Written by Jenny O'Brien
Engrossing &
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| Published by | Storm Publishing (11 April 2025) |
| Genre | Historical Fiction, WWII, Women's Fiction |
| Pages | 366 |
| ASIN | B0DTX81TG4 |
I love Jenny O'Brien's detective novels and I also love WWII fiction, so I was naturally delighted to find an ARC of The Book of Lost Children being offer through Netgalley.
I begin by thanking the author, Jenny O'Brien, her publisher, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with a free digial copy of The Book of Lost Children to review.
I begin by thanking the author, Jenny O'Brien, her publisher, Storm Publishing, and Netgalley for providing me with a free digial copy of The Book of Lost Children to review.
The blurb:
The Book of Lost ChildrenA wartime nurse risks everything to protect mothers and babies in Nazi-occupied Guernsey. Decades later, a hidden record reveals a devastating family truth. Based on a remarkable true story of one woman’s extraordinary courage.
Guernsey, 1943. As German forces tighten their grip on the Channel Islands, nurse Evelyn Nightingale guards a dangerous secret. Within the walls of the Emergency Hospital, she's hidden three babies from the enemy – children who would otherwise face a terrible fate. When a traumatized French woman arrives to give birth, Evelyn must risk everything – with consequences that will echo through the generations.
Dublin, 2018. Still reeling from her mother's death, Kitty White is struggling to keep her family's antique shop afloat when a desperate woman arrives with an old violin to sell. Hidden in its dusty case, Kitty discovers a mysterious list of names that shatters her father's composure. Her search for answers leads her to Guernsey, where she is about to uncover a long-buried secret about her family…
Inspired by true historical events, this heart-wrenching tale will stay with you long after the last page. If you were gripped by The Nightingale, The Alice Network and The Paris Library, you must read The Book of Lost Children.
Historical Fiction
WWII
Women's Fiction
My thoughts:
The Book of Lost Children is a departure from Ms O'Brien's psychological thrillers which have been enthralling me for some time. The dual timeline and WWII setting was indeed the initial lure for me to read this book, but it was topped off by being written by one of my favourite authors.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this engrossing and emotional novel which is set in occupied Guernsey during WWII and Dublin in 2018. I particularly enjoyed reading Evelyn's timeline and have learned a little more about the circumstances of the occupation; an added bonus for me when reading a piece of fiction. In common with Ms O'Brien's thrillers, I did not predict the ending because I'd been wrong-footed into drawing the wrong conclusions.
The Book of Lost Children tells the story, beginning in 1943, of school-teacher-turned-nursing-auxilliary Evelyn Nightingale's resolve to hide three babies from the occupying forces, to prevent the babies being sent to Germany. The children's story is revealed in 2018 when Kitty White, who works in her father's antique shop, finds Evelyn's list of names and sets out to discover the truth.
Ms O'Brien's well-researched story outlines some of the hardships suffered by the islanders and the determination of some amongst them to defy their captors with small acts of sabotage and defiance known as Petite Resistance. It is delivered at a gentle pace with the greater part of the story centred on the war years, which I found particularly appealing.
I look forward to reading more dual timeline stories from this author, especially where they have a WWII setting, and would recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical fiction.
| Author Bio – Jenny O'Brien |
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 Jenny O’Brien writes complex thrillers and heartbreaking historical fiction, as well as intriguing romances. Silent Cry, initially self published, topped the Amazon kindle chart in both the UK and the USA. Most of her books have followed suit. Jenny has over 40 years experience as a qualified nurse. She turned to creative writing as a hobby when her children were born. Born in Ireland, she now lives in Guernsey with her husband and children. Her latest book, The Book of Lost Children, will be published April 11. Head over to her YouTube channel for videos related to this book, at WriterJennyOBrien |
| Social Media Links – | |
| Web site | https://www.jennyobrienauthor.com/ |
| https://www.instagram.com/scribblerjb/ | |
| Goodreads | Jenny O'Brien |
| Facebook Author Page | Jenny O'Brien Writer |
| X | https://x.com/ScribblerJB |
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