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The Last Night
In a quiet coastal village, Irina spends her days restoring furniture, passing the time in peace and hiding away from the world. A family secret, long held and never discussed, casts a dark shadow, and Irina chooses to withdraw into her work. When an antique bureau is sent to her workshop, the owner anonymous, Irina senses a history to the object that makes her uneasy. As Irina begins to investigate the origins of the piece, she unearths the secrets it holds within. Decades earlier in the 1950s, another young woman kept secrets. Her name was Abigail. Over the course of one summer, she fell in love, and dreamed of the future. But Abigail could not know that a catastrophe loomed, and this event would change the course of many lives for ever.
368 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2016
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February 5, 2017A deftly-handled, slow-burning thriller across two distinct timelines, and with two heroines, linked by a secret that emerges gradually as the plot unfolds. It's a technique that has been used to good effect before (by Kate Atkinson, among others), but it works extremely well here, and the author's evocation of time and place is impeccable. I suspect that fans of Kate Mosse and Kate Atkinson will find a lot to like here...
November 14, 2017
The story begins in August 1952 with the discovery of a body. Then it goes back to three months earlier and we meet Abigail and through her, her friend Mary. Initially I thought Abigail and Mary, with their girly conversations about movie stars and clothes, were younger than what they are. But maybe it was just their way of dealing with the aftermath of war? The next chapter flips forward to Irina and 2016. A bureau has just been delivered to Irina to work on. She restores furniture. Irina is comfortable n her workshop. It saves her having to deal with a lot of people and their reactions to her scarred face. The scar is from an event in her childhood that she and her mother never talk about. You know that Abigail’s story and Irina’s are going to intersect and that it probably has something to do with the bureau. It does and some strange things start to happen that lead Irina to investigate further.
Much of the story focuses on Abigail and Irina and events in their lives. But a few come from the viewpoint of Richard, the man in Abigail’s life. He is not the only man in her life. The other is one the reader will dislike and with good reason. There are also a couple of chapter’s from Abigail’s friend, Mary.
I found this a gently intriguing read that maintained my interest. In both Irina’s and Abigail’s lives, there is more going in than is talked about or even acknowledged. I had not read this author’s previous book but just picked this because the story sounded interesting. It was inspired by an historical event in 1952. From that real incident, the author gained inspiration and has written an interesting story where the characters come across realistically. I would suggest you definitely don’t read that historical information at the end of the book until after you have read the story.
The coastal setting is beautifully described. The whole story was told without any use of the f word, a refreshing change in today’s fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am now keen to read this author’s earlier novel.
Much of the story focuses on Abigail and Irina and events in their lives. But a few come from the viewpoint of Richard, the man in Abigail’s life. He is not the only man in her life. The other is one the reader will dislike and with good reason. There are also a couple of chapter’s from Abigail’s friend, Mary.
I found this a gently intriguing read that maintained my interest. In both Irina’s and Abigail’s lives, there is more going in than is talked about or even acknowledged. I had not read this author’s previous book but just picked this because the story sounded interesting. It was inspired by an historical event in 1952. From that real incident, the author gained inspiration and has written an interesting story where the characters come across realistically. I would suggest you definitely don’t read that historical information at the end of the book until after you have read the story.
The coastal setting is beautifully described. The whole story was told without any use of the f word, a refreshing change in today’s fiction. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am now keen to read this author’s earlier novel.
November 11, 2016
Without doubt The Last Night has been one of my most anticipated reads of 2016. Last year I was simply blown away by The Silent Hours, the calibre of the writing was astounding not to mention that twist that left me in floods of tears after reading it. Cesca Major also writes women's humorous fiction under a pen name so it's clear she can write exceedingly well in two very contrasting genres and demonstrates what a superb author she is. Incredibly The Silent Hours was a début novel but it read like an author who had been writing for years and years and had had many books published. So I was more than keen to see having set the bar so high with her first book could The Last Night even attempt to live up to my very high expectations. I loved the cover for this book it's broody, atmospheric, mysterious and contemplative and having finished the book I feel it ties in well with the overall plot and themes. I eagerly dove into The Last Night as I couldn't wait to get stuck into what would once again prove to be a brilliant story waiting to be discovered between the covers, yet at the same time I wanted to read it as slow as possible to savour the beautiful writing and enjoy every moment of this wonderfully crafted novel from an extremely talented author.
The Last Night is written between the past and the present and focuses on two women as the main characters, separated by years yet there is a connection between the pair waiting to be discovered. I would say do not attempt to read the authors note at the end of the book before starting as it would give away far too much. I'm normally a divil for doing this but in this case I was so glad I didn't as I would have seen what was coming and it would have detracted from the once again stunning conclusion. The book opens with a young girl exploring the cliff tops and escaping to the beach and coves near her home only to come across a gruesome discovery. Right from the beginning the descriptions are fantastic and only add so much to the story. The use of water and the coastal setting play such a pivotal role, along with the weather, that they almost become characters in themselves. It may sound strange to say that but throughout the book water seemed to be cropping up everywhere and I couldn't see why? But when all became clear it demonstrated that Cesca Major is an author who deserves great acclaim and if this is what she is writing now I can only imagine where her future work will take her.
In 1952 Abigail is living in Bristol and enjoys spending time with her best friend Mary. The remnants of war are still visible as the city attempts to fix it's emotional and physical scars. Out of nowhere tragedy strikes and Abigail is forced to leave Bristol and go to and live with her sister Connie in Devon. She has not seen her for many years since she married her husband Larry and Abigail is not looking forward to it at all but needs must. All the plans Mary and herself had made are now shattered. They had wanted to leave Bristol and travel somewhere together but now faced with no home, job or money she must go and accept the generous offer of a place to stay. Every so often chapters kept cropping up focusing on Mary and I was left wondering was there really any need for this seeing as she had been left behind in Bristol but she was a good friend to Abigail and I kept reading eager to uncover more.
Abigail moves to the coastal area of Lynton and Lynmouth and feels like this won't be the place for her. The atmosphere is stifling and relations strained in her sisters house with tensions and unease always running high. It's only when she gets out into the open and explores the area and experiences nature and the coast that she somewhat feels better. She meets a local fisherman Richard and things begin to develop between the pair. It never felt like their relationship was a full blown romance and that there was passion and fire between them it was more subtle and growing and I felt several chapters passed by just following them where nothing much happened. I had felt like this with the previous book but reading this second book I knew Cesca would just keep building and building the tension until we reached a shocking climax that left us open mouthed. Connie's husband Larry seemed to be an utter creep and a menace and I couldn't understand how Connie didn't stand up to him more. His shadow and overbearing characteristics found their way into quite a number of scenes with Abigail and I didn't like the threatening tone at all. Abigail came to Devon at a time when she was very vulnerable and in some ways she began to heal and in others crumble.
In the present day Irina lives in Petworth and runs a business where she restores antiques of all kinds and brings them back to their former glory. She likes to remain hidden and anonymous due to the scars on her face and leaves the front of shop work to a lady she has employed. Irina remains cosseted in her workshop away from the world where she can work her magic on the items she is restoring. A failed relationship with Andrew, an ever present reminder that she is not the person she would have wished to be when thinking about herself as an adult when she was growing up. It's clear something big happened to Irina in the past and it very much still affects how she is living in the present. She cannot make and keep deep relations with people and closeness with her mother is non existent. Irina is hiding something and the burden is ever more dragging her down and until she finds some resolution she will never be able to move forward peacefully. She is haunted by what she has experienced and feels shackled by events in the past.
A regular client sends a bureau to Irina to fix up and it's from then on that things start going a bit strange for her. As soon as it came into her workshop she felt uneasy but yet at the same time like there was a reason it came to her. She discovers objects in the drawers which seem to be calling for investigation. She feels them leading her somewhere. Strange events start to occur and here water plays a crucial role. Normally I would find these eerie happenings totally over the top and unrealistic, I don't like something that can't be explained and here it can't. But it's testament to the writing of the author and the manner in which these things occur that they didn't in the least sense feel contrived and I went with the flow keen to see just what was happening to Irina. I felt if she didn't find some answers regarding the bureau and what was happening around her every day that she would only grow ever more tormented.
This story doesn't doesn't move along at a frantic pace, more so it is slow and with each chapter there are not great discoveries instead there is an overwhelming feeling of tension and oppression like we are building and building to something that will in some ways give us the answers and in others only serve to create more questions. As Irina delves deeper into uncovering just why the bureau is having so much of an effect on her I wanted the answers straight away. There seemed to be too many obstacles in the way and I wish the pace had increased but truly it was all worth it in the end as the last few chapters were incredible and so powerfully descriptive that my emotions were all over the place. I never knew how things would exactly pan out but my god was it all oh so very very clever and all the setting up came to fruition perfectly. One small aspect brought a smile to me eye as one character proved they weren't the push over they had first appeared to be and had known exactly what was going on all the time and were able to play their role aptly at just the crucial moment.
The Last Night is just as good as The Silent Hours and all the readers who had cheered on Cesca's début for its brilliance will do the same for this book. It is definitely one of my books of the year and I am sure it will feature in many other people's top reads of 2016. The Last Night was compelling to the very last word. There were no signs of the difficult hard to wrote second book and I hope that Cesca is busy at work on book three writing another phenomenal story to satisfy her ever increasing readership.
The Last Night is written between the past and the present and focuses on two women as the main characters, separated by years yet there is a connection between the pair waiting to be discovered. I would say do not attempt to read the authors note at the end of the book before starting as it would give away far too much. I'm normally a divil for doing this but in this case I was so glad I didn't as I would have seen what was coming and it would have detracted from the once again stunning conclusion. The book opens with a young girl exploring the cliff tops and escaping to the beach and coves near her home only to come across a gruesome discovery. Right from the beginning the descriptions are fantastic and only add so much to the story. The use of water and the coastal setting play such a pivotal role, along with the weather, that they almost become characters in themselves. It may sound strange to say that but throughout the book water seemed to be cropping up everywhere and I couldn't see why? But when all became clear it demonstrated that Cesca Major is an author who deserves great acclaim and if this is what she is writing now I can only imagine where her future work will take her.
In 1952 Abigail is living in Bristol and enjoys spending time with her best friend Mary. The remnants of war are still visible as the city attempts to fix it's emotional and physical scars. Out of nowhere tragedy strikes and Abigail is forced to leave Bristol and go to and live with her sister Connie in Devon. She has not seen her for many years since she married her husband Larry and Abigail is not looking forward to it at all but needs must. All the plans Mary and herself had made are now shattered. They had wanted to leave Bristol and travel somewhere together but now faced with no home, job or money she must go and accept the generous offer of a place to stay. Every so often chapters kept cropping up focusing on Mary and I was left wondering was there really any need for this seeing as she had been left behind in Bristol but she was a good friend to Abigail and I kept reading eager to uncover more.
Abigail moves to the coastal area of Lynton and Lynmouth and feels like this won't be the place for her. The atmosphere is stifling and relations strained in her sisters house with tensions and unease always running high. It's only when she gets out into the open and explores the area and experiences nature and the coast that she somewhat feels better. She meets a local fisherman Richard and things begin to develop between the pair. It never felt like their relationship was a full blown romance and that there was passion and fire between them it was more subtle and growing and I felt several chapters passed by just following them where nothing much happened. I had felt like this with the previous book but reading this second book I knew Cesca would just keep building and building the tension until we reached a shocking climax that left us open mouthed. Connie's husband Larry seemed to be an utter creep and a menace and I couldn't understand how Connie didn't stand up to him more. His shadow and overbearing characteristics found their way into quite a number of scenes with Abigail and I didn't like the threatening tone at all. Abigail came to Devon at a time when she was very vulnerable and in some ways she began to heal and in others crumble.
In the present day Irina lives in Petworth and runs a business where she restores antiques of all kinds and brings them back to their former glory. She likes to remain hidden and anonymous due to the scars on her face and leaves the front of shop work to a lady she has employed. Irina remains cosseted in her workshop away from the world where she can work her magic on the items she is restoring. A failed relationship with Andrew, an ever present reminder that she is not the person she would have wished to be when thinking about herself as an adult when she was growing up. It's clear something big happened to Irina in the past and it very much still affects how she is living in the present. She cannot make and keep deep relations with people and closeness with her mother is non existent. Irina is hiding something and the burden is ever more dragging her down and until she finds some resolution she will never be able to move forward peacefully. She is haunted by what she has experienced and feels shackled by events in the past.
A regular client sends a bureau to Irina to fix up and it's from then on that things start going a bit strange for her. As soon as it came into her workshop she felt uneasy but yet at the same time like there was a reason it came to her. She discovers objects in the drawers which seem to be calling for investigation. She feels them leading her somewhere. Strange events start to occur and here water plays a crucial role. Normally I would find these eerie happenings totally over the top and unrealistic, I don't like something that can't be explained and here it can't. But it's testament to the writing of the author and the manner in which these things occur that they didn't in the least sense feel contrived and I went with the flow keen to see just what was happening to Irina. I felt if she didn't find some answers regarding the bureau and what was happening around her every day that she would only grow ever more tormented.
This story doesn't doesn't move along at a frantic pace, more so it is slow and with each chapter there are not great discoveries instead there is an overwhelming feeling of tension and oppression like we are building and building to something that will in some ways give us the answers and in others only serve to create more questions. As Irina delves deeper into uncovering just why the bureau is having so much of an effect on her I wanted the answers straight away. There seemed to be too many obstacles in the way and I wish the pace had increased but truly it was all worth it in the end as the last few chapters were incredible and so powerfully descriptive that my emotions were all over the place. I never knew how things would exactly pan out but my god was it all oh so very very clever and all the setting up came to fruition perfectly. One small aspect brought a smile to me eye as one character proved they weren't the push over they had first appeared to be and had known exactly what was going on all the time and were able to play their role aptly at just the crucial moment.
The Last Night is just as good as The Silent Hours and all the readers who had cheered on Cesca's début for its brilliance will do the same for this book. It is definitely one of my books of the year and I am sure it will feature in many other people's top reads of 2016. The Last Night was compelling to the very last word. There were no signs of the difficult hard to wrote second book and I hope that Cesca is busy at work on book three writing another phenomenal story to satisfy her ever increasing readership.
November 4, 2016
http://www.jerasjamboree.co.uk/2016/1...
I was hooked from the beginning. Yes, from that first brief window into August 1952 I was intrigued. Jenny’s reaction really is palpable. All my senses were drawn in.
This is followed by a total change of scene, 3 months earlier in 1952. Abigail and best friend Mary are riding their bikes down to Bristol harbour. Although quite a light hearted scene, the damage WWII has left on buildings and people is very much in evidence. I loved Abi and Mary’s open and warm friendship. It was clear they had gone through some experiences together and had a strong bond.
Next, we find ourselves in 2016 with Irina in her workshop. Introversion and withdrawal come to mind. Irina has experienced something life changing but we only know from a hint that all is not as it should be.
This alternating narrative works really well in my opinion. So much intrigue with each woman. I found it very easy to become emotionally attached to both. The innocence of Abi and her story unfolding in 1952 while Irina’s pain is from the past and something she is trying to deal with in 2016. My moods really were affected by what they were going through. Richard and Mary also narrate as part of Abi’s timeline and both give added depth to the maelstrom of emotions. I felt very strongly connected to them all.
When Abi moves to her sister Connie’s in Devon, there’s something amiss. Who doesn’t see their family for a decade after getting married? I know travelling was harder in those days but still, TEN YEARS! I had my doubts about Larry from the beginning but some scenes are so raw I had to put the book down and go off to do something else, building myself up to carry on (this is a positive thing!).
The Georgian bureau is the key for both women in such different ways. A great juxtaposition. The scenes with Irina in her workshop are atmospheric. I honestly had goosebumps.
Cesca Major really knows how to capture your imagination and emotions. Short chapters build the suspense and weaving this fiction through a true story makes the whole catastrophe come alive. I have savoured every single word. Familial/romantic relationships, disaster, lies, loss, truth and power took me to the depths emotionally and make this a read that will stay with me for a long time.
The Last Night would be amazing on the screen. I would love to see this as a movie.
I was hooked from the beginning. Yes, from that first brief window into August 1952 I was intrigued. Jenny’s reaction really is palpable. All my senses were drawn in.
This is followed by a total change of scene, 3 months earlier in 1952. Abigail and best friend Mary are riding their bikes down to Bristol harbour. Although quite a light hearted scene, the damage WWII has left on buildings and people is very much in evidence. I loved Abi and Mary’s open and warm friendship. It was clear they had gone through some experiences together and had a strong bond.
Next, we find ourselves in 2016 with Irina in her workshop. Introversion and withdrawal come to mind. Irina has experienced something life changing but we only know from a hint that all is not as it should be.
This alternating narrative works really well in my opinion. So much intrigue with each woman. I found it very easy to become emotionally attached to both. The innocence of Abi and her story unfolding in 1952 while Irina’s pain is from the past and something she is trying to deal with in 2016. My moods really were affected by what they were going through. Richard and Mary also narrate as part of Abi’s timeline and both give added depth to the maelstrom of emotions. I felt very strongly connected to them all.
When Abi moves to her sister Connie’s in Devon, there’s something amiss. Who doesn’t see their family for a decade after getting married? I know travelling was harder in those days but still, TEN YEARS! I had my doubts about Larry from the beginning but some scenes are so raw I had to put the book down and go off to do something else, building myself up to carry on (this is a positive thing!).
The Georgian bureau is the key for both women in such different ways. A great juxtaposition. The scenes with Irina in her workshop are atmospheric. I honestly had goosebumps.
Cesca Major really knows how to capture your imagination and emotions. Short chapters build the suspense and weaving this fiction through a true story makes the whole catastrophe come alive. I have savoured every single word. Familial/romantic relationships, disaster, lies, loss, truth and power took me to the depths emotionally and make this a read that will stay with me for a long time.
The Last Night would be amazing on the screen. I would love to see this as a movie.
January 3, 2018
Haunting and atmospheric tale of love and tragedy, which moves between narrators and decades.
November 3, 2016
I adored Cesca Major's The Silent Hours and have been looking forward to The Last Night for a long time. I'm delighted to say that it is everything that I hoped it would be, and more.
Once again the author tells her story using different voices, set in different eras, this worked so well in her last book and it really is a clever way to tell this multi-layered, moving and quite gripping story.
Two women with two stories, and inspired by true events. The modern-day thread centres around Irina, a furniture restorer, living on the coast and doing her best to avoid the world. Irina is a rich and complex character who keeps her secrets very close. Her face carries scars from a tragic accident that happened many years ago. This incident has not only scarred her face, she bears the inner scars heavily too. The reader is left wondering just what happened to Irina, why she cannot bring herself to talk about it, even to those that she does allow to get close to her. When a client sends a bureau to Irina for repair, she begins to feel a presence. Strange things begin to happen. She hears things, and sees thing and becomes obsessed with discovering more about the history of this piece of furniture.
Meanwhile, back in the 1950s, young Abigail's mother has died and she goes to live with her sister and her husband. As children, they were close, but have drifted apart over the years and Abigail is surprised by the luxury they live in. She's also surprised by the actions of her brother-in-law, and spends as much time away from the house as possible. She meets and falls in love with a local fisherman. When a devastating incident happens, Abigail's life will change once again.
Cesca Major's writing is so so powerful, her imagery is beautiful. The descriptions of the landscape and the overwhelming presence of water is masterly done. Both Abigail and Irina are characters that the reader will support and empathise with, and the supporting cast are excellently created too. It can't be easy to incorporate true events into a fictional story, but the author manages it beautifully.
The themes of love and secrets, and the dual time story work wonderfully, the links are seamless and the story is haunting and evocative. The Last Night is another very special novel from a very talented author.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
Once again the author tells her story using different voices, set in different eras, this worked so well in her last book and it really is a clever way to tell this multi-layered, moving and quite gripping story.
Two women with two stories, and inspired by true events. The modern-day thread centres around Irina, a furniture restorer, living on the coast and doing her best to avoid the world. Irina is a rich and complex character who keeps her secrets very close. Her face carries scars from a tragic accident that happened many years ago. This incident has not only scarred her face, she bears the inner scars heavily too. The reader is left wondering just what happened to Irina, why she cannot bring herself to talk about it, even to those that she does allow to get close to her. When a client sends a bureau to Irina for repair, she begins to feel a presence. Strange things begin to happen. She hears things, and sees thing and becomes obsessed with discovering more about the history of this piece of furniture.
Meanwhile, back in the 1950s, young Abigail's mother has died and she goes to live with her sister and her husband. As children, they were close, but have drifted apart over the years and Abigail is surprised by the luxury they live in. She's also surprised by the actions of her brother-in-law, and spends as much time away from the house as possible. She meets and falls in love with a local fisherman. When a devastating incident happens, Abigail's life will change once again.
Cesca Major's writing is so so powerful, her imagery is beautiful. The descriptions of the landscape and the overwhelming presence of water is masterly done. Both Abigail and Irina are characters that the reader will support and empathise with, and the supporting cast are excellently created too. It can't be easy to incorporate true events into a fictional story, but the author manages it beautifully.
The themes of love and secrets, and the dual time story work wonderfully, the links are seamless and the story is haunting and evocative. The Last Night is another very special novel from a very talented author.
http://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox...
November 4, 2016
A body is washed into the rocks and the secrets surrounding it will reverberate across the years.
I don’t think I can write a review of The Last Night. Occasionally there’s a book that so appeals that it is nigh on impossible to find the vocabulary to express how I feel about it and The Last Night is one such book. I absolutely loved it.
The Last Night is similar in style to The Silent Hours, but is also subtly different and the suggestion of the supernatural came as a delightful and brilliantly evoked surprise. I think the way a real event, the flood in 1952 Lynmouth, is taken as a starting point and then a captivating story is built around it is totally fascinating.
Cesca Major writes with a lyricism that hypnotises the reader. The quality of descriptions is incredibly evocative. The iterative image of water is very much a presence and as much a character as any of the people. It’s there in all its manifestations from drizzle to flood, from benevolence to malevolence, and the quality of description means each depiction is pitch perfect. The writing is magnificent. As the book comes to its climax, the style matches it with more complex sentences that reflect perfectly the dynamism of events. It’s so impressive and satisfying to read.
The characterisation was incredible. From the loathesome Larry to the physically and mentally scarred Irina each is vivid and captivating. It was as if I became both Abigail and Irina as I read, and experienced their lives first hand rather than just as a reader. I thought about them both constantly when I wasn’t reading the book.
I don’t think I can write a review of The Last Night. Occasionally there’s a book that so appeals that it is nigh on impossible to find the vocabulary to express how I feel about it and The Last Night is one such book. I absolutely loved it.
The Last Night is similar in style to The Silent Hours, but is also subtly different and the suggestion of the supernatural came as a delightful and brilliantly evoked surprise. I think the way a real event, the flood in 1952 Lynmouth, is taken as a starting point and then a captivating story is built around it is totally fascinating.
Cesca Major writes with a lyricism that hypnotises the reader. The quality of descriptions is incredibly evocative. The iterative image of water is very much a presence and as much a character as any of the people. It’s there in all its manifestations from drizzle to flood, from benevolence to malevolence, and the quality of description means each depiction is pitch perfect. The writing is magnificent. As the book comes to its climax, the style matches it with more complex sentences that reflect perfectly the dynamism of events. It’s so impressive and satisfying to read.
The characterisation was incredible. From the loathesome Larry to the physically and mentally scarred Irina each is vivid and captivating. It was as if I became both Abigail and Irina as I read, and experienced their lives first hand rather than just as a reader. I thought about them both constantly when I wasn’t reading the book.
December 24, 2016
Thank you to TBC for sending me this book to read.
"The sun was leaking across the sea" - a beautiful picture painted with words on the very first page. And the detail of Jenny's climb down to the beach is lovingly portrayed. Then the mood changes, and I am engrossed in this evocative story taking place somewhere in the past.
But the scene switches and Abigail appears; a third chapter and we're in the present day with Irina. I am somewhat confused.
Gradually the strands of the story begin to come together. As I read on, the pages turn more rapidly, and I am immersed in a double love story, with sinister undertones.
There is a oneness in the writing style, which begins to pall. I find myself wishing for changes in rhythm, and I try to concentrate, lest I lose the plot. Decades of time pass backwards and forwards from chapter to chapter. Abigail and Irina become somewhat insipid; things happen to them. The end comes suddenly, and I have to mull it over before understanding what happened. I re-read that vivid first chapter. Who was Jenny? It is a while before I see the point. But I revel in the beauty of the author's descriptive passages.
"The sun was leaking across the sea" - a beautiful picture painted with words on the very first page. And the detail of Jenny's climb down to the beach is lovingly portrayed. Then the mood changes, and I am engrossed in this evocative story taking place somewhere in the past.
But the scene switches and Abigail appears; a third chapter and we're in the present day with Irina. I am somewhat confused.
Gradually the strands of the story begin to come together. As I read on, the pages turn more rapidly, and I am immersed in a double love story, with sinister undertones.
There is a oneness in the writing style, which begins to pall. I find myself wishing for changes in rhythm, and I try to concentrate, lest I lose the plot. Decades of time pass backwards and forwards from chapter to chapter. Abigail and Irina become somewhat insipid; things happen to them. The end comes suddenly, and I have to mull it over before understanding what happened. I re-read that vivid first chapter. Who was Jenny? It is a while before I see the point. But I revel in the beauty of the author's descriptive passages.
November 3, 2016
Two women, separated by years, tied by secrets untold and haunted by tragedies that could not be foreseen
The Last Night by Cesca Major is her latest novel, following on from the wonderful The Silent Hours
Published by Corvus (3rd November 2016), Cesca Major has written a fictional novel based around true events that took place in Cornwall in 1952.
Yet again Cesca Major manages to bring to the fore a time in our history that many would be unaware of…..when tragedy struck the small village of Lynmouth, a coastal region of Devon on a night in 1952.
Read on for my thoughts……
The Last Night is the story of two women who find their true path in life but along the way face terrible tragedy.
Irina has a secret to tell. Tucked away in a small shop, restoring antique furniture, Irina hides away from the world. Irina carries a disfigurement that brings unwelcome stares from strangers. The anonymity of a back room in a shop means she doesn’t have to deal with the general public and face up to the reality of her situation. She has turned away from anyone who tries to get too close and her relationship with her mother is under a constant strain.
One day, Irina’s life is thrown into disarray. An old antique bureau arrives by special shipment for restoration. Irina, in a bid to return the bureau to it’s former glory, unlocks something that she is unable to explain and has no control over. A secret, hidden away for over 60 years, slowly unveils itself in quite a haunting manner, enticing Irina to discover the full story and finally unlock it’s secret.
1952, Abigail has to leave Bristol and travel to the Devon Coast to live with her sister Connie. Abigail leaves her home, her best friend and all that is familiar. She has lived through the Second World War and witnessed the effects it has on those closest to her but Abigail is a survivor and survive she must.
On arrival at her sister’s house, Abigail is in awe of her sister’s life.
‘Her sister lived like a movie star, her bedroom a fairy tale: paisley curtains, the hems stitched with delicate gold thread, a Windsor armchair in the corner and a careful spray of magazines fanned out on a low glass table. The four-poster bed with a canopy stood imposingly in the centre of the room…it took Abigail’s breath from her.’
Abigail has come from nothing, her mother struggling to feed and clothe them through some very tough years. But Abigail soon realises that all is not as it seems. Underneath the glamorous facade, Connie is unsettled and Abigail remains uneasy surrounded by such wealth.
Irina and Abigail, two very different women, discover truths that, although unpleasant, must be dealt with in order to move on.
Through their stories of love, upheaval and catastrophic life-changing events, both struggle to find out who they really are and what path their lives will take.
Cesca Major has written a novel that brings to our attention the lives of people that have probably been forgotten about by many. Their story, particularly that of one individual, is developed throughout the novel very beautifully and in such a poignant manner.
Cesca Major’s writing evokes a strong sense of time and place, completely encapsulating the reader and taking them on a journey to a bygone day.
When I read I book I want to be transported away from my daily routine and Cesca Major has done that again with The Last Night. A really haunting book that will bring a tingle to your spine but ultimately a warmth to your heart.
The Last Night by Cesca Major is her latest novel, following on from the wonderful The Silent Hours
Published by Corvus (3rd November 2016), Cesca Major has written a fictional novel based around true events that took place in Cornwall in 1952.
Yet again Cesca Major manages to bring to the fore a time in our history that many would be unaware of…..when tragedy struck the small village of Lynmouth, a coastal region of Devon on a night in 1952.
Read on for my thoughts……
The Last Night is the story of two women who find their true path in life but along the way face terrible tragedy.
Irina has a secret to tell. Tucked away in a small shop, restoring antique furniture, Irina hides away from the world. Irina carries a disfigurement that brings unwelcome stares from strangers. The anonymity of a back room in a shop means she doesn’t have to deal with the general public and face up to the reality of her situation. She has turned away from anyone who tries to get too close and her relationship with her mother is under a constant strain.
One day, Irina’s life is thrown into disarray. An old antique bureau arrives by special shipment for restoration. Irina, in a bid to return the bureau to it’s former glory, unlocks something that she is unable to explain and has no control over. A secret, hidden away for over 60 years, slowly unveils itself in quite a haunting manner, enticing Irina to discover the full story and finally unlock it’s secret.
1952, Abigail has to leave Bristol and travel to the Devon Coast to live with her sister Connie. Abigail leaves her home, her best friend and all that is familiar. She has lived through the Second World War and witnessed the effects it has on those closest to her but Abigail is a survivor and survive she must.
On arrival at her sister’s house, Abigail is in awe of her sister’s life.
‘Her sister lived like a movie star, her bedroom a fairy tale: paisley curtains, the hems stitched with delicate gold thread, a Windsor armchair in the corner and a careful spray of magazines fanned out on a low glass table. The four-poster bed with a canopy stood imposingly in the centre of the room…it took Abigail’s breath from her.’
Abigail has come from nothing, her mother struggling to feed and clothe them through some very tough years. But Abigail soon realises that all is not as it seems. Underneath the glamorous facade, Connie is unsettled and Abigail remains uneasy surrounded by such wealth.
Irina and Abigail, two very different women, discover truths that, although unpleasant, must be dealt with in order to move on.
Through their stories of love, upheaval and catastrophic life-changing events, both struggle to find out who they really are and what path their lives will take.
Cesca Major has written a novel that brings to our attention the lives of people that have probably been forgotten about by many. Their story, particularly that of one individual, is developed throughout the novel very beautifully and in such a poignant manner.
Cesca Major’s writing evokes a strong sense of time and place, completely encapsulating the reader and taking them on a journey to a bygone day.
When I read I book I want to be transported away from my daily routine and Cesca Major has done that again with The Last Night. A really haunting book that will bring a tingle to your spine but ultimately a warmth to your heart.
January 2, 2017
Cesca Major is a new author to be and she is set to become a firm favourite.
Novels that flick back and forward through time are a favourite of mine and she handles the switches in the storyline brilliantly. It's all too easy for a reader to become confused, but not in this case, because the narrative flows without a hitch and comes together to form a very satisfying conclusion to the story.
Characterisation is also spot on. Abigail is just flawed enough to make her interesting, with Richard given enough to do, so he is not simply her love interest, but also an integral part of her story. Too often such characters are not fleshed out enough to make them interesting, but each character is given enough personality and reasoning for their behaviour, to have a valid reason to be in the book.
I loved loved the way the tension builds up throughout the book and how you just have to know what happens. It's a thrilling read and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for any other books the writer releases.
Novels that flick back and forward through time are a favourite of mine and she handles the switches in the storyline brilliantly. It's all too easy for a reader to become confused, but not in this case, because the narrative flows without a hitch and comes together to form a very satisfying conclusion to the story.
Characterisation is also spot on. Abigail is just flawed enough to make her interesting, with Richard given enough to do, so he is not simply her love interest, but also an integral part of her story. Too often such characters are not fleshed out enough to make them interesting, but each character is given enough personality and reasoning for their behaviour, to have a valid reason to be in the book.
I loved loved the way the tension builds up throughout the book and how you just have to know what happens. It's a thrilling read and I will certainly be keeping an eye out for any other books the writer releases.
April 8, 2017
After reading her other book I knew something bad would happen, and the blurb does hint at that too. I so wanted to google and see what happened in that village. But I braced myself.
The book is told in present day and in 1952. I was not that fond of Irene who was fixing up an old bureau and started to wonder about its history. See I was all about reading about what actually happened.
In the past we follow Abigail who moves in with her sister. Not the best place to stay. But the village is nice, romance is on the horizon and something is looming in the distance. I also liked Abigail, she was, well not shy, just not that outspoken and she did not always dare to say things she wanted too. Which was totally understandable in the situation.
It was a good book and I kept racing towards the end so I would know what would happen, what was the big bad? Would there even a big bad this time around?
It was a lovely summer that turns into a mystery decades later.
The book is told in present day and in 1952. I was not that fond of Irene who was fixing up an old bureau and started to wonder about its history. See I was all about reading about what actually happened.
In the past we follow Abigail who moves in with her sister. Not the best place to stay. But the village is nice, romance is on the horizon and something is looming in the distance. I also liked Abigail, she was, well not shy, just not that outspoken and she did not always dare to say things she wanted too. Which was totally understandable in the situation.
It was a good book and I kept racing towards the end so I would know what would happen, what was the big bad? Would there even a big bad this time around?
It was a lovely summer that turns into a mystery decades later.
January 8, 2017
I volunteered to review this book, thanks to TBC for the copy. Having read some other reviews I recognise I am in the minority. I was not entranced by the book. I think that may be to do with my reading habits. As a busy working mum of triplets I find myself with half an hour here and there, particularly in the middle of the night. I think that meant that I felt confused most of the time with the book skipping from one person to the other, usually I love that, but there was so little to connect the two, and I felt the characters were (purposefully) undeveloped, it felt like I was only scratching the surface and I wanted more. I would read more from this Author, but at a time when I could sit and devote a longer period of time to the book
January 4, 2017
Cesca Major can do no wrong. Her books are always flawlessly brilliant, and this one is no exception. I loved it.
May 26, 2017
Review to follow
September 24, 2022
Having previously read another book by this author I find that their books are such a slow burn and take quite a long time to get to the point. However, I still really enjoyed this book, I like the time hops between now and the 50s and I actually found the ending quite sad/bittersweet! Would still recommend but expect a super slow burn!
January 9, 2022
I was disappointed while reading this book. It ticked many boxes for me but I kept waiting to enjoy the story. It’s well written with good character development. Still I just kept wishing for the story to end. I do recommend this book because it’s probably just me tired of waiting for the main characters to tell their story to each other.
September 21, 2017
It all begins when Irina receives a bureau that needs restoring in her workshop. Her client has sent her many interesting pieces, but none such as this. Soon Irina starts to get strange feelings, and, as her work evolve, so the strangeness becomes stranger. There are hidden objects in the bureau, the remnants of a different life. For, decades earlier, another young woman, Abigail, moved to her sister’s house hoping for a new life after their mother’s death, only to find out love has many barriers. And many come from those who should be her keepers.
Tale of two women finding their places in the world – one overcoming the past, the other finding a solution for a long looming shadow, this is a book that takes its time. Why? Because there are many elements to absorb, not only when it comes to the scenery and its changes, but also in the web of minor revelations that seems to define the main characters story. So, it starts a little slow. But the interesting part is that it doesn’t deprive to story of its impact. There’s a mysterious aura surround both Irina and Abigail – and that, that ominous feeling that there’s something to be revealed and everything will change after that point – gives the narrative a most intriguing tone.
Also quite intriguing is the supernatural element – the things that happen when Irina is working on the bureau. And, though that part of the story seems to stay a bit behind in the final events, it does contribute to the mystery surrounding the whole narrative. It would be interesting, maybe, to learn a little more about the reasons for the strange phenomena. Still, there is enough of this element to reinforce the enigma behind Abigail’s story.
One more aspect that stands out: the character development. There’s something particularly enthralling in reading a story where you can feel the goodness in the characters, but where the bad ones aren’t obvious villains. It’s easy to feel sympathy towards Abigail’s difficulties, smile at Richard’s charm and Mary’s innocence. But, as for Connie, Larry, Irina’s mother… well, their position is quite more complex, because their choices are, sometimes, the source of the problems. (And, well, Larry is Larry). But there are traces of something else, something in the past, something that should have been. And that makes for a more complex web of relationships… and a much more intriguing story.
And, well, there’s romance, but a kind of romance that seems to flow naturally, not imposing itself too much on the other aspects of the narrative, but complementing them with much stronger emotions. A romance that seems to come as a well-deserved reward after all the past chaos.
In the end, everything makes sense, even if there are some little questions left unanswered. And this balance, this delicate equilibrium between all aspects of the story is what makes The Last Night a most intriguing and captivating read. A very good read.
** I received this book from Corvus in exchange for an honest review.
Tale of two women finding their places in the world – one overcoming the past, the other finding a solution for a long looming shadow, this is a book that takes its time. Why? Because there are many elements to absorb, not only when it comes to the scenery and its changes, but also in the web of minor revelations that seems to define the main characters story. So, it starts a little slow. But the interesting part is that it doesn’t deprive to story of its impact. There’s a mysterious aura surround both Irina and Abigail – and that, that ominous feeling that there’s something to be revealed and everything will change after that point – gives the narrative a most intriguing tone.
Also quite intriguing is the supernatural element – the things that happen when Irina is working on the bureau. And, though that part of the story seems to stay a bit behind in the final events, it does contribute to the mystery surrounding the whole narrative. It would be interesting, maybe, to learn a little more about the reasons for the strange phenomena. Still, there is enough of this element to reinforce the enigma behind Abigail’s story.
One more aspect that stands out: the character development. There’s something particularly enthralling in reading a story where you can feel the goodness in the characters, but where the bad ones aren’t obvious villains. It’s easy to feel sympathy towards Abigail’s difficulties, smile at Richard’s charm and Mary’s innocence. But, as for Connie, Larry, Irina’s mother… well, their position is quite more complex, because their choices are, sometimes, the source of the problems. (And, well, Larry is Larry). But there are traces of something else, something in the past, something that should have been. And that makes for a more complex web of relationships… and a much more intriguing story.
And, well, there’s romance, but a kind of romance that seems to flow naturally, not imposing itself too much on the other aspects of the narrative, but complementing them with much stronger emotions. A romance that seems to come as a well-deserved reward after all the past chaos.
In the end, everything makes sense, even if there are some little questions left unanswered. And this balance, this delicate equilibrium between all aspects of the story is what makes The Last Night a most intriguing and captivating read. A very good read.
** I received this book from Corvus in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2017
Novel set in LYNMOUTH and LYNTON, Devon (secrets and mysteries)
In 1952 Abigail arrives home one day to a shock, which necessitates her leaving her Bristol home and moving to Devon to live with her sister and brother-in-law.
In 2016 Irina receives an antique bureau to restore, and her workshop becomes a place where odd things start happening, and secrets start revealing themselves.
Abigail is a lovely character. She wants to escape her ordinary life and dreams of moving abroad. These dreams intensify after she has moved into her sister’s home, where outward appearances are definitely deceiving. Then Abigail has a chance meeting which will change her whole life.
Irina’s character is also interesting. Something dreadful has happened in her past, and now with the arrival of the piece of furniture for restoration there is even more tension in her life.
There is plenty of mystery to keep the reader’s attention, and some slightly scary ghostly events. Neither main character can be at peace until they resolve the issues that they find themselves entangled in.
The action takes the reader to Brighton briefly, and then plenty of time is spent in Lynton and Lynmouth – joined by a funicular railway, which, I understand, is still there today. It is in Lynmouth that the true event that the book is set around took place – there is a Historical Note about the event at the end of the book. I strongly suggest readers don’t look up the event until they have finished the book, it would ruin the plot. Although there is not a lot of detail about Lynmouth and Lynton, a real sense of the atmosphere of the two towns comes across in the writing. Having read the book I would now love to visit these towns and wander through the streets, along the beach and take the funicular
This is Cesca Major’s second novel; I also enjoyed her first – The Silent Hours. The writing style, as in her first book, flows nicely and the movement between Abigail and Irina’s stories is smooth. I did find the ghostly events a little scary (not helped when a cat jumped on me in the middle of the night), but these visitations are there to help tell the story not (in my opinion) as a means to scare most readers.
A great book with plenty going on to keep the reader turning the pages.
In 1952 Abigail arrives home one day to a shock, which necessitates her leaving her Bristol home and moving to Devon to live with her sister and brother-in-law.
In 2016 Irina receives an antique bureau to restore, and her workshop becomes a place where odd things start happening, and secrets start revealing themselves.
Abigail is a lovely character. She wants to escape her ordinary life and dreams of moving abroad. These dreams intensify after she has moved into her sister’s home, where outward appearances are definitely deceiving. Then Abigail has a chance meeting which will change her whole life.
Irina’s character is also interesting. Something dreadful has happened in her past, and now with the arrival of the piece of furniture for restoration there is even more tension in her life.
There is plenty of mystery to keep the reader’s attention, and some slightly scary ghostly events. Neither main character can be at peace until they resolve the issues that they find themselves entangled in.
The action takes the reader to Brighton briefly, and then plenty of time is spent in Lynton and Lynmouth – joined by a funicular railway, which, I understand, is still there today. It is in Lynmouth that the true event that the book is set around took place – there is a Historical Note about the event at the end of the book. I strongly suggest readers don’t look up the event until they have finished the book, it would ruin the plot. Although there is not a lot of detail about Lynmouth and Lynton, a real sense of the atmosphere of the two towns comes across in the writing. Having read the book I would now love to visit these towns and wander through the streets, along the beach and take the funicular
This is Cesca Major’s second novel; I also enjoyed her first – The Silent Hours. The writing style, as in her first book, flows nicely and the movement between Abigail and Irina’s stories is smooth. I did find the ghostly events a little scary (not helped when a cat jumped on me in the middle of the night), but these visitations are there to help tell the story not (in my opinion) as a means to scare most readers.
A great book with plenty going on to keep the reader turning the pages.
January 8, 2017
This beautifully written book held me from the first page until the carefully crafted ending. It tells the story of Abigail a young girl in 1952 post-war Britain who lives with her mother in Bristol and spends her spare time with her friend Mary. It evocatively captures this era and Abigail is a likeable character whose life changes when her mother dies and she goes to live with her older sister in the village of Lynmouth in the West Country. Her brother in law Larry is a creepy unpleasant man who causes her to feel very uncomfortable in his home.
Alternate chapters tell the story of modern-day Irina who lives a quiet life as a furniture restorer morning the loss of a child. Irina is scarred physically and mentally by whatever has happened before and is troubled by her latest assignment. This is a piece of furniture that makes her feel very uneasy as she works on restoring it.
The book skilfully brings Irina and Abigail's tales together. It is sometimes sinister and scary and Irina and Abigail share the limelight with the beautiful scenery of Exmoor. I usually read books set in the present but I loved this. Cesca Major writes beautifully and this is a lovely book based loosely upon real events of 1952.
Evocative, gentle, enthralling, sometimes scary and skilful I highly recommend this wonderful book. Thanks to TBC on Facebook for the chance to read this book.
Alternate chapters tell the story of modern-day Irina who lives a quiet life as a furniture restorer morning the loss of a child. Irina is scarred physically and mentally by whatever has happened before and is troubled by her latest assignment. This is a piece of furniture that makes her feel very uneasy as she works on restoring it.
The book skilfully brings Irina and Abigail's tales together. It is sometimes sinister and scary and Irina and Abigail share the limelight with the beautiful scenery of Exmoor. I usually read books set in the present but I loved this. Cesca Major writes beautifully and this is a lovely book based loosely upon real events of 1952.
Evocative, gentle, enthralling, sometimes scary and skilful I highly recommend this wonderful book. Thanks to TBC on Facebook for the chance to read this book.
November 3, 2016
*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Cesca Major created another captivating read! Her first book The Silent Hours is brilliant and so is this one. Reading her stories is a real pleasure, because it takes me away from all the chick-lit books I read.
The story is set around two women, during two different times. Irina in present time and Abigail in the 1950s.
Irina is a furniture restorer and is working on a large bureau. Weird and mysterious begin to happen and she hast o keep them to herself.
Abigail is living with her older sister and falls in love with Richard, but there are deeper things surrounding her story, something that will change a lot.
This story is inspired by a true event. I will not say more here, because I don’t want to ruin it for you, but let me just say that Cesca found a really emotional and touching way to put it into a story. I really adored the changes of perspectives and I always felt the connection between the women, even though it was a mystery.
This is a spellbinding story full of love, tragedy and a mysterious atmosphere, just BRILLIANT!
Cesca Major created another captivating read! Her first book The Silent Hours is brilliant and so is this one. Reading her stories is a real pleasure, because it takes me away from all the chick-lit books I read.
The story is set around two women, during two different times. Irina in present time and Abigail in the 1950s.
Irina is a furniture restorer and is working on a large bureau. Weird and mysterious begin to happen and she hast o keep them to herself.
Abigail is living with her older sister and falls in love with Richard, but there are deeper things surrounding her story, something that will change a lot.
This story is inspired by a true event. I will not say more here, because I don’t want to ruin it for you, but let me just say that Cesca found a really emotional and touching way to put it into a story. I really adored the changes of perspectives and I always felt the connection between the women, even though it was a mystery.
This is a spellbinding story full of love, tragedy and a mysterious atmosphere, just BRILLIANT!
December 12, 2016
The last night by Cesca Major is a mystery and thriller read.
Two women, separated by years, tied by secrets untold and haunted by tragedies that could not be foreseen.
In a quiet coastal village, Irina spends her days restoring furniture, passing the time in peace and hiding away from the world. A family secret, long held and never discussed, casts a dark shadow and Irina chooses to withdraw into her work. When an antique bureau is sent to her workshop, the owner anonymous, Irina senses a history to the object that makes her uneasy. As Irina begins to investigate the origins of the piece, she unearths the secrets it holds within...
Decades earlier in the 1950s, another young woman kept secrets. Her name was Abigail. Over the course of one summer, she fell in love, and dreamed of the future. But Abigail could not know that a catastrophe loomed, and this event would change the course of many lives for ever...
This was a good read with good characters. Little slow in places. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
Two women, separated by years, tied by secrets untold and haunted by tragedies that could not be foreseen.
In a quiet coastal village, Irina spends her days restoring furniture, passing the time in peace and hiding away from the world. A family secret, long held and never discussed, casts a dark shadow and Irina chooses to withdraw into her work. When an antique bureau is sent to her workshop, the owner anonymous, Irina senses a history to the object that makes her uneasy. As Irina begins to investigate the origins of the piece, she unearths the secrets it holds within...
Decades earlier in the 1950s, another young woman kept secrets. Her name was Abigail. Over the course of one summer, she fell in love, and dreamed of the future. But Abigail could not know that a catastrophe loomed, and this event would change the course of many lives for ever...
This was a good read with good characters. Little slow in places. 4*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from tbc on fb.
June 22, 2017
If you like a slow burning mystery unravelling (like me), then this book is most definitely for you!
Irina is a furniture restorer and gets a beautiful piece with hidden compartments in hiding trinkets from years ago. Suddenly odd things start happening to Irina. A leak seemingly from the furniture, wet footprints and sudden chills.
Flash back to the 1950's and we meet Abigail whose mum passes and she goes to live with her sister and her husband in Devon on the coast.
What connects these 2 women? And what is the mystery surrounding it all?
Major is a master at building a story and atmosphere. Her descriptions of the coast and time period are brilliant, I could feel how hot it was, how scratchy the material of a poorly made dress was and almost taste the salt in the air.
I powered through this book, keen to know what had happened to both Abigail and Irina and the tragedies that struck them both.
I would like to thank Corvus for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Irina is a furniture restorer and gets a beautiful piece with hidden compartments in hiding trinkets from years ago. Suddenly odd things start happening to Irina. A leak seemingly from the furniture, wet footprints and sudden chills.
Flash back to the 1950's and we meet Abigail whose mum passes and she goes to live with her sister and her husband in Devon on the coast.
What connects these 2 women? And what is the mystery surrounding it all?
Major is a master at building a story and atmosphere. Her descriptions of the coast and time period are brilliant, I could feel how hot it was, how scratchy the material of a poorly made dress was and almost taste the salt in the air.
I powered through this book, keen to know what had happened to both Abigail and Irina and the tragedies that struck them both.
I would like to thank Corvus for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.
June 15, 2018
This is a gorgeously written novel and Cesca Major clearly has a gift for storytelling. The dual time line is beautifully managed, pulling the reader immediately in to the historical context and the coastal setting as well as creating the sense that something tragic has befallen these characters. Major allows us to slip from past to present to past as we become totally caught up in each of the characters' stories and try to see how they might converge. Gradually the tension builds and the final third of the book is utterly compelling - it was impossible to turn away from the heartbreaking scenes which are so powerfully evoked that the reader is completely immersed in tension and drama. Major's writing flows across the pages, painting vivid pictures of the historical setting and of the coastal location. Her characters are complex and convincing. It's an absorbing read which is well worth losing yourself in for a few afternoons and I am delighted to have discovered her books.
December 13, 2016
It is 2016, Irina lives in a small village by the sea and makes her living restoring old furniture. She wants to hide away from the world as a dark family secret casts a long shadow over her life. When an old bureau is sent to her to restore from an anonymous client, strange things that she cannot explain begin to happen. All she has for her client is an email address and as she attempts to find out from them the history of the bureau she is persistently met with stony silence.
Slowly but surely, Irina unwraps the secrets behind the bureau which leads her to discover the tragic events that took place over sixty years previously.
“The Last Night” is based on true events which took place one tragic evening Lynmouth in 1952. An amazing read the book kept me hooked from beginning to end. I will definitely be reading Cesca Major’s other book- The Silent Hours.
Slowly but surely, Irina unwraps the secrets behind the bureau which leads her to discover the tragic events that took place over sixty years previously.
“The Last Night” is based on true events which took place one tragic evening Lynmouth in 1952. An amazing read the book kept me hooked from beginning to end. I will definitely be reading Cesca Major’s other book- The Silent Hours.
December 14, 2016
I was given a copy of this book from the book club. Thank you
I've never read this author before and I was intrigued by the synopsis, so I thought it was worth a read.
The style of writing is a little different from what I'm used to, very heavy on setting the scene, describing everything however the pages seem to suck me in and I struggled to put it down. when I found out this was based on a true event, I was determined to find out what happened.
The story flits between each character and time frame but it's easy enough to follow.
I found the characters stories moving and I'm glad that after all that happened, there was a happy ever after but you won't know that until the final chapter.
All in all, I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read this book and I now want to read the previous novel by this author. I do like to find new authors and I've found one here.
I've never read this author before and I was intrigued by the synopsis, so I thought it was worth a read.
The style of writing is a little different from what I'm used to, very heavy on setting the scene, describing everything however the pages seem to suck me in and I struggled to put it down. when I found out this was based on a true event, I was determined to find out what happened.
The story flits between each character and time frame but it's easy enough to follow.
I found the characters stories moving and I'm glad that after all that happened, there was a happy ever after but you won't know that until the final chapter.
All in all, I'm glad I was given the opportunity to read this book and I now want to read the previous novel by this author. I do like to find new authors and I've found one here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2016
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book via #TBConFB.
I don't know what I was expecting but WOW! What a book. I really did enjoy it so much that I know I'll struggle to write this review. Apologies in advance!
The characters, storyline and setting really drew me in.
This story is based around true events in Cornwall. Being based around the true events you can really tell the author has done the relevant research and made the book a success.
As with the characters, you can't help but feel sympathy for them. The characters and storyline are strong and will keep any reader reading on.
This was my first book by Cesca Major and will not be my last.
This book is recommended to EVERYONE as a must read book.
I don't know what I was expecting but WOW! What a book. I really did enjoy it so much that I know I'll struggle to write this review. Apologies in advance!
The characters, storyline and setting really drew me in.
This story is based around true events in Cornwall. Being based around the true events you can really tell the author has done the relevant research and made the book a success.
As with the characters, you can't help but feel sympathy for them. The characters and storyline are strong and will keep any reader reading on.
This was my first book by Cesca Major and will not be my last.
This book is recommended to EVERYONE as a must read book.
June 2, 2017
3.5*
I absolutely adored Cesca Major’s debut novel, The Silent Hours and was so looking forward to reading this. Sadly I didn’t love this one quite as much – I think it’s a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’! I love dual time stories normally and here I was thoroughly engrossed in the historic part of Abigail’s tale but unfortunately Irina’s part in the book left me cold. I don’t know why I didn’t take to her but whenever the story was with her, I was itching to get back to Abigail. The writing throughout is excellent and I think it’s just a character clash with me. The last part of the story was just wonderful – powerful and poignant and this saved the book for me. I do love this author’s writing and I will definitely be reading more by her.
I absolutely adored Cesca Major’s debut novel, The Silent Hours and was so looking forward to reading this. Sadly I didn’t love this one quite as much – I think it’s a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me’! I love dual time stories normally and here I was thoroughly engrossed in the historic part of Abigail’s tale but unfortunately Irina’s part in the book left me cold. I don’t know why I didn’t take to her but whenever the story was with her, I was itching to get back to Abigail. The writing throughout is excellent and I think it’s just a character clash with me. The last part of the story was just wonderful – powerful and poignant and this saved the book for me. I do love this author’s writing and I will definitely be reading more by her.
February 7, 2017
This was a slow burner for me. Enjoyed the 2 storylines throughout the book waiting for them to join up. A spot of mystery thrown in. Especially enjoyed the parts set in Lyton and Lynmouth - probably because I lived in North Devon for many years when we were posted down there with the RAF. Story really picked up towards the end and I didn't want to put it down. Will be reading the Silent Hours soon. Thank you to TBC for a chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
December 29, 2016
This was a page turner from start to finish and I didn't work out the final twist until just before the reveal.
All the characters were well written and rounded which enabled me to connect with the two main characters and really want to find out their secrets.
This was my first Cesca Majors but certianly won't be my last.
Higher recommended read
All the characters were well written and rounded which enabled me to connect with the two main characters and really want to find out their secrets.
This was my first Cesca Majors but certianly won't be my last.
Higher recommended read
January 1, 2017
After her fabulous debut with the silent hours I had high hopes for this one. What a disappointment!! Didn't really care about the characters or what happened to them. This felt like a very mediocre mills and boon. Disappointing.
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