Author: Kerry Barrett
Year of release: 2020
Publisher: HQ Digital UK, Harper Collins Publishers UK
Genre: Historical Fiction, Woman’s Fiction, Crime and thriller
Release date: 2nd June 2020
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Synopsis
London, 1910. Twenty-one-year-old Esther Watkins would do anything for the Suffragette cause. Imprisoned, force-fed and beaten, she is determined to fight for what she believes is right – no matter what it costs her. With new love Joseph by her side, will she get the better future she dreams of?
Kent, 2019. With her marriage in tatters, school teacher Lizzie Armstrong moves to sleepy Elm Heath for a fresh start, and her pupils and the community soon steal her heart. So when the school is threatened with closure Lizzie knows she has to fight, and she looks to the school’s founder for inspiration.
What makes Esther, born and bred in London, a proud Suffragette, suddenly leave the city and escape to Elm Heath? And when Lizzie uncovers Esther’s heartbreaking secret, could it give her the strength she needs to save not just the school, but her new beginning too?
Review:
London 1910 At the age of 21 Esther Watkins is a passionate, bright and caring young woman who would do anything for the suffragette cause and the other members involved. The suffragette effort eventually lands her behind bars, upon release from prison Esther returns home to an icy reception from her mother, due to her mother’s disdain for her daughter’s recent activities and eventual arrest tensions go from bad to worse between Esther and her mother, Esther finds that she must now find some place new to call home.
The young women turns to the suffragettes for support they come through providing Esther with a roof over her head as well as employment as the governess to fellow suffragette Agnes and Chris Oliver’s Children.
It doesn’t take long for Esther to find her feet in London, one day whilst out and about Esther finds her self in a spot of bother when a young copper going by the name of Joseph comes to her aid, their relationship blossoms rather quickly and Agnes must make a terrible choice stand up for what you believe in or risk the opportunity for a new life.
Fast forward to present day (2019-2020) where we meet Lizzie Armstrong who recently moved to Kent, Elm Heath to recover and start a new after a nasty divorce from her
self-centred ex husband Grant. The plan Lizzie has is solid recuperate repair old wounds and move on but it doesn’t take long for the local community to take Lizzie under their wing and into their hearts. Not long after arriving Lizzie learns her new position as principle and the school where she works is under threat does Lizzie have what it take to save Elm Heath Primary the school and community she is quickly growing to love.
Once I started The secret Letter I was immediately drawn to it’s dual timeline as well as Esther and Lizzie both having an equal opportunity to narrate this story. I am fascinated by stories that shine a light on London during this period. A story that seemed to me to have a bit of fight a touch of romance but a whole lot of relatable character and the mention of suffragettes to sink my teeth into it.
The secret letter is very well written and is able to tie both plotlines in together where necessary with what seemed like little effort. This book has enjoyable characters at it’s helm, in the beginning I was wondering exactly when the story was going to take off when it come to Lizzie Armstrong but I didn’t have to worry, I just think I was growing a soft spot for Esther. I did eventually grow fond of Lizzie too.
I think I wanted the opportunity to be introduced to Lizzie Armstrong as a character, to read about her past rather than be told about it second hand, to know Lizzie Armstrong before she arrived in Elm Health I think this would have made her more personable to me as the reader.
Overall this book made me smile I felt like I was both a suffragette and a school teacher, women at the centre of a story like this will always be welcomed on my bookshelf
A reader whose looking to escape into a female driven Historical Fiction read with a touch of mystery, even those looking to find a character based story should look no further than The Secret Letter. I look forward to reading more from Kerry Barrett in the future.
With thanks to HQ Digital UK, Harper Collins Publishers UK and Netgalley for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review, Available in Australia 2nd June 2020