It’s 1931 and Lilly Blackwood dreams of visiting the circus that she has glimpsed from the window of the attic. Lilly has been locked in the attic all her life, promised by her Momma that it’s for her own safety. That other people would be afraid of her. But one night Momma comes for Lilly, having dreamt of venturing beyond her lofty room for such a long-time Lilly is excited, but nervous of Momma’s sudden change of heart. Until all becomes clear, when they reach the circus all is in darkness and Lilly knows that something is not right. It soon becomes clear that she is to be sold to the circus sideshow.
Over two decades later, Julia Blackwood has inherited her parents’ estate and with it the sadness and mysteries of her childhood. Hoping to start a fresh and erase the unpleasant memories Julia quickly becomes embroiled in unravelling the secrets Blackwood Manor holds, involving a hidden attic room and photographs of a striking circus performer.
Can Lilly find a place for herself within the circus community, or has she swapped one prison for another? And will Julia ever learn the truth her parents fought so hard to conceal?
Wow! Just, wow!
Having loved “What She Left Behind” I was eager to get my hands on a copy of Wisemans’ latest novel. I find her writing to be so engaging and can easily lose a whole day within the worlds she creates.
Firstly, Wiseman’s character development is, as always, is top notch. Everything that Julia and Lilly felt or thought was beautifully described and really helps the reader to flesh out a character and make them believable. The secondary characters were just the right amount of likeable to not overshadow the main protagonists. I often find, as an avid reader, getting distracted by the supporting characters in a lot of novels and usually liking them more. Even the down right nasty pieces of work had me absorbed.
Written in dual narrative the story moves effortlessly between both of the girls points of view, intertwining at a mutual crossover point rather than finishing bluntly and changing voice. I did have, possibly what was meant tone a plot twist, figured out from very early on in the story, but this neither influenced my overall opinion or diminish my enjoyment.
I have but only one critique and that would be the lack of feeling for the era in Julia’s parts. It is supposed to be the 1950’s but apart from one music reference I did keep finding myself believing it could be the modern day.
I simply can’t enthuse enough about this book and since finishing it last night have already told so many people they need to look out for it as a must read! I look forward to reading much more from Ellen Marie Wiseman in the future.
** Thanks to Kensington Books, via NetGalley, for this ARC **