The Winter Rose - Melanie Dobson

Young widow Addie Hoult sets out for Tonquin Lake, looking for the mysterious and elusive Tonquin family. 

Charlie Tonquin, the man Addie sees as a father-figure, is dying and urgently needs a bone marrow transplant. But Charlie refuses to talk about his past or his family, and the Tonquins have long since disappeared from the grand house above the lake.

In the 1940s, American Quaker Grace Tonquin is desperately trying to help Jewish children in France escape from the Nazis. She crosses the Pyrenees with the children and escapes into Spain, taking two of them on to the USA. She and her husband love the children as their own, but events from the past slowly tear the family apart.

Can Addie discover what happened to Grace’s family after the war? Are any of them still alive? And can the search help both Charlie and Addie heal?

This is an unusual book. It’s not a straightforward ‘happy ending’ title but shows that the things which happen in a person’s life affect them long afterwards.  There’s much about family here, and most of it in ‘non-traditional’ forms.  There are elements on faith, hope and restoration, and this is a book where all the characters have their flaws as well as strengths.  

I first thought this a ‘WWII’ novel, but it’s about so much more than Grace and the children’s escape from the Nazis across the mountains.  At times I found it a challenge to keep up with who was who, but this is a good read with depth and quality in the storytelling.

9781496444226, Tyndale, Jan22

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.

The Barrister and the Letter of Marque - Todd M Johnson

In 1818 William Snopes is a barrister in London, defending the poor against the rich. But that changes when Lady Madelaine Jameson pleads for help to save both a man’s life and her estate.

Captain Tuttle sails the Padget under a Letter of Marque – a document allowing him to seize the cargo of French traders operating illegally.  Lady Madelaine has invested heavily in the Padget, and the ship’s return to London laden with tea taken from a French vessel is the answer to her prayers.  But on arrival the vessel and her crew are seized and Captain Tuttle imprisoned under a charge of piracy, and the Letter of Marque which can prove his innocence has vanished.

 

Despite his hesitation, Snopes agrees to take the case. But he has formidable opponents, who think nothing of murdering those who get in their way.

 

This is a novel full of intrigue, in a very well depicted and atmospheric Dickens-esque setting.  It’s a complicated and clever mystery with many twists, multiple layers and a superb cast of characters who are all well developed, some of whom I’d like to know more about in future stories.  There are a few Americanisms here and there – the dreaded ‘gotten’ and ‘block’ for example – but this is a story which can easily rise above a few glitches with the overall quality of the writing.

Highly recommended.

9780764212369, Bethany House

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.

A Midnight Dance - Joanna Davidson Politano

In my view A Midnight Dance is the best yet by far of Joanna Davidson Politano's novels set in England. In it we meet Ella Blythe, who longs to be as gifted a ballet dancer as her mother had been before her. But dancing led to tragedy for Ella's mum, and it could lead the same way for her daughter.

This is a truly grippingly told novel.  The story is multi-layered and raises many questions, most of which are eventually answered! There are threads throughout of hope, ambition, desperation, challenge, overcoming obstacles and the fear of being 'not enough' no matter how hard you try.  There is also a rather nicely complicated love story (or indeed, love stories) with an extra twist just for good measure. 

The mystery of what really happened to Delphine, and who she was, is a fabulous story arc.  There are further mysteries and secrets throughout too.  Family is a powerful element, especially 'the fatherless'.  Faith elements are rather cleverly woven in, and although occasionally seeming a bit awkward these rare times in no way spoiled my enjoyment of a clever and involving story.

The brief historical notes at the end are informative and interesting and the very personal author note shows the root of a number of the story elements, not least the issue of God's love for the 'broken and messed up'.

There were one or two anomalies in the use of 'theatre' and 'theater', but I was glad to see that most times the Craven Street Theatre was correctly referred to, given that it's located in London, England.  The use of 'theater' elsewhere, given the book's US publisher and largely US readership, is perfectly acceptable - but I don't envy the editor or proof reader!  I read an early manuscript so I suspect that the rare situations where the wrong theatre spelling was used will now be correct.

Highly recommended for anyone who loves historical novels with a hefty helping of mystery and a light-handed sprinkling of not-too-overpowering romance.

9780800736903, Revell

Pelagia - Steve Holloway

Do you ever start reading a book which looks intriguing, find it surprisingly hard work at first, and then get completely drawn in?  That’s exactly what happened to me with Pelagia.  

I used to read a lot of science fiction and this book reminds me why, with its oceanic world which is so expansively and compellingly described.  For me, the ocean region of Pelagia and the nomadic vessel Osse and the family it carries are the real stars and points of difference of this book. 

 

Steve Holloway has created a book which is as much a thriller as it is science fiction.  Set in the near future, we meet Ben Holden, ex Special Forces, who is the key to unlocking information needed by the deadly New Caliphate who will stop at nothing to find him.  Ben’s past has been traumatic, and as he begins to recover he will need to learn who he can trust.  And perhaps even love.

 

This is a book which really feels like something different: fresh, beautifully written and immersive both in subject and engagement.  It portrays good and evil very clearly, and the people within its covers are interesting and believable, with faith elements which are also interesting and believable.  This is certainly not a cosy mystery.  The thriller elements aren’t watered down. A genuine page-turner, it is well worth persevering with if you too find the beginning a bit hard going.  I would love to read another novel set in Pelagia.

9781782643395, Lion Fiction, Jun21

Note: for transparency, I was sent an advance copy of this book, but I was not required to write any specific or favourable review. All views herein are my own.