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Family of Strangers
It is the dawn of the Second World War, but life in the small town of Fielding carries on in its uncomplicated way. For young Eva, life is about to change, as her dearest friend Annie vanishes and people claim to have never known her at all. Desperate to find her, Eva befriends two the eccentric Lola, and tender but distant Gabe. The two open her eyes to a hidden world, in which people can disappear and all memory of them be forgotten. Gabe and Lola promise to aid Eva in her quest. But are they guarding secrets of their own? ★★★★★ - "Unique, interesting, mysterious. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book." ★★★★★ - "An enjoyable read with convincing characters."
275 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2013
31 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Willis
2 books13 followersBarbara is an author with independent publisher Creativia.
Writing books has been Barbara's dream for many years and the publication of Family of Strangers saw that dream come true.
Barbara has a notebook full of ideas for future books and has just published her second novel, Sunshine Spirit.
Writing books has been Barbara's dream for many years and the publication of Family of Strangers saw that dream come true.
Barbara has a notebook full of ideas for future books and has just published her second novel, Sunshine Spirit.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 23, 2014
Family of Strangers by Barbara Willis is a mesmerizing suspense novel featuring an episode in the life of Eva Thorne, a resident of the sleepy town of Fielding at the dawn of World War II. Upon arriving at the home of her friend Annie, she is greeted by Kathleen and Bob Carter with a mind-bending response. They claim no knowledge of Annie’s existence, and are alarmed by Eva’s seeming distraction. Eva realizes something is terribly wrong, and as she wanders throughout town she perceives that a change has overcome the entire community. She makes the acquaintance of spinster Lola and the eccentric Gabe, who may have the answers to the strange events that have torn her world asunder.
The author expertly weaves a tapestry of paranoia throughout the novel as the female protagonist finds herself in an environment of suspicion and doubt. She is unable to determine whether Annie has been abducted or forcibly removed from the community, and is fraught with doubt as to whether a vast conspiracy is afoot. The introduction of Lola and Gabe brings the supernatural aura to the storyline, and events take a drastic turn as the antagonists are introduced. Miranda appears as a rival for Gabe’s affections, and Fletcher becomes his rival as emotions are heightened in the crisis situation. Eva is forced to deal with the conflicts that develop among her new circle of acquaintances, though her allegiance remains with her lost friend. Will she ever be reunited with Annie and her life return to a semblance of normalcy?
Pick up a copy of Family of Strangers by Barbara Willis and curl up for a good old cozy mystery you won’t soon forget.
The author expertly weaves a tapestry of paranoia throughout the novel as the female protagonist finds herself in an environment of suspicion and doubt. She is unable to determine whether Annie has been abducted or forcibly removed from the community, and is fraught with doubt as to whether a vast conspiracy is afoot. The introduction of Lola and Gabe brings the supernatural aura to the storyline, and events take a drastic turn as the antagonists are introduced. Miranda appears as a rival for Gabe’s affections, and Fletcher becomes his rival as emotions are heightened in the crisis situation. Eva is forced to deal with the conflicts that develop among her new circle of acquaintances, though her allegiance remains with her lost friend. Will she ever be reunited with Annie and her life return to a semblance of normalcy?
Pick up a copy of Family of Strangers by Barbara Willis and curl up for a good old cozy mystery you won’t soon forget.
March 1, 2017
Utter rubbish
Lots of times while reading this I wanted to give up it was that bad. Just a load of rubbish really. Story line is stupid nothing is explained. Dont waste your time. Dont know why it tells you its set in war time on the description has absolutely nothing to do with it could be set then or now makes no difference
Lots of times while reading this I wanted to give up it was that bad. Just a load of rubbish really. Story line is stupid nothing is explained. Dont waste your time. Dont know why it tells you its set in war time on the description has absolutely nothing to do with it could be set then or now makes no difference
August 11, 2014
Wow I loved this.
beautifully written and a different and lovely story.
I was a bit gutted by the ending, I so wanted a happy ending but can't wait for book 2.
Well done Barbara Willisl
beautifully written and a different and lovely story.
I was a bit gutted by the ending, I so wanted a happy ending but can't wait for book 2.
Well done Barbara Willisl
June 22, 2015
Wow
Took a while to get into but when it did it held my interest and I couldn't put it down. Not my usual type of both but very enjoyable
Took a while to get into but when it did it held my interest and I couldn't put it down. Not my usual type of both but very enjoyable
February 4, 2017
Beautifully written that gripped me from the very start, unforgettable book, hope the author writes a follow, would love to see eva and gabe get their happily after
June 12, 2017
An Unexpected Tale of Love
The depths of this story are emotional and thought-provoking. Could someone you love go missing without a trace they've ever existed? Could you be lost, but not realize it? What if you were the only one who remembered the lost, or being lost yourself?
I didn't expect the tale I read, which made it all the more endearing. I experienced the story - told as if a friend were sharing her history with me over tea - as Eva, the protagonist, did. As things unfolded for her, they did for me because I wasn't sure what a "Family of Strangers" meant. Now that I know, I think I might be as changed as Eva...
If you enjoy period pieces or historical fiction, then you'll love the pre-world war era this touching English account of love and friendship is set in. If you enjoy romance, then you'll want to cuddle up with this book. If you enjoy mystery or paranormal, then this unique novel is sure to please.
I highly recommend this book, and I'm praying there's a sequel...
The depths of this story are emotional and thought-provoking. Could someone you love go missing without a trace they've ever existed? Could you be lost, but not realize it? What if you were the only one who remembered the lost, or being lost yourself?
I didn't expect the tale I read, which made it all the more endearing. I experienced the story - told as if a friend were sharing her history with me over tea - as Eva, the protagonist, did. As things unfolded for her, they did for me because I wasn't sure what a "Family of Strangers" meant. Now that I know, I think I might be as changed as Eva...
If you enjoy period pieces or historical fiction, then you'll love the pre-world war era this touching English account of love and friendship is set in. If you enjoy romance, then you'll want to cuddle up with this book. If you enjoy mystery or paranormal, then this unique novel is sure to please.
I highly recommend this book, and I'm praying there's a sequel...
August 15, 2014
As the author I would love you to read Family of Strangers; it's a mystery, a love story, a tale of discovery and loss.
If your dearest friend disappeared and everyone told you they'd never existed, would you put your faith in two people you'd never met before? Eva did.
If your dearest friend disappeared and everyone told you they'd never existed, would you put your faith in two people you'd never met before? Eva did.
May 19, 2017
A strange intriguing story
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this!
It's an interesting concept and the story is told very well. I enjoyed it but felt it had an underlying sadness. Thought provoking.
I don't think I've ever read a book quite like this!
It's an interesting concept and the story is told very well. I enjoyed it but felt it had an underlying sadness. Thought provoking.
June 19, 2018
A different but ingenious story! As it unfolds, you'll feel like you're there among the varied characters. Beautiful explanations flow seamlessly throughout and will make you believe that anything is possible. Can't wait to read the sequel!
March 10, 2016
Very strange somewhat mystical story
I finished this, the idea was good but I never got drawn into it. There was too much left unexplained and mystical
I finished this, the idea was good but I never got drawn into it. There was too much left unexplained and mystical
January 20, 2017
Unforgettable book
Beautifully written and gripped me from the first page, hope the author writes a second book x
Would love if Eva and gabe get there happily ever after.
Beautifully written and gripped me from the first page, hope the author writes a second book x
Would love if Eva and gabe get there happily ever after.
February 4, 2017
Strange sort of book. Still felt I didn't understand a lot.
May 18, 2020
Family of Strangers: By Barbara Willis
It´s pre-world war two and when Eva´s best friend, Annie doesn´t show up to meet her at the library Eva is concerned, but when she asks Annie’s family and friends and no-one has any memory of Annie, Eva is devastated.
Determined to find her dearest friend, Eva is thrown into a sinister, hidden world that she never knew existed.
Befriended and helped by Lola, an elderly eccentric hoarder of other people’s lost things and Gabe, a distant, yet gifted pianist, Eva tries everything she can to find her friend and bring her back home. But are Lola and Gabe, as lovely as they are, telling her everything they know or will Eva be in for a bitter surprise?
This is a beautifully written book with a unique storyline of more innocent, trusting times which makes the sinister side of forgotten family members and dark hidden worlds all the more intriguing.
It´s pre-world war two and when Eva´s best friend, Annie doesn´t show up to meet her at the library Eva is concerned, but when she asks Annie’s family and friends and no-one has any memory of Annie, Eva is devastated.
Determined to find her dearest friend, Eva is thrown into a sinister, hidden world that she never knew existed.
Befriended and helped by Lola, an elderly eccentric hoarder of other people’s lost things and Gabe, a distant, yet gifted pianist, Eva tries everything she can to find her friend and bring her back home. But are Lola and Gabe, as lovely as they are, telling her everything they know or will Eva be in for a bitter surprise?
This is a beautifully written book with a unique storyline of more innocent, trusting times which makes the sinister side of forgotten family members and dark hidden worlds all the more intriguing.
June 24, 2019
I normally read 3-5 books a week, and this took me 16 long days of reading and perseverance to get through. It’s not a terrible story once you get through the first half of the book, which I found myself regularly getting distracted from or putting down and not bothering to pick back up again for a while. It’s slow paced and I just found it didn’t grip me from the off and I really had to dedicate myself to finish it. However, once I got through the first half, the second half did pick up and I found it easier reading, so the perseverance did pay off.
February 23, 2022
Genuinely terrible. The only reason I was even able to finish this was because I skimmed it. Nothing is explained, and the summary of the book does a poor job explaining what (if anything) this book is even about. No hook whatsoever, this book is utterly forgettable
April 15, 2020
A Haunting Story
I love it when an author mixes the paranormal with every day life. This story held me spellbound. A great escape.
I love it when an author mixes the paranormal with every day life. This story held me spellbound. A great escape.
August 24, 2021
Beautifully written love story, the ending wasn't what I expected, but
overall I enjoyed this book.
overall I enjoyed this book.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews