REVIEW: Trouble at Fishers Wharf by Tracy Baines

Trouble at Fishers Wharf (Fishers Wharf #2) by Tracy Baines

Genre: Historical fiction, Sagas, WW1

Read: 24th November 2023

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Published: 9th November 2023

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

The winds of war bring uncertainty but also opportunity…

With the outbreak of War, the fishing fleet is confined to port, bringing hardship to the families and businesses of Fishers Wharf.

Ruth Evans awaits the safe return of her father’s last trawler carrying her wayward brother Henry, the future of the family business. But unbeknown to their father, Henry sees war as a chance to break free from the constraints of his privileged background and follow his heart.

Much is expected of Ruth. Her marriage to Arthur Marshall will help realise her father’s dream uniting two of the largest trawler companies in Grimsby. But will Ruth choose the path of duty or destiny?

Ruth’s friendship with hardworking Letty Hardy sustains her. Separated by class, they are united through their work for the Fishermen’s Mission as Letty battles to keep her business and family afloat while husband Alec serves on the minesweepers.

Can they navigate the treacherous waters ahead – or will they be caught by hidden dangers?

MY THOUGHTS:

A little kindness goes a long way...

This is the second book in the Fishers Wharf series though it can easily be read as a standalone...as the first one can too. While the first one focused on Letty establishing herself a life outside of the fishers wharves whilst bumping heads with her cantankerous mother-in-law Dorcas, this one centres on Ruth Evans who is of a different class to Letty though the two women do become friends in a world where one doesn't cross the great class divide.

Ruth Evans lives a very comfortable life with her father, Richard, and two brothers Henry and Charles. Having lost her mother at a young age, it had been up to her father's sister, Helen Frampton, to help raise her and her brothers whilst steering her towards a suitable match in Arthur Marshall. Unfortunately, the match is one of practicality and not of love for Ruth finds him somewhat dull as dishwater but Arthur's family has one of the three largest trawler companies - her father's being one and Frampton's being the other. This marriage will unite the Evans and the Marshalls to create an even bigger empire. But is it what Ruth really wants? Unfortunately what she wants doesn't come into it.

Her brother Charles has bought a commission as an officer and is in training for battle. Her youngest brother Henry who, at just 19, was to oversee the trawlers so that he can help take on the reigns when their father retires. But Henry has other ideas. He doesn't want to push paper or sit behind a desk. He wants to work with the men, get his hands dirty. But his father believes that is beneath him as an Evans. And then he announces that he wants to join the naval branch of trawlers (name escapes me just now) to which his father throws an apoplectic fit. Ruth doesn't want to see either brother lost and would rather they both remain home.

Ruth befriends Letty Hardy much to the annoyance of their counterparts. Ruth is middle class while Letty is working class...and never the twain shall meet. But these two women don't care much or stand on ceremony. Life is too short for such nonsense and with the war raging just across the channel, it is also precious. The two form a friendship whilst working at the Fisherman's mission. Added to her success at Parker's, she opens a cafe which proves just as successful. But alas, she becomes burnt out whilst keeping the home fires burning whilst husband Alec is at sea as a minesweeper. She returns to her family farm in Lowestoft for a break but ends up feeling much worse. Meanwhile Ruth gets stuck in helping out at the mission.

There is so much more to this story but you will just have to check it out yourself. It is a nice easy read but to be honest, I did like the first one better. Though this one was a close second. Even Dorcas, who can be a little cantankerous at times grows on you.

I love the backdrop of WW1 which was a completely different time to that of WW2 and the expectations and life of those at home were a lot different. Another wonderful tale from Tracy Baines and the shores of Lincolnshire (though no Guy Martin in these pages...lol) The ending is a little up in the air but that of course is to pave the way for a third installment for which I can't wait.

I would like to thank #TracyBaines, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TroubleAtFishersWharf in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Tracy Baines was born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. When she was eight her parents took over the management of the pub opposite the pier, The Pier Hotel. One of the rooms had been closed up and her father reopened it as a music venue bringing performers such as Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Billy J Kramer and Billy Fury to start the ball rolling.

So began her love of live entertainment, and with something of a virtual free pass, Tracy and her sisters got to see many variety performers who appeared in summer seasons and pantomimes on the end of the pier show.

From the age of sixteen, Tracy worked backstage during summer seasons, pantomimes and everything else in-between on the pier.  She met her husband when he was appearing with the Nolan Sisters and she was Assistant Stage Manager.

The first two books in the Variety Girls series are set in Cleethorpes, in the square mile that was her childhood home.

Tracy lives in Dorset with her husband and springer spaniel, Harry. Her children and grandchildren live close by.

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