The Widow's Confession

by Sophia Tobin

The new novel from the author of the Sunday Timesbestseller, The Silversmith's Wife. Stunning historical fiction, perfect for fans of Tracy Chevalier. Broadstairs, Kent, 1851. Once a sleepy fishing village, now a select sea-bathing resort, this is a place where people come to take the air, and where they come to hide… Delphine and her cousin Julia have come to the seaside with a secret, one they have been running from for years. The clean air and quiet outlook of Broadstairs appeal to them and they think this is a place they can hide from the darkness for just a little longer. Even so, they find themselves increasingly involved in the intrigues and relationships of other visitors to the town. But this is a place with its own secrets, and a dark past. And when the body of a young girl is found washed up on the beach, a mysterious message scrawled on the sand beside her, the past returns to haunt Broadstairs and its inhabitants. As the incomers are drawn into the mystery and each others' lives, they realise they cannot escape what happened here years before… A compelling story of secrets, lies and lost innocence…

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Historical Mystery

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2015

About the author

Sophia Tobin was raised on the Isle of Thanet in Kent. Having graduated from the Open University, she moved to London to study History of Art, then worked for a Bond Street antique dealer for six years, specialising in silver and jewellery. Inspired by her research into a real eighteenth-century silversmith, Tobin began to write The Silversmith’s Wife, which was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize, judged by Sophie Hannah and Professor Janet Todd. It was published by Simon & Schuster in January 2014.

Tobin’s second novel, The Widow’s Confession, will be published in January 2015. She works in a library and lives in London with her husband.

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is 1852 and what could be more normal than visitors coming to spend time at the seaside town of Broadstairs? Edmund Steele, fleeing a failed love affair, arrives at the Parsonage to stay with Theo Hallam. Delphine Beck and her cousin, Julia, have left their London home to save money. The two ladies come originally from New York and Delphine has been exiled by her wealthy family, following a scandal. Miss Warings is an older lady, visiting with her niece, the beautiful Alba. Mr Ralph Benedict is an artist, who has housed his family is a nearby town so he has freedom to work. Mrs Quillian is Theo’s aunt; who establishes herself at the Albion Hotel and then attempts to make the various visitors into a little group, with whom she can arrange pleasant trips. However, virtually all of the visitors have their own secrets and issues to contend with and, although social manners prevail, under the surface things are neither as calm or as civilised as they first appear.

A girls body is found on the beach and, although the death seems suspicious, the local doctor seems keen to cover up the death as an accident. However, more bodies are found – young girls who seem to have simply wandered into the water… The local community turns against the visitors, who are seen as bringing bad luck. Yet it seems unlikely that the group can unite enough to help solve the murders.

I really enjoyed this historical mystery. The author weaves a wonderfully atmospheric story, with excellent characters and a real sense of what lies below the surface. In public, the various summer visitors are polite, well mannered and genteel. Yet, this is a society which judges harshly. Women attend picnics, but are not expected to have an appetite and marriage is seen as the only escape from a life of servitude and dependence. Our heroine, Delphine, lives with regret and secrecy; the wound that saw her disgraced still raw. Yet, so many of the assorted characters, brought together only by a brief visit to the seaside, also live with shame and secrets – some of them deadly. Atmospheric and gripping, this is an excellent read. I have not read this author’s first novel, but I will have to go back and seek it out. If it is anything as good as this, it will be worth reading. Lastly, I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

A twisting mystery set in the English coastal village of Broadstairs in the early 1850s. Delphine Beck, the titular widow, has left behind a shameful past in New York City to travel through Europe with her cousin, Julia Mardell. From London they continue to Broadstairs, which in the mid-19th century was becoming a popular tourist resort. Also new to town is Edmund Steele, an early mind researcher who is fleeing a failed love affair. He lodges with Reverend Theo Hallam, a former missionary to Ceylon haunted by his own disappointment in love.

All of these damaged characters must unite to solve the mystery of multiple young girls found dead on the treacherous Goodwin Sands. Does it have something to do with Ralph Benedict, a painter seducing the town’s young women? Or perhaps with beautiful Alba Peters and her aunt? As visitors and residents join in picnic excursions to destinations such as Margate’s Shell Grotto and the Reculver abbey ruins, their holiday larks threaten to devolve into tragedy just as new romances flourish.

The Widow’s Confession was inspired by a painting of the Ramsgate seaside exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1854. Although the characters lack a little depth, Tobin ably evokes her location and keeps readers guessing about the central mysteries of the drowned girls and Delphine’s past. Fans of Victorian pastiches (like Essie Fox’s books, or The French Lieutenant’s Woman) should enjoy this sensationalist, Dickensian novel – particularly if they are familiar with its Kentish settings.

[christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i literally have no words

[Toast · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had such hopes for this. But it soon became as dull and dragging as the Goodwin Sands, much made of within its pages. At its root there is a good story and there are flashes of a good storyteller trying to tell it. Sadly for me it didn't work. Such a shame. There is promise here. And, 'The Silversmith's Wife' was good. Is it the dreaded second book syndrome?
A disappointed Toast

[poppie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this novel but somehow the story lost its way about half way through. Disappointing as I so wanted to enjoy it.

[ReadAlongWithSue ★⋆. ࿐࿔catching up · Rating 4 out of 5]

First let me say, its been a while, a very long while since I have read an historical novel. However, the blurb caught my attention and I wanted to read it.

I am glad I selected to read and review this book from Simon and Schuster UK Fiction via Net Galley as I would have missed out on something special.

Its based around the 1800's and a fishing village, but also a place where people come and look out, take a nice deep breath of fresh air and relax.

However, things start to deter people away, because a girls body is discovered on a beach, but this goes on, this won't be the only body discovered over time on the beach. With the body of a young girl being found in the first degree, the doctor tries to cover it up. After all, we don't want people thinking its a dangerous place to come to, do we?
But, when more bodies are discovered of young girls, it takes a more serious turn, it appears that these girls just wander off into the sea and drown themselves? Do they get into some sort of trance?

Suspicion is set upon the visitors, the village people think they are bringing bad luck.

Will the villagers unite to solve the problems?

What was meant to be a nice pleasant group of people taking a trip out to the sea turns into something more sinister.

Its very well written, it appears too that I have missed out on a book before this. I'll need to seek it out, its not vital to this story, but its always nice to read books in order.

[Fiona Woolford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read “ The Vanishing “ by ST and rated it 5 due to Jane eyre undertones, # The silversmiths Wife debut novel 2, this one 2nd novel has improved in the writing for me to a 3star rating.
An intricate Webb of characters which took up almost half the book getting to know them, although a bit tiresome it was necessary.They all panned out to be as I expected except 1 . That revelation became clear obviously at the end, the hints were there but I missed them and didn’t see it coming, which is good.
I loved the stetting as I am from Kent and familiar with the area and its history.
Would I read it again….probably not
Would I recommend it….yes
⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating

[Charlipain · Rating 3 out of 5]

An historical murder mystery. This was my second outing with this author and I enjoyed it! I never seem to tire of historical novels. Though the pacing was a little too slow even for me and I found it drawn out in places. Still it was an enjoyable read in a genre I love. Now for The Silversmiths wife.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book, but the ending was a bit underwhelming. The reveal of the murderer felt random, and Julia’s confession felt out of place. I think it all just felt a bit disconnected. Theo was insufferable. The only likeable characters were Edmund and Delphine for the majority of the book.

[Linda Stanford · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed reading this book lots of twists and turns but I'd worked out roughly what
would happen half way through but had to continue reading to find out 'who dun it'. A bit slow in the beginning but great second half.

[Betty Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting tale of a time when manners were gentle, where hints of impropriety could ruin a life, where redemption is possible and friendships could triumph over betrayal. All against a backdrop of intrigue over the murder of young girls.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5. Slow to build, slow to develop characters. Read it with a book group and we all got to the end and thought - so what 😂

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately I didn’t care much for this one, I couldn’t get invested with the characters.

[Aditi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful
Had no expectations whatsoever, didn't even wanna read it but def one of the best books I have read in my entire life

[Martina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better than the title suggests!

The book isn't so much a romance or a mystery - the plot is just filler. To me, it's mostly about what life was like for women in the early Victorian era, and how easily a woman's life could be ruined, and how few rights and options even wealthy women had at the time. Plus it has a nice English seaside setting, which is always a bonus.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Delphine and her cousin Julia are running from a past in New York, something to do with Delphine and who she really is. After spending time in London, they decided to head to Broadstairs in Kent for the summer of 1850, a nice little fishing village. Or so they thought. The town has secrets, and a darkness all of it's own, that's coming back from the past to haunt the present, not everyone had a nice childhood. When a girl is found dead on the beach, with a mysterious word written in the sand next to her, the authorities (of a sort) try to pass it off as an accidental drowning, but when another girl dies, and another attempt is made, it quickly becomes clear there's a killer in their midst. Secrets are everywhere and not everyone is as they seem....

Okay so I read The Silversmith's Wife from the library, because ya know...history geek and all that, and I can't resist a historical book of any description, anyway, I totally loved it, and so when I was asked if I'd like to review this, I pretty much couldn't say yes fast enough. I wasn't disappointed.

The thing I loved about this book was how dark and compelling it was, with the atmosphere rolling over you as you enter an incredibly vivid world, created so fantastically while being historically accurate. There are secrets everywhere, people have issues, serious issues that are written about with all the respect and seriousness they deserve, I won't say much as to not spoil the story.

I pretty much started reading this, sat back, and went along for the ride, I went wherever the author took me. I had no idea what was going to happen next, I had no idea who the killer was, and I had no idea any of the twists and turns where coming up, I was surprised at every turn and I loved the not knowing. I mean I tried to work out who the killer was, but I'm kind of useless at this detective malarky, so I was waaaaay wrong, like I'm sure the author intended, I was thrown off by the whole writing thing...and the boat....and yeah. But who wants a mystery you can work out? No-one.

I loved how the killer was one mystery, but so was Delphine, and who she was and what happened, I liked that there where kind of multiple storylines going on, the killer and the search for him or her and then Delphine and her life and what she was running from and I LOVED the way the book started with the letter, I mean it builds intrigue and anticipation like nothing else, as do the little bits go the letter at the beginning of each chapter, that then smoothly intersect in to the narrative in time for the ending, so you can see what happens next, after the letter has been sent.

I'm probably not making much sense, but damn I love Sophia Tobin books! Tobin really gives you one hell of a feel for and insight in to the time and how women where treated, and how society acted, better than any other book I've read recently. The narrative is smooth and isn't broken up by endless pages of description to create the world she has weaved, she's done it with a couple of sentences. She's that good. Not to mention the fantastic cast of characters, that intrigue you, and help to keep you engaged with the story....well...them and the killer plot.

Sophia Tobin has given us another gripping book, full of history and mystery (one day I'll stop rhyming today is not that day), you won't be able to put the book down and the atmosphere will envelop you and at times chill you. Word of warning....I'd set aside time to read this in one go! I can't wait to see what the author brings us next! I'm pretty much a fangirl of hers after only two books!

[Elspeth G. Perkin · Rating 3 out of 5]

With inspiration of such a picturesque locale, time period and an intricate showcased painting, The Widow’s Confession had quite of a bit of possibilities to explore. So much so, that unfortunately the story became a little lost in the fog of different aspects of mystery and romance that it ultimately left this reader cold. Perhaps it is just me and I have not been having much luck with my recent title purchases but this one disappointed me. I will be honest and tell those interested that this novel is slow and ebbing, slow in developing any action or conflict and ebbing with the characters and mystery that is gets all tedious to the point that I thought about quietly moving along to other novels. Although tempting at a few points something kept me reading and I did manage to finish though. This is one of those reads you stop after turning the last page and think “and yet..and yet..”

I did find the conclusion of events plausible but the journey was just sadly predictable to this reader. And yet the true positives of this read were the details. I applaud the research that went into and the incorporation into the story and perhaps that is what kept me turning the pages. Fascinating locations are visited by the central characters and in particular a few caught this reader’s full attention and I would dearly love to see Margate Shell Grotto after viewing a photo gallery of this curious site. The believable incorporation of customs and era dialogue was also a joy to read, along with the catastrophe that can ensue from stepping away from tradition. And yet the characters were painted in shadow in the beginning but reveal too much of themselves so quickly at the end that there is nothing left to wonder about after they have been fully dissected with dramatic outbursts. In the end, I found The Widow’s Confession a title that showcased fascinating details, vintage styled writing and although very paced; a decent winter night read.

[Bruce Gargoyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a print copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for review.

Ten Second Synopsis:

Two American sisters come to Broadstairs, Kent in 1850 to hide from a secret in their past (and enjoy the bracing sea breezes and picturesque painting opportunities)When the corpses of young girls start turning up, more than just sand is churned up as the townsfolk try to keep the past buried.

I was hoping for more mystery and less atmosphere than was delivered in this book to be honest. Essentially, the story revolves around two sisters with a very mysterious past, who arrive in a seaside town in order to escape their past. They are unwittingly drawn into a series of unlikely deaths. There is plenty of broody atmosphere to go round, as well as a piecemeal approach to the reveal of past secrets as each chapter is preceded by parts of a letter of confession. As a period piece and murder mystery, all the tropes are there – the holidaying dapper young gent, the worried vicar, the cold-hearted physician and the mysterious foreign lasses with a shady past. If you are looking for a book that will make you feel like you’re really there, wuthering on the clifftop (being wuthered? Not sure of the correct verb usage there!) then cosy up with The Widow’s Confession and be blown back and forth with the changing tides as characters’ secrets are revealed.

Unfortunately, the pace of the plot was too slow for my tastes, and I had a great deal of difficulty keeping the male characters straight as I was reading. There is an awful lot of conversation and frustration that I felt just slowed the plot and didn't add much in the way of interest. I would say this is more of a relationship drama than a mystery, and therefore not exactly my cup of tea.

[Ant Koplowitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Widow's Confession by Sophia Tobin is a Victorian gothic tale of guilty secrets and current jealousy set in the 1850s. Broadstairs in Kent is the setting for this atmospheric tale of two American sisters on the run from a torrid past, and who have to keep moving from place to place in an attempt to live an anonymous lifestyle while maintaining an aura of respectable gentility. But Broadstairs proves to be their undoing when petty social politics and upper middle class snobbery collide with their long buried secrets.

The locale is well realised and Tobin stimulated my interest in Kent. It's a slow burner of a book, carefully paced, but at times it feels as though not much is happening. Everyone is enigmatic to a degree, reinforcing the idea that we all have secrets.

The revelations, somewhat inevitably, don't quite live up to their narrative promise, but it was an enjoyable read and I would look out for more by this author.

© Koplowitz 2016

[Elizabeth Grieve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having lived in the lovely town of Broadstairs I was keen to read this, and enjoyed recognising the streets, inns and bays. It took me a while to get into the story, and to be honest I found it a little slow. It was however well written with a period feel to it, if somewhat overlong.
Review of a preview copy from the publisher.

[Hannah Dexter · Rating 3 out of 5]

What kept me reading until the end was the quality of the writing, which I found highly descriptive and evocative of the 19th century seaside. My problem was that I didn't really take to any of the characters, who in some cases never really came alive. I ended up not really caring much about the story in the end.

[Helen Carolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great follow up to the silversmith's wife. Kent 1851 and a group of holidaymakers meet up, all with secrets to hide. when the bodies of young girls start washing up on the beach the secrets start unraveling. terrific read.

[Regina · Rating 1 out of 5]

One word.

Dull.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading for the historical Broadstairs and Thanet references.

[John Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

With many happy memories of family holidays in Broadstairs I wanted to like this more than I actually did

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. Little twist at the end

[Christi Poulsom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, but an awful lot of padding. Couldn't identify with any of the characters, and most of the reveals were 'so what?s'.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two stars is really too generous, more of a 1.5. Kind of dull with some really irritating characters. Can't believe that anyone would want to marry that sanctimonious prat of a vicar.