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Wartime Arrivals at Harbour House by Fenella J Miller #Review

  I am delighted to be on the tour to celebrate a new series by Fenella J Miller . Wartime Arrivals at Haebour House is the first in a historical fiction series which begins in July 1939, just before the outbreak of the Second World War. It was published by Boldwood Books on November 29th. London July 1939 Elizabeth Roby lives a content and privileged life in London with husband Jonathon and children, Emily and George. But with the outbreak of war, everything changes. Jonathon informs his family that they have to move from their smart London home to the riverside town of Wivenhoe and their new home Harbour House, where Jonathon will do his duty for his country as part of the Admiralty at the shipyards. But Elizabeth is devastated. How will she start a new life in a place she hardly knows, surrounded by strangers? And how will her children cope allowed to run wild in the countryside with urchins? Elizabeth is sure it will be a disaster! But with the threat of German bombs ha
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The Guests by Agnes Ravatn #Review #Giveaway

 

If you enjoy writing which has a deceptively simple plot covering a web of complicated character dynamics and a growing sense of unease, you  will love, The Guests by Agnes Ravatn which is published by Orenda on January18th. I also have a great giveaway for you with the chance to win a print copy! Details on how to enter are at the foot of this post.


It started with a lie…
 
Married couple Karin and Kai are looking for a pleasant escape from their busy lives, and reluctantly accept an offer to stay in a luxurious holiday home in the Norwegian fjords.
 
Instead of finding a relaxing retreat, however, their trip becomes a reminder of everything lacking in their own lives, and in a less-than-friendly meeting with their new neighbours, Karin tells a little white lie…
 
Against the backdrop of the glistening water and within the claustrophobic walls of the ultra-modern house, Karin’s insecurities blossom, and her lie grows ever bigger, entangling her and her husband in a nightmare spiral of deceits with absolutely no means of escape…
 
Simmering with suspense and dark humour, The Guests is a gripping psychological drama about envy and aspiration … and something more menacing, hiding just below that glittering surface…

My Thoughts

As one lie leads to another, you read this novel with a gathering sense of unease and suspense. It is difficult to put your finger on what is so unsettling about the situation but as Karin’s doubts grow, so do yours. The setting is remote but with a flavour of entitlement and luxury. It seems to be the sort of place where you can take on a new identity and step outside your actual life. There is a feeling of danger in doing this, as if it may be difficult to step back once the holiday is over. 

    Iris is a character whose presence is always there in the background, as she is in Karin’s mind. There is a sense of threat about her. I enjoyed the dark humour which runs through the story, giving this comedy of manners a specific tone. With a limited number of characters and a static feel to the setting, you come to sense that they are caught in a web of deceit and artifice. This is intriguing writing which observes behaviour and lays bare how a glittering surface can conceal some harsh truths. This leads you to question everything you see in the story. 

In short: psychological manoeuvres, lies and suspense

 

About the Author


Agnes Ravatn (b. 1983) is a Norwegian author and columnist. She made her literary  début  with  the  novel  Week  53  (Veke  53)  in  2007.  Since  then  she  has written three critically acclaimed and award-winning essay collections: Standing  still  (Stillstand),  2011,  Popular  Reading  (Folkelesnad),  2011,  and  Operation  self-discipline  (Operasjon  sjøldisiplin),  2014.  In  these  works,  Ravatn  revealed  a  unique,  witty  voice  and  sharp  eye  for  human  fallibility.  Her second novel, The Bird Tribunal (Fugletribuanlet), was an international bestseller translated into fifteen languages, winning an English PEN Award, shortlisting for the Dublin Literary Award, a WHSmith Fresh Talent pick and a BBC Book at Bedtime. It was also made into a successful play, which premiered in Oslo in 2015. Agnes lives with her family in the Norwegian countryside.

Book link: Amazon UK

Thanks to Agnes Ravatn, Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour. 

Check out these great bloggers!


 

Giveaway (UK only)


To win a print copy of The Guests just Follow and Retweet the pinned tweet at @bookslifethings and good luck!
 
Closing date is January 16th 2024 and there is one winner.    
 
*Terms and Conditions – UK only.  The winner will be selected at random via a random retweet selector such as,Tweetdraw from all valid entries and will be notified by X (Twitter) and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then I reserve the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

 

 

 

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