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Den glemte landsby
1943: Verden er i krig, og indbyggerne i Tyneham bliver bedt om at bringe endnu et utænkeligt offer: De skal forlade deres hjem og overdrage landsbyen til den britiske hær. Men aftenen inden afrejsen sker der en voldsom begivenhed, og tre af indbyggerne forsvinder for evigt.
2018: Melissa håber, at en ferie ved Englands sydkyst kan give et frisk pust i forholdet til kæresten Liam. Men på trods af det idylliske landskab skubber det hende og Liam længere fra hinanden. Mens Liam surfer dagen lang, sidder Melissa tilbage i ferielejligheden.
For at slå tiden ihjel besøger Melissa den glemte landsby Tyneham. Den er netop genåbnet som et museum efter have været lukket og utilgængelig i mere end 75 år. Men Tyneham skjuler på en frygtelig hemmelighed, og Melissas søgen efter sandheden kommer til at ændre hendes liv på alle måder. Inspireret af historien om landsbyen Tyneham i Dorset, der i december 1943 blev beslaglagt af den britiske hær.
2018: Melissa håber, at en ferie ved Englands sydkyst kan give et frisk pust i forholdet til kæresten Liam. Men på trods af det idylliske landskab skubber det hende og Liam længere fra hinanden. Mens Liam surfer dagen lang, sidder Melissa tilbage i ferielejligheden.
For at slå tiden ihjel besøger Melissa den glemte landsby Tyneham. Den er netop genåbnet som et museum efter have været lukket og utilgængelig i mere end 75 år. Men Tyneham skjuler på en frygtelig hemmelighed, og Melissas søgen efter sandheden kommer til at ændre hendes liv på alle måder. Inspireret af historien om landsbyen Tyneham i Dorset, der i december 1943 blev beslaglagt af den britiske hær.
298 pages, Paperback
First published April 4, 2019
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2424 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Cook
15 books406 followersLorna Cook writes historical fiction, weaving secrets and forgotten history with mystery and romance.
She also writes contemporary fiction under the name Elle Cook.
She also writes contemporary fiction under the name Elle Cook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 479 reviews
December 1, 2019
A member of my bookclub lent me this dual narrative set in England 1943/2018. A mixture of history and romance with a heavy bend towards romance, I felt this to be a fairly quick read. As popular historian Guy and jilted vacationer Melissa find themselves consumed by the mystery of an upper class couple that once lived in the area, in the past the people of Tyneham ,England are being evacuated by the ministry of defense who need the village for military maneuvers. In fact, this will be the practice grounds to prepare for the eventual D-Day invasions. I think that was the vein of the storyline that kept me reading because the actual "secret" was fairly transparent. However, I would definitely be interested in what the author shall write next.
Goodreads review published 20/10/19
Goodreads review published 20/10/19
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February 15, 2020Did not finish.
Instead of the historical novel that I hoped for it turned out to be a romance Mills and Boon style, not for me.
Instead of the historical novel that I hoped for it turned out to be a romance Mills and Boon style, not for me.
February 18, 2021
If Goodreads used 10 star ratings, this would be a solid 9 and to be honest I'm not sure why I'm holding back from a 10! Lorna Cook has only written 2 books and I've thoroughly enjoyed them both - this one perhaps more just because I felt like I learnt things about WW2 that I wasn't aware of. It has definitely led me to Google on more than 1 occasion. The story itself was predictable but that did not take anything away from the enjoyment and I would highly recommend this engaging read.
March 29, 2019
Wow, this dual timeline story literally grabbed a hold of me and sucked me in. I was gripped and sitting on the edge of my seat with ever chapter, right to the very end. Thoroughly enjoyable.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Veronica, Anna, Albert & Freddie back in 1943 and that of Guy and Melissa in present day 2017, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1943 to present day 2017 which was done so seamlessly.
It was highly captivating, dramatic and emotional read in places, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough, with wanting to find out what happens next and as to how it would all end.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish.
This is the author's debut novel which I'm completely shocked and in awe of, as it's just so very well told and brilliantly written. Given how much I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I will definitely be looking forward to her second book. Just hope I don't have to wait to long.
It didn't take me long to be drawn into the stories of both Veronica, Anna, Albert & Freddie back in 1943 and that of Guy and Melissa in present day 2017, I was captivated right from the first few chapters. I loved how the story went back and forth from 1943 to present day 2017 which was done so seamlessly.
It was highly captivating, dramatic and emotional read in places, I literally could not turn the pages fast enough, with wanting to find out what happens next and as to how it would all end.
I thought the story was brilliantly well written and the characters are all so very well portrayed and believable. I have absolutely loved reading this from start to finish.
This is the author's debut novel which I'm completely shocked and in awe of, as it's just so very well told and brilliantly written. Given how much I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this, I will definitely be looking forward to her second book. Just hope I don't have to wait to long.
April 28, 2021
This is a great little read! I’ve really enjoyed it as light, escapist romance with a (dual timeline) historical interest too. It was partly based on the true story of Tyneham village in Dorset which was taken over by the British army during WW2. I had no idea nine British villages were recommissioned so it was also very interesting & educational. I could pick holes here and there but I won’t because it’s great story telling & it’s a debut novel too. A very absorbing story which I found hard very to put down from the very first page. I look forward to reading more by Lorna Cook.
October 21, 2025
What a phenomenal book! I absolutely loved this as I was puzzled as to what was really happening and totally intrigued. Having read soooo many books over the years; I can often figure out what's going to happen etc;not this time. These years I tend to give authors "one chance" as there are loads to enjoy and only so much time.If I didn't enjoy the first one I try by an author, I probably won't bother again to be honest. However, she is a definite one that I will certainly read (and have bought her second one)again !
April 5, 2019
I'm a big fan of dual timeline stories and I'm always thrilled to come across them - whether it be historical fiction or mystery thrillers. An unforgettable and emotional read, THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE had me gripped from the beginning as the stories both in the past and present unfolded piece by piece and had me on the edge of my seat with every page and every chapter. Right up to the very end.
1943: With Britain at war, people are affected in many ways. And the village of Tyneham in Dorset was no different. The British Army have requisitioned their little village for training purposes and everyone must give up their homes - some of which have been farmed by generations. with the promise that once the war is over the resident can return. But with war comes great sacrifice and even those up at "the great house" - Tyneham House - are to leave their home too. But on the night before they are all to leave, tragedy strikes and lives are changed forever.
It wasn't long before I was drawn into the story of Veronica, Anna, Bertie and Freddie at Tyneham House. As much as I was drawn to them, some aspects of the story were hard to read and I found myself feeling such great sorrow and sadness for those involved. Abuse in the past decades is something that was not talked about, not acknowledged and definitely not seen as a crime - but rather a private matter between a husband and wife. I have read many books with an element of abuse but this one just tore my heart out. As Veronica planned her escape from her abusive husband with her maid Anna's help I found myself feeling such sadness and helplessness for them both whilst for Bertie I felt nothing but hatred. He was vile. But the whole desperation and helplessness of their story just made it all the more heartbreaking.
2018: Melissa is on holiday in Dorset with her boyfriend Liam in the hope for a romantic break together. But all Liam seems to be interested in is spending his days surfing, leaving Melissa to her own devices. However, the break turns out not to be a romantic one but something more permanent.
Tyneham village, now reopened to the public, was never given back to its residents - just forgotten. But now people can go visit and one day Melissa decides on a whim to explore the forgotten village. It is here that she sees a photograph of a woman that haunts her. The expression on her face - the fear - is forged into her memory and she finds she cannot let it rest. She MUST find out who the woman is, why she looks so afraid and what happened to her.
It is on her exploration of Tyneham that Melissa meets Guy Cameron, a famous TV historian, and together they discover their interest in the village. She tells him about the photograph of the woman who they learn to be Lady Veronica Standish and the man tightly clutching her hand is her husband Sir Albert from Tyneham House. When Guy reveals that his grandmother once lived in the village as a young girl and worked up at the great house as a maid, an idea forms in Melissa's head. Can his grandmother Anna reveal any clues as to what happened to Lady Veronica? But eliciting that information from Anna proves harder than expected. What is she hiding?
THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE is a beautifully written highly captivating dual timeline story that is so easy to be swept up in. It tells the story of a time when Britain was in the grips of WW2 and rather than be bogged down in historical facts, they featured only as a backdrop to a beautiful yet sad story set during that time. The present day story was a little predictable (when it came to their budding romance) but that did not detract from Melissa and Guy's search for the truth. I found myself wanting to immerse myself further into Lady Veronica's story to see where it lead. The switch between the past and the present was done eloquently and at just the right time as the secrets were unveiled.
This captivating and emotional story is a simple plot and very easy to read. Whilst I found Melissa and Guy's relationship a little predictable, I don't think the rest of the story was despite having my own suspicions as to what really happened confirmed at the conclusion. And whilst love was obviously lurking in the air I didn't pick it up to read a romance but more the mystery from the past. The Epilogue was such a beautiful heartwarming touch bringing a closure to the story.
Nevertheless, I was not disappointed - except at Melissa's constant berating of herself when it was so obvious otherwise - as I love being swept away in the historical past with a mystery to solve. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
I would like to thank #Lorna Cook, #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUK for this ARC of #TheForgottenVillage in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
1943: With Britain at war, people are affected in many ways. And the village of Tyneham in Dorset was no different. The British Army have requisitioned their little village for training purposes and everyone must give up their homes - some of which have been farmed by generations. with the promise that once the war is over the resident can return. But with war comes great sacrifice and even those up at "the great house" - Tyneham House - are to leave their home too. But on the night before they are all to leave, tragedy strikes and lives are changed forever.
It wasn't long before I was drawn into the story of Veronica, Anna, Bertie and Freddie at Tyneham House. As much as I was drawn to them, some aspects of the story were hard to read and I found myself feeling such great sorrow and sadness for those involved. Abuse in the past decades is something that was not talked about, not acknowledged and definitely not seen as a crime - but rather a private matter between a husband and wife. I have read many books with an element of abuse but this one just tore my heart out. As Veronica planned her escape from her abusive husband with her maid Anna's help I found myself feeling such sadness and helplessness for them both whilst for Bertie I felt nothing but hatred. He was vile. But the whole desperation and helplessness of their story just made it all the more heartbreaking.
2018: Melissa is on holiday in Dorset with her boyfriend Liam in the hope for a romantic break together. But all Liam seems to be interested in is spending his days surfing, leaving Melissa to her own devices. However, the break turns out not to be a romantic one but something more permanent.
Tyneham village, now reopened to the public, was never given back to its residents - just forgotten. But now people can go visit and one day Melissa decides on a whim to explore the forgotten village. It is here that she sees a photograph of a woman that haunts her. The expression on her face - the fear - is forged into her memory and she finds she cannot let it rest. She MUST find out who the woman is, why she looks so afraid and what happened to her.
It is on her exploration of Tyneham that Melissa meets Guy Cameron, a famous TV historian, and together they discover their interest in the village. She tells him about the photograph of the woman who they learn to be Lady Veronica Standish and the man tightly clutching her hand is her husband Sir Albert from Tyneham House. When Guy reveals that his grandmother once lived in the village as a young girl and worked up at the great house as a maid, an idea forms in Melissa's head. Can his grandmother Anna reveal any clues as to what happened to Lady Veronica? But eliciting that information from Anna proves harder than expected. What is she hiding?
THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE is a beautifully written highly captivating dual timeline story that is so easy to be swept up in. It tells the story of a time when Britain was in the grips of WW2 and rather than be bogged down in historical facts, they featured only as a backdrop to a beautiful yet sad story set during that time. The present day story was a little predictable (when it came to their budding romance) but that did not detract from Melissa and Guy's search for the truth. I found myself wanting to immerse myself further into Lady Veronica's story to see where it lead. The switch between the past and the present was done eloquently and at just the right time as the secrets were unveiled.
This captivating and emotional story is a simple plot and very easy to read. Whilst I found Melissa and Guy's relationship a little predictable, I don't think the rest of the story was despite having my own suspicions as to what really happened confirmed at the conclusion. And whilst love was obviously lurking in the air I didn't pick it up to read a romance but more the mystery from the past. The Epilogue was such a beautiful heartwarming touch bringing a closure to the story.
Nevertheless, I was not disappointed - except at Melissa's constant berating of herself when it was so obvious otherwise - as I love being swept away in the historical past with a mystery to solve. I look forward to more from this author in the future.
I would like to thank #Lorna Cook, #NetGalley and #AvonBooksUK for this ARC of #TheForgottenVillage in exchange for an honest review.
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
March 8, 2019
The Forgotten Village is told in two time periods, the 1940s during WWII and in the present day. In the present, Melissa becomes intrigued by a photo of a lady taken in 1943 just as the village of Tyneham is requisitioned for troops during WWII.
I was disappointed by this book. The requisition of Tyneham was merely a setting for the Standish's and I felt they could have been anywhere. I would have liked to read more about Tyneham and the war effort. The present day characters of Melissa and Guy were likeable enough but their relationship was rushed and a bit cringeworthy.
An easy but forgettable read.
I was disappointed by this book. The requisition of Tyneham was merely a setting for the Standish's and I felt they could have been anywhere. I would have liked to read more about Tyneham and the war effort. The present day characters of Melissa and Guy were likeable enough but their relationship was rushed and a bit cringeworthy.
An easy but forgettable read.
May 2, 2019
Wow, what a compelling story.
I have always been fascinated with the abandoned village of Tyneham in Dorset, and this fantastic story set there was amazingly well researched and so well written.
A dual timeline set in 1943 just prior to the requisition of the village, and in 2018.
Long-held secrets emerge about the occupants of Tyneham House.
I found this to be a very compelling read, and look forward to reading more of Lorna Cook's books.
I have always been fascinated with the abandoned village of Tyneham in Dorset, and this fantastic story set there was amazingly well researched and so well written.
A dual timeline set in 1943 just prior to the requisition of the village, and in 2018.
Long-held secrets emerge about the occupants of Tyneham House.
I found this to be a very compelling read, and look forward to reading more of Lorna Cook's books.
August 6, 2019
Visit the locations in the novel
Authorsonlocation - meet Lorna Cook
Brilliant novel and very very fascinating!
October 10, 2020
easy read, light relief but not slushy. Story about a young woman whose life isn't going well who visits a village that was requisitioned during the war for D day practice. She gets caught up in the lives of the people who were evacuated. This is a dual timeline story, flitting from modern day to the 1940s.
This has a few twists, great characters and was a fun read.
This has a few twists, great characters and was a fun read.
January 12, 2021
Het eerste hoofdstuk deed me wat twijfelen, het verhaal begint in het heden maar kwam wat melig over. Eens het verhaal in het past gedeelte begon, was ik helemaal gewonnen voor het verhaal. Het past gedeelte was goed uitgewerkt en spannend. Het boek leest erg vlot en de personages spreken aan.
April 18, 2019
I really loved reading this fascinating, enthralling book and am excited to have discovered this new author!
I read a lot of books based in world war two but had never heard of Tyneham, The Forgotten Village before so found it utterly fascinating to learn about it. This is actually based on a true story which meant I wasted lots of time looking it up on the internet. The idea that parts of the village are still as they were when the village was evacuated intrigued me and it’s definitely a place I’d love to visit in the future!
The two timelines were very interesting and I found I enjoyed them both equally which is unusual for me. Melissa is someone I found I immediately liked as she seemed so normal. She’s impulsive, makes mistakes and is slightly ditzy at times which made her very loveable in my eyes. She’s also a lady who loves her food which made for a refreshing change! When we first meet her she is going through a hard time and lacking a bit in self confidence so I found myself thrilled about her budding romance with the very handsome Guy. I enjoyed watching their romance develop and found myself hoping that there would be a happy ending for the two of them.
Veronica’s story is also interesting as it focuses on the events and feelings in the village up to the forced evacuation. However it had a bit of a serious note to it due to the sad occasion and dealt with a serious subject which combined made for a sober read. I did feel a lot of sympathy for Veronica as her situation becomes more apparent and I found I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to her.
This is a very absorbing story which is easy to lose yourself in for hours at a time. I ended up reading this far too late into the night as I was so caught up in this wonderful story. The two timelines are well plotted and engaging which makes for a very intriguing read. The mystery and unravelling of old secrets was superbly done with the two timelines coming together in a shocking but thoroughly satisfyingly way.
This unbelievable is the author’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her in the future. I’m normally a bit skeptical of comparisons to Kate Morton as she’s one of my all time favourites but I think it is justified in this case as I thought this book was, dare I say it, even better!
Huge thanks to Sabah from Avon for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book which is going on my keep forever shelf!
I read a lot of books based in world war two but had never heard of Tyneham, The Forgotten Village before so found it utterly fascinating to learn about it. This is actually based on a true story which meant I wasted lots of time looking it up on the internet. The idea that parts of the village are still as they were when the village was evacuated intrigued me and it’s definitely a place I’d love to visit in the future!
The two timelines were very interesting and I found I enjoyed them both equally which is unusual for me. Melissa is someone I found I immediately liked as she seemed so normal. She’s impulsive, makes mistakes and is slightly ditzy at times which made her very loveable in my eyes. She’s also a lady who loves her food which made for a refreshing change! When we first meet her she is going through a hard time and lacking a bit in self confidence so I found myself thrilled about her budding romance with the very handsome Guy. I enjoyed watching their romance develop and found myself hoping that there would be a happy ending for the two of them.
Veronica’s story is also interesting as it focuses on the events and feelings in the village up to the forced evacuation. However it had a bit of a serious note to it due to the sad occasion and dealt with a serious subject which combined made for a sober read. I did feel a lot of sympathy for Veronica as her situation becomes more apparent and I found I wanted to keep reading to find out what happens to her.
This is a very absorbing story which is easy to lose yourself in for hours at a time. I ended up reading this far too late into the night as I was so caught up in this wonderful story. The two timelines are well plotted and engaging which makes for a very intriguing read. The mystery and unravelling of old secrets was superbly done with the two timelines coming together in a shocking but thoroughly satisfyingly way.
This unbelievable is the author’s debut novel and I can’t wait to read more from her in the future. I’m normally a bit skeptical of comparisons to Kate Morton as she’s one of my all time favourites but I think it is justified in this case as I thought this book was, dare I say it, even better!
Huge thanks to Sabah from Avon for inviting me onto the blog tour and for my copy of this book which is going on my keep forever shelf!
May 21, 2019
This beautiful debut caught my attention and held on for the duration of the book. A moving reading adventure with these memorable characters. I love when I learn from the stories that I read and The Forgotten Village was jam-packed with history and information that is truly heartbreaking and fascinating.
In the book, we meet Melanie in 2017 as she holiday’s with her boyfriend. As he goes off to surf she is bored and decides to go for a drive. On her travels, she comes across Tyneham Village. That, in turn, starts our adventure as the reader, we go with Melanie and see the ghost village through her eyes. The army took over the village in 1943 and everyone had to be relocated. As she wanders through into the gallery one photograph in the starts to play on her mind even after she’s left the village it haunts her. What was wrong with the lady in the photo?
Then we flip to 1943 and we meet Lady Veronica and Sir Albert as they prepare to leave the big house. What secrets does the household? Is all as it seems?
I love a flip flop book and learning things in both time periods. It’s like a jigsaw when all the parts come together for that uh huh moment. This book was jammed packed with history about the relocation and it was extremely clever of Lorna Cook to merge the two time periods.
I read the book in one sitting, it was addictive. I highly recommend the book and I will be adding Lorna Cook to my must by authors. Five stars!
A stunning debut by Lorna Cook, bringing to life the past and mixing it with the present so beautifully.
In the book, we meet Melanie in 2017 as she holiday’s with her boyfriend. As he goes off to surf she is bored and decides to go for a drive. On her travels, she comes across Tyneham Village. That, in turn, starts our adventure as the reader, we go with Melanie and see the ghost village through her eyes. The army took over the village in 1943 and everyone had to be relocated. As she wanders through into the gallery one photograph in the starts to play on her mind even after she’s left the village it haunts her. What was wrong with the lady in the photo?
Then we flip to 1943 and we meet Lady Veronica and Sir Albert as they prepare to leave the big house. What secrets does the household? Is all as it seems?
I love a flip flop book and learning things in both time periods. It’s like a jigsaw when all the parts come together for that uh huh moment. This book was jammed packed with history about the relocation and it was extremely clever of Lorna Cook to merge the two time periods.
I read the book in one sitting, it was addictive. I highly recommend the book and I will be adding Lorna Cook to my must by authors. Five stars!
A stunning debut by Lorna Cook, bringing to life the past and mixing it with the present so beautifully.
July 2, 2022
Gosto bastante da escrita da autora.
Esta fórmula de contar a história, entre o passado e o presente agrada-me.
Lê-se rápido e manteve-me sempre agarrada.
Gostei e recomendo
Esta fórmula de contar a história, entre o passado e o presente agrada-me.
Lê-se rápido e manteve-me sempre agarrada.
Gostei e recomendo
April 27, 2019
The Forgotten Village is the début novel from Lorna Cook and what an impressive story it was that awaited me between the pages of a book with a haunting and intriguing cover. This is a dual timeline story but one which is very closely interwoven, the period over which the events take place is very brief. A matter of days in both storylines and I think this really helped with keeping the plot moving forward and the reader wasn't kept guessing or things too drawn out as to what was happening or going to happen within the next chapter or two. Admittedly I found the first few chapters a bit slow as they were really just setting the scene and I was become used to the characters and the times in which they lived but once I settled into the story I found myself intrigued and my interest was certainly piqued.
The Forgotten Village merges fact with fiction and it was evident the author had undertaken extensive research in order to portray the characters, setting and plot as realistically as possible. Set between several days in 1943 and then 75 years later in 2018 the past and present merge and flow together seamlessly as we weave back and forth between Veronica and Melissa. Two women separated by many years but yet Melissa feels a deep connection to Veronica and is determined to find out what just did happen in the days leading up to one village becoming a ghost town as the villagers sacrificed their homes for the war effort.
The brief prologue really set the tone for the remainder of the novel as Lady Tyneham, Veronica, stands alongside her husband Sir. Albert as he addresses the villagers one last time before the village is given over to the British army to use as a training base for the D-Day landings. The reader can instantly tell that Veronica is a bundle of nerves and you would be forgiven for thinking it is because she too has to leave her home but as the story unfolds it becomes clear that all is not as it seems in the marriage of Lord and Lady Tyneham. 75 years later Melissa is on holiday in Dorset with her boyfriend Liam who has a holiday home in the village. She feels she has been abandoned and ignored. Her feelings are never taken into consideration with Liam preferring to do his own thing. Surely this is a disaster waiting to happen.
Left to her own devices as Liam spends most of his days surfing and having little to do Melissa embarks on her own little day trips and stumbles across the reopening of Tyneham village as a tourist spot having never been given back to the original inhabitants despite promises made that that would be the case. As Melissa explores the village on a warm day she becomes fascinated by the story of a community displaced. Where did they all go? How did they all feel? She meets historian Guy Cameron who is there to reopen the village. Well really he was like the prince saving the damsel in distress when they first meet and I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship that was soon struck up between the pair and fervently hoped it would develop into something more especially as a few truths come to light re. Liam and he is soon shown the door.
Over several days as Melissa and Guy explore the village and visit an exhibition in the old school house a photo catches Melissa eye. There is something about the woman in the photo which Melissa is drawn to. She wants more than anything to find out what happened to her once she left the village. She soon realises it is Veronica, Lady Tyneham, and what follows is a fascinating and gripping story of Melissa and Guy unravelling the past. As Guy's grandmother Anna was a maid to Veronica, Melissa thinks she will get plenty of answers but Anna is not giving much away which only makes Melissa's feelings of anxiety surrounding the intensify. At first I did think why was Melissa so obsessed with finding out what happened to Veronica especially as she herself had no background in history. It's only as she digs deeper, working her way around many walls and stumbling blocks that her motivations become apparent. She sees many comparisons between her own mother and Veronica and hopes that things did turn out OK for the lady of the house.
I did really enjoy the parts of the story set in 2018 but it's the storyline set in 1943 which really caught my attention as I became lost in Veronica's story. The title led me to believe that there would be a character who uncovers a lost village but instead it's the reopening of the village which leads to long buried secrets being exposed and in doing so Melissa hopes to right many wrongs. Although everything occurs over a matter of days the author managed to pack so much in and this was all done without anything ever feeling rushed through or little silly things being flung into the story just for the sake of it. In fact the tension just increased with each chapter and the reader is left thinking that there is nothing but inevitability surrounding the outcome for the Tyneham's.
Lorna Cook did a brilliant job of painting a picture of a trapped woman on the cusp of breaking free yet she is thwarted at every corner. Being forced to leave one's home is very traumatic but for Veronica this is the opportunity she has been waiting for. It soon becomes very apparent that she has been trapped in a loveless, volatile and dangerous relationship. I couldn't fathom how Veronica had got herself caught up with Bertie or did she just go into the marriage with blinkers on? Now was her chance to escape his clutches and the scene is set for her to slip away n the day the villagers are set to leave Tyneham for what they believe to be but a short period. But things are sent to test her. Will she be able to break free?
Veronica was a character who had endured so much at the hands of Bertie and I could see that streak of independence within her waiting to break free. She had had more than enough and wanted to escape from the mental shackles and physical hardship she had suffered for far too long. But once Bertie gets the knife in and keeps twisting it he really doesn't give up without a fight. With the arrival of an unexpected visitor Veronica's plans are thrown into disarray and what follows is a very tense and dramatic story which will keep readers on the edge of their seats. You desperately want a positive outcome for Veronica but can't see how it can come about. I didn't at any stage judge her or think she was making rash decisions because the tide of her plans had turned. Instead I was rooting for her every step of the way. She was clever and intuitive but Bertie was always one step ahead of her. Given the little snippets that Melissa and Guy slowly start to uncover in the modern day, and what we come to understand through the events of 1943, one wonders how did certain things come about. But Lorna Cook had numerous surprises in store for her readers.
Bertie is the character whom every reader will dislike immensely. I had not one ounce of sympathy for him he didn't deserve it in the slightest. Hatred, fear, malice and brutality oozed from his every pore and I thought his justifications for being this way better be good if indeed he had any at all. Monster is the word I continuously thought of when reading scenes featuring Bertie. He created a life of threats, pain and despair for Veronica and quite honestly some of their scenes were hard to read at times being very detailed and not with holding any of the horrors Veronica endured. Veronica deserved happiness but how could she possibly succeed in escaping? Lorna Cook expertly built the tension and unease and you just knew this big bubbling pot was going to explode in dramatic fashion at some point and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. In fact how Lorna ties the past to the present was so cleverly done and I was majorly surprised by the big twist and I was kicking myself that I hadn't spotted the clues or joined up the dots as on reflection they really were there for me to see.
Lorna Cook did really make you feel as if you had travelled back in time but yet I felt just as present with Melissa as I did with Veronica. I was glad this wasn't your typical wartime saga story as instead the focus shifted and centred on what was happening in the everyday lives of one affluent family as the war raged around them. Having the focus on just a specific few characters really helped to tighten the story and didn't allow for rambling or going off track from the main plot. Every character was well utilised, every conversation that took place was necessary and I never felt there was any filling in of pages just for the sake of it. Without doubt The Forgotten Village is an accomplished first novel with a masterfully woven storyline. I sense though that this is barely the tip of the iceberg as to what Lorna Cook can do and I really am looking forward to her next book already. In the meantime I wouldn't hesitate in recommending The Forgotten Village.
The Forgotten Village merges fact with fiction and it was evident the author had undertaken extensive research in order to portray the characters, setting and plot as realistically as possible. Set between several days in 1943 and then 75 years later in 2018 the past and present merge and flow together seamlessly as we weave back and forth between Veronica and Melissa. Two women separated by many years but yet Melissa feels a deep connection to Veronica and is determined to find out what just did happen in the days leading up to one village becoming a ghost town as the villagers sacrificed their homes for the war effort.
The brief prologue really set the tone for the remainder of the novel as Lady Tyneham, Veronica, stands alongside her husband Sir. Albert as he addresses the villagers one last time before the village is given over to the British army to use as a training base for the D-Day landings. The reader can instantly tell that Veronica is a bundle of nerves and you would be forgiven for thinking it is because she too has to leave her home but as the story unfolds it becomes clear that all is not as it seems in the marriage of Lord and Lady Tyneham. 75 years later Melissa is on holiday in Dorset with her boyfriend Liam who has a holiday home in the village. She feels she has been abandoned and ignored. Her feelings are never taken into consideration with Liam preferring to do his own thing. Surely this is a disaster waiting to happen.
Left to her own devices as Liam spends most of his days surfing and having little to do Melissa embarks on her own little day trips and stumbles across the reopening of Tyneham village as a tourist spot having never been given back to the original inhabitants despite promises made that that would be the case. As Melissa explores the village on a warm day she becomes fascinated by the story of a community displaced. Where did they all go? How did they all feel? She meets historian Guy Cameron who is there to reopen the village. Well really he was like the prince saving the damsel in distress when they first meet and I thoroughly enjoyed the friendship that was soon struck up between the pair and fervently hoped it would develop into something more especially as a few truths come to light re. Liam and he is soon shown the door.
Over several days as Melissa and Guy explore the village and visit an exhibition in the old school house a photo catches Melissa eye. There is something about the woman in the photo which Melissa is drawn to. She wants more than anything to find out what happened to her once she left the village. She soon realises it is Veronica, Lady Tyneham, and what follows is a fascinating and gripping story of Melissa and Guy unravelling the past. As Guy's grandmother Anna was a maid to Veronica, Melissa thinks she will get plenty of answers but Anna is not giving much away which only makes Melissa's feelings of anxiety surrounding the intensify. At first I did think why was Melissa so obsessed with finding out what happened to Veronica especially as she herself had no background in history. It's only as she digs deeper, working her way around many walls and stumbling blocks that her motivations become apparent. She sees many comparisons between her own mother and Veronica and hopes that things did turn out OK for the lady of the house.
I did really enjoy the parts of the story set in 2018 but it's the storyline set in 1943 which really caught my attention as I became lost in Veronica's story. The title led me to believe that there would be a character who uncovers a lost village but instead it's the reopening of the village which leads to long buried secrets being exposed and in doing so Melissa hopes to right many wrongs. Although everything occurs over a matter of days the author managed to pack so much in and this was all done without anything ever feeling rushed through or little silly things being flung into the story just for the sake of it. In fact the tension just increased with each chapter and the reader is left thinking that there is nothing but inevitability surrounding the outcome for the Tyneham's.
Lorna Cook did a brilliant job of painting a picture of a trapped woman on the cusp of breaking free yet she is thwarted at every corner. Being forced to leave one's home is very traumatic but for Veronica this is the opportunity she has been waiting for. It soon becomes very apparent that she has been trapped in a loveless, volatile and dangerous relationship. I couldn't fathom how Veronica had got herself caught up with Bertie or did she just go into the marriage with blinkers on? Now was her chance to escape his clutches and the scene is set for her to slip away n the day the villagers are set to leave Tyneham for what they believe to be but a short period. But things are sent to test her. Will she be able to break free?
Veronica was a character who had endured so much at the hands of Bertie and I could see that streak of independence within her waiting to break free. She had had more than enough and wanted to escape from the mental shackles and physical hardship she had suffered for far too long. But once Bertie gets the knife in and keeps twisting it he really doesn't give up without a fight. With the arrival of an unexpected visitor Veronica's plans are thrown into disarray and what follows is a very tense and dramatic story which will keep readers on the edge of their seats. You desperately want a positive outcome for Veronica but can't see how it can come about. I didn't at any stage judge her or think she was making rash decisions because the tide of her plans had turned. Instead I was rooting for her every step of the way. She was clever and intuitive but Bertie was always one step ahead of her. Given the little snippets that Melissa and Guy slowly start to uncover in the modern day, and what we come to understand through the events of 1943, one wonders how did certain things come about. But Lorna Cook had numerous surprises in store for her readers.
Bertie is the character whom every reader will dislike immensely. I had not one ounce of sympathy for him he didn't deserve it in the slightest. Hatred, fear, malice and brutality oozed from his every pore and I thought his justifications for being this way better be good if indeed he had any at all. Monster is the word I continuously thought of when reading scenes featuring Bertie. He created a life of threats, pain and despair for Veronica and quite honestly some of their scenes were hard to read at times being very detailed and not with holding any of the horrors Veronica endured. Veronica deserved happiness but how could she possibly succeed in escaping? Lorna Cook expertly built the tension and unease and you just knew this big bubbling pot was going to explode in dramatic fashion at some point and I wasn't disappointed in the slightest. In fact how Lorna ties the past to the present was so cleverly done and I was majorly surprised by the big twist and I was kicking myself that I hadn't spotted the clues or joined up the dots as on reflection they really were there for me to see.
Lorna Cook did really make you feel as if you had travelled back in time but yet I felt just as present with Melissa as I did with Veronica. I was glad this wasn't your typical wartime saga story as instead the focus shifted and centred on what was happening in the everyday lives of one affluent family as the war raged around them. Having the focus on just a specific few characters really helped to tighten the story and didn't allow for rambling or going off track from the main plot. Every character was well utilised, every conversation that took place was necessary and I never felt there was any filling in of pages just for the sake of it. Without doubt The Forgotten Village is an accomplished first novel with a masterfully woven storyline. I sense though that this is barely the tip of the iceberg as to what Lorna Cook can do and I really am looking forward to her next book already. In the meantime I wouldn't hesitate in recommending The Forgotten Village.
February 20, 2022
This turned out to be much better than I expected. I initially wanted to read it because its fiction based on fact surrounding the village of Tynemouth in Dorset which I've read quite a bit about. Tynemouth was requisitioned by the army in 1943 to be used in practice with the promise to the villagers that they could return after the war. They were never allowed to. I liked the dual stories in this book, a bit of romance but not too much and a mystery which I had guessed but still enjoyable.
April 20, 2019
Melissa had hoped a holiday in Dorset with her boyfriend Liam might cheer up their relationship. Instead she finds herself twiddling her thumbs whilst Liam goes off surfing! In an attempt to find something interesting to do she ends up in the village of Tyneham. This is the day it is being given back to the people after being requisitioned by the military in 1943. Whilst looking round an exhibition, she is intrigued by a photo of the Lord of the manor. It is the wife who she cannot forget. Lady Veronica looked terrified in the picture & she wanted to know why. He quest for the story leads her to meet Guy, the popular TV historian whose grandmother came from the the village.
Running parallel to Melissa's story is the story of Tyneham in the last days before everyone left.
This was a really interesting storyline. I really liked Melissa- she seemed so real & ordinary, especially when attacking the custard creams!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
Running parallel to Melissa's story is the story of Tyneham in the last days before everyone left.
This was a really interesting storyline. I really liked Melissa- she seemed so real & ordinary, especially when attacking the custard creams!
Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.
May 19, 2019
👍👍
Brilliant book. Loved the dual time line story.
I never knew about villages been taken over in the Second World War. It’s sad to think that they where never allowed back.
Brilliant book. Loved the dual time line story.
I never knew about villages been taken over in the Second World War. It’s sad to think that they where never allowed back.
February 6, 2022
ממש סבלתי בקריאה של הספר הזה.
אני דווקא מאוד אוהבת ספרים שבהם חושפים סוד מהעבר, תוך כדי מעבר בין עלילת ההווה לעלילת העבר, אבל הספר הזה היה ממש לא מוצלח. הסוד לא היה סוד והעלילה לא ממש הייתה עלילה. סיפור הווה היה מביך מאוד, גם עבור חובבת רומן-רומנטי כמוני. לא הצלחתי להבין מה מניע את הדמויות למצוא עניין זה בזו ומה מניע אותן לחשוף את העבר. וסיפור העבר עצמו היה לי מאוד קשה לקריאה, בשל האלימות שבו.
העלילה בקצרה: מליסה מגיע לחופשה בדורסט עם חבר דושבג שזורק אותה. היא מטיילת בכפר טיינהם שתושביו אולצו לנטוש אותו במהלך מלחמת העולם השנייה לטובת המאמץ המלחמתי. היא רואה שם תמונה של ורוניקה ואלברט סטנדיש שבה ורוניקה נראית מבועתת. התמונה מושכת אותה לברר על העבר בעזרתו של היסטוריון סלב. עלילת העבר חושפת את מערכת היחסים הקשה בין ורוניקה לאלברט. אזהרת טריגר לאנשים שרגישים לתיאורי אלימות (בעיקר אלימות של גברים נגד נשים).
ההמלצה היחידה שאני יכולה לתת היא: דלגו. יש ספרים הרבה יותר מוצלחים בז'אנר.
אני דווקא מאוד אוהבת ספרים שבהם חושפים סוד מהעבר, תוך כדי מעבר בין עלילת ההווה לעלילת העבר, אבל הספר הזה היה ממש לא מוצלח. הסוד לא היה סוד והעלילה לא ממש הייתה עלילה. סיפור הווה היה מביך מאוד, גם עבור חובבת רומן-רומנטי כמוני. לא הצלחתי להבין מה מניע את הדמויות למצוא עניין זה בזו ומה מניע אותן לחשוף את העבר. וסיפור העבר עצמו היה לי מאוד קשה לקריאה, בשל האלימות שבו.
העלילה בקצרה: מליסה מגיע לחופשה בדורסט עם חבר דושבג שזורק אותה. היא מטיילת בכפר טיינהם שתושביו אולצו לנטוש אותו במהלך מלחמת העולם השנייה לטובת המאמץ המלחמתי. היא רואה שם תמונה של ורוניקה ואלברט סטנדיש שבה ורוניקה נראית מבועתת. התמונה מושכת אותה לברר על העבר בעזרתו של היסטוריון סלב. עלילת העבר חושפת את מערכת היחסים הקשה בין ורוניקה לאלברט. אזהרת טריגר לאנשים שרגישים לתיאורי אלימות (בעיקר אלימות של גברים נגד נשים).
ההמלצה היחידה שאני יכולה לתת היא: דלגו. יש ספרים הרבה יותר מוצלחים בז'אנר.
February 27, 2019
An engaging dual timeline story, we follow Lady Veronica and her husband during WW2, and Melissa and tv personality/historian, Guy, in the present day.
Visiting the village of Tyneham that has just been reopened to the public following its requisition by the military during WW2, Melissa becomes fascinated by a photo of Lady Veronica and with the help of Guy, attempts to uncover the truth behind it.
The duality of the story is handled really well, and although I preferred the present day characters and their bubbling romance, the historical sections were strong too. It was fascinating to learn about the village of Tyneham, as I hadn't known anything about it until reading this book.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Visiting the village of Tyneham that has just been reopened to the public following its requisition by the military during WW2, Melissa becomes fascinated by a photo of Lady Veronica and with the help of Guy, attempts to uncover the truth behind it.
The duality of the story is handled really well, and although I preferred the present day characters and their bubbling romance, the historical sections were strong too. It was fascinating to learn about the village of Tyneham, as I hadn't known anything about it until reading this book.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
August 14, 2020
Dorset. Deve ser uma região maravilhosa para se conhecer e explorar. Um pequeno passeio em torno de uma atração turística transformou-se numa demanda para Melissa. Por causa de Veronica. A situação dela levava-a a fazer comparações desconfortáveis com a sua mãe mas também consigo. Veronica era casada com um indivíduo muito mau. Violento e maquiavélico. E Melissa percebeu isso ao olhar para uma fotografia na casa grande da Vila Esquecida.
Esta história é contada a dois tempos e não sei qual achei mais fascinante, se 2018 ou 1943. As ações destas duas protagonistas interessam nesta trama empolgante e emocionante. O final é o que esperava mas não diminuiu em nada a expectativa de o confirmar. A escrita é ótima e a narrativa escorreita e clara. Baseado em factos reais é um romance histórico que adorei ler.
Esta história é contada a dois tempos e não sei qual achei mais fascinante, se 2018 ou 1943. As ações destas duas protagonistas interessam nesta trama empolgante e emocionante. O final é o que esperava mas não diminuiu em nada a expectativa de o confirmar. A escrita é ótima e a narrativa escorreita e clara. Baseado em factos reais é um romance histórico que adorei ler.
May 27, 2023
Mais um romance fofinho do que um romance histórico. Alterna entre 1943 e 2018, embora a narrativa contemporânea acabe por ter mais peso na história.
Um daqueles livros super fáceis de ler, ideal para uma ressaca literária.
Um daqueles livros super fáceis de ler, ideal para uma ressaca literária.
August 6, 2020
Melissa vai passar uns dias de férias com o namorado mas acaba por, sozinha, visitar a reabertura da vila de Tyneham à população. Esta vila foi requisitada em 1943 pelo exército britânico para servir de base e treino durante a 2a Guerra Mundial.
Nessa visita conhece Guy, um famoso historiador e encontra um fotografia de um casal que viveu na vila na época que a deixou muito intrigada.
Esta história é contada em dois tempos: no presente e no passado em 1943, precisamente na altura em que população teve de abandonar as suas casas. Vamos conhecer Lady Verónica e Sir Albert que na véspera da saída da vila, um acontecimento muda a suas vidas para sempre.
Uma leitura muito boa, que me agarrou imediatamente. Adorei que a história fosse contada alternadamente em dois tempos e o final surpreendeu.
Nessa visita conhece Guy, um famoso historiador e encontra um fotografia de um casal que viveu na vila na época que a deixou muito intrigada.
Esta história é contada em dois tempos: no presente e no passado em 1943, precisamente na altura em que população teve de abandonar as suas casas. Vamos conhecer Lady Verónica e Sir Albert que na véspera da saída da vila, um acontecimento muda a suas vidas para sempre.
Uma leitura muito boa, que me agarrou imediatamente. Adorei que a história fosse contada alternadamente em dois tempos e o final surpreendeu.
April 8, 2019
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE by Lorna Cook is an outstanding blend of past and present with characters that really get under your skin until you find yourself on the edge of your seat willing them on.
When Melissa finds herself alone and ignored yet again by her useless boyfriend on their holiday in Dorset, she decides to do some sight-seeing and finds herself at the local village of Tyneham which has a sad and unusual history. Taken over during the war, the villagers and even those in the big house had to leave everything behind with the promise that their land would be returned as soon as the war was over. But it is 2018 and what is left of the village has only been reopened to the public. As Melissa wanders around, she sees a picture of the Lady Veronica of Tyneham and there is something about this photograph that haunts her. Together with historian, Guy, Melissa wants to find out what happened to Lady Veronica after she left, and the truth may be closer to home than they think. She needs to know that Veronica was alright and as Melissa delves deeper and deeper into the past, she may just find out more about herself and what she wants from her future.
Jumping between past and present we get the perfect blend of seeing Lady Veronica's harsh life play out in front of our eyes, while also experiencing Melissa and Guy's journey as they research to find out the truth. There is plenty of drama in both timelines to sink your teeth into with lies, betrayals, secrets, friendship, and true love bursting from the pages. I really connected with the characters and loved the relationship between Veronica and Anna the most. While Veronica tries to find a way to have the future she deserves, we also see Melissa in the present day try to deal with her family baggage so that she can figure out what she deserves too. The setting comes alive in both timelines and it is definitely somewhere you can picture as you read.
THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE by Lorna Cook is an epic first novel and I cannot wait for more from this talented author. A perfect story!
THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE by Lorna Cook is an outstanding blend of past and present with characters that really get under your skin until you find yourself on the edge of your seat willing them on.
When Melissa finds herself alone and ignored yet again by her useless boyfriend on their holiday in Dorset, she decides to do some sight-seeing and finds herself at the local village of Tyneham which has a sad and unusual history. Taken over during the war, the villagers and even those in the big house had to leave everything behind with the promise that their land would be returned as soon as the war was over. But it is 2018 and what is left of the village has only been reopened to the public. As Melissa wanders around, she sees a picture of the Lady Veronica of Tyneham and there is something about this photograph that haunts her. Together with historian, Guy, Melissa wants to find out what happened to Lady Veronica after she left, and the truth may be closer to home than they think. She needs to know that Veronica was alright and as Melissa delves deeper and deeper into the past, she may just find out more about herself and what she wants from her future.
Jumping between past and present we get the perfect blend of seeing Lady Veronica's harsh life play out in front of our eyes, while also experiencing Melissa and Guy's journey as they research to find out the truth. There is plenty of drama in both timelines to sink your teeth into with lies, betrayals, secrets, friendship, and true love bursting from the pages. I really connected with the characters and loved the relationship between Veronica and Anna the most. While Veronica tries to find a way to have the future she deserves, we also see Melissa in the present day try to deal with her family baggage so that she can figure out what she deserves too. The setting comes alive in both timelines and it is definitely somewhere you can picture as you read.
THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE by Lorna Cook is an epic first novel and I cannot wait for more from this talented author. A perfect story!
February 4, 2020
February bookclub book, i was not really a fan of this one, could have been 100 pages shorter, she goes on about things that we really didnt need to know about and honestly the love story did nothing for me.
Half following a modern day (2018) woman researching the story of another woman from the past (1943) who suffered horrific abuse at her husbands hands.
The reason for all the drama - fucking grainy photo of a woman looking a bit frightened... Feels a bit far fetched. Also handy that the "famous" historian's gran worked with the past lady as her hand maid.
It all seemed a bit lackluster, i worked out the "twist" it just wasn't all that clever. Characters very 2 dimensional and just didn't click with it tbh.
Main woman gets dumped then immediately falls in love the (handily) famous historian, he is married but going through a divorce (obvious) tabloids print pictures of them kissing (saw that coming) then three seconds later all is forgiven and then this never mentioned again. Literally a whole chapter on this im still bitter..
Not needed.
It just wasnt at all my type of thing and trigger warnings for domestic abuse, rape and alcohol abuse.
Half following a modern day (2018) woman researching the story of another woman from the past (1943) who suffered horrific abuse at her husbands hands.
The reason for all the drama - fucking grainy photo of a woman looking a bit frightened... Feels a bit far fetched. Also handy that the "famous" historian's gran worked with the past lady as her hand maid.
It all seemed a bit lackluster, i worked out the "twist" it just wasn't all that clever. Characters very 2 dimensional and just didn't click with it tbh.
Main woman gets dumped then immediately falls in love the (handily) famous historian, he is married but going through a divorce (obvious) tabloids print pictures of them kissing (saw that coming) then three seconds later all is forgiven and then this never mentioned again. Literally a whole chapter on this im still bitter..
Not needed.
It just wasnt at all my type of thing and trigger warnings for domestic abuse, rape and alcohol abuse.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2022
3.5 stars. A really enjoyable, dual timeline book between the present day and WW2. Always good when you learn something from a book and this was no exception! A little predictable in places, but didn’t detract from the rest of the book.
July 11, 2019
I needed a book that I could sink into and this was it.
I loved it.
I am a sucker for a dual time zone and this book was just spot on.
I read it in a day as it was just so good.
Thank you so much Netgalley, Lorna Cook and Avon Books for coming to my rescue.
I loved it.
I am a sucker for a dual time zone and this book was just spot on.
I read it in a day as it was just so good.
Thank you so much Netgalley, Lorna Cook and Avon Books for coming to my rescue.
March 17, 2019
Original review can be found at https://kristineandterri.blogspot.com...
3.5 stars
** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
The Forgotten Village was a dual-timeline story that took place in 2017 and in 1943 during WWII. With short and easy chapters that alternated between the two time frames, it was a quick book to get through.
In 2017 Melissa visited the town of Tyneham that was open for the first time since it was requisitioned during the war. It was while she was there that she saw a picture of a couple that inhabited Tyneham House that she couldn't get out of her head. It resonated with her and she found herself trying to find out what happened to the woman in the picture. With her personal life in the toilet and her professional one questionable, she had the time to do some digging with the help of a new found friend. In 1943 the story went back to the couple living at Tyneham house and the turbulent and dangerous relationship they had.
It's no secret that this is one of my favourite genres and that I absolutely adore dual timelines. I found myself enjoying both timelines in The Forgotten Village and liking the characters from both. It was a simple plot and I have to say that it was also pretty predictable. There were no real shocking moments or surprises with any of the outcomes. Having said that, it was still a pleasant story to read.
This book was more about the relationship between the different characters than it was about the actual war. Readers who are reluctant to dive into the historical fiction genre would have no trouble with tackling this book and enjoying it.
I can't wait to see what Lorna Cook comes out with next. Keep those dual timeline stories coming and I'll keep picking them up.
3.5 stars
** I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!**
The Forgotten Village was a dual-timeline story that took place in 2017 and in 1943 during WWII. With short and easy chapters that alternated between the two time frames, it was a quick book to get through.
In 2017 Melissa visited the town of Tyneham that was open for the first time since it was requisitioned during the war. It was while she was there that she saw a picture of a couple that inhabited Tyneham House that she couldn't get out of her head. It resonated with her and she found herself trying to find out what happened to the woman in the picture. With her personal life in the toilet and her professional one questionable, she had the time to do some digging with the help of a new found friend. In 1943 the story went back to the couple living at Tyneham house and the turbulent and dangerous relationship they had.
It's no secret that this is one of my favourite genres and that I absolutely adore dual timelines. I found myself enjoying both timelines in The Forgotten Village and liking the characters from both. It was a simple plot and I have to say that it was also pretty predictable. There were no real shocking moments or surprises with any of the outcomes. Having said that, it was still a pleasant story to read.
This book was more about the relationship between the different characters than it was about the actual war. Readers who are reluctant to dive into the historical fiction genre would have no trouble with tackling this book and enjoying it.
I can't wait to see what Lorna Cook comes out with next. Keep those dual timeline stories coming and I'll keep picking them up.
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