Guilt: Book One of the Nancy Flanagan Chronicles

by Maisie Moon

Guilt is a continuation of the story of the ancestral light energy gift bestowed upon the daughters of Eve, part of the Sisterhood, which is eventually passed all the way down to Nancy Flanagan, but this unlikely heroine is unaware of her destiny.

England begins to rebuild after the devastation of World War II, a young Irish Catholic travels to England to train as a nurse and escape her heart-breaking past. Determined to make a fresh start, the last thing Nancy Flanagan expects is to encounter a mysterious patient harbouring his own dark secrets. Secrets that will turn her world upside down . . .

Together, Nancy and her patient decide to right their past wrongs and face down an evil that has been lurking in the shadows. With the help of a ragtag team, they travel to Argentina to pursue these malignant forces.

As Nancy delves deeper within the murky world of mythical beings, she discovers she has an unknown gift. Confronted with a supernatural malevolence targeting her loved ones, she emerges as an unlikely heroine in the endless spiritual warfare of good versus evil. Can she and her friends survive the emotional and physical toll on them? Will Nancy succeed and save her loved ones and the world?

416 pages, Paperback

Published January 17, 2025

About the author

Born in Nottingham, but now living in leafy Surrey, Maisie Moon is an avid reader and an award winning author of the Sisterhood, a set of short stories about exciting women who fought the challenges of the century and the patriarchal societies they lived in, as well as defeating malevolent evil through an ancestral light energy gift from God.

She lives with two huskies, an eighteen year old tabby cat and her husband. Her two daughters are grown up, one in South East London, the other in Manchester.

She loves to write historical fiction with a supernatural twist. She is currently writing a trilogy, the first of which is Guilt, followed by Legacy and then Destiny. The books follow the path of Nancy Flanagan, a young Irish Catholic who comes to England from Ireland in Post-War Britain to train as a nurse. She becomes an unlikely heroine.

Maisie's background was in HR and Recruitment, but started as an insurance broker in the City. She is passionate about Spain and Spanish food and speaks fluent Spanish and some French.

Reviews

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has a dark past she wants to leave in the past so she travels to start a new life in a different place. There she will meet a mysterious patient who is hiding secrets as well. They will try to rights the wrongs in the past. See how they get on
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great read

[444.ariesbaby_reads✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

•••this read may be triggering to some as there are mentions of sensitive topics throughout•••

after being made to flee ireland due to being forced out of the family, nancy travels to england to train to become a nurse.. but she isn’t expectant of what is to come.

we travel through time with this thrilling historical fantasy novel, predating back to the 1940s when WW2 was taking place. we have characters who are blessed by god themselves and carry the light to rid the world of evil.

this novel was quite religion based with the hint of supernatural and differs from my usual reads. from the beginning i enjoyed learning about nancy’s backstory and felt for her character at what she has endured from a young age. over time in the novel things start to take a turn of unexpected events with encounters that are unwanted but are not backed down from. the history within the story line was intriguing and had many twists. it was informative and thought provoking.

as i got further in, the pace kinda slowed for me and i found it a little difficult to follow at times. that being said, it could be down to my own personal preferences within a book and the fact that this isn’t of a genre i’m fully familiar with as of yet as i am still yet finding my feet with my likes and dislikes in my reading journey. but it was refreshing to try something new.

i do believe maisie moon has a great potential for her books. if you like books with historical elements, touching on religion and the supernatural side of things, this book may just be for you!

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maisie Moon’s Guilt follows Nancy Flanagan, a young Irish woman grappling with the weight of personal mistakes, societal judgment, and the rigid expectations of 1940s Catholic Ireland. After a traumatic experience leaves her with a child out of wedlock, she is forced to leave her daughter behind and move to England to train as a nurse. The story unfolds as both a fictional memoir and a historical narrative, immersing readers in the post-war era’s cultural and social tensions. Moon blends elements of guilt, faith, resilience, and the supernatural into a compelling story about identity and redemption.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is Nancy’s voice. It’s raw, unfiltered, and entirely her own. The first-person narration pulls you straight into her thoughts, making her experiences feel real and immediate. From the moment she steps onto the train leaving Ireland, you feel her mix of excitement and dread. In scenes like Nancy’s confrontation with her mother about giving up her daughter, the dialogue crackles with tension. The pain is tangible, and the way Nancy swings between anger, defiance, and longing makes her heartbreak all the more believable.

The historical details ground the novel beautifully. The descriptions of post-war England like rationing, war-weary soldiers, and bombed-out cities, are vivid and immersive. The moment when Nancy meets an elderly woman at a trolleybus stop and receives a ghostly message from her late husband is particularly haunting. The supernatural elements are subtle but effective, adding another layer to Nancy’s struggles. It’s as if her guilt manifests in more ways than one, not just in her own mind but in the world around her. Moon’s decision to weave in these ghostly encounters makes the novel stand out from typical historical fiction.

The book sometimes lingers in reflection, especially in the early chapters. Nancy’s memories of her family, while rich in detail, occasionally slow the momentum of the story. The strongest parts are when she’s in the moment, whether it’s working as a nurse, navigating the stiff English social hierarchy, or encountering figures from her past. I think the novel is at its best when Nancy is forced to react to the world around her rather than retreating into recollections.

Guilt is an emotional and thought-provoking read. It’s perfect for readers who enjoy deeply personal historical fiction, particularly those interested in themes of faith, shame, and perseverance. If you love books like Angela’s Ashes or The Nightingale, this one will stay with you. Moon has crafted a moving, deeply human story that won’t soon be forgotten.

[Christian Sia · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Guilt, Maisie Moon spins a heartfelt narrative of tragedy and hope through the life of Nancy Flanagan. Set against the backdrop of post-war England, Nancy's story is a poignant exploration of guilt intertwined with personal growth with strong hints of the paranormal. Introduced via a gripping train journey to Birmingham, readers are drawn into Nancy's struggles—stemming from a harrowing decision that led her to leave her illegitimate daughter, Maeve, behind in Ireland. The setting not only highlights the post-war psychological scars that linger but also uses the hospital as a significant place of both healing and revelation. Besides the engaging setting, I was captivated by the strong plot points — a woman running away from her past only to get entangled with a patient with a dark history. Their odyssey to redeem their past involves demons and creatures of myth.
I enjoyed the remarkable character development, especially that of Nancy, a profoundly flawed woman seeking to start a new life yet carrying the burden of guilt. From a naïve girl moving away from her familial landscapes to a spirited nurse, the nuances of her relationships with fellow nurses help to deliver an engaging reading experience. The introduction of John, a patient with haunting ties to the war, builds and increases the tension.

[Divina Cornelio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie Moon’s Guilt struck a powerful chord in me by exploring moral quandaries and the repercussions of past choices. Set in the post-World War II era, the book follows Nancy Flanagan as she travels to England to train as a nurse. The novel excels in evoking a sense of place, contrasting the decay of wartime landscapes with Birmingham's vibrant yet often grim atmosphere of hospital life.

The characters, particularly Nancy and John, are vividly drawn with, and a strong sense of the tragedy seems to follow these characters as they deal with demons from their past — real and imaginary. Nancy's inner turmoil regarding her past and the backlash she faces form tension within the narrative. Her strong-willed nature struggles against guilt, regret, and hope for redemption. John's mysterious background, rife with its history and secrets, mirrors Nancy's troubles, challenging her growth as a character. I enjoyed the dialogues that sparkle, the enchanting prose, and the intriguing characters. This twisty first entry into the series makes me want to read everything that happens in the next books.

[Ruffina Os · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Guilt by Maisie Moon was an exciting journey I won’t forget. Maisie’s storytelling drew me into the world of her characters, where childhood innocence clashes with guilt and supernatural mysteries. The detailed recounting of Nancy's Irish upbringing, her time as a nurse, and the visions she experiences create a hauntingly beautiful narrative. I was especially moved by her internal struggles—her desire for love, her guilt over Maeve, and her spiritual encounters. The hospital scenes are gritty, capturing life in post-war Britain and Ireland. Maisie’s portrayal of her characters’ complex emotions made me empathize deeply. The supernatural elements provide an intriguing layer that keeps the suspense alive. This book is a masterful blend of history, emotion, and mysticism, and I highly recommend it to those who enjoy profound stories with a touch of the otherworldly.

[Divina Zape · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maisie Moon’s Guilt is a haunting and beautifully written debut that I couldn’t put down. The narrative seamlessly weaves Maisie’s childhood in Ireland with her experiences as a nurse in post-war Britain, highlighting her inner turmoil and spiritual gifts. The vivid descriptions of hospital life, combined with her supernatural visions, create a tense atmosphere that kept me on edge. Maisie’s character is portrayed with depth and authenticity—her guilt over Maeve, her grit, and her spiritual encounters made her incredibly real. The story’s blend of historical detail, emotional pain, and supernatural intrigue is both compelling and thought-provoking. Maisie’s lyrical prose captures the reader’s heart, leaving a lasting impression.
I look forward to seeing how her series develops. Looking forward to the second book in the series.

[Tammy Lockamy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read of historical fiction with a supernatural twist and I must say I thoroughly enjoyed it! The author's attention to historical details mixed with a natural flow of narrative kept me engaged from start to finish. Indeed, I couldn't stop myself from reading far into the night.
If you enjoy dynamic reads with characters who seep into your soul then give this one a read, it won't disappoint I promise.
I'm looking forward to part two!