Mrs P's Book of Secrets - Lorna Grey - #30daysofbookblogs #Review
Today I am taking part in an event called #30daysofbookblogs organized by Lorna Grey author and blogger.
Her new book Mrs P's Book of Secrets is out now and I have been fortunate to receive an advance copy and my review follows:
Review
This is a historical novel set in the aftermath of world war two. It’s a powerful reminder of just how different life was then especially for women.
Lucy, the eponymous Mrs P, is one of many young war widows, muddling along, day to day with little real purpose, no longer a wife. She is a quiet young woman and as she needs to earn a living just to get by, she is happy to accept the chance to work in a small fascinating publishing company owned by her uncle, where she spends her days in a dark and dusty cubby-hole of an office, acting as clerk and receptionist.
This was a time when success and recognition was reserved for men and women were expected to be subservient and obedient. It is of course, in that era, unthinkable that she could possibly be anything more important than a mere assistant to the men of the company!
One such man is Robert, a new addition he is an editor and as an ex- prisoner of war has his own secrets and sorrows. But he does extend a little kindness to Lucy and a little goes a long way when you are feeling pretty hopeless.
As she helps him with his work, unravelling the mysteries of the past gives her a purpose and maybe there is a chance of romance for her too. But what they are about to discover is a haunting and sad mystery surrounding an orphaned girl.
The whole book has a leisurely, melancholic feel redolent of the dark days in the aftermath of war.
The atmosphere of the story is somewhat reminiscent of “the Little Stranger” by Sarah Waters and the main character Lucy reminded me of the lead character Violet in the recent book “A Single Thread” by Tracy Chevalier.
It has a rather gentle but somewhat sombre nature which sets the tone of the era jolly well and is a pleasing and gentle haunting mystery.
About the Author
Lorna Gray is passionate about understanding the past and takes much of her research from spoken history. She loves the fact that writing gives her the excuse to ask people about their memories, and treasures the unique little insights that every new conversation has to offer.
She writes post-WWII fiction and is published by an imprint of Harper Collins. Her titles are In the Shadow of Winter, The War Widow, The Antique Dealer's Daughter and newest release Mrs P's Book of Secrets.
She is also a published illustrator and her work has featured in a number of archaeological reports, children's books and non-fiction titles.
Above all, Lorna loves a good adventure. She doesn't mind whether it comes in the form of a good book, a film or rambling about the ruins of a castle as long as it is guaranteed to have a happy ending. She is married and lives in the Cotswolds, UK. She is very active on Facebook and would be delighted to meet you there.
This is Lorna’s fourth post-WWII mystery. Her three previous novels are In the Shadow of Winter (2015), The War Widow (2018) and The Antique Dealer’s Daughter (2018). She lives in the Cotswolds with her husband.
Author Lorna Grey
Twitter @MsLornaGray
Instagram @MsLornaGray
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