In the Bleak Midwinter [Kindle Edition]

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.

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

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.