Her father's murder drives a young woman to seek refuge in Liverpool - but she could now be in even greater danger...
Lyn Andrews' The House on Lonely Street is a powerful and nostalgic saga set in Dublin and Liverpool, of the power of love, friendship... and fear. Perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Kitty Neale.
For Katherine Donovan the slums of Dublin are a lonely place. Her father, a pawnbroker, is the most hated man in the district, and Katherine an outcast. Her only friend is tiny Ceppi Healy, underfed, irrepressible and, the youngest in a neglected family of eight, as much an emotional orphan as eighteen-year-old Katherine. Then, one night, the unthinkable happens. Katherine's father is murdered, a victim of local revenge for an act of cruelty even she couldn't have anticipated. Fearing for her life, Katherine flees, taking with her the desperate young Ceppi.
Liverpool is her longed-for haven and, with the last of her father's money, she rents a lodging house in a street decimated by the sinking of the Titanic . But, far from finding a refuge for herself and the little girl she promised to protect, she realises she has put them into the path of terrible danger...
What readers are saying about The House on Lonely Street :
'I read [this book] in less than a day... The characters were so believable and you could imagine the struggle, but from the start you wanted Katherine to succeed'
'As usual Lyn Andrews tells a really good story. She makes you care about the characters , and the only criticism I have is that I was left wanting more '
'The brilliant plot will sweep you away to its majestic and tear-jerking ending'
Lyn Andrews is one of the the UK's top one hundred paper-back bestsellers. Born and brought up in Liverpool, she is the daughter of a policeman who also married a policeman. After becoming the mother of triplets, she took some time off from her writing whilst she raised her children. Shortlisted for the romantic Novelists' Association Award in 1993, she has now written twenty-one hugely successful novels. Lyn Andrews divides her time between Merseyside and Ireland.
I picked up this book simply because I liked the cover and loved the title. It did not disappoint.
Katherine Donovan is forced to flee her poverty stricken home in Dublin when her father is killed.
She takes along with her, Ceppi Healy, the youngest of a large family whose mother was happy to hand over the child for five pounds.
Moving to Liverpool with no plan and no prospects, Katherine is faced with moments of despair and tragedy but this is one young woman determined to make a decent life for herself and the child in her care.
A simple story told in simple prose with engaging characters. In spite of the darker side of this story it was an easy read and a heartwarming tale.
The beginning of the novel held much promise as the writer described Ceppi and Katherine's journey from a lackluster life into a self-made utopia. However, the same cannot be said about the last few closing chapters, where the writer veers from the central theme. At this point, she abruptly introduces unnecessary suspense in the form of Edwin. As the plot unfolds, it feels more and more contrived.
I thought i had read all of Lyn Andrews books over the years. But have recently found a few more. Her books are unputdownable. I can always rely on Lyn to keep my interest going The house on lonely street is so full of twists and turns you can t put it down Joy Whitaker
An easy read. I found it interesting how the Police Force were in the early 1900's and the history during that time. Women were still not allowed the same privileges as men, but Katherine rose above this. Storyline could have been a bit more substantial
2.5. Not a great-written read, but I was sort of endeared to it. I like how she started fresh and won over the street, built a boarding house. But it's for naught if you can't do any of that being married. First time I read a book where I wanted the romantic interest to scram.
🤔Rather disappointing for a Lynn Andrews book. I found this story dragged and could have been told in a much shorter time. The second half was almost a sort of murder mystery. Certainly not one of her best, and so far my least favourite.
The House on Lonely Street has the potential to be a good book. I really like how the author described the setting vividly. It also had the mood of being back there in the Edwardian times.
The plot is also realistic, and the author was not "playing safe". A tragic event happened here and there, sometimes because of coincidence and sometimes not.
However, there are some things that did not go well with me while I was reading the book. As the other reviewer mentioned it, the book did very little to evoke any emotion. Sure there are incidents where I found myself laughing or frowning but it did not "flesh out" familiar emotions that a reader will be moved. Also, the conversation between characters gets muddled once in a while. I had to read the preceding sentences again just to know who was speaking (and that happened more than twice in the whole book). Katherine also doesn't get much characterization. She has no marked flaw. She was all goody-two shoes who cares for everybody.
All in all, this book has its good points and bad points. But it is really a nice book to cuddle with on a cold day.
Another lovely heartwarming emotional tale from Lyn Andrews. A young girl shunned by all because of a father who was cruel and unkind who came to a sticky end which allowed his daughter to find love and happiness in a new town inheriting friend and family but not without a bit of drama before her happiness is complete. A recommended read
I chose this book because of the author. After reading some of her prior works this book did not disappoint. Again another well written book a must read for those who wish to know more about liverpool.