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The Memory Keeper
Don't miss the next sweeping historical novel from Corin Burnside.
An utterly heart-wrenching and unputdownable novel about love, loss and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.
1940. Having grown up surrounded by nature, Bella Gardner loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty. When war breaks out, she immediately signs up for the Air Transport Auxiliary, frustrated she can’t play a more active role, yet keen to do something for the war effort. But when her brother is involved in a tragic accident, Bella must make a decision that changes the course of her life forever.
2014. Archaeologist Jennifer Dawson is excited when she is told about an unrecovered World War 2 Spitfire but is shocked to discover that the body of the pilot is still inside the plane. Trying to avoid her own demons, Jennifer sets out to solve the mystery of the forgotten pilot – and finds that the answer might lie a lot closer to home…
An utterly heart-wrenching and unputdownable novel about love, loss and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Fiona Valpy, Lorna Cook and Kathryn Hughes.
1940. Having grown up surrounded by nature, Bella Gardner loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty. When war breaks out, she immediately signs up for the Air Transport Auxiliary, frustrated she can’t play a more active role, yet keen to do something for the war effort. But when her brother is involved in a tragic accident, Bella must make a decision that changes the course of her life forever.
2014. Archaeologist Jennifer Dawson is excited when she is told about an unrecovered World War 2 Spitfire but is shocked to discover that the body of the pilot is still inside the plane. Trying to avoid her own demons, Jennifer sets out to solve the mystery of the forgotten pilot – and finds that the answer might lie a lot closer to home…
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 13, 2024
490 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 4, 2024
ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! The best book I've read this year so far and it will be hard to beat. I enjoyed this author's last book but this tops it by a mile!
It's a dual timeline story and the two timelines blend seamlessly. Every second chapter is about Bella, in the past and Jennifer in the present up to the last few chapters so you always know where you are in the book.
The opening pages were a brilliant hook and it never waned. Both Bella and Jennifer have suffered trauma in their lives. They are both strong women with Bella doing something completely out of the ordinary. There's a great cast of characters and so much information on different subjects, yet it never gets bogged down. I did have an inkling part way through and then guessed where it was going but it didn't stop my enjoyment of the read. For me it enhanced it.
Even though I knew a certain outcome, a wave of sadness washed over me when it came out. It's a very emotional read with grief, love, joy and acceptance running through it. A phenomenal amount of research must have gone into this story. The dog fights in the Spitfires were so well done you could feel the tension of the pilots.
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves dual timelines and stories set around the war. Can't wait for her next book!!
Many thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
It's a dual timeline story and the two timelines blend seamlessly. Every second chapter is about Bella, in the past and Jennifer in the present up to the last few chapters so you always know where you are in the book.
The opening pages were a brilliant hook and it never waned. Both Bella and Jennifer have suffered trauma in their lives. They are both strong women with Bella doing something completely out of the ordinary. There's a great cast of characters and so much information on different subjects, yet it never gets bogged down. I did have an inkling part way through and then guessed where it was going but it didn't stop my enjoyment of the read. For me it enhanced it.
Even though I knew a certain outcome, a wave of sadness washed over me when it came out. It's a very emotional read with grief, love, joy and acceptance running through it. A phenomenal amount of research must have gone into this story. The dog fights in the Spitfires were so well done you could feel the tension of the pilots.
I'd highly recommend it to anyone who loves dual timelines and stories set around the war. Can't wait for her next book!!
Many thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for an early copy of this book.
July 17, 2024
So Corin Burnside was a new author to me but given how much I love WW2 historical fiction with dual timeline storyline involved, it was a no brainer that I had to read this, plus the cover to the book is gorgeous.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Bella and Aidan back in 1940 and that of Jennifer in present day 2014, I was captivated right from the first few chapters, really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and to discovering each of their stories. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1940 to present day 2014 which was done so seamlessly. I loved the mentions of the Spitfires, Hurricanes planes, really added something special to the story.
The archeological element to the story was a really insightful one, as I learnt a few things that I never even knew, like how the process worked when they discovered/found something and the hoops they have to jump through with people of authority before they can proceed with the evacuation of a dig site.
So if you love books that tell a story in the present and in the past then I can highly recommend this beautiful tale of love, sacrifice, friendship, courage, discovery and so much more.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Bella and Aidan back in 1940 and that of Jennifer in present day 2014, I was captivated right from the first few chapters, really enjoyed getting to know all of the characters and to discovering each of their stories. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1940 to present day 2014 which was done so seamlessly. I loved the mentions of the Spitfires, Hurricanes planes, really added something special to the story.
The archeological element to the story was a really insightful one, as I learnt a few things that I never even knew, like how the process worked when they discovered/found something and the hoops they have to jump through with people of authority before they can proceed with the evacuation of a dig site.
So if you love books that tell a story in the present and in the past then I can highly recommend this beautiful tale of love, sacrifice, friendship, courage, discovery and so much more.
September 16, 2024
Oh my goodness, what a debut this is! I read this pretty quickly because I didn’t want to put it down. I love a duel timeline and this was done so well, giving the reader the opportunity to really get to know each character. The twists and turns of this book kept me on my toes and to be honest, I can’t say anything else.. I just loved it 💛
April 24, 2025
A beautiful and memorable story.
February 4, 2026
This book was a great read. It gave the insight of the times in England during WWII. It was great knowing that the heroine in the story was actually a woman. I did find that the book ended pretty quickly I felt like there should have been a little more.
January 1, 2025
The stories of 2 women in different time periods (Bella in WW2 and Jennifer in present day). Whilst this book is well written, the WW2 plot was a bit far fetched imho - a woman pretending to be an raf officer taking her brothers place on training and posting.
Whilst I know history has stories of women who have disguised themselves and gone into battle, the whole set up of this felt forced to drive the plot forward. As for the present day story, it was ok and it was a nice touch to have a thread to the WW2 plot line. But I’m afraid this wasn’t a hit with me.
Whilst I know history has stories of women who have disguised themselves and gone into battle, the whole set up of this felt forced to drive the plot forward. As for the present day story, it was ok and it was a nice touch to have a thread to the WW2 plot line. But I’m afraid this wasn’t a hit with me.
November 18, 2024
Nice story
Gave 4 instead of 5 stars because the author makes a great story, full of details, but when the book is approaching its end the plot seems to rush like if there was a page limit and the story has to be wrapped up quickly. Would have loved to enjoy more the ending as I did the rest of the book.
Gave 4 instead of 5 stars because the author makes a great story, full of details, but when the book is approaching its end the plot seems to rush like if there was a page limit and the story has to be wrapped up quickly. Would have loved to enjoy more the ending as I did the rest of the book.
September 13, 2024
I read quite a lot of historical fiction and a lot of it involves WW2. This story by Corin Burnside presents a totally fresh take on a period of history we have all read so much about. This one grabbed me from the first page. Such an emotional and heartbreaking story of families in war. A dual timeline story, I also learned a lot about archaeological digs around the discoveries of war aircraft. This was a fascinating story, brought together intelligently by Corin where each page led you to the next with a desire to know how everyone was going to get out of this alive, or not. Brava! Corin Burnside.
October 23, 2024
The Memory Keeper Remembered a Story Very Well
A dual timeline book is at least two books, two stories, entwined. If told well, as in this book, it feels like one story. In this book, there’s an Australian and British world with its players engaging World War 2. There’s also a present day British world with its players ultimately trying to digest the World War 2 world and understand it. Our author handled this nicely, creating a very satisfying story. Well done!
A dual timeline book is at least two books, two stories, entwined. If told well, as in this book, it feels like one story. In this book, there’s an Australian and British world with its players engaging World War 2. There’s also a present day British world with its players ultimately trying to digest the World War 2 world and understand it. Our author handled this nicely, creating a very satisfying story. Well done!
February 25, 2026
I loved this book. I did have some things figured out but it hooked me to the very end. Loved it.
August 13, 2024
After loving the author’s first book, I had high expectations for The Memory Keeper, and it did not disappoint. 🥹 The author’s talent for creating vivid, cinematic scenes makes reading her work feel like watching a movie unfold. Even though I could sense where the story was heading, the way the narrative unfolded kept me hooked. The Memory Keeper is indeed a true page-turner! 👍
However, I have to admit that the portrayal of grief within Jennifer’s family didn’t resonate with me as deeply as I’d hoped. Despite this, the book shines in other areas. The topics of RAF, spitfires, and archaeology were new to me, yet they were so well-written that I could easily understand and visualize them. The tension during the flying scenes kept me on the edge, and I even picked up some new insights into archaeology.
Overall, The Memory Keeper is definitely an emotional and insightful read. I’m eager to see what the author comes up with next and will definitely be keeping an eye out of for her future works 💖 She’s my go-to historical fiction author to date!
Q: What themes in World War II fiction resonate with you most? Courage, survival, resistance, sacrifice, or something else?
Share your answers on my bookstagram
However, I have to admit that the portrayal of grief within Jennifer’s family didn’t resonate with me as deeply as I’d hoped. Despite this, the book shines in other areas. The topics of RAF, spitfires, and archaeology were new to me, yet they were so well-written that I could easily understand and visualize them. The tension during the flying scenes kept me on the edge, and I even picked up some new insights into archaeology.
Overall, The Memory Keeper is definitely an emotional and insightful read. I’m eager to see what the author comes up with next and will definitely be keeping an eye out of for her future works 💖 She’s my go-to historical fiction author to date!
Q: What themes in World War II fiction resonate with you most? Courage, survival, resistance, sacrifice, or something else?
Share your answers on my bookstagram
July 20, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed The Memory Keeper. It is a dual time historical novel set in 2014 and WW11. The story is well thought out and the pace is just right. The characters are well rounded and believable. I did work out where the narrative was going about half way through but this didn't detract from my reading pleasure at all. I can recommend giving this book a try if you enjoy a good read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
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August 5, 2024Brief synopsis from the book cover:
1940. Having grown up surrounded by nature, Bella Gardner loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty. When war breaks out, she immediately signs up for the Air Transport Auxiliary, frustrated she can’t play a more active role, yet keen to do something for the war effort. But when her brother is involved in a tragic accident, Bella must make a decision that changes the course of her life forever.
2014. Archaeologist Jennifer Dawson is excited when she is told about an unrecovered World War 2 Spitfire but is shocked to discover that the body of the pilot is still inside the plane. Trying to avoid her own demons, Jennifer sets out to solve the mystery of the forgotten pilot – and finds that the answer might lie a lot closer to home…
My rating:
Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Historical Fiction
Review:
This is a beautiful story, told over a dual time line, one set in the present tells the story of Jennifer and the other, Bella’s story takes place during WWII. The characters are interesting women each with their own story to tell but there are also many similarities. The book is very well written, vivid and with great attention to detail. The story flows well and is very moving with the right amount of mystery, suspense and a bit of romance that keep you going till the end.
The characters are well developed; their actions are explained with enough detail, this makes characters appear realistic.
Overall:
This is a, well written and researched story with great character development, the right amount of intrigue and suspense to keep you captivated till the end.
Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.
1940. Having grown up surrounded by nature, Bella Gardner loves nothing more than getting her hands dirty. When war breaks out, she immediately signs up for the Air Transport Auxiliary, frustrated she can’t play a more active role, yet keen to do something for the war effort. But when her brother is involved in a tragic accident, Bella must make a decision that changes the course of her life forever.
2014. Archaeologist Jennifer Dawson is excited when she is told about an unrecovered World War 2 Spitfire but is shocked to discover that the body of the pilot is still inside the plane. Trying to avoid her own demons, Jennifer sets out to solve the mystery of the forgotten pilot – and finds that the answer might lie a lot closer to home…
My rating:
Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
Recommended for readers of:
Historical Fiction
Review:
This is a beautiful story, told over a dual time line, one set in the present tells the story of Jennifer and the other, Bella’s story takes place during WWII. The characters are interesting women each with their own story to tell but there are also many similarities. The book is very well written, vivid and with great attention to detail. The story flows well and is very moving with the right amount of mystery, suspense and a bit of romance that keep you going till the end.
The characters are well developed; their actions are explained with enough detail, this makes characters appear realistic.
Overall:
This is a, well written and researched story with great character development, the right amount of intrigue and suspense to keep you captivated till the end.
Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me.
June 18, 2025
Wonderful
What a great novel. I enjoyed it so much. I bought the next book. I can’t wait to read it.
What a great novel. I enjoyed it so much. I bought the next book. I can’t wait to read it.
July 20, 2024
What an amazing book ! Dual time line was written so well and the characters were so real. The story of an amazing pilot and the secret within and an unbelievable coincidence . Read it and you won’t be disappointed.
My thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the early read
My thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the early read
July 19, 2024
A beautifully written story of how the past can determine our future.
June 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGally for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love, love, love "The Memory Keeper" by Colin Burnside! Though it started off a bit slow, once I got into it, I found it to be an incredibly captivating read that kept me up late, eagerly turning pages to find out more. This book is a wonderful page-turner!
One of my favorite aspects of the novel is its dual timeline. I love discovering how things link together as the story unfolds, and Burnside does an excellent job of keeping readers guessing about the lives of the two main characters. In the present day, we follow Jennifer, who is dealing with grief while working to recover a WWII Spitfire at a local dig. In 1940, we meet the enigmatic Bella, who is desperately trying to use her hard-earned skills for the war effort by posing as her brother as women were unable to fight.
Bella, in particular, stands out as a compelling lead. Her story is so well-written that I couldn't put the book down. Burnside's writing skillfully weaves together the past and present, creating a rich and engaging narrative that keeps you invested in both timelines.
Overall, "The Memory Keeper" is a beautifully crafted story that seamlessly blends historical fiction with contemporary issues. It’s a book that will keep you guessing and deeply engaged from start to finish. I will definitely be hunting down more books by this author!
I love, love, love "The Memory Keeper" by Colin Burnside! Though it started off a bit slow, once I got into it, I found it to be an incredibly captivating read that kept me up late, eagerly turning pages to find out more. This book is a wonderful page-turner!
One of my favorite aspects of the novel is its dual timeline. I love discovering how things link together as the story unfolds, and Burnside does an excellent job of keeping readers guessing about the lives of the two main characters. In the present day, we follow Jennifer, who is dealing with grief while working to recover a WWII Spitfire at a local dig. In 1940, we meet the enigmatic Bella, who is desperately trying to use her hard-earned skills for the war effort by posing as her brother as women were unable to fight.
Bella, in particular, stands out as a compelling lead. Her story is so well-written that I couldn't put the book down. Burnside's writing skillfully weaves together the past and present, creating a rich and engaging narrative that keeps you invested in both timelines.
Overall, "The Memory Keeper" is a beautifully crafted story that seamlessly blends historical fiction with contemporary issues. It’s a book that will keep you guessing and deeply engaged from start to finish. I will definitely be hunting down more books by this author!
June 20, 2024
A really good historical drama book that leaves you desperate to know how it ends. A nice read that trots along at a good pace.
May 19, 2025
Very good book. My father was an RAF pilot and never spoke about his time during the war, now I know, it was very very hard time for all of them.
October 26, 2025
This book kept my interest, and I looked forward to reading more of it each evening. However, in my opinion, there was an abundance of unnecessary f-bombs, I found it strange that this word was uttered when otherwise, the people carrying on a conversation seemed to care about being polite.
I found 9 places where I thought the editor may have overlooked some errors but realize some of those finds could be merely a difference between UK and US English.
It seemed strange to me that neither Bella's aunt, her brother, nor her father knew exactly where she was or what she was doing.
I enjoyed reading about the archeological project and the people involved in it.
I found 9 places where I thought the editor may have overlooked some errors but realize some of those finds could be merely a difference between UK and US English.
It seemed strange to me that neither Bella's aunt, her brother, nor her father knew exactly where she was or what she was doing.
I enjoyed reading about the archeological project and the people involved in it.
February 9, 2025
History meets romance
I enjoyed this book and it kept my interest. It was easy to figure out how the pieces would come together, but I still wanted to see how it all was revealed. Strong woman characters, paired with action scenes of war and archeological discovery make it a page turner.
I enjoyed this book and it kept my interest. It was easy to figure out how the pieces would come together, but I still wanted to see how it all was revealed. Strong woman characters, paired with action scenes of war and archeological discovery make it a page turner.
March 30, 2025
Great historical fiction. Told in a dual timeline format, the way the two timelines merge is beautifully written. This tells the story of a RAF pilot in WWII who was actually a woman masquerading as her brother. Everyone thought she was one of the boys and an ace fighter pilot. I love stories with strong determined female characters!
October 16, 2025
I enjoy books with a “now and then”. Beautifully written about a WW2 family, wealthy, entitled and accomplished . It highlights the bravery of the fighter pilots and the tragic accident that shaped the future of this family. The now … a young archeologist and the fascinating discovery that unravels the mystery of the missing pilot. A good read.
April 20, 2025
I enjoyed the story and the historical nature of the book but sadly I listened to the audio book which had the most dreadful Australian accent in it that I found it hard to be swept away with the story. I am not deterred though and will in future READ books by this author!
December 5, 2024
A well written novel where past and present come together. The main character, Bella is headstrong and sometimes ruled by her passion, making for an interesting story.
January 12, 2025
Loved!! Really enjoyed the multi POV and duel timeline. The story was done so well. Would recommend!
March 9, 2025
I love historical fiction and this story was one that kept you turning pages. The plot is believable and the the connections between the characters are heartwarming.
August 15, 2025
Sweet story, easy read.
September 29, 2025
Wonderful book, great writer, I will admit, I cried at the end.
September 30, 2025
Fantastic! Was captivated from the get-go!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews