-paced mystery thriller written in a crime noir style narration. It is hard not to barrack for John, he is a marvelous anti-hero. There is a lot of violence throughout the novel and the main subject is quite confronting. However, I loved all the intrigue and the character of John was very believable. He made mistakes and took them badly.

The setting is fabulous - distanced from the war yet right there amongst it with children being evacuated from London and billeted to country families, whilst underground groups are setting up defence tactics if the Germans reach them.

The Last Line is a great read! I'm looking forward to another John Cook novel and wondering where he will go from here.

My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Stephen Ronson grew up in Sussex, and spent a large part of his childhood exploring the woods and fields around Uckfield, many of which were still dotted with reminders of WW2 - pill boxes, tank traps, nissen huts, and graffiti left by soldiers awaiting D-Day.

He is a passionate student of local history, and when he learnt about Auxiliary Units - groups of men who were instructed to lay low during the predicted nazi invasion and lead the fight back, he knew he had to write about a Sussex farmer, one with a love of the land, and a natural desire and ability to get the job done.

Many of the locations and characters in the John Cook series are inspired by real places and real people. In particular, Stephen was inspired by his grandparents, Eric, Bessie, Peter and Vera, each of whom did their bit on the home front.

Book Review: A Jewish Girl in Paris by Melanie Levensohn

 A Jewish Girl in Paris

by

Melanie Levensohn

Adapted from a translation by Jamie Lee Searle

Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia

Publication date: 9th August 2022

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 448

RRP: $34.99AU (trade paperback)

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Review: A Jewish Girl in Paris

A Jewish Girl in Paris is a must read for all historical fiction fans. Moving from war torn Paris in the 1940's to Washington DC in the early 2000's.

 

On his death bed in 1982 Jacobina's father confesses to having another daughter, Judith, who he left  behind in Paris after divorcing her mother. Over two decades later Jacobina confides in volunteer care-worker Beatrice that she promised her father she would find out what happened to her half-sister. Beatrice offers to help her and a friendship sparks between the two women.

 

1940's Paris, and Judith is attending University, working in the library and falling in love with the handsome Christian. Life is perfect! But the German occupation is increasing and the Jews are being vilified more and more.

 

A Jewish Girl in Paris is a beautiful story that I didn't want to end. A fictional tale of courage and resilience, inspired by real events and circumstances.

I loved Judith's naivety and her thoughts that everything will be fine. It came across as very realistic.

The story follows Judith's life leading up to her being sent to Auschwitz. Showcasing her bravery, and Christian's determination to save the woman he loved. 

Beatrice works for the World Bank but her character really evolves when she volunteers as a care-worker and meets Jacobina and the search for information on Judith starts.

There are a few "sliding door" moments, when key characters miss each other by mere moments, which I thought were an ingenious addition to the story.

A Jewish Girl in Paris has a tantalising blend of danger, romance, mystery and historical events.

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ + an extra ⭐ for a character named Veronica 💖

About the author

Melanie Levensohn studied international relations and literature in France and Chile. She earned her master’s degree from Sciences Po in Paris. She later became a spokesperson for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland, reporting from countries in crisis round the world. From 2006 to 2013 Melanie worked as a communications at the World Bank in Washington, D.C., managing corporate external relations for the Caribbean region. She now lives in Geneva.

Book Review: Inkflower by Suzy Zail

 Inkflower

by

Suzy Zail

I think there is no better day than Global MND Day to post my review of Inkflower

 

Publisher: Walker Books

 

Publication date: 5th July 2023

 

Genre: Young Adult / Historical Fiction

 

Pages: 384

 

RRP: $22.99AU (paperback)

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review of Inkflower

Fifteen year old Lisa's father has Motor Neurone Disease and only six months to live. He gathers the family together to tell them the story of his childhood. A story of a young boy who fought against all odds to survive.

 

Lisa battles with the idea of this new version of her father; a dying man with a devastating childhood. His stories bring to life the grandparents, aunts and uncles she never had the chance to meet.

 

Inkflower unfolds in a dual time-line narration. The now, set in the 1980's, is narrated by Lisa as she navigates school and friendships whilst coming to grips with her father's illness and also who she is. The then, is narrated by Lisa's father Emil as he tells his family the harrowing story of a young boy bullied at school for being Jewish, taken from his home in Czechoslovakia and the horrors of his years in Auschwitz.

 

The balance and parallels between Emil's years of fighting for survival in Auschwitz and his battle against the debilitating effects of MND were astutely portrayed.

 

Inkflower is a deeply moving story of survival inspired by the true events of the author and her family.

Suzy Zail has written an honest and candid story of love, courage, family and resilience.

There can never be too many stories detailing the horrors of Auschwitz and they need to be recorded now because soon there won't be any survivors left.

 

My rating 5 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Publisher's recommended age: 14+

About the author

Suzy Zail has worked as a litigation lawyer, specialising in family law, but now writes full time. Among other titles, she has written The Tattooed Flower, a memoir about her father's time as a child survivor of the holocaust, the story which inspired this novel. Her first novel for young adults, the Wrong Boy, was short listed for the Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards, the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, the WAYRBA, USBBY and YABBA awards. 

You can visit Suzy online at suzyzail.com.au and on Instagram @authorsuzyzail

 

Spotlight on other books I've read this month - June

 

Title: Helpless

Author: Marianne Marsh & Toni Maguire 

Genre: Non Fiction

Publisher: Harper Collins

Pub Date: 5th March 2009

Pages: 297

Source: Own purchase 

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

My review of Helpless

Absolutely heartbreaking!
I read this book in a day. Tony Maguire writes Marianne's story with candour.
A young, lonely little girl manipulated and abused by a trusted neighbour. It's impossible to imagine that nobody stopped him, nobody cared for this child.

Narrated in two time-lines; Marianne as a young child and then in middle-age, married with her own grown children.
One thing I noticed in this book is Marianne doesn't delve on her mental state, which I would presume was bad, just a few mentions of self harm. This story is not about garnering sympathy, it's a cleansing, a coming to terms with her past.

My deepest regret is the perpetrator doesn't appear to have been punished. It's hard not to wonder if other victims followed.
A highly recommended read.

 

Title: The Secret World of Connie Starr

Author: Robbi Neal

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Harlequin - HQ

Pub date: 1st June 2022

Pages: 436

Source: Better Reading Preview

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

My review of The Secret World of Connie Starr

  

The Secret World of Connie Starr is a powerful story set in the country town of Ballarat during and after WWII.
Through the Starr and Mabbett families Robbi Neal explores social and family issues relevant to the time period; the bonds of friendship, how the war affected all families, polio, air raid shelters, rationing and the importance of the church.

The story isn't so much about Connie but her whole family. Her father is the local pastor, a sensitive man who has bouts of depression due to feelings of failure. It is Connie's mother, Flora, who runs the household and supports the town folk in their time of need.
Robbi includes issues of underage sign-ups, teenage pregnancy and the loss of a child.
World events during the time period are seamlessly included throughout the narration.

A brilliantly observed story of people and their foibles, regrets, loves and disappointments.

 

Title: One of Us

Author: Kylie Kaden

Genre: Domestic Fiction / Thriller

Publisher: Pantera Press

Pub date: 3rd May 2022 

Pages: 364

Source: Beauty & Lace Book Club

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My review of One of Us

 

In One of Us we get to climb security fences and peek through the hedges at the residents of an exclusive gated community.

The story follows the lives of two families on the Apple Tree Creek estate. Gertie and Ed have three children and have lived on the estate for five years when he tells her he needs a break and is moving out. Rachael new to the estate, pregnant with her third child, finds her sports star husband has cheated on her again. These two very different women soon become firm friends supporting each other.

One of Us is a gripping domestic noir filled with simmering secrets. I was intrigued with this story right from the prologue; a husband attacked and a wife in tears. The question of who was attacked is in the back of your mind as you read. Then there is the mystery of the attacker with many of the characters having a motive. 

 

Around these mysteries Kaden has written a story about marriage and motherhood, what goes on behind closed doors and women trying to do their best whilst fighting their own feelings of failure and struggling under the burden. There are multiple themes throughout the novel that I am sure will resonate with readers. 

This review is part of the Beauty & Lace Book Club

 

 

 

 

 

Book Review & Giveaway: Esther's Children by Caroline Beecham

Esther's Children

by

Caroline Beecham

 

An audacious story of love, bravery and self-sacrifice in World War Two

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 3rd May 2022

 

Genre: Historical Fiction 

Pages: 376

 

RRP: $32.99AUD

 

Format read: Paperback

 

 Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

Blurb

 

Austria, 1936: Esther 'Tess' Simpson works for a British organisation that rescues academics from the cruel Fascist and anti-Semitic regimes taking hold in Europe. On a dangerous trip to Vienna to help bring aid to Europe's threatened Jewish scholars, Esther meets Harry Singer, a young Jewish academic and musician - and they fall in love.

 

My review

 

Caroline Beecham has delivered another honourable novel with Esther's Children; a work of fiction inspired by the life of Esther Simpson (1903 - 1996).

 

I loved that this story was based on the life of a real person, Esther Simpson, who through her tireless work saved the lives of many German Jews in her work for The Society for the Protection of Science and Learning. The society endeavoured to secure grants and work, in Britain, for academic refugees.

"On our shoulders rests the future of many of Europe's finest minds...."

Caroline Beecham's writing is exquisite and I found it easy to picture Esther and her colleagues. However, I didn't quite connect with the story the way I did with her previous novels. I found myself wanting more of Harry's story, Esther's love interest and a refugee himself. I was interested in his life in Vienna, the changing face of the city, then in the internment camp where aliens who were classed as a risk to British security were held.

Esther Simpson was an amazing woman, risking her own life and foregoing a family of her own to help many men and women who went on to achieve greatness in their field and I feel Caroline Beecham has done her story proud in Esther's Children.

 My rating 3.5 stars  ⭐⭐⭐½

 

About the author

Caroline is a novelist, writer and producer. She is the author of four books: the bestselling novel, Maggie's Kitchen, Eleanor's Secret, Finding Eadie and Esther's Children, and has been published in the UK and the US. Her debut novel, Maggie's Kitchen, was shortlisted for Booktopia's Best Historical Fiction in 2016 and nominated as book of the year and Caroline as Best New Author by AusRom Today. She has worked in documentary, film and drama, and discovered that she loves to write fiction and to share lesser-known histories; particularly those of pioneering women whose lives speak to us now. Caroline studied the craft of novel writing at the Faber Academy in Sydney, with Curtis Brown Creative in London, and has a MA in Film & Television and a MA in Creative Writing. She currently lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband and two teenage sons.

 

 

 

GIVEAWAY:

Thanks to the generosity of Allen & Unwin I have one paperback copy of Esther's Children to give away. (Australian postal addresses only). Entry is via the form below. Giveaway closes at midnight on 5th June 2022.

This giveaway is now closed and the winner was announced HERE

Book Review: The Postcard from Italy by Angela Petch

 The Postcard from Italy

by

Angela Petch

 

Publisher: Bookouture

 

Publication date: 16th March 2022

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

Pages: 375

 

Format read: eBook

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

My review

 

The Postcard from Italy is a dual timeline historical fiction.

 

1945 - Billy, a gunner with the RAF, is shot down over Puglia, Italy. He is found unconscious by Domenico and together with his grandson Anto they nurse him back to health. Billy has lost his memory and has no idea who he is or how he came to be on the beach. Domenico is becoming frail and Anto secretly wishes Billy, who they call Roberto, will stay. However, both Domenico and Anto are harbouring secrets.

Present day - Susannah's grandmother is in a nursing home and whilst Susannah is clearing out her home she finds a hidden postcard from Italy dated 1947 with professions of love but unsigned. Did her grandmother Elsie have an affair with an Italian soldier?

 

Billy's story in 1945 is narrated in first person and then later through his diary entries. He has forgotten his previous life and feels writing snippets of thoughts could bring back details of his past.

The descriptions of the scenery of Puglia are visceral and the day to day life of the simple country people was amazing to read about.

 

I also enjoyed Susannah's story and how she was eager to find out more about the writer of the postcard and her trip to Puglia held a small romance. We all know those Italian men are pretty hot!!

I was much more invested in Billy's story however I was still intrigued as to how Angela Petch was going to tie it all together. This was executed well and the events that led to Sussannah finding out the full story were quite believable. 

I loved everything about the small country town of Puglia, it's past and present day. The characters were real and heartwarming, the scenery was spectacular and the food was mouthwatering. I almost felt like I was experienced it all firsthand.

My Rating 4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

About the author

Published by Bookouture, Angela Petch is an award-winning writer of fiction – and the occasional poem. 

 

Every summer she moves to Tuscany for six months where she and her husband own a renovated watermill which they let out. When not exploring their unspoilt corner of the Apennines, she disappears to her writing desk at the top of a converted stable. In her Italian handbag or hiking rucksack she always makes sure to store a notebook and pen to jot down ideas.

The winter months are spent in Sussex where most of her family live. When Angela’s not helping out with grandchildren, she catches up with writer friends.

Angela’s gripping, WWII, Tuscan novels are published by Bookouture. While her novel, Mavis and Dot, was self-published and tells of the frolics and foibles of two best-friends who live by the seaside. Angela also writes short stories published in Prima and People’s Friend.

 

  Follow the blog tour

 

Book Review: The French Gift by Kirsty Manning

The French Gift

by

Kirsty Manning

 

A story of female friendship, longing and sacrifice.

 

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

 

Publication date: 30th March 2021

 

Genre: Historical Fiction

 

Pages: 328

 

RRP: $32.99

 

Format read: Paperback (uncorrected proof)

 

Source: Courtesy of the publisher

 

About the book

 

A forgotten manuscript that threatens to unravel the past…

Fresne Prison, 1940: A former maid at a luxury villa on the Riviera, Margot Bisset finds herself in a prison cell with writer and French Resistance fighter Joséphine Murant. Together, they are transferred to a work camp in Germany for four years, where the secrets they share will bind them for generations to come.
 

Contemporary Paris: Evie Black lives in Paris with her teenage son, Hugo, above her botanical bookshop, La Maison Rustique. Life would be so sweet if only Evie were not mourning the great love of her life.

When a letter arrives regarding the legacy of her husband’s great-aunt, Joséphine Murant, Evie clutches at an opportunity to spend one last magical summer with her son. They travel together to Joséphine’s house, now theirs, on the Côte d’Azur. Here, Evie unravels the official story of this famous novelist, and the truth of a murder a lifetime ago.

 

My review

 

The French Gift is an interesting historical fiction narrated over multiple time lines.

1940's Paris: a friendship is formed when Margot Bisset, a maid, accused of murder and Josephine Murant, trialed as a Resistance fighter, share a cell in a French prison.

When Paris falls to the Germans the women are sent to a German work camp and are forced to work endless hours in a factory with horrific conditions. Josephine is charming, witty and defiant and she infuses Margot with her fire and determination.

 

Present day Paris: Evie Black and her teenaged son Hugo, mourning the death of their beloved husband and father, agree to assist in the collection of information and artifacts to go into an exhibition to honour the legacy of Josephine Murant, her husband's great aunt, who had become an accomplished crime writer. There are also rumours of an unpublished manuscript which has Evie searching the villa.

 

Kirsty Manning has written a compelling story of friendship, perseverance and acts of kindness. The chapters on the German rayon factory were heartbreaking and were written with great reverence for the women that endured these horrific conditions.

I enjoyed the added mysteries of the false murder charge, the search for the manuscript and the added information and secrets that were unearthed during the assembly of the exhibition.

 

The multiple time line format didn't quite work for me with the dates continually jumping around. I would have preferred two straight time lines.

I did like that Kirsty Manning has come up with a fresh idea for a novel set during WWII and I was completely engrossed in the narrative. The mention of French cuisine and wines helped to give an overarching sense of place.

 

The French Gift with its clever twists is sure to please historical fiction fans.

 

My rating   4 / 5  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

About the author

 

Kirsty Manning grew up in northern New South Wales 

A country girl with wanderlust, her travels and studies have taken her through most of Europe, the east and west coasts of the United States and pockets of Asia. Kirsty's first novel was the enchanting Midsummer Garden, published in 2017. Her second book, The Jade Lily, was published in 2018, and her third The Lost Jewels, in 2020. Kirsty is a partner in the award winning Melbourne wine bar Bellota, and the Prince Wine Store in Sydney and Melbourne. She lives in Melbourne, Victoria.

 

Challenges Entered: Australian Women Writers Challenge AWW2021

 

                                   Aussie Author Challenge #Aussieauthor21

                                  

                                   Historical Fiction Challenge