Child on the Doorstep

McCluskey Saga #2

by Anne Bennett

The heartbreaking new novel from the bestselling author of The Forget-me-not Child and If You Were the Only Girl.

Angela McCluskey is haunted by the young baby that she left on the steps of the workhouse. Born out of wedlock and the result of a traumatic assault, the child has grown up away from the loving arms of her mother and only has a locket to remind her of the family she never knew.
Angela, meanwhile, has carried the guilt of her actions with her for almost a decade, now widowed and alone, she is courted by a new suitor, Eddie, who seems to offer her the happiness she craves.
When Angela’s teenage daughter, Constance, discovers that Eddie is not all he seems to be, it drives a wedge between mother and daughter. But her secrets won’t stay hidden and now Angela must face up to her past…

401 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2018

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Touched my heart

The year is 1926,Angela McClusky working as a cleaner and barmaid at the swan public house and she has a past. Viciously raped and left with child she had been forced to leave the little baby girl on the workhouse doorstep with a silver locket. Angela is married and already has a daughter to care for but her husband is away fighting for his country and would not accept the baby as his own. I loved reading this book all the twists and secrets all come out of the woodwork as you read.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child On the Doorstep by Anne Bennett is a family historical novel that will grip your heart and have your emotions in pieces.
Set in Birmingham in the 1920's the country is still reeling from the effects of World War I and the Spanish influenza. Many women have lost their men folk. The returning servicemen did not always receive a hero's welcome. Some were maimed, others had scars that were not so visible. "Many servicemen feel a measure of guilt that they have survived and left comrades... on the battlefield." PTSD would be diagnosed today but people were less than sympathetic then. Returning servicemen would not necessarily want to relive their experiences - staying silent but suffering nightmares.
War altered the women too. Doing a man's job strengthened their characters yet still they did not have the vote.
Memories mean the reader gets a taste of World War I. Despicable acts of sending white feathers leaves a nasty taste for the reader.
The reader experiences the world trying to get back on its feet. Little things like walking in the park brings immense pleasure. The people have nothing. They live hand to mouth in back to backs but there is a huge generosity of spirit that warms the reader's heart.
Motherhood is important. The love of a mother for her child is a bond that cannot be broken.
Secrets and guilt threaten to tear a character apart. Some secrets must be hidden or society will judge and find the character guilty.
Having my roots in Birmingham, this novel was wonderful for me to read. I recognised most of the places mentioned from the Bull Ring to Cannon Hill to St Martins, Woolworths, the pet store... and so the list goes on. Having visited the back to backs in Hurst Street, I could even picture the living conditions.
I did not just read this book, I 'experienced' it and I loved it. I cannot wait to read more by Anne Bennett.

[JUDITH DICKINSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I did enjoy this story I felt that it was a little drawn out. Parts of it were much longer than they needed to be. I didn't really connect with the characters, but the post World War One settings were captivating.
Just as it was all coming together, some of the main characters moving closer to discovering unknown links in their lives, it just finished. I was looking forward to seeing how they each coped with reality when it hit them but not to be.
There is nothing on the cover or the inner introduction to indicate that this is one of a series so this was very disappointing.

[Shamima · Rating 3 out of 5]

Won this through Good Reads. It was a good read, but I think the beginning of the book kind of dragged on and I only started to get into the story halfway through. I did think that the ending should have been a bit longer. i really wanted to know more information about it. But generally a good read.

[Kelly Ivory · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, right till the end when it stopped suddenly!? I didn't realise it was the second in a series of three, would have liked to have known that before. Nevertheless, I am really looking forward to the next one, can't wait to find out what happens with Angela/Stan and everyone else.

[Sandra Dudley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being born and brought up in Birmingham I struggled to get past the way in which this book was written and found it hard going because I couldn't get past the "flowery" wording which was not the way Birmingham people would speak, especially in the back houses. Ann uses the word "for" a lot where Brummies would say "cus" which is the shortened version of "because" and they certainly wouldn't say "Tell me Stan. Something is tearing you apart" (Page 127) They might say "What's up with you?" It is very rare for me to give up on a book, but I came close to giving up on this one and the sudden ending left so many unanswered questions. I shan't be reading any more of her books.

[Ronnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did think this book was long winded till nearly half way nearly gave up but didn’t as then it got better.good for the second half then finished very abrupt and not knowing what happened.but just found out there is a follow on.so I read the sequel.

[Jennifer Moville · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me glued to its pages for hours. It makes you feel as if you are one of the characters in the story. A great read

[Trudie · Rating 4 out of 5]

set in Birmingham this was a brilliant read!

[Nicole Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t get into this book and gave up with it as it just seemed to drag

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

[Susan Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book please can you tell me when book three is available please

[Layla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book have read this a few times, never knew it was part of a series, I read it as a stand alone and can be read as that,

a good independent story. read 2019!

[Andrea Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read made easier by some repetition throughout. Perfect for a quick read during the lockdown.

[carol heslop · Rating 5 out of 5]

what a brilliant written book xx

[Julie]

I am only part way through the book at present.

I started reading and quickly got into the story line. Easy to read and follow the story line

This is a heart wrenching story of loss and regret so far as i have read.

I enjoyed the ups and downs of the story very enjoyable and i would recommend this book