What do you think?
Rate this book
My Best Friend
England, 1944:
In a time of unparalleled fear, youngsters everywhere sought sanctuary in M. M. Haldane’s magical books, where no danger was ever great enough to prevent her hero from returning safely home to tea. But when her own son, Gerald, went down to the woods one day, not even a mother could save him from making a discovery so horrifying that it would mark the end of both his sister’s life and his innocence forever...
England, 1995:
As a new generation prepares to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of VE day, Gerald remains terrorized by his memories. Desperately lonely, he finds solace in following a young girl home from school. To protect her, he says. But when the girl disappears, all eyes turn accusingly to him. Gerald’s only salvation is to finally confront the atrocious events of his past--and the unthinkable, unspeakable truth about his star-crossed family, steeped in fiction and in guilt, that can finally set him free.
In a time of unparalleled fear, youngsters everywhere sought sanctuary in M. M. Haldane’s magical books, where no danger was ever great enough to prevent her hero from returning safely home to tea. But when her own son, Gerald, went down to the woods one day, not even a mother could save him from making a discovery so horrifying that it would mark the end of both his sister’s life and his innocence forever...
England, 1995:
As a new generation prepares to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of VE day, Gerald remains terrorized by his memories. Desperately lonely, he finds solace in following a young girl home from school. To protect her, he says. But when the girl disappears, all eyes turn accusingly to him. Gerald’s only salvation is to finally confront the atrocious events of his past--and the unthinkable, unspeakable truth about his star-crossed family, steeped in fiction and in guilt, that can finally set him free.
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Laura Wilson
156 books77 followersThere is more than one author with this name
Laura Wilson is an English crime-writer based in London, where she was born and raised. She has degrees in English Literature form Somerville College, Oxford, and University College London, and has worked as a teacher and editor of non-fiction.
Many of her novels have either a historical setting or a distinct historical connection, and often have split or dual narratives. Her first novel, A Little Death was shortlsited for a CWA Dagger award, and her fifth, The Lover was short listed for both the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
Laura Wilson is an English crime-writer based in London, where she was born and raised. She has degrees in English Literature form Somerville College, Oxford, and University College London, and has worked as a teacher and editor of non-fiction.
Many of her novels have either a historical setting or a distinct historical connection, and often have split or dual narratives. Her first novel, A Little Death was shortlsited for a CWA Dagger award, and her fifth, The Lover was short listed for both the CWA Gold Dagger and the Ellis Peters Historical Dagger.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 12, 2019
A clever story, about different characters across a fifty year time period, sees an emotionally deprived man caught up in a missing child mystery
April 19, 2013
England, 1944: In a time of unparalleled fear, youngsters everywhere sought sanctuary in the magical books of author M. M. Haldane. No danger was ever too great to prevent her hero - Tom Tyler, Boy Detective - from returning safely home for tea. Inside such an idyllic storybook world, the danger was always overcome and good always vanquished evil.
Playing in the woods of a quiet Suffolk village one day, fourteen-year-old Gerald Haxton - the disturbed and unpopular son of the famous children's author - discovers the body of his elder sister Vera buried in a shallow grave. She had been beaten to death with a wooden stake and her boyfriend, a young GI, is hanged for the crime. The discovery of Vera's body is so horrifying for Gerald, that his innocence is lost forever...
England, 1995: As a new generation prepares to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of VE Day, Gerald, who still remains a loner, is terrorized by his memories. Gerald is nearing retirement, desperately lonely and living something of a hermit's life. Obsessed with routine, he still talks to his dead twin brother, Jack. Surrounded by the nostalgic artifacts at the television prop-hire business where he works, he is constantly reminded of the past, and with it, his sister Vera's death.
Gerald eventually finds solace in following twelve-year-old Mel, the daughter of his colleague, home from school every day. To protect her, he says. But when Mel - who bears a striking resemblance to Vera - goes missing one day, all eyes turn accusingly to Gerald.
I really enjoyed reading this book. This was the second book by Laura Wilson that I've read, but it is actually the third book that she has written. I felt so sorry for Gerald - in my opinion, Gerald received rather a raw deal. He was targeted because he was different, but in my opinion, Gerald couldn't or wouldn't have harmed a fly. I give My Best Friend by Laura Wilson an A!
Playing in the woods of a quiet Suffolk village one day, fourteen-year-old Gerald Haxton - the disturbed and unpopular son of the famous children's author - discovers the body of his elder sister Vera buried in a shallow grave. She had been beaten to death with a wooden stake and her boyfriend, a young GI, is hanged for the crime. The discovery of Vera's body is so horrifying for Gerald, that his innocence is lost forever...
England, 1995: As a new generation prepares to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of VE Day, Gerald, who still remains a loner, is terrorized by his memories. Gerald is nearing retirement, desperately lonely and living something of a hermit's life. Obsessed with routine, he still talks to his dead twin brother, Jack. Surrounded by the nostalgic artifacts at the television prop-hire business where he works, he is constantly reminded of the past, and with it, his sister Vera's death.
Gerald eventually finds solace in following twelve-year-old Mel, the daughter of his colleague, home from school every day. To protect her, he says. But when Mel - who bears a striking resemblance to Vera - goes missing one day, all eyes turn accusingly to Gerald.
I really enjoyed reading this book. This was the second book by Laura Wilson that I've read, but it is actually the third book that she has written. I felt so sorry for Gerald - in my opinion, Gerald received rather a raw deal. He was targeted because he was different, but in my opinion, Gerald couldn't or wouldn't have harmed a fly. I give My Best Friend by Laura Wilson an A!
January 2, 2024
Gerald Haxton leads a solitary life, surrounded by nostalgic artifacts at the TV prop-hire company where he works and spending much of his time at the theatre. He is proud that he has seen Starlight Express 215 times. Living at Mrs Clarks boarding house and nearing retirement he has a routine with which he feels safe. But when he sees a young girl with a startling resemblance to his dead sister Vera, he feels that he should follow her just to see that she is all right.
As the sight of the young girl causes Gerald to reminisce, we learn of his still-born twin brother Jack who he considers his only real friend. His mother Marjorie Haldane, the famous children’s author. And the discovery in 1944 of the body of his murdered sister Vera, which has haunted him all his life.
The extracts from the diary of Gerald Arthur Haxton, aged 8 are a marvellous insight into the main character of the story, providing the reader with knowledge of Gerald which is so opposite to the picture portrayed in his current world. ‘Monday 4th September 1939, Mr Paddick has lost his teeth. It was dark and he rode his bicycle into some sandbags in the lane and his teeth fell out, and now he cannot find them again, so it is the first casualty of the war. Mrs Paddock said that Hiter has got a lot to answer for. Aunt Tilly has come to stay with us.’
Following the young girl becomes a habit for Gerald, so when she goes missing Gerald’s life disintegrates and the fragments scatter with surprising consequences.
As with Laura’s two previous books she writes from multiple points of view with skill. From Gerald’s diary, flashbacks to the life of his sister Vera, and his memories between 1938 and 1944. We hear from Tilly, Marjorie’s sister, now 87 and live the years of the second World War through her eyes, fleshing out the story given through the eyes of 8-year-old Gerald. And in the current time Jo, mother of twelve-year-old Mel who goes missing. As these three people narrate their stories, the reader is transported back and forth in time, and slowly the reader watches with wonder as the several threads are gathered up and woven together to provide a fascinating mystery giving insight into the lives of several people drawn together by destiny.
A truly compelling read. Highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
As the sight of the young girl causes Gerald to reminisce, we learn of his still-born twin brother Jack who he considers his only real friend. His mother Marjorie Haldane, the famous children’s author. And the discovery in 1944 of the body of his murdered sister Vera, which has haunted him all his life.
The extracts from the diary of Gerald Arthur Haxton, aged 8 are a marvellous insight into the main character of the story, providing the reader with knowledge of Gerald which is so opposite to the picture portrayed in his current world. ‘Monday 4th September 1939, Mr Paddick has lost his teeth. It was dark and he rode his bicycle into some sandbags in the lane and his teeth fell out, and now he cannot find them again, so it is the first casualty of the war. Mrs Paddock said that Hiter has got a lot to answer for. Aunt Tilly has come to stay with us.’
Following the young girl becomes a habit for Gerald, so when she goes missing Gerald’s life disintegrates and the fragments scatter with surprising consequences.
As with Laura’s two previous books she writes from multiple points of view with skill. From Gerald’s diary, flashbacks to the life of his sister Vera, and his memories between 1938 and 1944. We hear from Tilly, Marjorie’s sister, now 87 and live the years of the second World War through her eyes, fleshing out the story given through the eyes of 8-year-old Gerald. And in the current time Jo, mother of twelve-year-old Mel who goes missing. As these three people narrate their stories, the reader is transported back and forth in time, and slowly the reader watches with wonder as the several threads are gathered up and woven together to provide a fascinating mystery giving insight into the lives of several people drawn together by destiny.
A truly compelling read. Highly recommended.
------
Reviewer: Lizzie Hayes
April 12, 2025
I always enjoy books by Laura Wilson and especially her Stratton series. This book is a stand alone.
The story is told from the point of view of the three main characters. Gerald is a loner and has issues. In his past the reader learns about his childhood during the war and about his sisters death. Tilly is Gerald's aunt and she reflects on her time during the war and the time she spent with the family. Jo works with Gerald and gets very worried when Gerald takes an interest in her daughter.
I really enjoyed this book. What I loved was the different voices of the characters. The narrative is very down to earth and chatty. I felt like I was sitting down at the kitchen table with a cuppa listening to them tell their tale.
The story was good and I was drawn right in. I did think that Jo's daughter disappeared late in the book so then the ending became a bit rushed. This however did not distract from the book.
I cant recommend Laura Wilson enough and I liked this book very much.
The story is told from the point of view of the three main characters. Gerald is a loner and has issues. In his past the reader learns about his childhood during the war and about his sisters death. Tilly is Gerald's aunt and she reflects on her time during the war and the time she spent with the family. Jo works with Gerald and gets very worried when Gerald takes an interest in her daughter.
I really enjoyed this book. What I loved was the different voices of the characters. The narrative is very down to earth and chatty. I felt like I was sitting down at the kitchen table with a cuppa listening to them tell their tale.
The story was good and I was drawn right in. I did think that Jo's daughter disappeared late in the book so then the ending became a bit rushed. This however did not distract from the book.
I cant recommend Laura Wilson enough and I liked this book very much.
September 29, 2019
A sad story told partly from the (fictional) mind of a person who is different.
July 24, 2023
I found the story a little slow and very predictable. It needed more character development of the actual perpetrator (don't want to give any spoilers away).
May 29, 2012
Goodreads Description- England, 1944: She was the most beloved children’s author of her generation. In a time of unparalleled fear, youngsters everywhere sought sanctuary in M.M. Haldane’s magical world, where no danger was ever great enough to prevent her hero from returning safely home to tea.
But when her own son, Gerald, went down to the woods one day, not even a mother could save him from making a discovery so horrifying that it would mark the end of both his sister’s life and his innocence forever. When the doors to the nursery close, they close for eternity....
England, 1995: As the country prepared to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of V-E Day, Gerald remains terrorized by his memories. Desperately lonely, he finds solace in following a young girl home from school. To protect her, he says. But when the girl disappears, all eyes turn accusingly to him.
Running for his life, Gerald’s only salvation is to finally confront the atrocious events of his terrible past — and the unthinkable, unspeakable truth about his star-crossed family, steeped in fiction and in guilt, that can finally set him free.
With the precision of a sculptress, Laura Wilson chisels into the minds of her characters, carving their stories with the skill of a master craftsman. Spanning a chasm of decades, ruthlessly peeling away the layers of an astonishing mystery, My Best Friend takes us on a journey of literary suspense that is at once disturbing, hypnotic, and impossible to forget. I read this book for a challenge and it wasn't the greatest book ever nor was it the worst. I did like the writing style and narration type. Wilson had different characters narrate each chapter and rapidly switched back and forth in time. Aunt Tillie and Gerald were the only characters who could tell of both times and it was intesting reading each of their perspectives of Gerald's horrid mother and their reasoning for her behavior. It was a little slow at times but overall it was descent. I liked it so 3 stars.
But when her own son, Gerald, went down to the woods one day, not even a mother could save him from making a discovery so horrifying that it would mark the end of both his sister’s life and his innocence forever. When the doors to the nursery close, they close for eternity....
England, 1995: As the country prepared to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of V-E Day, Gerald remains terrorized by his memories. Desperately lonely, he finds solace in following a young girl home from school. To protect her, he says. But when the girl disappears, all eyes turn accusingly to him.
Running for his life, Gerald’s only salvation is to finally confront the atrocious events of his terrible past — and the unthinkable, unspeakable truth about his star-crossed family, steeped in fiction and in guilt, that can finally set him free.
With the precision of a sculptress, Laura Wilson chisels into the minds of her characters, carving their stories with the skill of a master craftsman. Spanning a chasm of decades, ruthlessly peeling away the layers of an astonishing mystery, My Best Friend takes us on a journey of literary suspense that is at once disturbing, hypnotic, and impossible to forget. I read this book for a challenge and it wasn't the greatest book ever nor was it the worst. I did like the writing style and narration type. Wilson had different characters narrate each chapter and rapidly switched back and forth in time. Aunt Tillie and Gerald were the only characters who could tell of both times and it was intesting reading each of their perspectives of Gerald's horrid mother and their reasoning for her behavior. It was a little slow at times but overall it was descent. I liked it so 3 stars.
December 7, 2011
Told in three first person points of view: Gerald's, his Aunt Tilly's and that of Mel's mother Jo, interspersed with extracts from Gerald's boyhood journal and his mother's books, this took a little getting used to. I never completely warmed to the style or any of the viewpoint characters and suspected what the twist was going to be based on the points of view we didn't see. It did however keep me reading to the end, and encourage me to look into more by the same author.
July 7, 2009
I found this book on a sale table of "beach reads," but it exceeded my expectations. It wasn't the mindless suspense thriller that I was expecting, but rather a well-written story about psychological baggage and the many things that haunt us.
November 2, 2012
This happened to be the second of her books I read this holiday. I did not even know I had bought it. I was pleasantly surprised as I thought it would be nothing special. A psychological thriller. In fact it gripped me til the end even though it was fairly obvious who had 'dun it' I like her style.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews