Emilia’s return to her hometown of Peasebrook, nestled in the beautiful Cotswolds, has been far from idyllic. Instead it has been laced with grief and constant worry. Nightingale Books is the family business, if you can call a shop that turns no profit a business. Faced with piles of unpaid bills and staff she can barely afford Emilia has a decision to make; spend to accumulate or sell up.
With each customer, from the shy school teacher to the kleptomaniac stay at home mum, Emilia realises the shop is about more than just selling stories, but with a potential buyer waiting in the wings; will sense or sentimentality win out?
After reading Henry’s “A Night on the Orient Express” and being left a little disappointed, I was in two minds whether to request this ARC. However, what book lover could resist that title?
When every chapter, up until about number ten, introduced a new character I was concerned. Too many characters and sub plots had been my main issue with the authors previous work, but I was pleasantly surprised. I felt the additions of new people within the context of this story served it well. It showed us how important Nightingale Books was amongst the townspeople and provided a connection between them all.
The characters, including main protagonist Emilia, were charming and easily relatable, which I think is what we all want when selecting this genre. Even post humus, Julius was full of life and you could see why all the others had gravitated towards him and his shop.
Although concluded somewhat promptly, I did feel each person and plot was given a suitable ending and therefore I could overlook the slightly rushed feeling in the last few chapters.
This book has restored my faith in Henry, and I look forward to the next novel of hers I read.
** Thank you to Orion Publishing Group, via NetGalley, for this ARC **