REVIEW: The Lost Child by Kathleen McGurl

 

The Lost Child by Kathleen McGurl

Genre: Historical fiction, Dual timeline, Contemporary fiction

Read: 22nd January 2024

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 30th January 2024

★★★★★ 5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

All she wanted was a child of her own…

1912. As the steamship Carpathia takes the survivors of the Titanic to New York, Lucy desperately searches the decks for her baby, thrust into the arms of another woman as a lifeboat left, and now nowhere to be found. Madeleine is helping her journalist husband to interview the survivors, and when she meets Lucy, she promises she will do anything she can to help her find her lost child.

2022. When archivist Jackie finds a notebook containing the stories of women saved by the Carpathia amongst an auction lot, she learns the story of the missing baby. Desperate to start a family of her own, she feels compelled to dig further. And her search will lead her to a century-old mystery…

Inspired by true events, bestselling author Kathleen McGurl weaves history and fiction together in this captivating, deeply moving story.

MY THOUGHTS:

A woman, a baby and a secret hidden for a hundred years...

I simply adore Kathleen McGurl's dual timeline tales and although I didn't her previous two quite as much, THE LOST CHILD is the author at her tear-jerkingly best. What I also loved about this story was that she incorporated a couple of previous characters from "The Lost Sister" which also featured Titanic and beyond. I was thrilled to see Violet Jessop (who was a real person an stewardess on Titanic) and Emma Higgins (the main character in "The Lost Sister") searching for her missing sister Ruby, also a stewardess. I recognised them at once and was endeared to see them included, albeit briefly.

1912: Onboard the transatlantic steamship Carpathia, Madeleine and Ralph Meyer are on a three month sojourn after the tragic loss of their baby and any chance of motherhood. Their destination is Gibraltar, a far cry from the freezing climes of New York. Ralph is a journalist but all Madeleine wanted to be was a mother. The couple are finding the crossing somewhat tiresome with little to do other than drink, play cards and watch the ocean pass by and wish for something a little more exciting to fill their days with.

Be careful what you wish for...

In the early hours of 15th April, Madeleine is awoken from her sleep by Ralph shaking her. He tells her the engines are now running at capacity and they appeared to have changed direction, for the pole star which should have been to their left is now ahead of them. Why have they changed course and what's the hurry that all engines are chugging heavily away to get them there? And then they hear whispers on deck that Titanic has hit an iceberg on its maiden voyage and has transmitted a mayday call. The crew think that those on Titanic have jumped the gun and they will arrive to find they are not needed after all...after all, the ship was said to be unsinkable.

But when Carpathia arrives at the coordinates given, all they see are lifeboats laden with people with many more in the water crying and calling for help, debris all around them. But there was no sign of Titanic.

Madeleine assists the crew with the survivors as they are brought aboard by giving them blankets and leading them to where a doctor awaits their arrival to check them over. Many are freezing cold, most are in shock. As one woman is brought on board with a swaddled baby in her arms, she thrusts the child at Madeleine but before she could react, another woman exclaims "My baby!" and grabs the bundle, disappearng into the crowd.

Meanwhile, young mother Lucy Watts is brought aboard with her own bundle swaddled in her arms crying for her baby. The other women dismiss her as being doolally as the child is clearly in her arms. But as Lucy searches for baby Norah, her story touches Madeleine who begins to search the ship for her too. But is Lucy confused and in shocks as a result of the trauma she has suffered? Or is there a second baby that no one, except Lucy and Madeleine, is looking for?

2022: Archivist Jackie Summers has worked for an antiques collector for several years. It began as a short term job sorting some of her employer's old books and has morphed into collating his vast collection of antique everything. Having just acquired a box labeled as "Carpathia", Henry is hopeful of finding a medal that was awarded to all crew of the only ship that answered Titanic's distress call. But when Jackie comes across a notebook, what she unearths is a mystery that pulls at her heartstrings so much that she endeavours to uncover the truth behind what happened to Lucy Watts and her baby, and that of Madeleine Meyer.

In her mid-thirties herself and her desire to start a family with long term partner Tim, Jackie feels a kinship with Madeleine despite the years that separate them. Through Lucy's story in the notebook, Madeleine's own pain surfaces. And when Jackie discovers she's pregnant, she's thrilled. But is Tim really as excited as he says he is?

Through both women's stories the reader is drawn into their worlds - both on Carpathia and in the present day. McGurl draws on her research and uses factual details from the pages of history to draw her fictional characters and sweeping tale that spans one hundred and ten years. She has incorporated factual happenings, such as the news blackout as ordered by Carpathia's captain and the rumours that brewed back in New York as to Titanic's fate, into this fictional story and put her own stamp on it. Whilst not losing the emotions, the feeling of devastation and helplessness, the shock and trauma, the reality of the world's most famous maritime tragedy ever seen.

THE LOST CHILD is a tragic yet beautiful story that, while it is heartbreaking and bittersweet, is also an emotional and compelling read. If you enjoyed "The Lost Sister", you will love this one even more.

A definite five star read I highly recommend.

I would like to thank #KathleenMcGurl, #Netgalley and #HQDigital for an ARC of #TheLostChild in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kathleen McGurl lives in Christchurch, UK, with her husband. She has two sons who have both now left home.

Kathleen always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has published several novels with HQ and self-published another. She has also sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines, and written three How To books for writers.

After a long career in the IT industry she became a full time writer in 2019. When she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Girl with the Emerald Flag by Kathleen McGurl

The Girl with the Emerald Flag by Kathleen McGurl

Genre: Historical fiction, Dual timeline

Read: 7th November 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

UK

US

Published: 11th November 2022

★★★★ 4 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A country rebelling

It’s 1916 and, as war rages in Europe, Gráinne leaves her job in a department store to join Countess Markiewicz’s revolutionary efforts. It is a decision which will change her life forever. A rebellion is brewing, and as Dublin’s streets become a battleground, Gráinne soon discovers the personal cost of fighting for what you believe in…

A forgotten sacrifice

Decades on, student Nicky is recovering from a break-up when a research project leads her to her great-grandmother’s experiences in revolutionary Ireland. When Nicky finds a long-forgotten handkerchief amongst her great-grandmother’s things, it leads to the revelation of a heartbreaking story of tragedy and courage, and those who sacrificed everything for their country.

Inspired by a heartbreaking true story, this emotional historical novel will sweep you away to the Emerald Isle. Perfect for fans of Jean Grainger, Sandy Taylor and Fiona Valpy.

MY THOUGHTS:

A country rebelling...a forgotten sacrifice...

THE GIRL WITH THE EMERALD FLAG tells the tale of two women - Nicky in 1998 and that of her great-grandmother Grainne in 1916. The focus of the story is rebellion and it's consequences and both women share more than a little in common. 

Written in a dual timeline format (my favourite) we are privy to Grainne's involvement in the Easter Rising of the 1916 rebellion in the fight for Ireland's independence as well as Nicky's own personal rebellion against the things that confine her to expectation and conformation in 1998. It is interesting to note that Nicky's story takes place at the time of the Northern Ireland Peace agreement, signed on Good Friday in 1998, 82 years after her own great-grandmother's involvement in the Easter Rising of 1916.

Grainne MacDowd is an idealistic 18 year old fighting for the cause of Irish independence. She works at Clerys department store before being taken under the wing of Countess Markievicz in the lead up to what became known as the Easter Rising. Her brother Sean is away fighting in the trenches for the British in Europe in the hope that in doing so will bring the home rule of independence to Ireland. However, the fighting takes its toll and when Sean returns on leave he confides to Grainne that he is not returning; that he cannot be involved in the taking of human lives. He then goes into hiding and Grainne never sees him again.

In a battle of her own for Ireland, Grainne does a little bit of everything leading up to the Easter Rising, from cooking and cleaning to running errands and messages. And then comes Easter Sunday, the day of the Rising. For a week the streets of Dublin become a battlefield as they, the people, fight for a cause they believe in, going some way to making the ultimate sacrifice for Ireland's independence from British rule.

At 19 years old, Nicky Waters thinks she knows it all. She's at university in Brighton studying modern history away from the confines of her stifling mother and loving father. As their only child, Nicky resents her mother's constant presence in her life, poking her nose in and thus trying to control her. She is ungrateful, selfish and somewhat naive though she believes she is standing up for her rights, rebelling against the conformities placed upon her. She refuses to visit home, choosing instead to stay on campus and live the university life. She even goes so far as to think her kind, loving and stable boyfriend of three years is boring and stale...so she dumps him to explore herself and live uni life to the full. 

And then she meets Seb. Someone who is more selfish, more ungrateful, more self-obsessed than Nicky herself. He claimed to be a rebel but only so far as what's in it for him. I cannot believe Nicky chose him over Conor.

In the midst of her "living the university life", she's been handed a project on...ironically enough...rebellion. Her mother suggests she explore her great-grandmother's story of living through the Irish rebellion and the Easter Rising of 1916 as her topic. But Nicky is apprehensive. To do so would be giving her mother points in their constant battle of wills. However, Supergran (as Nicky calls her) Grainne is 100 years old and if she were to get her story down on paper, now is as good a time as any...before it's too late.

Her research takes her to Dublin where she stays with Grainne and listens to her remarkable story, taking notes. And as she does, Nicky begins to learn a valuable lesson. Finding your place in the world and gaining independence does not come without risks or consequences. It's OK to stand up for what you believe in but you must also learn from your mistakes. And Nicky realises she has made plenty. In a light bulb moment, she discovers that she and Grainne aren't so different after all...and she begins to see things from a very different perspective.

This was something of a different story and not one I would typically read, being incredibly political. To be honest, I didn't understand a lot of the political side of things and they don't particularly interest me, but the story itself was interesting. Especially the ending. I am not giving anything away when I say the executions in the aftermath of the Uprising were especially heartbreaking. So many died at the hands of their captors, if not in the battle itself, and the first hand account of hearing the firing squad outside their windows is particularly haunting.

THE GIRL WITH THE EMERALD FLAG is a heartbreaking tale of rebellion, independence and finding one's place in the world. I didn't enjoy it as much as some of McGurl's other books but it is still a well-written, well-researched and well-told story of a time long forgotten by some and not by others. For me, the history of Irish rebellion and Ireland's independence goes only as far as IRA attacks that I remember as a child or maybe a U2 song.

Overall, this is a sad tale really but with the promise of hope at the end. For both women. Perfect for fans of historical fiction and dual timelines.

I would like to thank #KathleenMcGurl, #Netgalley, #HQStories and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheGirlWithTheEmeraldFlag in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kathleen McGurl lives in Christchurch, UK, with her husband. She has two sons who have both now left home.

Kathleen always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has published several novels with HQ and self-published another. She has also sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines, and written three How To books for writers.

After a long career in the IT industry she became a full time writer in 2019. When she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl

The Storm Girl by Kathleen McGurl

Genre: Dual timeline, Historical fiction, Contemporary fiction

Read: 4th May 2022

Goodreads

Amazon

Published: 11th May 2022

★★★ 3 stars

DESCRIPTION:

The gripping new historical novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Girl from Bletchley Park and The Forgotten Secret.

A heartbreaking choice. A secret kept for centuries.

1784. When Esther Harris’s father hurts his back, she takes over his role helping smugglers hide contraband in the secret cellar in their pub. But when the free traders’ ships are trapped in the harbour, a battle between the smugglers and the revenue officers leads to murder and betrayal – and Esther is forced to choose between the love of her life and protecting her family…

Present day. Fresh from her divorce, Millie Galton moves into a former inn overlooking the harbour in Mudeford and plans to create her dream home. When a chance discovery behind an old fireplace reveals the house’s secret history as a haven for smugglers and the devastating story of its former residents, could the mystery of a disappearance from centuries ago finally be solved?

Sweeping historical fiction perfect for fans of Lucinda Riley, Kathryn Hughes and Tracy Rees.

MY THOUGHTS:

I first discovered Kathleen McGurl a few years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed every book she's published since. However, I have to say that this one was a disappointment for me...not because it wasn't well written or plotted out well but because the story really didn't interest me. I've never been all that interested in stories around smugglers and I have to admit being far more interested in the present day plot than the historical one. I loved wondering what was going to be uncovered next in the renovation of the 18th century house rather than the play out in the past.

Thirtysomething Millie, recently separated from her husband and going through a very amicable divorce, buys an 18th century house in much of need of some TLC...if not, complete renovation. She hires builder Nick to undertake the renovations for her and a discovery is made that begins an exciting and interesting historical journey for Millie who thus seeks out a local historian to clue her in on the history of her new "old" house.

Rewinding back to 1784, Esther Harris works alongside her brother and father in their pub The Ship at Anchor. But besides this, she also works by night with the smugglers (or free traders) as they loot and store smuggled items in their very secret and purposely built cellar beneath the pub. She faces many difficult decisions and challenges, one of which questioning her steadfast love for one man when she is given an opportunity to wed another. But she must choose carefully...for there will be consequences far reaching should it be the wrong one. And then the battle raging between the smugglers and the Revenue and Customs officers brings things to a head...never knowing who to trust and who might betray them.

The present and the past are interwoven beautifully with each aspect of the past revealed at just the right time the story unfolds in the present. One of my favourite things about dual timelines. 

However, this was not one of my favourites of Kathleen McGurl's but that isn't to say it isn't well researched or well written, because it is. Reading is subjective and what appeals to one does not to another. As I said at the beginning, the subject matter wasn't an appealing one to me and I found little interest in it. But I did read it to the end all the same.

I do look forward to more by Kathleen McGurl as she is a wonderful storyteller and a master at weaving the past with the present, however tenuous the link. It just so happens, this story wasn't for me but it was still exceptional storytelling.

I would like to thank #KathleenMcGurl, #Netgalley, #HQStories and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheStormGirl in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kathleen McGurl lives in Christchurch, UK, with her husband. She has two sons who have both now left home.

Kathleen always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has published several novels with HQ and self-published another. She has also sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines, and written three How To books for writers.

After a long career in the IT industry she became a full time writer in 2019. When she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Girl from Bletchley Park by Kathleen McGurl

The Girl from Bletchley Park by Kathleen McGurl

Genre: Historical fiction, Wartime fiction, Contemporary fiction, Dual timeline, WW2

Read: 3rd November 2021

Goodreads

Amazon - UK

Amazon - US

Published: 3rd November 2021

★★★★ 4.5 stars

DESCRIPTION:

A country at war. A heartbreaking betrayal.

 

1942. Three years into the war, Pam turns down her hard-won place at Oxford University to become a codebreaker at Bletchley Park. There, she meets two young men, both keen to impress her, and Pam finds herself falling hard for one of them. But as the country’s future becomes more uncertain by the day, a tragic turn of events casts doubt on her choice – and Pam’s loyalty is pushed to its limits…

 

Present day. Julia is struggling to juggle her career, two children and a husband increasingly jealous of her success. Her brother presents her with the perfect distraction: forgotten photos of their grandmother as a young woman at Bletchley Park. Why did her grandmother never speak of her time there? The search for answers leads Julia to an incredible tale of betrayal and bravery – one that inspires some huge decisions of her own…

MY REVIEW:

I first discovered Kathleen McGurl a couple of years ago with "The Forgotten Secret" and absolutely loved it. I have since read and also enjoyed "The Lost Sister" and now I can add THE GIRL FROM BLETCHLEY PARK to the list. Of course most people know about Bletchley Park's involvement during the second world war, so with that in mind it also ticked the box of being wartime fiction as well as my much favoured dual timeline story. Unlike other dual timelines though, THE GIRL FROM BLETCHLEY PARK weaves two compelling tales together that, whilst being entwined, are also completely separate. Intrigued?

The story begins in the present day with Julia, mother of two boys Oscar (14) and Ryan (12), juggling her flailing marriage and a successful IT business. The downside of running such a business, particularly when it is situated in the home, is that you never really leave work behind at the end of the day. And as much as Julia tried to do so things had a way of grabbing her attention and thus her then having to deal with it. It was one thing her husband of fifteen years Marc loathed, feeling as though she was never really present even when she was. But he also as jealous of the fact that she was the main breadwinner in the family with her salary purchasing their substantial home as well as paying the mortgage. He never outwardly admitted it but the sentiment was there, as were his frequent absences citing work as his excuse.

It was during one of these absences that Julia's brother Bob, who was a commercial pilot, popped in for a visit with a treasure trove of goodies for his sister that he'd found stashed in the home he inherited in Devon. Bob had decided to sell since he was never there and came across some old photos and mementos he thought his sister might be interested in. Some were photos of their late grandmother with the renowned Bletchley Park in the background. The photos, having been taken during the war years, left them wondering what it was their grandmother Pamela had been doing there since it certainly wouldn't have been open to the public during the war years. 

Bletchley Park was the site of one of Britain's most prolific secret code breaking headquarters during the war. Anyone who had worked there had to sign the Offical Secrets Act and were sworn to absolute secrecy about the work they had done there...even long after the war had ended. So upon seeing their grandmother standing in front of Bletchley House with a few friends, one of which was also their grandfather, intrigued Julia and Bob wondering just how involved they were at Bletchley. Julia endeavoured to look into it in an attempt to uncover her grandmother's role during the war. When she contacted her gran's best friend's daughter Caroline, she was excited to learn that Caroline's mother Clarissa, with whom Pamela had worked alongside at Bletchley, had written a memoir in the 1990's revealing the nature of their work and lives in and around Bletchley.

It's 1942 and Pamela had just finished school and was preparing to take her place at Oxford reading mathematics when her teacher had called her aside and offered her something in which she could both use her mathematical brain and do something for the war effort for Britain. She gave her a name and instructions to follow up and without telling her parents Pamela made her way to Buckinghamshire for an interview. She was offered the job immediately and signed the Official Secrets Act and was inducted along with her fellow interviewees to become Wrens, beginning work in just a few days' time.

Deferring university until the end of the war, Pamela could only tell her family that she had joined the Wrens and would be working for the war effort. They seemed to understand the need for secrecy and respected that. Her brother Geoff had joined the RAF and was training as a fighter pilot, which worried both her and her parents alike as the life expectancy for a fighter pilot was very short.

Upon arrival at Bletchley, Pamela became friends with Clarissa whom she met at the interviews, and the two women were billeted together at nearby Woburn Abbey, a former stately home, though their jobs within Bletchley were at different ends of the scale. Not long after beginning work there, Pam met a handsome blonde man she'd seen lurking nearby on the day of her interview. She'd caught his eye on more than one occasion and he had offered her a tentative smile. She soon discovered he was a gardener at the house in which she was billeted unable to fight due to his asthma and his name was Frank Miller. The couple soon began to step out together, meeting up on days off whenever they could, and Pam felt herself beginning to fall for Frank. But when he started asking questions about her work, she could do nothing but fob him off with the answer they had been instructed to give. She was a secretary. He seemed satisfied with that and said no more. 

Pamela was not without her suitors because although she was stepping out with Frank, she also held the interest of a much shyer and quieter colleague Edwin Denham. So much so Clarissa teased her about it. Pamela enjoyed Edwin's friendship but it was Frank she was enamoured with; a fact that was made obvious when they went to their first dance and while she had promised to dance with Edwin, it was with Frank she had spent most of her time. I kind of felt a little sorry for Edwin, fading into the background against the flashier more charismatic Frank.

But when it came down to it, Pamela found that it was Edwin she called on for help and advice. It was Edwin whose advice she valued and trusted. So then in the face of it, who would Pamela choose out of her two suitors?

THE GIRL FROM BLETCHLEY PARK is an easy and enjoyable read but I must say it is so difficult to review without the hint of spoilers! lol I love dual timeline stories but generally when reading them there is always one story I'm invested in more than the other...and that's usually the historical one. And I have to admit that when Julia's story began I was somewhat irritated by her lazy family's attitude, expecting her to pick up after them and wait on them whilst running her own business. Then to be bamboozled by the ins and outs of her IT business. I had little interest...until it began to get interesting. And then it had my attention. I couldn't decide then which timeline I preferred and both stories were equally compelling and intriguing. I did, however, find the technical aspects of Bletchley a little above my head and the very unmathematical part of was a little lost in part but the rest of the story was wholly engrossing.

The story unfolds in alternate chapters between Julia and Pam respectively, each revealing just a little bit more with each chapter. It was in part largely predictable but not unenjoyable. The twists weren't unexpected and I correctly figured them out along the way but then this wasn't a mystery either. I did find it similar in storyline to "The Secrets of Latimer House" by Jules Wake which I read a couple of months ago and thoroughly enjoyed...maybe a little more than this one, admittedly. But having said that, THE GIRL FROM BLETCHLEY PARK is still wonderfully written with the right amount of suspense and intrigue interwoven with the historical aspect.

Overall, THE GIRL FROM BLETCHLEY PARK is captivating and compelling with both timeline plots interwoven seamlessly in relation to the other.The conclusion I felt was a little rushed and would have preferred to end on the historical timeline rather than Julia's. That and the slow start to Julia's story knocks off just a meagre half star as the rest of the story made up for it.

Perfect for fans of dual timelines and authors such as Lorna Cook, Suzanne Kelman and Suzanne Goldring.

I would like to thank #KathleenMcGurl, #Netgalley, #HQStories and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #TheGirlFromBletchleyPark in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kathleen McGurl lives in Christchurch, UK, with her husband. She has two sons who have both now left home.

Kathleen always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has published several novels with HQ and self-published another. She has also sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines, and written three How To books for writers.

After a long career in the IT industry she became a full time writer in 2019. When she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Lost Sister by Kathleen McGurl

The Lost Sister by Kathleen McGurl

Genre: Historical fiction, Dual timeline, Contemporary fiction, Chick lit

Read: 14th May 2021

Goodreads

Amazon - UK

Amazon - US

Amazon - Australia

Published 12th May 2021

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

DESCRIPTION:

Three sisters. Three ships. One heartbreaking story.

1911. As Emma packs her trunk to join the ocean liner Olympic as a stewardess, she dreams of earning enough to provide a better life for both her sisters. With their photograph tucked away in her luggage, she promises to be back soon – hoping that sickly Lily will keep healthy, and wild Ruby will behave. But neither life at sea nor on land is predictable, and soon the three sisters’ lives are all changed irrevocably…

Now. When Harriet finds her late grandmother’s travelling trunk in the attic, she’s shocked to discover a photo of three sisters inside – her grandmother only ever mentioned one sister, who died tragically young. Who is the other sister, and what happened to her? Harriet’s questions lead her to the story of three sister ships, Olympic, Titanic and Britannic, and a shattering revelation about three sisters torn apart…

Don’t miss the latest novel from the USA Today bestselling author of The Secret of the Chateau. Perfect for fans of The Beekeeper’s Promise and The Forgotten Village!

MY REVIEW:

I'm excited to be taking part in the #BlogTour for Kathleen McGurl's heartbreaking tale THE LOST SISTER.

Three sisters. Three sister ships. One heartbreaking story.

Oh my word! THE LOST SISTER is a compelling dual timeline tale with one family at its heart tragically torn apart both in the past and present. Spanning more than 100 years, family dynamics are explored between sisters and the yearning for independence fraying the bonds that hold them all together. Tension is rife within each household plagued by children leaving home, those left behind, duty, obligations, a wealth of misunderstandings, health issues and decidedly strong personalities. And despite the passage of time, while some things change some things remain the same.

Southampton 1911: Ever since she was 4 years old and experienced the ferry crossing to the Isle of Wight, Emma Higgins has had a love for the sea. So when the White Star Line introduces its new liner Olympic and is looking for new staff, Emma leaves her mundane job at a local hotel and signs up as a second class stewardess for the liner's maiden voyage. Excited at the prospect of taking to the sea, she cannot wait to share her news with her mother and two sisters. 

As the oldest, Emma has always felt responsible for helping support her family since their father died when she was 14 and they ultimately had to leave the Isle of Wight and return to Southampton. Ma was a seamstress who took in laundry and sewing jobs to keep them going but as her eyesight began to fail, Emma's wages were needed more and more. The middle sister Ruby also worked at the same hotel and when Emma shared her news, instead of being happy for her, she became resentful that she was to be left behind to do Emma's chores as well as her own while her sister lived it up on the high seas. One of the chores was to help their mother with her younger sickly sister Lily who, after a bout of tuberculosis as a young child, has never fully recovered taking ill at oftentimes. Ma and Lily are, of course, thrilled at Emma's new adventure wishing her well and looking forward to her return and all the stories she'll be able to tell. Ruby instead rebelled, staying out most of the night and even taking up with local married man Harry Paine giving her a reputation...as well as her family by association. She refused to be held back by the mundane existence she was living, looking for excitement wherever she could find it.

Emma thoroughly enjoys the maiden voyage to New York on Olympic, making new friends Violet and Mary as well as a potential love interest in Martin. The work was hard but rewarding as she took in the sights and enjoyed the feeling of freedom on the seas. Upon returning home, she was full of stories of her experiences sharing them with her family, although Ruby remained consistent in her absence. Quickly signing on for the next voyage with her new friends, Emma enjoyed life as a stewardess on Olympic. There was even news that two more sister ships were to follow - Titanic and Britannic. Each voyage was about three weeks in duration afterwhich she would be home for another week or two before sailing again.

The following year 1912, Ruby turned 18. So when her relationship with Harry had fallen apart, she was understandably devastated, but decided to follow in her older sister's footsteps and sign on to become a stewardess. Emma made a promise to her Ma that she would look out for her sister so when they went to sign on they were to do so on Olympic. But then Emma spied Martin and while her back was turned, Ruby went and signed on to Titanic. Inevitably, Emma had to change her sign on to Titanic in an attempt to keep her word, much to Ruby's annoyance who was fiercely independent and wanted to go alone. 

But as history goes, Titanic never made it to New York...and as fate would have it, neither would Ruby it seemed. Emma was devastated with the downing of Titanic and the loss of so many people. An image that would remain with her forever. She vowed then never to take to the seas again.

2019: Seventy year old Harriet Wilson is clearing out her attic when she comes across an old sea trunk that had been her grandmother's when she worked as a stewardess on Olympic. Believing it to be locked, she is surprised when her daughter Sally unlatches and opens it, revealing a hundred year old memories buried deep within. In the trunk amidst the moth-eaten uniform and her grandparents' wedding photo was another photo she had never seen before. One of three young girls on the cusp of womanhood. Harriet recognises a younger version of her grandmother but the remaining two are strangers. And yet they all look so alike there could be no denying that they are sisters. But her grandmother spoke of only one sister - surely she didn't have another?

Despite the fact that she should be clearing out boxes so she could downsize, Harriet couldn't help but investigate further. With the help of her friend Sheila, the two women check the 1911 census records to establish whether or not there were indeed three sisters. This in turn leads her to sign up to Ancestry.com and begin researching and building her family tree. And when Sheila informs her of an exhibition in Southampton on Titanic, the two women attend and are shocked to discover names they now recognise on both the survivors and the deceased lists. Who'd have thought that Harriet's family was linked to Titanic?

In the midst of Harriet's new interest in genealogy, is her grandson's battle with leukemia and her fifteen year estrangement with younger daughter Davina. Harriet wishes nothing more than to be reunited with her independent wayward daughter and her two granddaughters whom she has never met. But Davina only contacts Harriet on her terms, blocking her number and never revealing where they are. Desperate for just a bit of her daughter, Harriet is resigned to just accepting the snippets that Davina offers. It is all incredibly one-sided and unfair to keep the blame going on for fifteen years...with Harriet's husband going to his grave without ever seeing their youngest daughter again or meeting his two granddaughters.

And then, Sally's son Jerome takes a turn for the worse when the chemotherapy he'd been on didn't work and all that's left now is a bone marrow transplant. So in the midst of all this, Harriet must juggle Sally, Jerome, Davina's sporadic calls, packing up her house, moving to a new one and continuing the journey of her family's past. But will she find all that she is looking for? And can the sins of the past repair those of the present?

An engrossing story from beginning to end, THE LOST SISTER sweeps you away to another time and into the history of Titanic and her two lesser known sisters, Olympic and Britannic. Kathleen McGurl has meticulously researched the history of these liners interspersing them with a fictional tale of three other sisters around the same time. The journey she takes us on is as emotional as it is heartbreaking through her wonderful cast of characters. Her depiction of Titanic's demise was breathtaking as well as poignant as one of the most famous events in history is interwoven with this book's own tragic tale.

In addition, a character featured in this story Violet Jessop was actually a real person who, as a stewardess and later a nurse, did in fact survive the disastrous Titanic and Britannic sinkings, her memoirs posthumously published and influencing McGurl in that which was to become THE LOST SISTER. It brings an essence of reality to the story that some of which that took place within these pages really did happen.

Of the alternating timelines, it is Emma's story I was more captivated with rather than Harriet's although that indeed became interesting the deeper she delved into the past. I found the similarities between Ruby and Davina as frustrating as each other. Both women were strong-willed and fiercely independent refusing to be held back by duty or obligation. I found Ruby's view of Emma to be similar to that of Davina's of Sally - bossy, being the main aspect. Is it because Emma and Sally were the eldest and therefore felt more responsible while Ruby and Davina were the second children and rebelled against conforming to anyone's idea of how they should behave?

Whilst THE LOST SISTER is a powerful tale of tragedy, loss and regrets it also one of reconciliation, hope and forgiveness. Ensure you have a box of tissues handy when reading this because you will need them. And while I did guess a couple of the hidden surprises in this story it didn't alter my opinion of it. My ratings and opinions are based on my overall enjoyment and those that tug at my heartstrings generally win favour without a doubt.

THE LOST SISTER is a beautiful tale that is an enjoyable and easy read with dual timelines that parallel nicely. It is one of those stories that will remain with you long after you have turned the last page.

Recommended for those who love dual timelines. For fans of Lorna Cook, Fiona Valpy, Suzanne Kelman and Suzanne Goldring.

I would like to thank #KathleenMcGurl and #RachelsRandomResources and #HQStories for an ARC of #TheLostSister in exchange for an honest review.

MEET THE AUTHOR:

Kathleen McGurl lives in Christchurch, UK, with her husband. She has two sons who have both now left home.

Kathleen always wanted to write, and for many years was waiting until she had the time. Eventually she came to the bitter realisation that no one would pay her for a year off work to write a book, so she sat down and started to write one anyway. Since then she has published several novels with HQ and self-published another. She has also sold dozens of short stories to women's magazines, and written three How To books for writers.

After a long career in the IT industry she became a full time writer in 2019. When she's not writing, she's often out running, slowly.

Social Media links:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW: The Forgotten Secret by Kathleen McGurl (ARC)

The Forgotten Secret by Kathleen McGurl

Genre: Historical Fiction, Women's Fiction

Read: 27th February 2019

Goodreads

Purchase: Amazon

(release date: 1st March 2019)

★★★★ 4.5 stars

“You can research ancestry all you like, but how people actually felt and what they thought is lost in the mists of time.” 

THE FORGOTTEN SECRET is the first book I've read by Kathleen McGurl and it won't be my last. It is difficult to place this in just one genre as it has so many facets to it. It's a touch of women's fiction, a touch of mystery and a wonderfully historical!

I must say I LOVE dual timeline stories as it brings to life two stories into one. And this one is no different. Centreing around two different women from two different eras, it's beautiful, poignant and a little sad.

The story begins with Mary-Ellen O'Brien in 1919, at the height of the Irish war for independence. I know little of its history and to be honest it doesn't really interest me but it makes a fitting backdrop for Ellen's story. At 18 she has just begun her first job as an upstairs maid at Carlton House, known locally as "the big house". She works for Madame Carlton who is both friendly an sympathetic, and Ellen soon discovers she's an important figure in the fight for Ireland's independence. Ellen's childhood friend Jimmy Gallagher has also just returned from boarding school and together he and Ellen discover first love.

Amidst the sweet joyful moments of first love, however, is the war for Ireland's independence, and sadly for her, Jimmy has chosen to fight for the cause which lay close to his heart. Closer, it seems, than Ellen does. As I don't condone war in any shape or form I fail to see how the bloodshed of innocent people could bring peace and resolution to anyone. However, Jimmy feels fiercely about Ireland's independence and signs up to become a "volunteer". The only saving grace is that Madame Carlton is also a volunteer and often keeps Ellen updated, passing notes secretly between the two. 

But just when life seems to as sweet as ever, unforeseen circumstances hit sending Ellen off to the Merciful Sisters in Dublin. Though I know little of Ireland's history, I do know a little of the notorious Magdalene Laundries of the early to mid-20th century. Set up for "fallen women" the Magdalene laundries also took in girls who misbehaved or were homeless. Many had illegitimate children there, and often the children either died mysteriously and were buried in the grounds or secretly adopted unbeknownst to the mothers. Conditions were harsh and almost unlivable. How anyone could send their child there is beyond me!

Fast forward 90 years we meet Clare in 2016, married to a manipulative controlling husband for 25 years and with two beautiful grown sons. Clare finds herself with a newfound independence when she inherits a dilapidated cottage farmstead from an uncle in Ireland. With this and the money also bequeathed to her, Clare suddenly decides to leave her husband Paul when she had shown no "backbone" to stand up to him before. How she suddenly did after 25 years of conditioning under his manipulation and control, I've no idea. However, despite this I still found myself rooting for her and her independence. 

So Clare packs up her belongings and her car, which Paul ironically thinks of as his, books her ferry crossing and leaves. Despite telling Paul of her intentions for days and weeks leading up to it, he still didn't believe she would. He belittled her and told her she wouldn't survive five minutes without him. Upon returning home from work, Paul discovered she had indeed left him and proceeded to call and text her repeatedly with demands of where was his dinner and how was he supposed to get to work without a car? I found Paul's tirade tiresome and wanted to slap him. Although there were times I wanted to slap Clare as well.

Aside from those little nuances, Clare settled into her dilapidated cottage and set to making it a home. She makes two friends immediately - Janice, who runs the cafe, and Ryan, who runs the bookshop across from the cafe. Clare has an immense love of books but Paul dismissed her interest and threw out her beloved novels to make way for his car magazines. At last now she can pick up her love of books again with no one to stop her. She can also eat what she likes, often devouring slices of Janice's to-die-for cakes which Paul wouldn't allow her to, insinuating she was letting herself go. Such put-downs had my blood boiling!

As soon as Clare moves into Clonamurty Farm and begins to pull it apart, throwing out junk and setting aside pieces she could re-purpose. One such chair, which had seen better days, Clare found a hole in the bottom of - large enough to put her hand in. As she did so, her hand encircled something and she withdrew it, revealing an old birth certificate for a James O'Brien folded over a First Communion medallion with the date 1910 and the name Jimmy Gallagher engraved on the back. Who were these people? And what did the birth certificate have to do with the medallion? Were these things someone's forgotten secret?

The discovery of these items inspired Clare to delve into the history of her new home to find out who lived at Clonamurty Farm before her family did.

I must admit, Ellen's story was by far the most poignant and the one that enthralled me the most. Her character just touched your heart. I felt myself seeing the world - or Ireland - through her eyes and the harsh realities that faced a young woman on her own amidst a time of war. As Clare unravels a few secrets and learns a little more about her new home we see Ellen's story unfold in parallel to the present day.

THE FORGOTTEN SECRET is a clever page turner that will transport you back in time to 1920s Ireland alongside the present day story. Each chapter tells the tale of both women in dual timelines that will take your breath away. I am a sucker for historical fiction so of course the historical aspect is always going to appeal to me more. But having said that, I did enjoy both stories which lead to an incredibly touching end. 

BUT...I felt there were still a few things that were left unsaid that should have been explored more. Throughout the book as Clare talks about her grandmother (which I was confused at times when she referred to her being her grandmother and her great-grandmother), we are lead to believe from Ellen's story alongside Clare's who Granny Irish was. But it seemed not. However, the story doesn't actually tell you of Granny Irish's identity, just a vague reference to a woman in one of Ryan's history books which we are then lead to assume. The other point that grated with me was throughout all of Clare's research into the history of Clonamurty Farm and who lived there before her family, there is no reference at all as to how it started out as the Gallagher's farm and ended up being the Kennedy's. What happened in between? Wasn't that the whole point of Clare's research?

For all the stories that were in THE FORGOTTEN SECRET, despite the sorrow and heartache that be-felled Ellen she went on to have her happy ever after in the end, though we only hear it third hand in the end. But the saddest part is the reunion that never was. What Clare and Ryan achieved in the end was beautiful and bittersweet.

“You can research ancestry all you like, but how people actually felt and what they thought is lost in the mists of time.” This has to be one of my favourite quotes from the book. So beautiful and so insightful. I also loved Ryan's analogy of Ireland's war of independance in parallel to divorce.

I would like to thank #KathleenMcGurl, #NetGalley and #HQDigital for an ARC of #TheForgottenSecret in exchange for an honest review.