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Absent Lives
A haunting tale of the ripples of war, the endurance of memory and the unbreakable threads of family.
1915. When the RMS Lusitania is torpedoed by a German U-boat off the Irish coast, young parents Anita and Elmore are torn from their happy lives. They survive, but amid the chaos their infant son, John, is lost. Grief drives Elmore to vengeance on the battlefields of France, where he is reported missing in action. Shattered and alone, Anita seeks solace across the Atlantic, carving out a fragile existence on her aunt’s Californian ranch and with the wealthy McKinneys in colonial Nassau, before finally settling in the shadows of New York’s skyline.
Scotland, 1960. Twenty-two-year-old Charles is summoned to his grandfather’s deathbed and handed a mysterious package containing a child’s jacket and a bracelet. As curiosity turns to obsession, Charles embarks on a journey that will span decades, unravel a half-century-old mystery and lead him to a woman whose story was almost lost to time.
1915. When the RMS Lusitania is torpedoed by a German U-boat off the Irish coast, young parents Anita and Elmore are torn from their happy lives. They survive, but amid the chaos their infant son, John, is lost. Grief drives Elmore to vengeance on the battlefields of France, where he is reported missing in action. Shattered and alone, Anita seeks solace across the Atlantic, carving out a fragile existence on her aunt’s Californian ranch and with the wealthy McKinneys in colonial Nassau, before finally settling in the shadows of New York’s skyline.
Scotland, 1960. Twenty-two-year-old Charles is summoned to his grandfather’s deathbed and handed a mysterious package containing a child’s jacket and a bracelet. As curiosity turns to obsession, Charles embarks on a journey that will span decades, unravel a half-century-old mystery and lead him to a woman whose story was almost lost to time.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Rebecca Pells
1 book9 followersRebecca Pells lives in the heart of the Shropshire countryside. Following careers in banking and the charitable sector, she embraced her creative passions, becoming a full-time artist, with her work collected across the globe. Her focus has now turned to painting with words. Her debut historical novel, ABSENT LIVES, marks the beginning of this new journey ― an exploration of memory, loss and the quiet power of untold stories.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 16, 2026
If I had to choose just one genre to read for the rest of my life, it would be historical fiction. No question. Most of the historical fiction authors I’ve read have been top-notch. You can only marvel at the vast amount of research they undertake to create stories that not only tell us they are set in the past, but make us feel as though we’ve travelled back in time ourselves.
Rebecca Pells is one such author. Her debut novel, Absent Lives, encompasses everything I have come to love about this genre. Immersing myself in her story, with the sinking of the Lusitania as its pivotal event, proved to be an unforgettable reading experience.
Rebecca was inspired to put pen to paper after discovering that, in 1915, her father’s uncle Elmore and his wife Anita, along with their newborn son John, were on board the Lusitania when it was struck by a German torpedo. Rebecca found herself asking a simple yet compelling question: what happened to this little family? In seeking the answer, she embarked on a journey that culminated in this beautifully written, meticulously researched, and deeply emotive story of love, loss, resilience, and hope.
The story centres on Anita and her journey through life, portraying both her heartbreak and her remarkable strength. Through her experiences, we witness the struggles of a woman who has lost what mattered most to her, and the lifelong consequences of those eighteen devastating minutes in which the Lusitania sank.
Absent Lives reminded me of the novels of one of my absolute favourite authors, Katherine Webb. The writing is so assured, richly detailed, and of such exceptional quality that it draws you in effortlessly, captivating you with its emotional depth while showcasing Rebecca’s remarkable skill as a storyteller. Like Katherine Webb, Rebecca also employs a dual timeline, though the historical narrative takes centre stage, providing both emotional intensity and historical context.
I thoroughly enjoyed Absent Lives and highly recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy historical fiction set during the First World War.
A huge thank you to Rebecca for sending me a beautiful signed paperback.
Rebecca Pells is one such author. Her debut novel, Absent Lives, encompasses everything I have come to love about this genre. Immersing myself in her story, with the sinking of the Lusitania as its pivotal event, proved to be an unforgettable reading experience.
Rebecca was inspired to put pen to paper after discovering that, in 1915, her father’s uncle Elmore and his wife Anita, along with their newborn son John, were on board the Lusitania when it was struck by a German torpedo. Rebecca found herself asking a simple yet compelling question: what happened to this little family? In seeking the answer, she embarked on a journey that culminated in this beautifully written, meticulously researched, and deeply emotive story of love, loss, resilience, and hope.
The story centres on Anita and her journey through life, portraying both her heartbreak and her remarkable strength. Through her experiences, we witness the struggles of a woman who has lost what mattered most to her, and the lifelong consequences of those eighteen devastating minutes in which the Lusitania sank.
Absent Lives reminded me of the novels of one of my absolute favourite authors, Katherine Webb. The writing is so assured, richly detailed, and of such exceptional quality that it draws you in effortlessly, captivating you with its emotional depth while showcasing Rebecca’s remarkable skill as a storyteller. Like Katherine Webb, Rebecca also employs a dual timeline, though the historical narrative takes centre stage, providing both emotional intensity and historical context.
I thoroughly enjoyed Absent Lives and highly recommend it, especially to readers who enjoy historical fiction set during the First World War.
A huge thank you to Rebecca for sending me a beautiful signed paperback.
April 20, 2026
A beautifully written book by Rebecca Pells set in 1915 & 1960 and based on the torpordoeing of The Lusitania and the aftermath for one family.
A book which could be about tragedy is mainly about endurance and hope. Full review on my Instagram page - highly recommend.
A book which could be about tragedy is mainly about endurance and hope. Full review on my Instagram page - highly recommend.
July 20, 2026
Rebecca Pells' biographical novel anchors itself in the catastrophic sinking of the RMS Lusitania on Friday, May 7, 1915, when a German U-boat torpedoed the luxurious liner off the Irish coast. Out of 1,959 passengers and crew, 1,198 perished. Coming just 3 years after the Titanic, this tragedy reshaped WWI geopolitics, inflamed anti-German sentiment, and heavily influenced global maritime safety. The book meticulously tracks Britons migrating to Canada via historic vessels like the SS Parisian and SS Megantic, connecting these pre-war transatlantic voyages to the thousands of British people who sought adventure, vast open spaces, and the promise of a better life.
At the heart of the story are the author's real-life relatives. Cyril Elmore Pells (1890–1918), educated at Woodbridge, was one such emigrant who left in 1912, settling near the Vedder Crossing in British Columbia. There, he married Mary Anita Reeves (1881–1961) in April 1914. In May 1915, they boarded the Lusitania from New York with their infant son, John. When the torpedo struck while they were dining in second-class, they retrieved John from their cabin, but as the ship plunged, the 3 month-old boy was tragically wrenched from Elmore's arms. While the parents survived atop an overturned lifeboat, the devastating loss permanently altered their destinies.
Driven by profound grief and a fierce desire for vengeance against the Germans, Elmore enlisted in London's 2/28th Battalion, becoming part of the Devonshire Regiment. The 2nd Battalion's legendary stand was at the Battle of Bois des Buttes from May 27–31, 1918. On May 27, amidst hellfire, Elmore took fiendish delight in mowing down the enemy, fighting with bitter hatred before dying. His battalion famously perished en-masse, refusing to surrender, holding on to the absolute end.
Absent Lives serves as a metaphor for the characters' shattered realities. It represents the physical absences of John and Elmore, whose lives were abruptly cut short, leaving Anita alone. It also underscores the emotional absence Anita experienced. The novel beautifully illustrates how these absent figures continued to cast giant shadows over the living.
At the heart of the story are the author's real-life relatives. Cyril Elmore Pells (1890–1918), educated at Woodbridge, was one such emigrant who left in 1912, settling near the Vedder Crossing in British Columbia. There, he married Mary Anita Reeves (1881–1961) in April 1914. In May 1915, they boarded the Lusitania from New York with their infant son, John. When the torpedo struck while they were dining in second-class, they retrieved John from their cabin, but as the ship plunged, the 3 month-old boy was tragically wrenched from Elmore's arms. While the parents survived atop an overturned lifeboat, the devastating loss permanently altered their destinies.
Driven by profound grief and a fierce desire for vengeance against the Germans, Elmore enlisted in London's 2/28th Battalion, becoming part of the Devonshire Regiment. The 2nd Battalion's legendary stand was at the Battle of Bois des Buttes from May 27–31, 1918. On May 27, amidst hellfire, Elmore took fiendish delight in mowing down the enemy, fighting with bitter hatred before dying. His battalion famously perished en-masse, refusing to surrender, holding on to the absolute end.
Absent Lives serves as a metaphor for the characters' shattered realities. It represents the physical absences of John and Elmore, whose lives were abruptly cut short, leaving Anita alone. It also underscores the emotional absence Anita experienced. The novel beautifully illustrates how these absent figures continued to cast giant shadows over the living.
June 12, 2026
‘..what is the point in our survival if we don’t go out and live our lives?’
‘Did you know that there is no word, no pronoun to describe a parent who has lost a child?’
Towards the back of this beautiful book are two grainy black and white photos of a young couple; in the second photo there is a baby. Smiling at the camera they are completely unaware that their lives are about to be torn apart..When the author found this photo in an old family album she determined to find out more and tell its story.
A young man visits an elderly lady; he is supposedly writing the story of her life. Anita, her husband and baby were aboard the Lusitania which was sunk, torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915. Through the interviews with Charles and Anita’s narrative the author pieces together the story of her relatives’ lives before and after the sinking, mixing fiction and non-fiction in an incredibly tender and moving account which engages the reader from page 1..
This is historical fiction at its best, impeccably researched and powerfully conveyed through the lives of the humans impacted. I knew so little about the Lusitania and yet so much about the Titanic, but this disaster had a huge impact outcomes of world world war 1 and on individual lives.
Anita inspires with her courage, tenacity and resilience. She constantly reinvents herself and through her we journey backwards and forwards across the Atlantic, living through the Depression, nursing and rounding up cattle. As she recounts her life story to Charles, we travel across landscapes, witness decades of historical change and we wait on tenterhooks to see if there will be one last twist to her story. Switching between Anita’s narrative and Charles’ interview was so cleverly done, allowing the author to capture Anita’s own voice and Charles to interrogate her narrative and reveal hidden depths to her story.
This beautiful novel is infused with love, wonderful writing, fascinating detail and a little known history.
I was moved and enthralled.
‘Did you know that there is no word, no pronoun to describe a parent who has lost a child?’
Towards the back of this beautiful book are two grainy black and white photos of a young couple; in the second photo there is a baby. Smiling at the camera they are completely unaware that their lives are about to be torn apart..When the author found this photo in an old family album she determined to find out more and tell its story.
A young man visits an elderly lady; he is supposedly writing the story of her life. Anita, her husband and baby were aboard the Lusitania which was sunk, torpedoed by a German U-boat in 1915. Through the interviews with Charles and Anita’s narrative the author pieces together the story of her relatives’ lives before and after the sinking, mixing fiction and non-fiction in an incredibly tender and moving account which engages the reader from page 1..
This is historical fiction at its best, impeccably researched and powerfully conveyed through the lives of the humans impacted. I knew so little about the Lusitania and yet so much about the Titanic, but this disaster had a huge impact outcomes of world world war 1 and on individual lives.
Anita inspires with her courage, tenacity and resilience. She constantly reinvents herself and through her we journey backwards and forwards across the Atlantic, living through the Depression, nursing and rounding up cattle. As she recounts her life story to Charles, we travel across landscapes, witness decades of historical change and we wait on tenterhooks to see if there will be one last twist to her story. Switching between Anita’s narrative and Charles’ interview was so cleverly done, allowing the author to capture Anita’s own voice and Charles to interrogate her narrative and reveal hidden depths to her story.
This beautiful novel is infused with love, wonderful writing, fascinating detail and a little known history.
I was moved and enthralled.
May 13, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absent Lives by Rebecca Pells
This story is told by our protagonists Anita and Elmore who have recently married and started a new life in Canada. The year is 1915 and with the birth of their baby John, their life is complete. But when the war breaks out they feel it is their duty to return to England and help with the war effort in any way they can.
However, their boat, The Lusitania, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland and although Anita and Elmore survived, sadly their beautiful John did not.
The guilt and grief consume them and Elmore decides to take out his anger on the Germans for the death of his son by enlisting and soon finds himself in France. Not long after Anita receives the news that he is missing in action and once again grief weighs her down.
Alone and broken-hearted, Anita explores many different lives, trying to find the one that fits, while longing for her boys, until finally settling in New York.
1960, Thirty-five years later Anita receives a visit from Charles whose grandparents were also on The Lusitania. He wants to hear Anita’s story and to find out if what his Grandfather told him on his deathbed is the truth. As Anita’s story unfolds an old buried secret comes to light leaving Christoher to wonder if revealing it will cause more hurt or will it free the pain carried through the years?
What a fantastic gem of a book this was. It was so full of adventure, new beginnings and hope but also strong themes of love and loss, grief, heartbreak and utter loneliness. My heart aches for Anita, left all alone and trying to find out where she belonged.
You can almost taste the fear and the grief that is so exceptionally portrayed by Pells in how she vividly describes the surroundings, the cold, the dark and the eerily quiet sea.
If you love historical fiction that is compelling, emotional and multi-layeted than you will love this book as much as I did. I can't wait to read more by this talented author.
This story is told by our protagonists Anita and Elmore who have recently married and started a new life in Canada. The year is 1915 and with the birth of their baby John, their life is complete. But when the war breaks out they feel it is their duty to return to England and help with the war effort in any way they can.
However, their boat, The Lusitania, was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland and although Anita and Elmore survived, sadly their beautiful John did not.
The guilt and grief consume them and Elmore decides to take out his anger on the Germans for the death of his son by enlisting and soon finds himself in France. Not long after Anita receives the news that he is missing in action and once again grief weighs her down.
Alone and broken-hearted, Anita explores many different lives, trying to find the one that fits, while longing for her boys, until finally settling in New York.
1960, Thirty-five years later Anita receives a visit from Charles whose grandparents were also on The Lusitania. He wants to hear Anita’s story and to find out if what his Grandfather told him on his deathbed is the truth. As Anita’s story unfolds an old buried secret comes to light leaving Christoher to wonder if revealing it will cause more hurt or will it free the pain carried through the years?
What a fantastic gem of a book this was. It was so full of adventure, new beginnings and hope but also strong themes of love and loss, grief, heartbreak and utter loneliness. My heart aches for Anita, left all alone and trying to find out where she belonged.
You can almost taste the fear and the grief that is so exceptionally portrayed by Pells in how she vividly describes the surroundings, the cold, the dark and the eerily quiet sea.
If you love historical fiction that is compelling, emotional and multi-layeted than you will love this book as much as I did. I can't wait to read more by this talented author.
Review of advance copy
Absent Lives, by Rebecca Pells.
ARC Review.
Absent Lives is a deeply compelling story that had me hooked from the first page to the last in the book. An excellent debut novel penned by talented author, Rebecca Pells.
This multi-layered story takes the reader on an emotional, heartfelt journey that not only spans decades, but continents as well.
Told through the eyes of Anita Pells as she relays her life story to a young writer called Charles who comes to visit her in the care home. Charles hopes to turn her incredible story into a book one day. But this is not the whole truth, as he guards secrets of his own which could change both their lives.
1915: Europe is at war, and many families living abroad returned home to defend their country.
The story focuses on the lives of a young woman named, Anita, her husband, Elmore and their infant son, John, who are aboard the passenger ship, RMS Lusitania, bound for England, when the ship is torpedoed by a German U-boat off the Irish coast. The traumatic depiction of events that follows expands on the lives of the fortunate few who had survived the tragedy. But what of those survivors - now racked with guilt and could barely think of anything else other than the ones who had died?
A selfish act was committed, and one that would cast repercussions throughout Anita’s life, impacting on the life-choices she would make.
The story is well-researched by the author, depicting events that took place during the Battle of the Bois du Butte, which was both emotional and intense to read.
A gripping, beautifully described emotional drama about a young woman’s resilience and her enduring love for the people lost to her. Haunting in its content and superbly written throughout.
Highly recommended. 5 Stars.
ARC Review.
Absent Lives is a deeply compelling story that had me hooked from the first page to the last in the book. An excellent debut novel penned by talented author, Rebecca Pells.
This multi-layered story takes the reader on an emotional, heartfelt journey that not only spans decades, but continents as well.
Told through the eyes of Anita Pells as she relays her life story to a young writer called Charles who comes to visit her in the care home. Charles hopes to turn her incredible story into a book one day. But this is not the whole truth, as he guards secrets of his own which could change both their lives.
1915: Europe is at war, and many families living abroad returned home to defend their country.
The story focuses on the lives of a young woman named, Anita, her husband, Elmore and their infant son, John, who are aboard the passenger ship, RMS Lusitania, bound for England, when the ship is torpedoed by a German U-boat off the Irish coast. The traumatic depiction of events that follows expands on the lives of the fortunate few who had survived the tragedy. But what of those survivors - now racked with guilt and could barely think of anything else other than the ones who had died?
A selfish act was committed, and one that would cast repercussions throughout Anita’s life, impacting on the life-choices she would make.
The story is well-researched by the author, depicting events that took place during the Battle of the Bois du Butte, which was both emotional and intense to read.
A gripping, beautifully described emotional drama about a young woman’s resilience and her enduring love for the people lost to her. Haunting in its content and superbly written throughout.
Highly recommended. 5 Stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars
A riveting novel, and a must-read for history lovers.
In the late 1960’s, a young man is doing research for a book about the passengers that were on the Lusitania in 1915. ( He also has personal reasons for his researching, but, no spoilers here)! He meets up with an elderly woman who survived the shipwreck, and over a period of several months, she reveals her life story to him, presented as “flashbacks” in the narrative.
This was a well-researched, intriguing book to read. The author’s notes at the end were a special touch, revealing her family’s history regarding the Lusitania, and containing some beautiful photographs.
The reason for my 4.5 star rating was because of some confusion I had with transitions between the flashbacks and the present times. There were no indications in the formatting of the text to show the beginning of one/ending of another, so I’d often be well into a section before I realized which time I was reading about. This might have been because of the digital format; I don’t know if the print version will be different.
Otherwise, this novel was wonderful, and very difficult to put down! I’ll be looking for a print copy for re-reading after it releases in April 2026.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
A riveting novel, and a must-read for history lovers.
In the late 1960’s, a young man is doing research for a book about the passengers that were on the Lusitania in 1915. ( He also has personal reasons for his researching, but, no spoilers here)! He meets up with an elderly woman who survived the shipwreck, and over a period of several months, she reveals her life story to him, presented as “flashbacks” in the narrative.
This was a well-researched, intriguing book to read. The author’s notes at the end were a special touch, revealing her family’s history regarding the Lusitania, and containing some beautiful photographs.
The reason for my 4.5 star rating was because of some confusion I had with transitions between the flashbacks and the present times. There were no indications in the formatting of the text to show the beginning of one/ending of another, so I’d often be well into a section before I realized which time I was reading about. This might have been because of the digital format; I don’t know if the print version will be different.
Otherwise, this novel was wonderful, and very difficult to put down! I’ll be looking for a print copy for re-reading after it releases in April 2026.
*I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
World War I and the sinking of the Lusitania figure as pivotal events in Rebecca Pells’ absorbing fictional story, “Absent Lives,” which the reader learns in an afterword has its roots in actual people, notably her father’s uncle Elmore and his wife, Anita, and their son, John, all of whom were aboard the doomed vessel when it was torpedoed by the Germans.
Indeed, it’s from the perspective of a fictionalized Anita that the reader gets the novel’s events as she recounts them to a writer looking to do a book about her life – a writer who has an underlying secret that’s not hard to guess for a perspicacious reader.
Still, the story as the writer gets it from Anita is one of pluck and resourcefulness in which she and Elmore survive the sinking, albeit with great anguish, and then later, as the world continues its descent into collective madness, she is further traumatized by having to watch him go off to the trenches and, throughout it all, she displays considerable mettle by establishing herself as a teacher and nurse in England and continuing an endeavor she and Elmore launched in Canada and even logging time on a ranch in America.
Indeed, it’s from the perspective of a fictionalized Anita that the reader gets the novel’s events as she recounts them to a writer looking to do a book about her life – a writer who has an underlying secret that’s not hard to guess for a perspicacious reader.
Still, the story as the writer gets it from Anita is one of pluck and resourcefulness in which she and Elmore survive the sinking, albeit with great anguish, and then later, as the world continues its descent into collective madness, she is further traumatized by having to watch him go off to the trenches and, throughout it all, she displays considerable mettle by establishing herself as a teacher and nurse in England and continuing an endeavor she and Elmore launched in Canada and even logging time on a ranch in America.
May 26, 2026
This book was wonderful! In 1915 Anita and Elmore are on the RMS Lusitania when it is hit by German torpedoes. They manage to survive, but their son John is lost. In 1960 Scotland a young man named Charles has connected with a much older Anita. Through a series of flashbacks, Anita's story is told and a connection between the characters is revealed. This story pulls at your heartstrings but draws you in at the same time. The writing is flawless, and I felt like I was there. One of my favorites for the year. I also liked the notes at the end where the author writes about her connection to Anita and Elmore. I also loved seeing the pictures. Highly recommend!
May 16, 2026
Absent Lies is a heartfelt, multi-layered historical debut novel, that explores grief, loss, and the enduring bonds of family. the book spans decades and continents to weave a dual-timeline mystery.
To my surprise I found the story was linked to the author’s life which made me wonder the intense but tragic circumstances that draws in this book. I could feel the pain which is very rear when you read novels.
The story is extremely upsetting with trauma, loss and survival.
Finally chapter is a real shock!
Box of tissues a must
To my surprise I found the story was linked to the author’s life which made me wonder the intense but tragic circumstances that draws in this book. I could feel the pain which is very rear when you read novels.
The story is extremely upsetting with trauma, loss and survival.
Finally chapter is a real shock!
Box of tissues a must
August 7, 2026
I’ve been intrigued by this novel ever since it was published, also a debut novel, on the same day as mine (Finding Ida) also by @thebookguildpublishing
Knowing that, like Finding Ida, it’s based on an ancestor’s life, I was curious to read it. Now I have and I find that, like Finding Ida (I hope!), it brings to life a bygone era, numerous locations, and a remarkable woman. Shining a light on an almost forgotten episode, it offers a valuable historical perspective and an unforgettable study of loss and survival. Give it a read!
Knowing that, like Finding Ida, it’s based on an ancestor’s life, I was curious to read it. Now I have and I find that, like Finding Ida (I hope!), it brings to life a bygone era, numerous locations, and a remarkable woman. Shining a light on an almost forgotten episode, it offers a valuable historical perspective and an unforgettable study of loss and survival. Give it a read!
July 19, 2026
I love a WWI story that is well researched and makes me feel as if I am there. I want the author to write characters that make me feel like I am one of them. This story did all that. Sometimes I feel guilty in loving a war story. But there is so much more to the story than that. They are emotional, struggles, friendship and pulling together. A well researched story can also teach us history. Loved this story!
July 23, 2026
Beautifully written and a moving account which starts with the sinking of the Lusitania or rather the survival of Anna Pells…..I will write a fuller review soon but just wanted to highly recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews