Foster's Mill

by Val Wood

Escape into the world of Val Wood’s historical saga this winter and cosy up with this utterly gripping fireside read!

Holderness, Yorkshire, 1988.

Elizabeth Foster has lived in Tillington all her life. She knows everything about the local community… Everything except why another family, the Reedbarrows, now live in her ancestral home, Foster's Mill.

When Christopher, a man from 'down south', arrives and begins asking questions about the Mill that no one has dared to ask for generations, secrets begin to surface, and Liz may finally find the answers she's been looking for. And perhaps, at last, Liz and her father will be able to return to their family home.

But Liz soon realises that if the sea continues to ravage the cliffside, the land which the mill is built on will fall away. If she doesn't take action soon, there may not be a home for her to return to.

With the help of Chris and the local community, can Liz save the village and claim what's rightfully hers?


Readers LOVE Val
'Hull's answer to Catherine Cookson' BBC Radio 4's Front Row
‘One of those books that keeps you wanting more … impossible to put down’ 5 stars
‘Val Wood never fails to impress … I could not put this book down’ 5 stars
‘WOW. From the first page I was hooked … you will love this story’ 5 stars
‘I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to melt away in the pages and be lost for a while. Riveting’ 5 stars
‘Exciting story that kept me spellbound … Val has excelled herself yet again’ 5 stars
‘The best book I have ever read, I really felt like I was part of the story and did not want it to end’ 5 stars

400 pages, Hardcover

Published November 21, 2024

About the author

Valerie Wood

Since winning the Catherine Cookson Prize for Fiction for her first novel, The Hungry Tide, Val Wood has become one of the most popular authors in the UK. Born in the mining town of Castleford, Val came to East Yorkshire as a child and has lived in Hull and rural Holderness where many of her novels are set. She now lives in the market town of Beverley. When she is not writing, Val is busy promoting libraries and supporting many charities. Find out more about Val Wood's novels by visiting her website: www.valeriewood.co.uk

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, but not as good as her other books

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Foster’s Mill is a multi-layered and affecting story that was far more entertaining and interesting than I had perhaps anticipated. The themes in particular are thought-provoking and arresting, with characters that feel real and relatable so that this book stays in the reader’s mind long after the last page is turned.
My full review is on the My Weekly website.

[Paula Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book from Val, my only fault with it, was that I felt it ended too soon, after reading all about the erosion of the cliffs and then trying to get a wall erected to save the coastline, it would have been nice to know whether Liz and Chris et al, managed just that. Another chapter or two would have resolved that.
But I guess we have to use our imagination on that. I enjoyed though.

I also wish that there had been another book between 'Children of the Tide' and Fosters Mill, 200ish years is a long time, would have been nice to of carried on with the lives of Tom and Sammi et al, even reading about Garston House and Monkston being lost to the sea.

[Sue Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this new book from Val Wood, lovely story and because she writes about my local area I think it was easy to work out the real village she named in the book.
Different story for her but non the less an excellent read.

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a bit surprised that this book was set in the 1980's and It also is a follow-up from a previous series which I haven't read so I wasn't sure how I'd get on. I have to admit I did struggle a little but ultimately enjoyed it.

[Vee · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice easy read and loved the fact it was set in hull and the surrounding areas. was more of a modern day val wood (1989) as opposed to her older period books. story was ok.

[Lucie · Rating 2 out of 5]

🥱

[Tasha Cockburn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this book, didn’t enjoy this book. Set in 1980’s, the main woman sees ghosts. Not for me

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took nearly half the book to really get into this book, its not the best Val has written, but it was ok

[Kathy E · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book very boring and not up to Val Woods usual standard. But this is me others may find it a jolly good read. This one is not for me.