Welcome to Litsy!

Immersive historical fiction set in an English tourist town just post World War I, as a competent young woman, a naturalized German citizen, and a now-disabled fighter from the upper class try to find their places in a changing world that's still chock full of classism, sexism, ableism and bigotry. Well drawn, lovable characters, lively action, and some slow-burn romance make it very much my cup of tea, but I was thrown by the ending (cont.)

1932.An atmosphere of menace pervades this novel.The mutilated body of a young girl is found in the woods near ex-Inspector John Madden‘s home.More young girls bodies are discovered.
The specter of Nazism in Germany is rearing its head, & spreading.Is there a connection?
The author skillfully weaves psychological elements into the multilayered characters‘ portrayals.Compelling. Riveting.Gripping.Intense.Taut.Nail-biting.Menacing…
#serieslove2025

#WhereAreYouMonday I'm in post WWI England - twice, since I'm also reading The Secret Adversary. It's a rough time but perhaps things are looking up.

Poe & I are in the UK with Inspector Jon Madden. Escaping again. #WhereareyouMonday

Working from home today and enjoying my #audiolisten and candle.

This book was everything I want in a historical fiction book. A young woman in post-WWI England makes a bold new friends running Hazelbourne's Motorcycle and Flying Club who changes her life. It's a book about class and war and pandemics and societal change and feminism and racism/ xenophobia and so many other things. I absolutely adored it.

A historical mystery (Post WWI), with an England still coming to grips with the dynamics of life after a bloody and brutal war. Read like a modern day mystery in a 1920‘s language. John Madden, scared inside and outside is tasked with finding a brutal serial killer and starts implementing theories of investigation that I‘m not sure if they‘d be historically accurate, but it doesn‘t distract from a story that keeps the pages turning. 4 ⭐️

This is the second book of Simonson‘s that I‘ve read with my book club—& though I liked this more than THE SUMMER BEFORE THE WAR, I still didn‘t love this slow-paced novel. Set just after WWI, the book centers mostly around Constance, visiting the seaside for the summer season as the caretaker of her passed mother‘s wealthier best friend‘s mother, Mrs.Fog. Constance needs to figure out her next steps but the final party spoiled the romance for me!

This is a light historical fiction set in England in the years just after WWI. Women are facing the hard facts that as the men come home, they are losing jobs and misogyny is once again alive and well. People seem to ignore the fact that women need to eat and some do not have husbands or family to support them. The book also looks at racism, snobbery and includes some romance. The characters are varied and really fun (I loved Mrs. Fog). 4/5 !

Lovely story.