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Gill Thompson
184 ratings | 23 reviews | avg rating:4.66

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Gill Thompson

Goodreads Author


Born
in Epsom, The United Kingdom
Website

Twitter
Gill Thompson @ wordkindling

Genre
Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance

Member Since
August 2016

URL


I taught English for 44 years, mainly at sixth form level. I'm now delighted to have a new career as an author, with five historical fiction novels to my name. I'm a former Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Chichester, where I studied for my Creative Writing M.A. My new novel, 'The Child at the Window', came out on 23rd April 2026. Do check out my creative writing blog: www.wordkindling.co.uk I'd love to hear from you! ...more

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Popular Answered Questions

If you could travel to any fictional book world, where would you go and what would you do there?
Gill Thompson Oh I think it would have to be Narnia! The C.S Lewis books captivated me as a child and I don't think I've ever recovered from that early immersive ex…moreOh I think it would have to be Narnia! The C.S Lewis books captivated me as a child and I don't think I've ever recovered from that early immersive experience in reading. I'm only a writer because I was a reader first. (Sorry it's taken me so long to answer this - I couldn't locate my author page!)(less)
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How do you deal with writer’s block?
Gill Thompson I'm lucky enough not to have suffered from writer's block...yet! Because I write novels based on true stories, I tend to have a template of sorts to w…moreI'm lucky enough not to have suffered from writer's block...yet! Because I write novels based on true stories, I tend to have a template of sorts to work from so the I don't tend to get stuck on the actual plot element. Sometimes though I find I can't write myself out of a scene. That's when I usually run it past my husband (who scarcely reads any fiction yet has an uncanny knack of suggestion good solutions - not that I tell him that of course) or my workshop group who are also great at solving problems. (less)
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See all 11 answers from Gill Thompson…

Combine Editions

Average rating: 4.36 · 24,668 ratings · 1,274 reviews · 5 distinct works • Similar authors
The Lighthouse Sisters
4.39 avg rating — 8,281 ratings — 14 editions
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The Child on Platform One
4.37 avg rating — 7,945 ratings — published 2019 — 36 editions
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The Oceans Between Us
4.30 avg rating — 6,190 ratings — published 2019 — 17 editions
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The Orphans on the Train
4.33 avg rating — 2,027 ratings — published 2023 — 18 editions
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The Child at the Window
4.52 avg rating — 225 ratings — 4 editions
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More books by Gill Thompson…

3 posts
Gill Thompson's Blog: Wordkindling

Autumn Newsletter

As we near the end of August, there’s a slight sharpness in the morning air and bit by bit the nights are getting longer. The other day I smelled a whiff of bonfire smoke. Autumn is advancing slowly but surely. As a teacher of over 40 years, these little signs normally have me digging out my text books and sharpening my pencils ready for the new term. But not this year…

I ‘retired’ from teaching a Read more of this blog post »
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Published on September 22, 2022 04:39
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Gill is Currently Reading

Book of Forbidden...
Gill Thompson rated a book it was amazing
by Louise Fein (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: currently-reading
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Gill Thompson Gill Thompson said: " Impeccably researched and beautifully written, ‘Book of Forbidden Words’ is a remarkable novel. In linking time periods four hundred years apart, Louise draws a convincing and plausible line between women from different times who share a common visio ...more "

 
Apr 03, 2026 11:29AM  · see review
Dutch Girl
Gill Thompson is currently reading
by Robert Matzen (Goodreads Author)
bookshelves: currently-reading
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Apr 21, 2025 12:59PM
Audrey: Her Real ...
Gill Thompson is currently reading
bookshelves: currently-reading
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Mar 17, 2025 03:21PM

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Gill’s Recent Updates

Gill Thompson liked Sue Greenhalgh's review of The Child at the Window:
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
"I always look forward to a new title by Gill Thompson because her novels are so well researched, so engrossing and written with enormous empathy and human understanding. I enjoyed this one most of all for the convincing detail of what it must have be" Read more of this review »
Jul 11, 2026 04:23PM  · see review ·  preview book
Gill Thompson and 1 other person liked Amanda Reid's review of The Child at the Window:
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
"Touching novel about WWII and the sacrifices made to help escape Germany that will leave you reading through tears. I try not to give the book away but all I can say is Wow! This book has stayed on my mind and I’m speechless trying to process what th" Read more of this review »
Jul 09, 2026 09:44AM  · see review ·  preview book
Gill Thompson rated a book it was amazing
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
The Child at the Window
by Gill Thompson (Goodreads Author)
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Jul 05, 2026 06:51PM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
Gill Thompson liked Yonah Stephens's review of The Child at the Window:
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
"The Child at the Window written by Gill Thompson. This book will pull your heart strings and make you feel sad. This is a well written book that shows the hardship of Germay’s Jews trying to escape Nazi Germany for a better life in England. We follow" Read more of this review »
Jul 04, 2026 11:24AM  · see review ·  preview book
Gill Thompson rated a book it was amazing
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
The Child at the Window
by Gill Thompson (Goodreads Author)
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Jun 29, 2026 12:01AM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
Gill Thompson and 1 other person liked Lily's review of The Child at the Window:
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
"In this powerful and emotional historical fiction novel, readers follow sisters Josephine and Constance as they help their friends in Germany smuggle out their possessions which would fund their new lives as refugees in London. One father, however, a" Read more of this review »
Jun 22, 2026 11:04PM  · see review ·  preview book
Gill Thompson rated a book it was amazing
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
The Child at the Window
by Gill Thompson (Goodreads Author)
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Jun 21, 2026 11:25PM  · 1 like ·   ·  preview book
Gill Thompson made a comment on Angela Brown’s review of The Child at the Window
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
" Thank you for your lovely review, Angela. You've made my day! ...more "
Apr 22, 2026 09:53AM  · see review
Gill Thompson made a comment on Sally’s review of The Child at the Window
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
" Sorry about the late nights, but pleased you found it so entralling! "
Apr 20, 2026 05:52AM  · see review
Gill Thompson made a comment on Su Thor’s review of The Child at the Window
The Child at the Window by Gill Thompson
" Thank you for your lovely review, Su. I'm delighted you enjoyed my book! ...more "
Apr 17, 2026 07:23AM  · see review
More of Gill's books…
Quotes by Gill Thompson  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Denison had nodded at her kindly.”
― Gill Thompson, The Child On Platform One
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“face”
― Gill Thompson, The Orphans on the Train
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“friendships are for one of three things: a reason, a season or for life.”
― Gill Thompson, The Orphans on the Train
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Topics Mentioning This Author

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Aussie Readers: This topic has been closed to new comments. Share Your Reviews (and Thoughts) Here - 2019 3102 331 Dec 31, 2019 06:58PM  
Aussie Lovers of...: This topic has been closed to new comments. Currently reading/Just finished! CLOSED 7094 743 Dec 31, 2019 07:03PM  
Aussie Readers: **Summer Challenge 1/12/19 - 28/2/20** 272 284 Mar 28, 2020 08:21PM  

Gill’s Quotes

“Death by doilies and unsolicited advice.”
― Kerry Fisher, The Rome Apartment
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“We often don’t question love. We don’t ask ourselves whether it’s still fit for purpose. I don’t know why that is. Perhaps we’re frightened of not liking the answer. Sometimes we’re too grateful to have been chosen.”
― Kerry Fisher, The Rome Apartment
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“It would be wonderful to complete an evening of culture without requiring a defibrillator.”
― Kerry Fisher, Secrets at the Rome Apartment
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