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Charity Norman was born in Uganda and brought up in successive draughty vicarages in Yorkshire and Birmingham. After several years' travel she became a barrister, specialising in crime and family law in the northeast of England. Also a mediator and telephone crisis line listener, she's passionate about the power of communication to slice through the knots. In 2002, realising that her three children had barely met her, she took a break from the law and moved with her family to New Zealand. Her first novel, Freeing Grace, was published in 2010. After the Fall was a Richard and Judy Book Club choice and World Book Night title. See You in September, her last book, was shortlisted for Best Crime Novel in the 2018 Ngaio Marsh Awards for Crime Fiction. The Secrets of Strangers is her sixth book.
A super read! This is a sneak past your guard and send you reeling type of book. It’s fast-moving, yet is intimate and fully connected with my feelings. I completely forgot I was meant to be reviewing and just read! An armed siege takes place in a cafe in London, the story weaves between the gunman, captives, and police officers creating the most intense and readable storyline. The introduction to the characters immediately captured my interest, each of the chapters are headed by one of the characters, allowing the creation of smaller stories within the main tale. Each person is memorable, fully developed, and created their own place in my thoughts. Charity Norman is on my list of favourite authors, she has the most wonderful ability to look beyond the obvious and really make me think, while at the same time telling a vivid, emotional, and hugely entertaining story. The ending held immense impact, and really tugged at my heartstrings. Not only a book of the month, but a LoveReading star book, and a Liz Robinson pick of the month too. The Secrets of Strangers is a clever, eloquent, and dramatic story, it comes as highly recommended (with extra emphasis) by me. Check out our Putting Authors in the Picture piece for May!
May 2017 Book of the Month. Gosh, what a stunning read this is, I simply couldn't put it down and devoured it in one glorious sitting! Cassy travels half way around the world to New Zealand with her boyfriend, when they separate, Cassy is left stranded, and a split second decision changes the outcome of her life. I admit to grabbing this book as soon as it arrived in the office; Charity Norman has the ability to strike a chord, to answer a feeling, yet open your eyes and mind to new thoughts, and I simply love her writing. The prologue, set in 2016, sent chills racing down my arms, I almost had to sit on my hands to prevent me from sneaking a peak at the ending. As soon as I started to read chapter one, set in 2010, I was swept away, and stayed immersed in the story as the tension escalated to almost unbearable levels. I chided, fumed, beseeched, pondered and considered. Charity Norman has once again created a searing, expressive, and absolutely cracking read, I adored and highly recommend ‘See You In September’. ~ Liz Robinson
So completely, effortlessly and joyfully readable, this is a beautifully compassionate story highlighting the essence of humanity in us all. The introduction snares and intrigues your attention, which is then held captive until the very last page. The lives of Luke and Eilish, successfully married for thirty years, are altered forever when disruptive turmoil howls into their lives. Covering the thoughts and feelings of the immediate family, the fact that only Luke and Eilish’s are in the first person ties their story together, confirming their deep connection and the fact that this is their tale. Charity Norman creates a believable and loveable family, each member has their faults, effectively drawing you closer and welcoming you further into the story. Feeling part of the family encourages both fear and tears for each of the characters. This heartfelt intimate journey plays with heartstrings and nudges thought processes ensuring, ‘The New Woman’ is a wonderfully moving read. ~ Liz Robinson
A man leaves prison having served his sentence for the manslaughter of his wife. His in-laws were left to look after his three children. Now he wants them back but his mother-in-law is still very bitter and angry at the death of her daughter and is determined to prevent him having any contact with them, so this sad tale unfolds. It is well written and well-constructed, very dramatic, very emotional and seen through the eyes of all the main characters exploring deeply their torments, sorrow, guilt and hope. A very fine book. In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for The Son-in-Law a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'I just could not put this book down after reading the first page it is an amazing, heart tugging and emotional story with characters who are human and easy to relate to' - Kath Thornton. Scroll down to read more reviews. A 'Piece of Passion' from Sam Redman, Asisstant Editor at Allen & Unwin... 'Well, what can I say? Charity Norman just keeps getting better and better! THE SON-IN-LAW is written with such a deft touch, yet it plumbs the depths of one family's experience and leaves you feeling as though you too have lived through the turbulent times faced by both the Wildes and Joseph. I'm still not sure who I feel for most in the horribly unfair situation Charity presents, she makes you identify with every single character. Overall though, yet again, she made me laugh, weep and pause a moment to consider the all-important question - What would I do?'
July 2013 Book of the Month. How can you forgive the unforgivable? The exceptional new novel from Richard & Judy selected author Charity Norman proves her star is still rising. In addition to our Lovereading expert opinion for The Son-in-Law a small number of Lovereading members were lucky enough to be invited to review this title - 'I just could not put this book down after reading the first page it is an amazing, heart tugging and emotional story with characters who are human and easy to relate to' - Kath Thornton. Scroll down to read more reviews. A 'Piece of Passion' from Sam Redman, Asisstant Editor at Allen & Unwin... 'Well, what can I say? Charity Norman just keeps getting better and better! THE SON-IN-LAW is written with such a deft touch, yet it plumbs the depths of one family's experience and leaves you feeling as though you too have lived through the turbulent times faced by both the Wildes and Joseph. I'm still not sure who I feel for most in the horribly unfair situation Charity presents, she makes you identify with every single character. Overall though, yet again, she made me laugh, weep and pause a moment to consider the all-important question - What would I do?'
One of the Richard and Judy Spring 2013 Book Club selections. With complex and realistic characters, this is a compelling and emotional read. A family emigrate to rural New Zealand to start a new life but they can’t run from the past and the secrets which threaten to tear the family apart. Combining the skill of Jodi Picoult with the warmth of Anita Shreve, Charity Norman explores - with heart-thumping tension - a fresh start which goes very badly wrong.
Warm, insightful and poignant, Freeing Grace tells the story of two families battling over one baby girl - Grace Serenity. Charity Norman's compelling new novel, After the Fall, has been selected as one of the Richard and Judy Spring 2013 Book Club selections. Click here to find out more.
When Tara farewells her older sister, Cassy, on a trip to New Zealand, she waves goodbye as Cassy calls out, 'See you in September.' But it's many years before Tara and her parents see or even hear from Cassy again. And with her sister's disappearance, Tara's happy family falls apart.Working as a waitress in a strip club has its benefits. It's the people you meet. Like the drunken, red-faced fiance of Tara's old French teacher, Adele Roberts, a bully who relished humiliating the class misfit, a boy called Rex Jones. Tonight Tara can finally see how to avenge him.As she hunches over her laptop, her index finger hovering over 'send', Tara remembers everything that has led her to this moment.Includes a preview of Charity Norman's highly anticipated novel, See You in September!