The Scarlet Nightingale

by Alan Titchmarsh

As war rages across Europe, one young woman is torn between love and loyalty.

Set in wartime London and occupied France, this is a thrilling story of love, danger and sacrifice from bestselling novelist Alan Titchmarsh.

It is the late 1930s when seventeen-year-old Rosamund Hanbury leaves behind the endless summers of her coastal Devonshire home for the fast pace of high society London.

Under the expert guidance of her formidable aunt, the country mouse learns how to act like a lady, hosting dinner parties and rubbing shoulders with Britain's most influential. And when the enigmatic Harry Napier sweeps her off her feet at London's famous Café de Paris she could almost forget that Britain has declared war.

But the Phoney War ends. Harry is posted, London reels from the first bombings of the Blitz and Rosamund suffers a devastating personal loss that leaves her all the more determined to do her bit for the war effort.
Joining the Special Forces she is sent to work alongside the Resistance on a top secret mission in France.
It is here that her courage and loyalty are truly put to the test. And where she learns that no one is what they seem: at home or abroad ...

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, World War II, Romance, Historical

336 pages, Hardcover

Published March 24, 2020

Reviews

[Mike Sumner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the eleventh Alan Titchmarsh novel and I have read all its predecessors. I like his writing, infused with his gentle charm and a romantic theme, always. This is no exception but different in many respects. The Scarlet Nightingale certainly required a good deal of research, given its backdrop of Nazi occupied France and wartime London. A story of love, danger and sacrifice.

Rosamund Hanbury is a vivacious seventeen-year-old living in Devonshire (quaint) with he parents and a French governess. At just ten years her senior Celine de Rossignol is more of a friend and, over the course of time, teaches Rosamund to speak fluent french. In 1938 a tragic change in her circumstances forces Rosamund and Celine to leave their coastal Devonshire home to live with her aunt, Venetia, in the fast pace of high society London. Her formidable aunt is close friends with Britain's most influential including some senior officials in the SOE. Given her propensity for spoken french Rosamund is persuaded to join the Special Forces and she is sent to work alongside the Resistance on a top secret mission in France...

Her courage and loyalty speak volumes for her upbringing and the guidance of her aunt as she faces the threat of constant danger and suspicion of the Gestapo...

No one is what they seem at home or abroad...

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...

This was a solid read, another enjoyable story from Titchmarsh. However, I did not think it overly different to war reads I have read recently, meaning I don’t think this particularly stood out to me in terms of plot development.

[Hella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ik kan er met mijn verstand niet bij dat The Scarlet Nightingale van Alan Titchmarsh op Goodreads van vrijwel alle lezeressen vijf sterren krijgt toebedeeld. Terwijl het echt een waardeloos boek is. Het begint meteen al aan het begin. De lieftallige Rosamund heeft een Franse gouvernante die zo'n 10 jaar ouder is dan zij. We beginnen in 1928, Rosamund is 7 en Céline is 18. Nog geen vijf bladzijden verderop vernemen we dat Céline meteen bij Rosamunds geboorte is geëngageerd, op voorspraak van een familie bij wie Céline voor de dochters had gezorgd.

Normaal sla ik een boek dan dicht, maar dit was Werk.
Stug verder lezen dus, over alle elaborate kwikjes en strikjes in het interieur van Aunt Venetia. Want ohja, zo zielig, de ouders van Rosamund hadden in WWI hun zoon verloren, na de oorlog kregen ze dus nog een dochtertje en toen kwamen ze om bij een auto-ongeluk, echt zó verschrikkelijk vreselijk ontzettend Zielig! Nou en toen kwamen Rosamund en Céline bij tante Venetia in huis, in Londen.

Wij vernemen dit alles niet alleen doordat de schrijver het ons vertelt, maar ook nog doordat bladzijden uit het dagboek van Rosamund er tussendoor gestrooid worden.
Dus Titchmars "bundled" ze in een vrachtwagen – want ohja, Céline gaat dood en dan móet Rosamund wel in het Verzet – en Roosje zelf wordt nogeens in de ik-persoon ge"bundled" ook.
Céline wordt doodgebombardeerd op een derde van het boek, en een eindje over de helft gaat Roos naar Frankrijk, om daar in haar mooiste Frans een fabriek te saboteren. Maar och heden Hitske ze wordt gepakt door de Gestapo. Gelukkig – SPOILER ALERT – weet ze nog geen 20 bladzijden later alweer te ontsnappen. Oh wat zaten wij in angst.

Gelukkig houdt Rosamund het kopje er goed bij door te denken aan het strand vroeger thuis en de bammetjes met jam van Céline, hopeful that such positive memories might strengthen her resolve. Wel klopt haar hart steeds sneller en luider.
Eenmaal veilig terug in Engeland vraagt ze zich van alles af. Echt. Hoe, waar, waarom, wie, waarom, waarmee, waartoe, waarom. Een bladzij vol met wel 12 vraagtekens. Vervolgt Titchmarsh: "Question after question rattled through her mind." (p 281)

Als ze wordt opgeroepen voor haar Geheime Taak, gebeurt dat via een briefje dat in een pakketje wordt geschoven, in een warenhuis. We zien het gebeuren, maar T. denkt dat wij lezen zonder bril, en laat Roos zich langdurig afvragen hoe dat Geheime Briefje daar gekomen is! (p.117)
Ze vindt het allemaal behoorlijk eng. Eerst is ze crestfallen, vervolgens discomfited, dan weer rattled. Voor het geval we nu een blinddoek omgedaan hebben, legt T. uit: " … her mind reeling under a mixture of confusing and conflicting emotions." Waarna we nog niet klaar zijn, ze raakt nog really unnerved ook, the poor thing.
En in haar dagboek noteert zij: I must not be surprised, taken aback or discomfited.

Lezerkens, ik smeek jullie: lees wat je wilt, lees vooral waar je van geniet, maar probeer af en toe eens stil te staan bij waarom je het ene boek mooier vindt dan het andere. Waarom je meer van de ene schrijver houdt dan de andere.
Schrijverkens, ik smeek jullie. Schrijf wat je wilt, maar benoem NOOIT emoties.

[Karen Mace · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a wonderful read from one of my favourite authors!

It's a fascinating look back over an extraordinary life after Rosamund, an author, passes away. She never spoke much of her past but when she dies she leaves behind a finished novel and a ragged envelope full of letters and keepsakes - an imaginative way to tell her story.

It was lovely to hear her story through her words as she looked back - the idyllic childhood in the countryside, the governess she adored, the friends she met, and then how she dealt with the tragedy of losing her parents and what that meant for her life, as it all changed so quickly.

The time period is set just before the War so the threat is always close by, and when she moves to London to live with her Aunt, it becomes even more of a reality and she is eager to 'do her bit' but is unsure how she can help. She isn't afraid of a challenge though and she soon finds herself closer to the action than she could have ever imagined - part of a team who are in France to follow orders.

I love the relaxed style of storytelling throughout - scenes are beautifully set, characters are brought to life with their strengths and flaws and in Rosamund is a really intriguing character. So headstrong and inquisitive, but often naive and watching her blossom from childhood to adulthood is a wonderful journey that we get to share in. She isn't content to sit back and enjoy a luxurious life, even if it means putting herself in danger. She is also aware of those she meets risking their lives too and that adds a real emotional element to the storyline as she faces so many obstacles.

I loved how it showed that people find strength when facing adversity and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment!

[Jess · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is another difficult one to rate. Objectively, it’s pretty darn watertight. The writing is immaculate, the characterization is decent, the plot is a little gauzy but ultimately compelling, and (most importantly, for me) it is a respectful and realistic presentation of the SOE and the Resistance.

But it’s lackluster. Titchmarsh’s prose is rather anaemic and uninspired in its word choice, and the characters lean into safe stereotype as opposed to being vibrant or particularly exciting. The title is misleading: in addition to other aspects of the narrative that I won’t go into, the enigmatic codename puts far too much emphasis on Rosamond who was, let’s be honest, not anything particularly groundbreaking. It also speaks too much of that romanticism we see in other contemporary literature exploring this period - The Nightingale, you travesty, I’m looking at you.

The narrative structure itself was confused. It flitted rather strangely between an effective third person and then Rosamond’s respective thoughts in the first person which didn’t really add anything to the story. If Titchmarsh had committed to one or the other, it might have been more cohesive as a whole.

Meh. A competent writer, but I just felt this one had been published under some haste.

[Angela Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was aware that Alan Titchmarsh was an author but I had just never gotten around to reading one of his books until now. The storyline appealed to me as I like stories set during conflict for some strange reason.

Rosamund is a fairly sheltered young girl living in the wilds of Devonshire with her elderly parents and a French governess/companion until tragedy strikes and Rosamund and Celine have to move to London to live with her aunt. World war II breaks bringing more loss.

Rosamund, tired of sitting on the sidelines ends up working for the secret service. There is love, danger, tragedy and what comes after. This novel certainly has me interested in reading his other books.

[Alayne Emmett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another fantastic story from Mr Titchmarsh. I couldn’t prise this book from my hands and read every minute that I could. I’ve read all but one of his books and they are all different and very enjoyable. Eventually I will find The Haunting in the library and settle down for another good read.

[Skyesmum · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggled with this book for the first 100 pages or so, I found it slow and that the build up wasn't as appealing as I expected. But, I stuck with it and the 2nd half was much better.
Romance, courage, and the sadness of war.

Thanks to Netgalley, Alan Titchmarsh and Hodder books.

[Shiva Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scarlet Nightingale is a wonderful WWII story written by Alan Titchmarsh.
Rosamund Hanbury lives in Devon with her governess Celine and family. In September 1938, her life changes when her parents die in a tragic car accident so she moves to London to live with her Aunt Venetia.
Her aunt guides her to become a young lady in what to wear and how to behave amongst society. Rosamund makes friends and one evening meets Harry Napier, a handsome young man.
Harry has to leave to take up his post abroad and can’t talk about it.
Rosamund wants to do her part and when Celine dies due to a bomb strike she enlists to the special forces.
Rosamund is posted to France to help the resistance. She travels with two other agents. Rosamund is put to the test. Does she survive and come home? Will she see Harry again?
A story of love, danger and loyalty. I was impressed by Alan Titchmarsh’s story telling. Such a delightful read.

[Constantina Golfi · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book. Full of interesting and strong characters. I enjoyed it enormously

[ღ❀ ℭaroline ❀ღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time I’ve read one of Alan Titchmarsh’s books and I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. I will certainly read some of his other offerings after reading The Scarlet Nightingale.

[Leigh irlam · Rating 5 out of 5]

a phenomenal read! I haven't read any of Alan's books before and didn't know what to expect of the beloved gardener but I was absolutely blown away.

It has been an extremely long time since I have been so captivated by a story that I stayed up late in to the night to find out what happens or that I read for several hours in the morning just to spend more time with the characters.

I highly recommend this book especially if you are a fan of the Liverpool war era books . It's nice to read how the other half lived during the war for a change.

[Maggie Bermann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time i have read a book by Alan Titchmarsh and didnt realise would be so good!

Story starts with a book and letters being found after the main character's death as an old lady in bed. It then follows her form her childhood in Devon up to end of World War 2 and her heroics during that time

End was a bit rushed but an enjoyable book despite that

[Jessica Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pacy, elegant and very evocative of the period in which it is set - I loved this novel. The characters are well formed and the storyline had me hanging on to the end. Recommend for anyone who likes historical fiction!

[Lynne - The Book Squirrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story as always!

[Christine Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me and it didn’t disappoint. It tells the story of Rosamund and the part she plays during the second world war.

[Roy McDine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and a real page turner - very moving

[Ian Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story with great characters and a story worthy of its author

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book. Tissues ready at the end .Really good read.

[Judith Letley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alan Titchmarsh never fails a lovely tale with twist and turns.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this book was charmingly captivating and kept my attention nicely throughout. It's the story of Rosamund and is told in flashback from papers found after her death. It's a story that shocked and amazed those who discovered it as they had no idea that the lady in question, best known for her novels, led a really rather more exciting life during the war.
Rosamund swapped the laid back pace of her hometown in Devon(shire) for the heady lights of London where she lodged with her Aunt, accompanied by her faithful companion. She learned fast and lived well, playing the perfect second to her Aunt's host at her famous dinner parties but also loving to mingle with her peers at nightclubs. It is in one such club that she first sets eyes on Harry Napier and begins a bit of a romance. But then war breaks out and, like many men at that time, Harry is posted away. With the bombing claiming her one true friend, and with certain skills she has becoming better known, she is made an offer, to do her bit for the war effort. And so begins an exciting and intriguing story that shocked those she eventually left behind.
This was book that grabbed me from the off and held me rapt throughout my time reading it. Yes, it did start off a tad on the slow side for me but, as I read on, the foundations that had been laid initially proved to be instrumental in my subsequent enjoyment.
One of the things that really made the book for me was the characterisation. The author has quite the skill of creating characters that really got under my skin, that made me engage and invest in. They all came across as completely credible and real; even the supporting cast, which made that connection with the book all the more stronger. I was especially impressed with the interaction between them. Set in the time it was, they all acted congruent with the time and place and it was hard not to get a bit emotionally involved in what I was reading.
The story itself was well crafted. I would image that there are quite a few people (past and present) who have similar stories that maybe have never been told so the whole premise was quite believable. With time marching on, maybe the majority will never be fully known; the nature of the assignation I guess, and that would be a shame. I especially loved the parts set in France, especially that particular moment which shocked me as much as it did Rosamund. After that, I was near praying for a favourable outcome, whether I got that, whatever that was, well... you'll just have to read it yourself; no spoilers.
All in all, a good solid read that left me more than satisfied at its conclusion. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Sarah Baines · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scarlet Nightingale is a hard book for me to review seemingly!! While it's a fascinating and descriptive read set (largely) during World War 2, the ending - particularly the last few chapters - felt somewhat rushed hence the 4 stars. It's well written and compelling. Definitely a book I recommend.
Thanks to NetGalley and Publishers for my ARC of this book.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book wasn't my usual read I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it well written and the story captured my attention and held it right up to the last page.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by this author and i really enjoyed it,a lovely story with good charactors will definatley read more of his books.

[Nik Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scarlet Nightingale (published 2018) is another excellent novel from the talented Alan Titchmarsh. His output is varied, to say the least. This outing begins along similar lines to Shute’s Requiem for a Wren – in other words, the female protagonist Rosamund is dead. The post-war Rosamund was a successful novelist and she had left behind a buff folder: ‘souvenirs and accretions of a life that had mostly had its share of romance... but which had also put a young woman in danger. Rosamund might have come from a privileged background, but it was something that she had been quite prepared to sacrifice in the name of love and duty. This is her story’ (p3).

The narrative is mostly in the third person, however interspersed are small insertions from Rosamund’s notes in first person (a good writer’s ploy which brings the character to life at a deeper level).

As ever, Titchmarsh reveals his gift for short telling character descriptions: Dr Armstrong ‘wore a wing collar and his eyebrows were long and upturned, giving him the look of a rather frightening owl’ (p31). Rosamund’s French governess Celine has to break the sad news to her charge: the girl had become an orphan and was to stay with her aunt Venetia in London (in 1938).

Venetia, the sister of Rosamund’s father, had married well and was now Lady Reeves and lived in Eaton Square. When war came, her aunt was loath to hide in the nearby air-raid shelter, preferring the basement in her house. Quite a character: ‘her aunt, in a floral Hartnell creation, half reclined on a sofa so generously furnished with brocade-covered cushions that she seemed in serious danger of suffocation’ (p125). ‘She might give the impression of being unworldly and ethereal, but the razor-sharp mind was clearly in no need of a whetstone’ (p125).

Venetia’s cook, Mrs Heffer, had a helpful brother who did odd jobs: ‘He was not exactly a liveried footman, but he did wear his three-piece Sunday suit and employed a liberal amount of brilliantine to tame his unruly thatch, which, on a bad day resembled an exploded Brillo pad’ (p220).

Rosamund meets and falls in love with Harry Napier who seems to be involved in secret war work. Before long, like many socialites of the period, Rosamund joins the SOE and is dubbed the Scarlet Nightingale; she is landed in France with others to sabotage a factory...

There are details about her training and the actual mission. Naturally, the reader is aware that she will survive, even if captured, because she died at the ripe old age of ninety-three (p1); however, there is still plenty of tension concerning the other operatives involved.

Titchmarsh has a gift for creating sympathetic characters. As Aunt Venetia says, ‘If we do not approach life positively, if we succumb to the naysayers and the defeatists, then we might just as well throw in the towel now, because such negativity becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy... I cannot and will not be bowed down by a bunch of thugs who want to rule the world by bully-boy tactics. The only way to beat bullies is to stand up to them, and that – as you have discovered – is often painful and can have tragic consequences’ (p317). [That applies to any period, even today... – Ed]

A bitter-sweet tale, well told.

[Bookfan36 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brief synopsis from the book cover:

It is the late 1930s when seventeen-year-old Rosamund Hanbury leaves behind the endless summers of her coastal Devonshire home for the fast pace of high society London.
Under the expert guidance of her formidable aunt, the country mouse learns how to act like a lady, hosting dinner parties and rubbing shoulders with Britain's most influential. And when the enigmatic Harry Napier sweeps her off her feet at London's famous Café de Paris she could almost forget that Britain has declared war.
But the Phoney War ends. Harry is posted, London reels from the first bombings of the Blitz and Rosamund suffers a devastating personal loss that leaves her all the more determined to do her bit for the war effort.
Joining the Special Forces she is sent to work alongside the Resistance on a top secret mission in France.
It is here that her courage and loyalty are truly put to the test. And where she learns that no one is what they seem: at home or abroad ...
My rating:

Plot: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction



Review:

This is a fascinating and nicely written book, which portrays the role of the SOE and the resistance during WWII in a respectful and sensible way. The plot flows well, it started off a bit slow but as the plot evolves it improves and really captures you. The story feels authentic and appears well researched. The characters are interesting and unique in their own way. Their actions were well explained, this gave them a realistic feel.

Overall:

This is a beautiful book that tells the story of the life of a SOE agent during WWII. The writing flow well and the plot is well constructed. This made the story realistic and captivating. The characters are nice and interesting people with realistic human traits. This is a great book for fans of historical fiction.

[Jasmine Toohey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never read a Alan Titchmarsh book. I mostly know him from his gardening shows.
It is the late 1930s when seventeen-year-old Rosamund Hanbury leaves behind the endless summers of her coastal Devonshire home for the fast pace of high society.
And when the enigmatic Harry Napier sweeps her off her feet at London's famous Café de Paris she could almost forget that Britain has declared war.

Joining the Special Forces she is sent to work alongside the Resistance on a top secret mission in France.
It is here that her courage and loyalty are truly put to the test. And where she learns that no one is what they seem: at home or abroad ... I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this book, but I really enjoyed it and just made me marvel how extreme brave all the men and women who served the country truly were. This book doesn't have the happy ending but neither did so many people during the war and I think sometimes we all forget how lucky we are.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband spotted this book at work and told me it looked 'like the sort of book you read' meaning from the cover it looked like a ww2 book. I looked it up online and it was indeed, so he got it for me the next day.

Initially I found it hard to get into as it kept going between the present day and the past and was set at first in the years before ww2. But once the story got into ww2 it got very interesting!!

I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I ended up enjoying it, there were lots of twists, turns and unexpected events. It kept you interested right until the end.

I didn't know that Alan had even written a book but to find out that he's written a few was surprising. This was well written and I highly recommend it

[Mini Marce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pleasantly surprised by author Alan Titchmarsh!
I enjoyed the character Rosamund, her love for the outdoors, strength and tenacity in the face of tragedy and grief.
Lovely descriptions of her growing up in the countryside in Devonshire as a teenager, then later blossoming into a determined young woman in London.
WW2 backdrops always catch my interest & this one had the right balance of suspense for my liking.
I did predict a few things early on, but the story still had me hooked.
4 stars because I thought the part of the story with Thierry didn’t quite fit her personality, and because the ending I felt was a little rushed.
But overall a good escapism & an easy read.

[Geraldine Sidoli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m afraid I found this to be rather a disappointment. His writing style is turgid and his dialogue lacks credibility. As someone who has kept a diary for many years I can say that I never wrote anything so pompous as “I had just undertaken an operation - the magnitude of which most normal people would never be asked to equal” in my personal journal. The characters failed to convince, especially if you’ve read anything written by authors who were writing at that period.
No spoilers about the story, but I won’t be reading anything else by Mr Titchmarsh