In the Bleak Midwinter
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Product Description
Product Description
Winter 1919. Two months after the Armistice that ended the Great War, and life in London's East End is slowly returning to normal. But for 25-year-old Birdie Connor the battle is only just beginning. Frank, Birdie's older brother, has been sent to prison for deserting his army post whilst fighting in Belgium, and the shame heaped on the Connor family by their neighbours is unrelenting. Wilfred, Birdie's widowed father, has disowned Frank and vows that he will never set eyes on his son again, but Birdie cannot believe that her brother is guilty So when Frank escapes from prison and comes to find Birdie in secret, she promises to help him and is determined to prove his innocence. But little does she realise that she is exposing herself to danger as Frank gets himself deeper and deeper into trouble with the so-called friends he met in prison. Helped by the Connors' lodger, the handsome Harry Chambers, will Birdie be able to find the proof that Frank needs in time to reconcile him to their frail father before it is too late? And can she build a future to keep herself and her younger brother, Patrick, safe?
About the Author
Mother-of-three Carol Rivers, whose family comes from the Isle of Dogs, East London, now lives in Dorset. Visit www.carolrivers.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Set in London's East End in 1919, 'In The Bleak Midwinter' is the best of Carol Rivers' sagas that I have read so far. It is well plotted, the main characters are warm and believable and the sense of place and time are so well researched, they bring the scenes to life with ease. Following the end of the war, young Birdie Connor looks after her ailing father and younger brother whilst hoping for a marriage proposal from her beau. At the same time she agonises over her older brother who has been jailed for deserting his army post. When he turns up unexpectedly after escaping to try and prove his innocence, her loyalties are compromised. Not only that, she exposes herself and those closes to her to danger by agreeing to help him. In The Bleak Midwinter is a thoroughly good read and has heaps of tension, drama, romance and action.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
In the Bleak Midwinter - Carol Rivers
I can't believe I haven't discovered Carol Rivers before now. Writing in the tradition of Catherine Cookson and Lena Kennedy, she re-creates for her readers the London of yesteryear, populating her story with characters that are larger than life and resonate long after the last page is turned.
Set just after WW1 has ended, Birdie is a real life heroine, looking forward to being a good wife to her intended Donald Thorne, who has visions of expanding his grocery shop. Birdie Connor is a loving daughter, and both sister and substitute mother to young Pat, on the cusp of adulthood. Like many young girls she has an eye for fashion, she also has a talent for dressmaking. There is sorrow in her life though. Her eldest brother Frank has brought shame on the family, breaking his father's heart, having been accused and convicted of desertion. And Birdie can't understand why Donald can make time to walk out with his brother's widow, yet insists the only way Birdie and he can be alone together is if Birdie works long hours in his shop. When Frank breaks out of jail, and gets involved with Russian `white' terrorists tension mounts and it's down to young Pat and Harry, the Connor's lodger, to pit their wits against desperate people and the police to salvage the Connor's honour and Birdie's happiness.
All through the book, I longed for Birdie to tell Donald where to stick his rotten fruit and veg, and take a better look at Harry, a man quietly supporting Birdie while nurturing a growing building company. Carol Rivers keeps her readers entertained with the sights and smells of old London (you'll learn a little Cockney Rhyming Slang) and creates characters so vivid, you'll live through their struggles and triumphs, good times and bad as they battle with day to day living on the Isle of Dogs.
Reading this book is like a long leisurely stroll down memory lane, back to good old London Town where a pint of cockles was the only fast food, when family was everything, and the world was the street where you lived. Mix in a story of faith, desertion, and desperate refugees to add spice and intrigue, and you have a book impossible to put down until the very last drop has been savoured.
Julia Hughes
I can't believe I haven't discovered Carol Rivers before now. Writing in the tradition of Catherine Cookson and Lena Kennedy, she re-creates for her readers the London of yesteryear, populating her story with characters that are larger than life and resonate long after the last page is turned.
Set just after WW1 has ended, Birdie is a real life heroine, looking forward to being a good wife to her intended Donald Thorne, who has visions of expanding his grocery shop. Birdie Connor is a loving daughter, and both sister and substitute mother to young Pat, on the cusp of adulthood. Like many young girls she has an eye for fashion, she also has a talent for dressmaking. There is sorrow in her life though. Her eldest brother Frank has brought shame on the family, breaking his father's heart, having been accused and convicted of desertion. And Birdie can't understand why Donald can make time to walk out with his brother's widow, yet insists the only way Birdie and he can be alone together is if Birdie works long hours in his shop. When Frank breaks out of jail, and gets involved with Russian `white' terrorists tension mounts and it's down to young Pat and Harry, the Connor's lodger, to pit their wits against desperate people and the police to salvage the Connor's honour and Birdie's happiness.
All through the book, I longed for Birdie to tell Donald where to stick his rotten fruit and veg, and take a better look at Harry, a man quietly supporting Birdie while nurturing a growing building company. Carol Rivers keeps her readers entertained with the sights and smells of old London (you'll learn a little Cockney Rhyming Slang) and creates characters so vivid, you'll live through their struggles and triumphs, good times and bad as they battle with day to day living on the Isle of Dogs.
Reading this book is like a long leisurely stroll down memory lane, back to good old London Town where a pint of cockles was the only fast food, when family was everything, and the world was the street where you lived. Mix in a story of faith, desertion, and desperate refugees to add spice and intrigue, and you have a book impossible to put down until the very last drop has been savoured.
Julia Hughes
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
This book is a great read as are all of Carol Rivers books and I would recommend her books to anyone who enjoys reading a great story, you will not be able to put her books down, can't wait for your next book Carol.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a good relaxing read
In a bleak midwinter by Carol Rivers is a really good bed time read ,you go up to bed glad you can find out what is happening to the characters in the story,looking forward to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Elaine Avery
Xmas Present
Another Xmas present for my that that she loved reading. Carol Rivers is one of her favourite authors of roamntic stories although as a carer of a disabled husband she has to be... Read more
Published 4 months ago by David Chandler
brilliant
I have read all of Carols books and love them all. In The Bleak midwinter I got very emersed in the characters and couldnt wait for Birdie to see sense. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alison James
loosl writing
This book plods along with cardboard black & white characters the black have no redeeming features & the white boringly perfect. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. John Kelly
An avid supporter
In The Bleak Midwinter is a superb story. It gives the reader a wonderful insight to the pain and suffering caused to families by WW1. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mrs F
IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER ANOTHER WINNER
I have read everyone of Carol Rivers books .they are all brilliiant as soon as you start to read you cannot put down ,as you are drawn into the characters in the story as though... Read more
Published 7 months ago by MRSBOOKWORM
A great saga, thriller, rollercoaster of a read.
I have read all of Carol Rivers books and loved every one. I cannot recommend them highly enough and "In The Bleak Mid Winter" is no exception. Read more
Published 7 months ago by CarryOnQuack
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