The Compass

by Mandy Robotham

June, 1976. Western Europe is caught in the grips of a relentless and sweltering heatwave. In London, the summer marks a milestone of a different kind for a decade married to the love of her life, and their first child on the way.

But on the night that she plans to tell Joe their news, he doesn't come home. Fearing the worst, Edie scours the city for her missing husband, and eventually she unearths a Joe's wedding ring, alongside a note urging her towards Paris.

Using her heart as a compass, Edie sets off on a journey that takes her across Europe, following a trail that promises to unlock the mystery and lead her to Joe.

As tensions rise and temperatures soar, Edie draws closer to the truth - but unravelling the past comes at a cost.

When the heatwave finally breaks, will it take Edie down with it?

Epic love and long-kept secrets collide in this evocative and enthralling historical fiction novel, set against the backdrop of the era-defining 1976 European heatwave, from international bestseller Mandy Robotham - perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah, Victoria Hislop and Lucinda Riley.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 27, 2026

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Instagram - @comewalkinmybooks

📖ARC review📖

The Compass by Mandy Robotham

Goodreads review - 4/5 ⭐️

My personal rating - 4.5/5 ⭐️

First of all I would like to thank Mandy Robotham and Little Brown Book Club for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book by Mandy Robotham that I have ever read.

In this book we follow the story of our main character Edie.

Our main story in this book follows the a regular, working woman in her 30s who lives a perfect life with her husband Joe. Their lives consist of going to watch Arsenal play and travelling all over Britain imagining the lives they could lead.

One day coming one with big news to share she makes a special meal with dessert to follow. Only Joe never returns home.

Upon finding his wedding ring and a note that leads to Paris this begins our story across 1976 Europe in this Hansel and Gretel style tale of breadcrumbs during a true European heatwave.

In this story we also get flashbacks of Edie and Joe to follow their story of how they got to be where they are now !

How well do we really know the ones we love ?

This review is vague but I have added my mood board I made while reading as I really don’t want to spoil anything 🥲 but all I can ask is that you pick this book up and let me know all your thoughts 🙏🏼

Would I recommend this book - 100%
Wow ! This book is something else 🥹 I loved it ! It’s fast paced, engaging and has an ending that destroyed me. I fear I may never recover 😭

This book also has some amazing side characters particularly a certain neighbour who I hope you all meet in your own time !

My downfalls for this book would be the repetitiveness in some parts that felt a bit like fillers that the book didn’t need. That’s the only reason for it not being a 5⭐️ for me !

Would I read this author again - absolutely
I can’t wait to read more from Mandy 😍

This book releases 27th August !

This is my personal opinion.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 4 out of 5]

June, 1976. Edie and Joe Drummond live in Camden, London, all of Europe is sweltering due to a heatwave and water restrictions have been introduced.

The couple have been married for ten years, they want to start a family, and Edie left work early to prepare a special meal and to tell her husband she’s pregnant. Edie has the table set, food made, dessert defrosting and is waiting for Joe; she starts to get worried when he’s late, Edie calls everyone she can think of and they assure her he’s fine and he doesn’t come home that night.

Edie tells her kindly neighbour Mr. Sandhu, visits the police station, and checks places Joe might be and she can’t report him missing yet and they think he will turn up. Battling morning sickness, the heat and fatigue Edie is frantic, she starts going through their closet, none of Joe’s clothes are missing but she finds his wedding ring, alongside a cryptic note urging her towards Paris.

Using her heart as a guide and compass, Edie sets of on a trip to Paris, Switzerland, and Germany. Following a trail of clues, constantly thinking and unsure, nothing about Joe’s disappearance makes any sense and why did he leave and is he in some kind of trouble?

I received a copy of The Compass from NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK in exchange for an unbiased review.

This novel is very different to what Mandy Robotham normally writes, it’s great she wrote something new set during a heatwave and a time she remembers well.

I don’t think the main character Edie ever thought her life would change in a blink of an eye and I won't spoil it for you but her trek across Europe is crazy, nothing makes any sense, and Edie is terrified, scared and determined and not ready to give up.

Four stars from me, I wouldn't class it as a romantic action and adventure story (Amazon does) more like a mild mastery/thriller, and one with an unpredictable ending.

[Jodie Boast · Rating 3 out of 5]

June, 1976. Western Europe is caught in the grips of a relentless and sweltering heatwave. In London, the summer marks a milestone of a different kind for a decade married to the love of her life, and their first child on the way. But on the night that she plans to tell Joe their news, he doesn't come home. Fearing the worst, Edie scours the city for her missing husband, and eventually she unearths a Joe's wedding ring, alongside a note urging her towards Paris. Using her heart as a compass, Edie sets off on a journey that takes her across Europe, following a trail that promises to unlock the mystery and lead her to Joe. As tensions rise and temperatures soar, Edie draws closer to the truth - but unravelling the past comes at a cost. When the heatwave finally breaks, will it take Edie down with it?

I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout of this novel, I love historical fiction and it absolutely was that but with added action and adventure rather than romance, which is what I initially thought. The historical fiction genre is evident and I thoroughly enjoyed the juxtaposition of the 2026 heatwave with the 1976 heatwave. I found all the information about Berlin in 1976 very interesting and I was very invested. The characters are brilliant and the writing is easy to follow with great pacing to keep you hooked.

I did find that even though the main character goes on a tough journey, everything does seem a bit convenient at each stop. I also felt like her journey was quite dragged out and then the actual bit we were waiting for seemed very fast paced and quick. I was not a fan of the MMC and not 100% on the ending but enjoyed the whole thing nonetheless. Would absolutely recommend, especially for a book club as I think there could be loads to discuss. Great to read during a heatwave too!

Thankyou to the publisher for sending me this copy. *gifted*

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5★s

It was their 10th wedding anniversary and Edie hurried home from work to prepare a feast for them both, as well as telling him some news. But as Edie waited, hour upon hour and Joe didn't arrive home, she was shattered. She searched for him, went to the police, phoned his work and his friends - he was nowhere to be found. Going through the pockets of his clothes, she discovered his wedding ring - her heart broke some more - and a note; a crumb of information. Before she knew it, she was heading for Paris in the hope of locating Joe - she just needed to know why.

It was mid 1976 and a heart wave was soaring across Europe. London and surrounds were drought stricken, the constant heat was enervating. But as Edie followed the crumbs Joe had left, her heart compass was telling her she was on the right track. When her passport and all her money was stolen, she was stuck. But she soon carried on... would Edie find Joe? Or was it a fool's errand? The mystery which surrounded his disappearance might never be solved...

The Compass is an intriguing historical mystery by Mandy Robotham which I thoroughly enjoyed. The build up toward the end was gritty and tense, filled with secrets, while Edie was an exceptional character. Strong, courageous and determined to find answers. I loved Edie's next door neighbour in London, Mr Sandhu. He was a substitute grandfather for Edie, and took care of her with his cups of tea and yeast buns. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Little, Brown Book Group, UK for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Compass is an evocative, beautifully paced novel that swept me straight into the heat‑hazed summer of 1976 and didn’t let go. Mandy Robotham blends mystery, emotion, and atmosphere with such skill that Edie’s journey feels both intimate and epic.

Edie is a wonderfully compelling protagonist—hopeful, determined, and heartbreakingly human. Her life is on the cusp of joy, yet in one night everything shifts. When Joe doesn’t come home and she discovers his wedding ring alongside a cryptic note, the story takes on a gripping momentum. Following Edie across Europe as she chases answers feels like travelling with her: the heatwave pressing in, the tension rising, and every clue pulling her deeper into a past she never expected to confront.

Robotham captures the era brilliantly. The sweltering temperatures, the restless energy of the cities, and the emotional weight of Edie’s search all combine to create a vivid, immersive backdrop. The secrets uncovered along the way are layered and satisfying, and the emotional stakes remain high throughout. It’s a story about love, resilience, and the cost of truth—told with warmth and a steady, compelling pull.

A captivating, atmospheric read that balances suspense with heart. Five stars from me—I really enjoyed this one and found myself thinking about Edie long after I’d finished.

With thanks to Mandy Robotham, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

How strange it was for me to be reminded of the long hot Summer of 1976 by reading this wonderful book in the long hot summer of 2026!
Edie and Joe have been married for 12 years when one day he does not come home from work- Edie waits for him all evening as she has some important news to impart . Eventually, fearing the worst, she reports him as missing but no one knows where he is and the police can find no trace.
However, hidden in his wedding jacket, Edie discovers a clue, perhaps to where he has gone and sets off on a quest across Europe, following the signs that she believes he has left for her. Facing danger at every turn, Edie will not give up on Joe as she still loves him. Occasionally there are flashbacks to her life with her husband prior to his disappearance but nothing to explain why he has left.
I’ve read a lot of Mandy Robotham’s books which are mainly historical and all with believable and empathetic characters
I loved the setting and cultural references to 1976 when I was a teenager. The European journey Edie undertakes is a bit of a “Race Around the World” as she moves from country to country trying to locate her errant husband.
This book is difficult to categorise, part romance, part historical and part adventure, there is something for everyone in it.
It was a novel I really enjoyed and will be recommending to friends and family.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy..

[Shoe Bee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGallery for the free copy of this book in return for an unbiased review.

I have to start by saying I LOVED this book! It was the most enjoyable read I've read in ages. I was pulled in by the first few pages and couldn't put it down. What I really liked was that it touches upon some really heavy topics while also being a nice, light read.

It starts by setting the scene for Jo and Edies love story. I quickly became interested in how their story progressed.

When I started the story I had no idea how Edies trip across Europe would pan out, or what would happen at it's culmination. Her journey was hard and perilous at times but she found that help can be found in a variety of places. A underlying theme of the book is that people can't always control what happens to them but they can still decide what choice to make; easy or hard, kind or correct or maybe some different combination entirely. In the most part I found the story believable, although I'm sure some may argue the odds of her successfully navigating the series of challenges is unlikely.

I found the book to be well written and easy to read.

[Bri C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Do not pick this book up unless you are not planning to go anywhere for the next few hours! It's 1976 in London during a heatwave. Edie is waiting for her husband to come home so she can share the joyful news of her pregnancy, but he doesn't arrive. After she finds the clue of an address in Paris, she follows her instincts that lead her across Europe in the quest for answers. Richly detailed, reliving the retro days before Internet, mobile phones and air conditioning, we are taken on a page turning adventure. The characters are wonderful, the plot keeps you guessing, the writing keeps you fully engaged, and the only downside is when you finish the last page and have to put the book down. Another winner from Mandy Robotham!

[Su Thor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another successful book - historically accurate. Enjoyable to read. It was quite a journey that was undertaken: London to Paris, Paris to Zurich, Zurich to Frankfurt and Frankfurt to Berlin. Each leg of the journey bringing its own hazards before the scariest journey of all: through checkpoint Charlie to find the secrets. Interesting people who were met along the way too as Edie picked up the clues left behind in a kind of unconventional 'paper trail' leading Edie through Europe to find out the truth.
Glad to have read this. Thank you to Mandy for writing it, and to Little, Brown Book Group for publishing and netgalley for sharing this advance copy in exchange for this honest review.

[Kirsty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved the setting. Didn't like some of how it played out