*gifted copy I'm delighted to be on the blog tour today for the rather wonderful Down to the Sea by Sue Lawrence.
When Rona and Craig buy a large Victorian house up from Edinburgh's Newhaven district – once teeming with fishing boats – they plan to renovate and set it up as a luxury care home. But something is not quite right: disturbing sounds can be heard when the sea mists swirl; their unpredictable neighbour makes it clear that the house was not always a happy family home. And their ‘characterful' historic pile has a gloomy cellar harbouring relics from days gone by.
Back in the 1890s, superstitious fishwives blame young Jessie for the deaths of their menfolk in a terrible storm, and she's forced into the Newhaven Poorhouse. In those less enlightened times, life was often severe, cruel even, and Jessie is entirely at the mercy of a tyrant matron. But one inmate is not all she seems. Jessie begins to pick at the truth, uncovering the secrets and lies that pervade the poorhouse – and which will have profound and dangerous consequences in the future.
My thoughts?
The story is told in two different time periods and they magically intertwine. We meet Jessie Mack in 1898 heading to the poorhouse at Wardie House in Newhaven. She's been banished by her family due to them believing her birthmark has brought about all the recent bad luck. She's a gentle soul who I really warmed to and is courageous too! I loved the descriptions of life back then and the characters some of which I liked more than others.
In the 1980s Rona and Craig have bought Wardie House with the intention of opening it as a luxury care home. There are some spooky goings on which bring the house to life. They have an annoying American neighbour, Martha whom I didn't take to at all. There's just something about her I didn't like..
I thought the stories were very cleverly intertwined through Rona finding out more about the history of the house and it's residents. Such a good story which I so recommend.
In the 1980s Rona and Craig have bought Wardie House with the intention of opening it as a luxury care home. There are some spooky goings on which bring the house to life. They have an annoying American neighbour, Martha whom I didn't take to at all. There's just something about her I didn't like..
I thought the stories were very cleverly intertwined through Rona finding out more about the history of the house and it's residents. Such a good story which I so recommend.
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