We're back to World War 2 for this historical novel set in the mysterious Latimer House, deep in the Buckinghamshire countryside. I am delighted to be taking part in the Publication Day celebrations for this intriguing novel.
Society heiress Evelyn Brooke-Edwards is a skilled
interrogator – her beauty making her a non-threat in the eyes of the prisoners.
Farm girl Betty Connors may not be able to type as she
claimed, but her crack analytical skills soon find her unearthing covert
connections.
German ex-pat Judith Stern never expected to find herself
listening in to German POW’s whispered conversations, but the Nazis took her
father from her so she will do whatever it takes to help the Allies end this
war.
Billeted together in the attic of Latimer House – a place
where secrets abound – Evelyn, Betty and Judith soon form a bond of friendship
that carries them through the war. Because nothing is stronger than women
united.
Tucked away in the Buckinghamshire countryside, Latimer
House, a grand country estate, stands proudly – a witness to some of greatest
secrets of WW2.
My Thoughts
This novel kept me captivated throughout. It setting in the mysterious Latimer House, deep in the English countryside is based on an actual building which existed during the Second World War and which was the base for covert operations. I loved the secrecy of the situation and the three main characters were all so different but totally believable. Thrown together through their war work, they may come from different strands of society but proved what a leveller the situation was. They succeeded through their own efforts and abilities, nothing else.
The novel also had some interesting observations on the role of women both in the wider society and in the work in Latimer House. Outside the house, they might be regarded as subservient by some men or encouraged to succeed through marriage. In Latimer House, their female sex was seen as an advantage and they were able to use their capabilities to get some successful results. This gave you hope that the life after the war would give them opportunities not open to them before. Above all, you feel that human ties and friendships are important in helping someone to thrive. The focus is always on moving forwards in hope. For some, like Judith, this is a difficult lesson to learn.
In short: Immensely entertaining and informative
About the Author
Jules Wake announced at the age of ten that she planned to
be a writer. Along the way she was diverted by the glamorous world of PR and
worked on many luxury and not so luxury brands. This proved fabulous training
for writing novels as it provided her with the opportunity to hone her creative
writing skills.
She writes best-selling warm-hearted romantic contemporary
fiction for One More Chapter as Jules Wake and was shortlisted for Romantic
Novel of the Year 2020 with The Spark.
Under her pen name Julie Caplin, she also writes the warm
and witty Romantic Escapes series.
Between them, the two Js have written eighteen novels, The
Secret of Latimer House being the latest.
You can follow Jules here: Twitter | Website | Facebook | Instagram
Book links: Amazon UK
Thanks to Jules Wake, One More Chapter and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
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