Author: Kayte Nunn
Publisher: Hachette Australia
Genre: Historical Fiction, General Fiction, Mystery Suspense, Fiction
Year of release: 2022
Release Date 31st August 2022
Rating 
Synopsis
1949 It is the coldest winter Orcades Island has ever known when a pregnant sixteen-year-old arrives at Fairmile, a home for ‘fallen women’ run by the Catholic Church. She and her baby will disappear before the snow melts.
2013 Frankie Gray has come to the island for the summer, hoping for one last shot at reconnecting with her teenage daughter, Izzy, before starting a job as a deputy sheriff. They are staying with her mother, Diana, at The Fairmile Inn, soon to be a boutique hotel, but when an elderly nun is found dead in suspicious circumstances, and then a tiny skeleton is discovered in the grounds of the house, Frankie is desperate for answers.
Review
Orcades Island, Seattle Washington 1949 the island is currently experiencing the bleakest winter months it has ever known. Brigid arrives on the island and take up residence at Fairmile the home for fallen woman, Fairmile is under the watchful and ever-present eye of the Catholic Church Brigid and her baby won’t be under Fairmile’s roof by the end of Winter before The last of the snow has melted.
2013 Seattle Washington Frankie Gray has arrived on Orcades Island all the way from Australia; for the summer in the hopes, she can reconnect with her teenage daughter Izzy. By the time the summer comes to an end Frankie is starting a new job as deputy sheriff on the island, mother and daughter are currently staying with Frankie’s mother Dianna at the Fairmile Inn an old mansion known to locals soon to be a boutique hotel, Frankie’s holiday doesn’t start off exactly as she had hoped an elderly nun is discovered dead the death is suspicious a tiny skeleton is found not long after in grounds at Fairmile Frankie goes on the hunt for answers. Will she find them?
Almost every graduating class had a girl who disappeared… A tagline I just couldn’t resist the promise of Mystery mixed in with Historical Fiction, a genre I love with elements I’m drawn to an Auto- buy author I simply couldn’t let The Only Child pass me by and you shouldn’t either.
The dual timelines used to tell the story were woven well into the story this readers anticipation for yet another piece of the puzzle to be revealed only grew stronger as the story progressed. I was drawn to both timelines in equal measure, the growing friendships that blossomed and continued strength of the woman in the past and present time periods throughout this book made for a gripping read and the reason why this a 5- star- read for this reviewer.
The book has plenty of characters to move the story forward the author has done an outstanding job in bringing each one alive in the reader’s mind, I found myself drawn to each of the girls and their backgrounds.
In the early chapters, I found myself unable to determine much of a difference between the minor characters at Fairmile this does work itself out as the story progresses.
I believe The Only Child would’ve had a stronger ending had the story included an epilogue don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the ending, but I felt like I needed a bit more closure but this in no way lessons my overall enjoyment of this tale.
I found the 2013 timeline a bit slower but perhaps this was to add effect to the plot twist in the end 1949 was perfectly paced.
One of the many reasons I return to the Historical Fiction genre as well as this author is time and time again, Kayte Nunn has crafted an original tale that keeps the reader engrossed with characters any reader can champion whilst at the same time; holding plenty of mystery within the pages whilst also managing to keep within the magic that is the Historical Fiction Genre.
If I had to describe this book, I would say The Only Child is what happens when Historical Fiction meets Mystery and the past and present collide if you enjoy solving who did it mystery this book is for you.
Sub-plots that come to mind in this book
- Teenage pregnancy
- Reconnection
- coming of age
- First Love
- Potential romance
Some of the noticeable tropes in The Only Child
- Small town
- Tight community
- Abandon house
- Murder mystery
- Female friendship
Once again after finishing a Kayte Nunn book, I’m satisfied but always eagerly awaiting her next offering when finishing The Only Child my heartstrings were tugged at a little my heart goes out to all those young girls or women who were forced to give up their babies between 1945-1973.
I highly recommend this book and this Author to a mature reader if you’re a fan of Historical Fan I’m sure The Only Child will be on your radar.
With continued thanks to Hachette Australia for sending a physical copy of this book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.