Helpful Score: 3
This is a well-told story about an orphan in England during WW II. It's got lots of turns and the characters are very well developed. It's a page-turner (I read it in a few sittings). If you like character interaction and a bit of intrigue, this one's for you.
Helpful Score: 2
1941 England: A train arrives in the countryside bringing children to safety - "Out of the Blackout" and air strikes of London. But, after all are accounted for and shuttled into care-taker families one boy is leftover - not on the the list. He says he is 5-years old. He says he is Simon Thorn. He says he lives on Sparrow Street. He is clean, well-mannered, and his clothes neatly mended. He has sobbing nightmares.
Dot and Tom Cutheridge, a childless couple are delighted with Simon and ask no probing questions. Not then. Not ever. If there's a mum wanting Simon back it's her responsibility to make the claim. Simon is happy with that arrangement until, in London on an Oxford scholarship, he stumbles across a familiar street, a door - a place he is certain he once lived. An itching desire to know is ignited; slowly at first...then drawing Simon into a dangerous sub-culture of hate as he uncovers a past better left to rot. Enthralling. ~Angie Lund
Dot and Tom Cutheridge, a childless couple are delighted with Simon and ask no probing questions. Not then. Not ever. If there's a mum wanting Simon back it's her responsibility to make the claim. Simon is happy with that arrangement until, in London on an Oxford scholarship, he stumbles across a familiar street, a door - a place he is certain he once lived. An itching desire to know is ignited; slowly at first...then drawing Simon into a dangerous sub-culture of hate as he uncovers a past better left to rot. Enthralling. ~Angie Lund
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent mystery! Loved the premise of a young boy being sent away as an evacuee during WWII under a made up name and the quirky way he discovered the truth about his past.
A superb mystery!
I and my wife both really enjoyed this little book. The author captures the dialect and speech patterns of London perfectly and the story is set in interesting periods both during WW II and immediately thereafter. The little plot twists and turns will keep you guessing right to the end and, I've got to admit, neither my wife nor I guessed how it would all come out until the author told us. I highly recommend this very interesting story.
During the blitz of London, a train of children sent away for their safety arrives in a rural village. And there is a 5 year old boy aboard who is not on the roster. Barnard explores how this came to be and how, as an adult, this "anonymous" child searched for the person who put him on the train. A searing look at the theme of the adopted child who searches for his birth parents in the age before the internet. If you like mysteries by Ruth Rendell and/or John Lawton, you will like this. If you like historical mysteries from the 20th century, you will like this. And if you prefer your mysteries with plenty of quirky characters and witty dialogue, Robert Barnard is your man.
