By July 1914, the ties between Kezia Marchant and Thea Brissenden, friends since girlhood, have become strained - by Thea's passionate embrace of women's suffrage, and by the imminent marriage of Kezia to Thea's brother, Tom, who runs the family farm. Yet when Tom enlists to fight for his country and Thea is drawn reluctantly onto the battlefield, the farm becomes Kezia's responsibility. Each must find a way to endure the ensuing cataclysm and turmoil. As Tom marches to the front lines, and Kezia battles to keep her ordered life from unravelling, they hide their despair in letters and cards filled with stories woven to bring comfort. But will well-intended lies and self-deception be of use when they come face to face with the enemy.
Jacqueline Winspear was born and raised in Kent and emigrated to the USA in 1990. She has written extensively for journals, newspapers and magazines, and has worked in book publishing on both sides of the Atlantic. The Maisie Dobbs series of crime novels is beloved by readers worldwide..
Fellow novelist KERRY REICHS on JACQUELINE WINSPEAR
I met – okay, I’ll be honest – stalked Jacqueline Winspear at a writer’s conference after reading Maisie Dobbs. The titular character of Winspear’s books is one you wish was your best friend. A historically intriguing peek at London in the cradle between two world wars, Winspear creates complex, multi-faceted people and plots that are more psychological studies than standard mystery fare. With Maisie’s skill at understanding people, after spending an afternoon with the “psychological sleuth” you will savor the relaxed feeling of her soothing hand on your brow.
