The Burden of Guilt

by Molly Clifford-Nixon

The year is 1965. Jules and Charlotte are thrown together unexpectedly through the European Fraud Prevention Office. Having not seen one another since their break-up, will they survive the emotional turmoil of regret, guilt and hope that ensues? What is the secret Charlotte believes will destroy the love Jules still feels for her? In contrast, his superior, Smythe, embarks on a journey of love he had thought impossible. Their relationships unfold against the backdrop of an investigation prompted by Smythe’s distrust of Fawkes, the new Head of the EFPO. Why does Fawkes want a file on ‘The Monument Men’ archived? What really happened to Charlotte’s father? Did he steal artefacts during World War II? What connects the 1936 Berlin Olympics with a ship bound for Gloucester docks?

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2013

Reviews

[Michelle Kidwell]

The Burden of Guilt
by Molly Clifford-Nixon
BooksGoSocial

Literary Fiction | Mystery & Thrillers
Pub Date 01 Dec 2013



I am reviewing a copy of The Burden of Guilt in through BooksGoSocil and Netgalley:


Jules and Charolette are thrown together unexpectedly through the European Fraud Prevention Office in 1965. They have seen one another since their break-up, will they survive the emotional turmoil of regret, guilt and hope that ensues?




What is the secret Charlotte believes will destroy the love Jules still has for her? In contrast, his superior, Smythe, embarks on a journey of love he had thought impossible.



Their relationships unfold against the backdrop of an investigation prompted by Smythe’s distrust of Fawkes, the new Head of the EFPO. Why does Fawkes want a file on ‘The Monument Men’ archived?



What happened to Charlotte’s father? Did he really steal artifacts during the Second World War.



What connects the 1936 Berlin Olympics with a ship bound for Gloucester docks?



I give The Burden of Guilt five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

[Nancy W. Whittingham]

I picked this up because I love historical romance and was not disappointed. The chemistry between Jules and Charlotte is electric from the very first page. Their history together, the pain of their separation, and the slow rekindling of their love felt so real. The 1965 London setting gave everything a nostalgic, moody feel that perfectly matched the tension of the story. The mystery element about Charlotte's father was gripping, and I found myself staying up way too late to find out what happened. Highly recommend.

[Josepoh Roy]

Charlotte Blythe is one of the most compelling female protagonists I've read in a long time. She's not strong in a flashy way she's strong in the way real people are strong, which means she's also deeply vulnerable and sometimes makes terrible decisions and carries enormous guilt quietly for years. The scene in the bathroom at Jules's flat. I genuinely held my breath. This author understands people

[Taylor Morgan]

The thing that stayed with me most after finishing The Burden of Guilt is Charlotte's letter. After everything the investigation, the danger, the cottage, Kruger she writes Jules a letter and tries to disappear. The weight of that guilt she's been carrying the whole novel suddenly makes complete sense. I had to put the book down for a few minutes. Absolutely devastating and beautifully written.

[Russel Whitehead]

This is not just a romance novel. It's a full blown spy thriller with heart. Jules is a former operative trying to resign from his organisation, but he gets pulled back in for one last job. The espionage plot, complete with coded messages, hidden Nazi loot, and corrupt officials, kept me on the edge of my seat. Charlotte is a strong female lead who holds her own. The way the author weaves the love story into the intrigue is masterful. I could not put this down.

[Rebecca Hume]

The romance between Jules and Charlotte is the kind you dream about. They have that epic, once in a lifetime love that survives years of separation, misunderstanding, and immense pain. Their shared history gives their story so much weight. When they finally start to break down the walls between them, it is so emotionally satisfying. I love a good second chance romance, and this is one of the best I have read.

[Angela Adamo]

The atmosphere in this book is incredible. The author really transports you to 1960s London with all its fog, rain, phone boxes, and smoky offices. You can almost smell the pipe tobacco and hear the clatter of typewriters. It feels like stepping into a classic black and white film. The historical detail is rich without being overwhelming. I loved how the setting became a character in itself.

[Anthony Cantu]

What a rollercoaster of emotions. There is a scene in this book that literally made my stomach drop. The tension building up to it was so well done and the payoff was devastating. You really feel for Charlotte. She goes through so much and she handles it all with such strength. This is not a light, fluffy romance. It has real stakes and real darkness.

[Sharon Ragsdale]

The writing style is elegant and evocative. The prose flows beautifully and the descriptions are so visual. I could picture every scene in my head. The dialogue is sharp and natural, and it really brings the characters to life. It felt like reading a classic while still being fresh and modern in its pacing. This author clearly knows how to craft a sentence.

[Leo Anderson]

I really appreciated the complexity of the plot. This is not your average historical romance. There is a layered mystery involving Nazi loot, forged papers, and betrayal that would be at home in a John le Carré novel. The way the author blends the romance and the thriller elements is seamless and impressive. It feels smart and sophisticated.

[Sylvia K. Palmer]

The emotional payoff in this book is incredible. The angst is real, and the characters really earn their happy ending. It is a story about forgiveness, not just between Jules and Charlotte, but self forgiveness as well. Charlotte's struggle to forgive herself for what happened is so raw and honest. It is a beautiful and moving read.

[Ruth Rita]

After finishing this book, I just sat for a minute to absorb everything. It is one of those stories that sticks with you. It made me feel the full spectrum of emotions, from joy to heartbreak and everything in between. The ending was perfect and I felt so satisfied. This is a beautiful, well told story and I am so glad I read it.

[Hayden Band]

The setting at Beechwood, Jules's family estate, provided a beautiful contrast to the grimy streets of London. It is a story of two worlds colliding and it worked wonderfully. The scenes there were a bit of a respite from the tension, but they were just as emotionally charged. It is a rich and layered world that I was sad to leave behind.

[Louise Gray]

Love and mystery and the European Fraud Prevention Office? It’s an odd premise but stick with it - this book offers a great, tangled mystery with a romance to boot! The characters are really engaging and the complex interconnections over time add to the sense of intrigue.

[Wanda R.]

I am so glad I discovered this book. It has a bit of everything: romance, suspense, historical detail, and complex characters. It is exactly the kind of story I love to get lost in. I will definitely be recommending it to my friends who enjoy a good romantic suspense novel. It is a hidden gem.