In the Bleak Midwinter

East End Saga #2

by Carol Rivers

A gritty and gripping saga set in London's East End in the aftermath of the First World War It's winter 1919, two months after the Armistice that ended the Great War, and life in London's East End is slowly returning to normal. But for 25-year-old Birdie Connor the battle is only just beginning. Frank, Birdie's older brother, has been sent to prison for deserting his army post while fighting in Belgium, and the shame heaped on the Connor family by their neighbors is unrelenting. Wilfred, Birdie's widowed father, has disowned Frank and vows that he will never set eyes on his son again, but Birdie cannot believe that her brother is guilty, and sets out to clear his name.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance

480 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2011

About the author

I’ve been fortunate enough to have made my living by writing and I’ve enjoyed a long and harmonious relationship with my publisher, Simon&Schuster. But in recent months I can only stand in awe of the growing and robust numbers of Indie authors whom I admire so much and who have revolutionized the publishing industry. There is fire in the belly of this movement, giving a whole new aspect to the accepted norms in the publishing world. I’m mind-blown at the variety of genres born of digital technology and I’ve made many friends in the Indie world. On-line life for me has become rich and diverse with tales of Indie adventures and successes that are simply staggering. This is mouth-watering stuff and I feel privileged to be here on Goodreads. If you want to know more about my East End novels, with their tough, rough, but warm-hearted Cockney characters, then perhaps you’d like to visit my website at www.carolrivers.com where you’ll gain an insight into the Rivers novels and their history.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story. Really enjoyed. Recommended.

[Teresa Palylyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

hard to put down.

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart warming special touching read

Birdie Connor lives in March street London with her father and brother working from home as a dress maker, with lodger Harry Chambers she was kept busy her father wasn't in good health and with her other brother Frank escaping after been declared a deserter from the army she has a lot of worries. Her marriage preparation to Donald Thorne have been put on hold after family deaths. I loved this book it takes you through a lot of tragedy,trauma, but Birdie copes she has no choice. Could there be a happy ending to her life as you read you h will certainly shed a few tears. Another winner from Carol Rivers.

[Ugnė Butkutė · Rating 3 out of 5]

I honestly liked this book. Found it in a second hand bookstore and took it thinking it will be about WWI events. I was pretty much wrong, but nevertheless I truly enjoyed reading it.

It was more than obvious how this book will end. Ridiculously easy. And yet, I was caught in the chaos and drama.

[Wendy Percival · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this novel initially because it was set just after the First World War, a period which interests me. But then while on a trip to London recently, I found myself walking around the area in which the book is set, in London's East End which made it even more interesting!

When I began to read the book, I recognised the names of the places I'd travelled through on the Docklands Light Railway, such as Poplar and Westferry, and other familiar places we'd walked along the River Thames - Shadwell, Tobacco Dock and Limestreet canal basin. It really added to my sense of place while reading.

Of course these areas are very different to what they'd have been like in Birdie Connor's time, in 1919, when life was hard and the painful aftermath of war was felt keenly by everyone, including Birdie and her family. Not only does the fragility of earning enough to keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table dominate their lives, but the anxiety and confusion of the knowledge that Birdie's brother is serving a prison sentence for desertion adds an additional burden.

But Birdie is a resilient and determined character. Despite the negative attitude she has to endure from the prejudice of many of the locals because of their "shame" of having a deserter in the family, she knows in her heart that her brother is innocent and will do what she can to help him.

I was a little frustrated that she couldn't see through the "love of her life" and realise that he was selfish, uncaring and ruled by his mother, an unsympathetic woman with a skewed view of the family business. But that in itself that said so much about the attitude of the era - that a woman's goal was to be married with a family. And so desperate was Birdie to achieve her dream, that she was blind to the truth, unable to see that it would be a disastrous and unhappy marriage.

In the Bleak Midwinter is a very pleasant read with likeable characters - Harry, Pat, Flo, Mrs Belcher and Lady Annabelle, each support Birdie in their own way. I felt a real sense of the times, the way of life and the struggles of the period. Anyone who likes stories of everyday people in ordinary situations and in an historical context would enjoy this book.

[Carol Fillmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, I wasn't sure about this book but it grew on me the further I got into the story. The ending was totally different from what I thought would happen. A very enjoyable read. Carol Rivers is a new author to me and she has won me over:) Won't hesitate to read other titles by Carol Rivers.

[Saeed Hosseinzadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This exquisitely written novel portraits the story of a 25 year old girl who is always endeavouring to keep all her family together. It all happens soon after the end of the war around winter 1919 when Birdie (the main character of the book) goes through life battles and hardships just out of love and concern for her family -- highly recommended!

کارول ریورز بطور کلی طوری کاراکترهای کتاب رو توصیف می کنند که می تونین براحتی همزادپنداری کنید و از خوندن کتاباشون لذت ببرید. قهرمان داستان های نوشته های ایشون همیشه یک خانم هست. نمی دونم ایا کتاب در ایران ترجمه شده یا نه اما بسیار زیباست داستان یه دختر حدودا 25 ساله در حوالی لندن بعد از جنگ جهانی اول سال 1919. این دختر برای اینکه خونوادش رو حفظ کنه همش تلاش می کنه و کلی براش سختی پیش میاد... من چیزی رو که دوست داشتم اینکه در قالب یه داستان درام یه داستان رمانتیک هم وجود داره البته اگه رمانتیک رو به داستان غرور و تعصب گونه جین آستین ببینید. پیشنهاد می کنم بخونید و کلی لذت ببرید

[mckailer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book to me is not amazing, but it's also not bad. It's decent.

The heroine in this story was not my favourite, she was annoying and dependent on her faience. I also feel that the story spent way to much time on deciphering weather or not the heroine was going to marry her faience, than forwarding the story line, i would of preferred to learn more about the heroine and her family trying to save and prove the innocence of the brother. Another con that i have to point out is that, the story ending felt rushed; I would of personally loved it if they delved a bit deeper and made the ending longer.

But other than that, this story had good character development and a decent story line. I would suggest this as a quick read, i.e. you have nothing else to read.

[Jenny Sanders · Rating 2 out of 5]

Another entirely predictable book once the characters have been introduced, but none the worse for that. The book helped distract me from an excruciating back injury which had me bed-ridden for a few days.

Carol Rivers includes some nice details of post-war life in London, and it's heart-warming to remember there was a time when family was held in much higher regard than it seems to be today. The scoundrels and gossips are just that, the oddballs the same and the steady-eddy lodger Harry is the one who, inevitably, saves the day and gets the girl although the last chapter ties things up in a rush that didn't sit well with me even though the mentions of Cape Town took me back, all too briefly, to my own times there.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, wintry story dealing with the lives of the Connor family.
It's just after the war and Brigid's brother Frank has been branded a deserter, with a sick father and a younger brother to look after Birdie is desperate to try and keep the family together but with the scandal putting pressure on her relationship with her fiancé her lodger Harry steps in to try and help Birdie clear her brother's name and help out with her domestic affairs but is it just a friendly interest Harry has for her or is he slowly falling for the Connor family in more ways than one?...
A lovely and charming tale, perfect for the festive season brimming over with love, loss and family loyalty.

[LAURA JONES · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book well worth reading. It is just after WW1 and the main character is Birdie Connor. her brother Frank was sent to prison for deserting his army post which brings shame on the family her father totally disowns him.
Birdie totally believes Frank is innocent but her fiance Donald Thorne demands she disowns Frank when they marry.
Frank escapes from prison and he turns to the only person he knows who can help him who is Birdie. In helping him she does not realise she is in grave danger and the people who are closest to her.
A gripping story that is very good to read and thoroughly enjoyable

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always in a Carol Rivers saga, there is drama, tension, romance and action, together with a strong sense of time and place. There is also a strong sense of the importance of family, which again is a Carol Rivers trademark. The characters are well-developed and it is easy to feel involved with them. Birdie makes a delightful heroine and I was rooting for her all the way.

[Tiffany Johnstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved loved this book. Birdie and Harry were my favourite characters throughout the whole book. Birdie is very strong and keeps going despite the troubles that keep coming. Harry is very strong and independent and kind. Birdie would do anything to clear her brothers name as he has been accused of being a deserter. It is a heartwarming book.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not read this author before but have to say love her writing style. This story delves into the life of a young girl who lost her mother at a young age so had to take the role of the mother to her two brothers and keep the memory of her brother who was in prison for desertion. Loved this story and will read more of her books

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg this book is amazing ,could not put it down

[Lynn Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, gives a bit of insight towards war deserters.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 in a series of 5 or 6. Very easy read. Reverend Clare finds a baby on the churches door step.

[Ellen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, does anyone else remember the childhood game "Mystery Date"? This book was a dud.

[Sue Hickling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book ,couldnt put it down .

[Margaret Baseley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

[Hank · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was pretty good, but i really wished the heroine wouldn't do some of the stupid things she did!

[Julia Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the Bleak Midwinter – Carol Rivers

I can’t believe I haven’t discovered Carol Rivers before now. Writing in the tradition of Catherine Cookson and Lena Kennedy, she re-creates for her readers the London of yesteryear, populating her story with characters that are larger than life and resonate long after the last page is turned.

Set just after WW1 has ended, Birdie is a real life heroine, looking forward to being a good wife to her intended Donald Thorne, who has visions of expanding his grocery shop. Birdie Connor is a loving daughter, and both sister and substitute mother to young Pat, on the cusp of adulthood. Like many young girls she has an eye for fashion, she also has a talent for dressmaking. There is sorrow in her life though. Her eldest brother Frank has brought shame on the family, breaking his father’s heart, having been accused and convicted of desertion. And Birdie can’t understand why Donald can make time to walk out with his brother’s widow, yet insists the only way Birdie and he can be alone together is if Birdie works long hours in his shop. When Frank breaks out of jail, and gets involved with Russian ‘white’ terrorists tension mounts and it’s down to young Pat and Harry, the Connor’s lodger, to pit their wits against desperate people and the police to salvage the Connor’s honour and Birdie’s happiness.

All through the book, I longed for Birdie to tell Donald where to stuck his rotten fruit and veg, and take a better look at Harry, a man quietly supporting Birdie while nurturing a growing building company. Carol Rivers keeps her readers entertained with the sights and smells of old London (you’ll learn a little Cockney Rhyming Slang) and creates characters so vivid, you’ll live through their struggles and triumphs, good times and bad as they battle with day to day living on the Isle of Dogs.

Reading this book is like a long leisurely stroll down memory lane, back to good old London Town where a pint of cockles was the only fast food, when family was everything, and the world was the street where you lived. Mix in a story of faith, desertion, and desperate refugees to add spice and intrigue, and you have a book impossible to put down until the very last drop has been savoured.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. With In The Bleak Midwinter, the reader finds themselves once again transported to East End London, this time after the Great War when the community is trying to get as back to normal as is possible. Carol Rivers manges to portray the era excellently, providing the readers with an understanding and an insight into how life was, and the effect that the War had on families, the pain, disruption and suffering that it caused.

The characters in the story were captivating, they were very well developed and as the reader I felt so involved with the characters that I was desperate to read on as more of their story was revealed. Birdie is the perfect heroine, always wanting to do the best for her family, dreaming of being a loving wife to Donald, until she agrees to help Frank after he escapes from prison, potentially putting herself and those closest to her in danger. I was gripped with Birdie’s story, and could not put the story down until I had finished!

This is yet another fantastic novel from Carol Rivers, full of lots of description and characters that will pull you in, keeping you with them right until the very end!

[Catherine Fitzpatrick]

At first i thought wow its a long ,long read but i thought why not!!!
So i set my self a challenge and i took the book with me almost every where
so much so that i could not put it down i spent till early morning to read it ....(i even missed bus stops to get off and nearly get on too i was also too captured every time).
But what a book twists and turns surprises galore also who you think was involved was not
All in all that's what i call a brilliant writer...trills , romance, danger...promises...leaves you at the end of your seat...plus a few tears...get some hankies..
Please take a peek and i dare say you will be like me you want to be in there.. That's what a call a fabulous read.... great characters designed and worked well ...Can't wait to read the next one from Carol Rivers.....

One of the best books and like' Angel Ashes' Frank Mc court (memoir) I read that 5 times ... you will be hooked from the time you started to the time you end ... you won't want to put the book down

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It's not my usual read, but since my family hail from London's East End I thought I'd give it a try. The characters were strong and made me want to know what was going to happen to them, even the not so nice ones. There was plenty in the plot, and while it wasn't difficult to work it all out, it held my attention well.

I did find the use of rhyming slang a bit clumsy, and I found the Irish tone used by the main character, Birdie, at the start of the novel, had sort of disappeared by the end, which was a bit inconsistent.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has surpassed my expectations by a long way.
The way in which the central characters were developed was very good. It developed a story in which I found that I wanted to know what came next. the pace was swift. The references back to the way different groups within society reacted to the thorny topic of desertion by a soldier were explored in an interesting way.

[Marietta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating read.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but very predictable. I prefer surprises in a story.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery read. Light but not trivial. Nice start to the Clare/Russ series.

[Heather Copping · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, what a great story.