Let Loose the Tigers

by Josephine Cox

As she retraces her steps back north, Queenie threatens to disturb more than one person's future...

In the sequel to Her Father's Sins, Josephine Cox writes a captivating saga in Let Loose the Tigers, in which Queenie returns to Blackburn... and to her past.

Queenie Bedford fled her native Blackburn and the bitter knowledge that she and Rick Marsden, the man she loved, could never marry. But in 1965 she returns north again to stand by her friend Sheila Thorogood, imprisoned for running a brothel with her mother Maisie. Though Rick had vowed to find her, Queenie takes care that he should not know of her whereabouts.

The magnificent Edwardian house in Blackpool is sadly neglected - but Queenie moves in with the ailing Maisie, and sets about transforming it into a sparklingly clean, highly respectable guesthouse. Meanwhile, Queenie meets the frail and confused Hannah Jason, locked away years ago for murder, and desperate for news of her long-lost son. As Rick continues his dogged search for Queenie, she sets out to find Hannah's son. But both their enquiries threaten to unlock the cage where crucial secrets have long been held captive.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 15, 1988

About the author

Josephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.

She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.

Reviews

[Beata · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books which should be read in sequence as doing so would definitely enhance understanding of characters' actions.
As far as I am concerned, the main downside were the characters, two-dimensional and not developing as the story progressed, The good remained good and the evil remained evil. There were too many secrets to my liking, popping up one after another, mind you, this may be due to the fact that I have not read the author's previous book. At the end I thought that I was not the target reader. I enjoyed Sherry Baines' interpretation though.
*Many thanks to Josephine Cox, Bolinda, Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*

[Shirley Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Utterly painful to read. Took me forever. The story line was ok but just not engaging. Unusual for a Josephine Cox book

[The Cats’ Mother]

I acquired this in a box of free books and figured I’d give it a go because it looked short and I liked the title. It turns out to be a sequel, but you get the gist - beautiful young woman with a terrible past & much melodrama… I only made it to page 25.
So not my cup of tea…

[Jeanne Grice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional

A really good read. Great storyline, characters and description of locations. I found it captivating and difficult to put down. I highly recommend this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. A Josephine Cox fan. Sadly no more books now.

[Jenny L · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first Josephine Cox I have read. She sets the scene and captures her characters with the skill of a true storyteller. I will be sure to read more of her in the future.

[Jo Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve done the author a huge injustice with this review, so I must explain that it is purely because I picked this up not fully realising it was a sequel, in all honesty I enjoyed the story, and I followed the characters well, but, there’s clearly a huge backstory and I’ve missed it all. So I guess I’m technically giving my self a 3 star review , I’m positive I’d have rounded it up if I’d got to know the earlier Queenie.

The writing is excellent, the storyline was solid and the narration was fantastic.

[Mandy Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a strange feeling I had read this book before, but having looked at other people's reviews I realised it was the second book in the series. Which is why I recognise some of the characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book (more so once I had started to remember the last book). Lots of twists and turns.

[Shell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read nearly all of JCox books and more or less enjoyed every one of them. Unfortunately this time it was not the case. I did try with this book but gave up after page 60 i did not warm to the Characters, i grew bored

[Rox Ana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't wait to finish this!!! awfully written, no introduction for some characters, making a whole mistery of everything , hard to keep up! such a waste of time, wish I didn't bother with it. I need a refund 🙄🤦

[sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read

Brilliant had a job to put this book down,a really good story with lots of twists and turns in it

[claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put this book down

Fantastic what a read just as good as the the first sequince! Loved it defiantly in my top 10 of Josephine Cox never fails in her story telling

[Luli · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNFed

[Mrs D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completing Queenies' story

A great read, following Queenie on her journey , believable characters once again who come to life throughout the saga

[Whitney Feehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The things that Queenie has to endure can be a bit hard to handle. But if you read the first book you MUST read this one.

[Cynthia Cotten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. I didn’t want to put it down.

[Louise Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!

Made me cry several times in some of the sad bits and also some of the extremely happy bits. Brilliant

[Shirley E. Harley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

Captivating and intriguing from start
t to finish. I have enjoyed reading this book so much.Thank you Josephine Cox for giving me so much enjoyment.

[Anne Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvellous

Oh my days what a wonderful, sad, tragic, happy, nostalgic and much more story this was. I simply couldn't put it down. Yet another Cox triumph thank you