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Attention All Shipping
'Kathy Biggs reminds me of Alan Bennett… she walks the fine line between humour and utter sadness in a way that is very rare' JAN NEWTON
When you're feeling lost at sea, what will it take to guide you home? Grace lives with her father Jack on their crumbling family farm in Wales. Jack, who has dementia, lost his son Michael in a tragic accident at sea many years ago. Each night he is soothed by an old recording of the shipping forecast, lulled to sleep by the belief that Michael is safe.
And while he sleeps, Grace wonders how she ended up back here, caring for her father rather than living her own life.
One day, a young woman turns up on their farm, claiming to be Michael’s daughter. But how can this be, seeing as he died before she was born?
United by this shared flicker of hope, the unlikely trio embark on a journey from the Welsh valleys to Whitby, which will change all their lives forever…
When you're feeling lost at sea, what will it take to guide you home? Grace lives with her father Jack on their crumbling family farm in Wales. Jack, who has dementia, lost his son Michael in a tragic accident at sea many years ago. Each night he is soothed by an old recording of the shipping forecast, lulled to sleep by the belief that Michael is safe.
And while he sleeps, Grace wonders how she ended up back here, caring for her father rather than living her own life.
One day, a young woman turns up on their farm, claiming to be Michael’s daughter. But how can this be, seeing as he died before she was born?
United by this shared flicker of hope, the unlikely trio embark on a journey from the Welsh valleys to Whitby, which will change all their lives forever…
- GenresFiction
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Published May 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 15, 2025
Biggs smoothly creates a story about a family whose past hurts stall their future. They set out on a hero’s journey with all the attendant perils and find that answers lie in how we let ourselves continue, step after step.
In Biggs hands we can easily see how the story we have, or the story we build up in our mind about this or that, can so easily change with a slightly askew comma, or a word here or a missing word there. The story changes, and we change with it. She makes the correlation between stories, stories we read, stories we live by, and the lives we lead. She also explores through Jack’s dementia, what it means to lose these stories, the memories, pieces of life. Whilst doing this, she treads a fine line and does not let her story, or her people fall into the dismal pits. Deft, very deft.
An ARC kindly provided by author/publisher via Netgalley.
In Biggs hands we can easily see how the story we have, or the story we build up in our mind about this or that, can so easily change with a slightly askew comma, or a word here or a missing word there. The story changes, and we change with it. She makes the correlation between stories, stories we read, stories we live by, and the lives we lead. She also explores through Jack’s dementia, what it means to lose these stories, the memories, pieces of life. Whilst doing this, she treads a fine line and does not let her story, or her people fall into the dismal pits. Deft, very deft.
An ARC kindly provided by author/publisher via Netgalley.
The Whitby Swing Bridge Over the River Esk
April 15, 2025
Attention All Shopping is a poignant book that will take your emotions on a rollercoaster of a ride.
Grace is a woman who, after suffering her own losses, cares for her ageing dad with dementia. Both have lost their sons but Jack, her dad, has forgotten that his son Michael died many years ago and every night he falls asleep listening to the shipping forecast in the belief it tells him about his sons whereabouts. One night, a young girl comes to their home claiming to be the daughter of the late Michael but the dates don’t match. What follows is a journey by the 3 generations together to find out the truth and seek the closure they each need.
From the opening chapters, you can feel the sadness coming from Grace: of her own losses, her struggles in caring for her dad and the farm. You can feel the confusions but also the expectations experienced by Jack. You can sense the slow building hope, the frustrations but also the developing bonds between Grace, Jack and Malin. It’s a beautiful story of hope, of family and reconnection. One I will read again.
I got to read a pre-release copy courtesy of Netgalley and publisher HarperCollins.
Grace is a woman who, after suffering her own losses, cares for her ageing dad with dementia. Both have lost their sons but Jack, her dad, has forgotten that his son Michael died many years ago and every night he falls asleep listening to the shipping forecast in the belief it tells him about his sons whereabouts. One night, a young girl comes to their home claiming to be the daughter of the late Michael but the dates don’t match. What follows is a journey by the 3 generations together to find out the truth and seek the closure they each need.
From the opening chapters, you can feel the sadness coming from Grace: of her own losses, her struggles in caring for her dad and the farm. You can feel the confusions but also the expectations experienced by Jack. You can sense the slow building hope, the frustrations but also the developing bonds between Grace, Jack and Malin. It’s a beautiful story of hope, of family and reconnection. One I will read again.
I got to read a pre-release copy courtesy of Netgalley and publisher HarperCollins.
October 27, 2025
A brilliant read - featuring Grace, a middle aged woman who has had to go and live with her dad, Jack, on the farm where she grew up, due to his dementia. The routines they have established suit both of them, with the key one being they always listen to the shipping forecast to go to sleep to, although Grace has taped a particular episode so it never gives bad news which would have the potential to upset Jack.
This routine is thrown to the wind soon into the book as a young woman turns up at the farm while Grace is away, and ends up accidentally kidnapping Jack, not knowing his vulnerable state and asking him about her father, who is Jack's son, Grace's brother, Michael, because Jack tells her he's on his boat, whereas he died many years ago. But when Grace eventually talks to this girl, she discovers that she has had correspondence supposedly from Michael after the date that they thought he had died, and that the girl is called Malin, which is one of the shipping forecast's locations. Armed with this intriguing information, the three set out on a mission to find Michael, which Grace is initially reticent to do, having grown so used to the routines, but the trip probably suits her the most, as it allows her to reflect on her failed marriage and the loss of her son.
Eventually, after a few adventures along the way, they discover that Michael did live for many years after they knew him, but that he is now dead, having jumped into the sea to save a boy and his dad, but that he left behind a wife and a son - and of all of the book, this is the bit that I wasn't as sure about, because earlier it had suggested that Michael was gay and that was the main reason he had not told anyone about surviving the shipwreck, with Malin's mum Vee making a deal with him to give her a baby if she didn't tell anyone, but then he went and had another baby and got married to another woman, but still didn't tell his family? Not sure...
But all in all, a great story and told very well - it flows along with a great pace and you just want to find out what happens next.
This routine is thrown to the wind soon into the book as a young woman turns up at the farm while Grace is away, and ends up accidentally kidnapping Jack, not knowing his vulnerable state and asking him about her father, who is Jack's son, Grace's brother, Michael, because Jack tells her he's on his boat, whereas he died many years ago. But when Grace eventually talks to this girl, she discovers that she has had correspondence supposedly from Michael after the date that they thought he had died, and that the girl is called Malin, which is one of the shipping forecast's locations. Armed with this intriguing information, the three set out on a mission to find Michael, which Grace is initially reticent to do, having grown so used to the routines, but the trip probably suits her the most, as it allows her to reflect on her failed marriage and the loss of her son.
Eventually, after a few adventures along the way, they discover that Michael did live for many years after they knew him, but that he is now dead, having jumped into the sea to save a boy and his dad, but that he left behind a wife and a son - and of all of the book, this is the bit that I wasn't as sure about, because earlier it had suggested that Michael was gay and that was the main reason he had not told anyone about surviving the shipwreck, with Malin's mum Vee making a deal with him to give her a baby if she didn't tell anyone, but then he went and had another baby and got married to another woman, but still didn't tell his family? Not sure...
But all in all, a great story and told very well - it flows along with a great pace and you just want to find out what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2025
A poignant story about families and love and loss.
Grace has returned to the family farm to care for her father who has dementia, although Grace is not really willing to admit this yet. Both Grace and her father, Jack, have lost their sons, although Jack forgets that Michael drowned some twenty years ago in a storm in the Irish Sea when his boat went down. One day, when Grace returns from work she finds her father has had a visit from a young girl. Grace is unable to glean from her father what the girl wanted but when she returns Grace finds out that the girl thinks she is Michael's daughter — but this can't be right because at that time, Michael was dead.
What follows is a journey to try and find out the truth — a journey in which all three generations are seeking something and to find answers.
I very much enjoyed the character of Grace who is hugely torn between her desire to know the truth and her care for her father. Jack is also well told and highly believable. I love that he is alert and with it in the mornings but declines as the day goes on unless something can jolt him back.
There are plenty of twists in the story, and it is not all plain sailing but this ultimately has a satisfactory ending and a feeling of hope for the future to tie it all together.
With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for an arc copy in return for an honest review.
Grace has returned to the family farm to care for her father who has dementia, although Grace is not really willing to admit this yet. Both Grace and her father, Jack, have lost their sons, although Jack forgets that Michael drowned some twenty years ago in a storm in the Irish Sea when his boat went down. One day, when Grace returns from work she finds her father has had a visit from a young girl. Grace is unable to glean from her father what the girl wanted but when she returns Grace finds out that the girl thinks she is Michael's daughter — but this can't be right because at that time, Michael was dead.
What follows is a journey to try and find out the truth — a journey in which all three generations are seeking something and to find answers.
I very much enjoyed the character of Grace who is hugely torn between her desire to know the truth and her care for her father. Jack is also well told and highly believable. I love that he is alert and with it in the mornings but declines as the day goes on unless something can jolt him back.
There are plenty of twists in the story, and it is not all plain sailing but this ultimately has a satisfactory ending and a feeling of hope for the future to tie it all together.
With thanks to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction, for an arc copy in return for an honest review.
January 14, 2026
Grace lebt wieder bei ihrem Vater auf der Farm, sie kümmert sich weil er dement ist. Sie ist eine gebrochene Frau, schwere Verluste prägen ihr Leben. Dazu die Belastung Job und die Krankheit ihres Vaters miteinander zu verbinden.
Aus heirerem Himmel erscheint eine junge Frau, sie behauptet die Tochter von Grace Bruder zu sein. Unmöglich da er vor langer Zeit ertrunken ist. Sie hat Beweise und alle drei begeben sich auf eine Reise ins Ungewisse.
Es klingt wie ein modernes Märchen, die arme Grace sucht ihren Bruder und danach ist alles gut.
Leider ist die Demenz eine große Herausforderung und das junge Mädchen schon sehr euphorisch und handelt wenig überlegt, während Grace aufgrund ihrer Erfahrungen im Leben zaudert und ängstlich agiert.
Die Autorin beschreibt die Demenz oft aus der Sicht des Kranken, dadurch kann man die Verzweiflung über das Unvermögen sich mittzuteilen nachvollziehen. Denn der Vater merkt wenn sich in seinem Gedächtnis eine Tür öffnet oder schließt.
Grace und Malin dagegen sind schwerer zu verstehen, es dauert bis man die Geschichte von Grace erfährt und warum sie so an ihrem Vater wie an einem Fels in der Brandung hängt.
Malin wirkt trotz ihrer Beschreibung wie ein verwöhntes Kind, unfähig über Konsequenzen nachzudenken.
Das Ergebnis der Reise ist am Ende wieder märchenhaft.
Die Mischung aus Märchen und trauriger Realität fand ich nicht gelungen, es passte meiner Meinung nach nicht zusammen. Entweder weniger Trauer und Verzweiflung oder weniger Happy End.
Aus heirerem Himmel erscheint eine junge Frau, sie behauptet die Tochter von Grace Bruder zu sein. Unmöglich da er vor langer Zeit ertrunken ist. Sie hat Beweise und alle drei begeben sich auf eine Reise ins Ungewisse.
Es klingt wie ein modernes Märchen, die arme Grace sucht ihren Bruder und danach ist alles gut.
Leider ist die Demenz eine große Herausforderung und das junge Mädchen schon sehr euphorisch und handelt wenig überlegt, während Grace aufgrund ihrer Erfahrungen im Leben zaudert und ängstlich agiert.
Die Autorin beschreibt die Demenz oft aus der Sicht des Kranken, dadurch kann man die Verzweiflung über das Unvermögen sich mittzuteilen nachvollziehen. Denn der Vater merkt wenn sich in seinem Gedächtnis eine Tür öffnet oder schließt.
Grace und Malin dagegen sind schwerer zu verstehen, es dauert bis man die Geschichte von Grace erfährt und warum sie so an ihrem Vater wie an einem Fels in der Brandung hängt.
Malin wirkt trotz ihrer Beschreibung wie ein verwöhntes Kind, unfähig über Konsequenzen nachzudenken.
Das Ergebnis der Reise ist am Ende wieder märchenhaft.
Die Mischung aus Märchen und trauriger Realität fand ich nicht gelungen, es passte meiner Meinung nach nicht zusammen. Entweder weniger Trauer und Verzweiflung oder weniger Happy End.
May 27, 2025
"When you're feeling lost at sea, what will it take to guide you home? Grace lives with her father Jack on their crumbling family farm in Wales. Jack, who has dementia, lost his son Michael in a tragic accident at sea many years ago. Each night he is soothed by an old recording of the shipping forecast, lulled to sleep by the belief that Michael is safe."
I really thought this book would be grim.
It began in a bad place and with no real sign of escaping from that until Malin arrives in Grace's life.
Grace and Jack are (not) muddling along as he loses his memory and dignity to dementia. Grace is convinced that he will be removed from her care and does not know what to do to stop it.
This book is told from many different narratives all of which add so much to the story.
Malin is looking for her father and a family.
Through a series of what could be terrible events but which are written with a tinge of humour our three heroes work together to find each of them some content and happiness in the future.
This was a book I did not want to leave behind. Great
I really thought this book would be grim.
It began in a bad place and with no real sign of escaping from that until Malin arrives in Grace's life.
Grace and Jack are (not) muddling along as he loses his memory and dignity to dementia. Grace is convinced that he will be removed from her care and does not know what to do to stop it.
This book is told from many different narratives all of which add so much to the story.
Malin is looking for her father and a family.
Through a series of what could be terrible events but which are written with a tinge of humour our three heroes work together to find each of them some content and happiness in the future.
This was a book I did not want to leave behind. Great
July 27, 2025
The story of a family, Grace is living with her father on their Welsh farm . He is becoming more confused with dementia, her mother has passed away and they are coping, just. Little by little, we find out more about the family, the brother who was lost at sea, Grace's failed marriage and then a girl arrives at the farm saying she is her lost brother's daughter. The problem is that she was conceived and born after he died.
Grace, her father and Malin set off to find Michael and the book describes their journey, discoveries and growing relationship along the way. Both places and emotions are well described as well as the emotions of both Grace and her father. Some difficult subjects are dealt with sensitively and although some moments are tearjerkers, the book is also hopeful.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read
Grace, her father and Malin set off to find Michael and the book describes their journey, discoveries and growing relationship along the way. Both places and emotions are well described as well as the emotions of both Grace and her father. Some difficult subjects are dealt with sensitively and although some moments are tearjerkers, the book is also hopeful.
Thanks to Net Galley for a great read
May 18, 2025
The most wonderful read.
After her marriage ends, Grace moved back home to her family farm to look after her widowed father Jack who has dementia.
Her life is fully consumed with looking after him and keeping him safe. Every evening she settles him into bed listening to the shipping forecast as it soothes him and helps him deal with his grief for his son Micheal who was lost at sea in a fishing boat accident decades ago.
Then out of the blue a young girl appears on their doorstep claiming she may be Michael’s daughter and asking them the help her find him!
A truly enjoyable read about loss, desperation, hope and starting again.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, their struggles, humour and resilience.
Thanks to NetGalley for the early read and I absolutely recommend it.
After her marriage ends, Grace moved back home to her family farm to look after her widowed father Jack who has dementia.
Her life is fully consumed with looking after him and keeping him safe. Every evening she settles him into bed listening to the shipping forecast as it soothes him and helps him deal with his grief for his son Micheal who was lost at sea in a fishing boat accident decades ago.
Then out of the blue a young girl appears on their doorstep claiming she may be Michael’s daughter and asking them the help her find him!
A truly enjoyable read about loss, desperation, hope and starting again.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, their struggles, humour and resilience.
Thanks to NetGalley for the early read and I absolutely recommend it.
April 30, 2025
Grace has moved back home to the crumbling farm in Wales and is now struggling with looking after her father, Jack. Her brother was lost at sea many years ago and now every night she lulls her father to sleep with a recording of the shipping forecast saying that all is well at sea.
Then one day, when Grace is at work, a girl turns up and speaks with Jack, but due to Jacks dementia he can’t remember.
This is a lovely book about family and finding family, beautifully written and well worth reading. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
Then one day, when Grace is at work, a girl turns up and speaks with Jack, but due to Jacks dementia he can’t remember.
This is a lovely book about family and finding family, beautifully written and well worth reading. My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the arc.
March 14, 2025
I knew by the end of the first chapter that the relationship between Jack and Grace was something special.
It was the high point of the book for me.
There was so much else to enjoy though, the adventure the three of them went on, to discover the truth.
I think the authour did a fantastic job of portraying the struggles and highs of living with someone with dementia.
There were a couple of moments in there that left me a bit emotional.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
It was the high point of the book for me.
There was so much else to enjoy though, the adventure the three of them went on, to discover the truth.
I think the authour did a fantastic job of portraying the struggles and highs of living with someone with dementia.
There were a couple of moments in there that left me a bit emotional.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
April 6, 2025
What a beautiful story about family, responsibilities and finding your own life. This is a well-written book with sympathetically drawn characters. Just when you think the story is following predictable lines, it shifts and surprises you. The ending was very heartwarming and emotional. It was impossible to hold back the tears.
Highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
Highly recommended.
I received a free review copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for my honest and unedited review.
April 24, 2025
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an early read of this poignant book. It's a beautiful story about families, love and loss. Kathy Biggs has written both Jack's and Grace's stories so skilfully and sympathetically. Although the topic of dementia is sad the book itself is not rather it's a book full of love and hope. I thoroughly enjoyed joining their adventures to Whitby with Malin. Highly recommend.
May 6, 2025
This was a thought provoking novel which I really enjoyed.
The relationship between the characters, character development and the story were all well thought out and believable. It was a perfect mixture of light and dark, whilst maintaining it's believability.
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC copy of this novel
The relationship between the characters, character development and the story were all well thought out and believable. It was a perfect mixture of light and dark, whilst maintaining it's believability.
Thank you to Netgalley for my ARC copy of this novel
May 22, 2025
Kathy Biggs has written a wonderful novel about family which could resonate with lots of people. It's a story about loss, heartache and rebuilding. I have to say I shed the odd tear. Grace and her Da Jack are wonderful and tear at the heartstrings. Jack has dementia and Grace comes home to look after him after they both lose a son. It's a real joy to read.
May 24, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a moving and, at times, emotional book with threads of dark humour through it so it never felt bleak. A very realistic portrayal of caring for someone with dementia, and also dealing with other forms of love and loss I really loved it.
Thanks to the author, publisher and to netgalley for providing me with this advance copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
This was a moving and, at times, emotional book with threads of dark humour through it so it never felt bleak. A very realistic portrayal of caring for someone with dementia, and also dealing with other forms of love and loss I really loved it.
Thanks to the author, publisher and to netgalley for providing me with this advance copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
April 6, 2025
A fantastic read. The sense of bond between mother and father was just so touching. I devoured it and loved every moment. A beautiful story.
April 22, 2025
I loved this book. The characters were interesting, the plot intriguing and the relationships between the various cast pulled on my heart strings. What a belter of a book!
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July 10, 2025
Incredible!
May 23, 2025
This is a fantastic book which gripped me from the start. Grace’s relationship with her father Jack, who has dementia, is so moving and so beautifully written, it’s impossible not to be captured by it. This is a wonderful story about family, loss, belonging, responsibility and finding a life within it all. I loved it!
May 11, 2025
Full review: https://thecaffeinatedreader.com/2025...
Poignant and emotional, it was a journey more than a read. Biggs did a lovely job showing the different points of view and how hard it is to become a caregiver to your parents, especially when they have something like dementia. The characters are all well thought out and full of heart which is important with this sort of read.
The pacing was pretty well balanced too, and Biggs avoided any lulls. (Which made it hard to put down!)
I do think that maybe there were too many things going on at once, too many dramatic plot points when just any one or two of those would have done well. But that's a personal preference.
3.75/5 Stars from me, and I would read more by Biggs. Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Poignant and emotional, it was a journey more than a read. Biggs did a lovely job showing the different points of view and how hard it is to become a caregiver to your parents, especially when they have something like dementia. The characters are all well thought out and full of heart which is important with this sort of read.
The pacing was pretty well balanced too, and Biggs avoided any lulls. (Which made it hard to put down!)
I do think that maybe there were too many things going on at once, too many dramatic plot points when just any one or two of those would have done well. But that's a personal preference.
3.75/5 Stars from me, and I would read more by Biggs. Thanks so much to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 24, 2025
lovely heartwarming read - 5 stars from me.
A beautiful tale of Jack, who has dementia, living on the crumbling family farm with his daughter, Grace. Overwhelmed by her own personal tragedies, she is trying to care for her dad, work full time and keep the farm going.
The loss of his son, Michael, at sea has damaged the remaining family members. Into this situation comes Malin who claims to be Michael’s daughter born after his death in 1999. Could he be alive? The three of them go on a road trip to Whitby to investigate.
In the process all of them learn more about themselves, become a family and learn to look towards a more hopeful future.
Beautifully written.
A beautiful tale of Jack, who has dementia, living on the crumbling family farm with his daughter, Grace. Overwhelmed by her own personal tragedies, she is trying to care for her dad, work full time and keep the farm going.
The loss of his son, Michael, at sea has damaged the remaining family members. Into this situation comes Malin who claims to be Michael’s daughter born after his death in 1999. Could he be alive? The three of them go on a road trip to Whitby to investigate.
In the process all of them learn more about themselves, become a family and learn to look towards a more hopeful future.
Beautifully written.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews