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The Homes
There were good people in The Homes. But there were also some very, very bad ones...
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness.
Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley decides to take the matter into her own hands. But unwanted children are easy victims, and Lesley is in terrible danger...
Inspired by a true story, and introducing readers to the unforgettable voice of young orphan Lesley, The Homes is a moving and lyrical thriller, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Chris Whitaker, Jane Casey and Denise Mina.
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness.
Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley decides to take the matter into her own hands. But unwanted children are easy victims, and Lesley is in terrible danger...
Inspired by a true story, and introducing readers to the unforgettable voice of young orphan Lesley, The Homes is a moving and lyrical thriller, perfect for readers of Val McDermid, Chris Whitaker, Jane Casey and Denise Mina.
384 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
June 1, 2022
Narrated by twelve year old orphan Lesley, The Homes by J B Mylet is an unusual crime thriller. Based on an actual village of orphans, Lesley and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5 at The Homes, in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. An older girl is found murdered behind the church sending fear amongst the group homes and then another teenage girl is also killed. Lesley and Jonesy decide to solve the murders with some assistance from the police detective in charge. When yet another girl’s body is discovered, the police seem clueless and the childrens’ safety is at grave risk. Life in the village continues and Lesley has to deal with friendships, her education and the continual questions she asks to discover the murderer. Part coming of age tale, with nicely building tension, comes this story of a truly remarkable hero whose own life becomes imperilled. An amazing debut novel that captures life realistically in the orphans’ village, has great characters and a four and a half star must read rating. With thanks to Serpent's Tail and the author, for an uncorrected advanced reader copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own and freely given.
May 5, 2022
4.5 stars rounded up
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in cottage 5, Jonesy is the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness. Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take the matter into their own hands.
Inspired by a true story. What makes it more believable is that it's told through the eyes of a child. A story of friendship in an Orphanage in the 1960s. The story is based on real people. Lesley is now twelve and she's been in The Homes since she was a baby. This should be a safe place for Lesley and her best friend Jonesy to grow up, but then a girl is found murdered. What a compelling read this book was. I liked the dynamic between Lesley and Jonesy. We learn about life in The Holes, and it's not all good. The gripping account moved me. It's beautifully and emotionally written.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #SerpentsTailViperProfileBooks and the author #JBMylet for my ARC of #TheHomes in exchange for an honest review.
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in cottage 5, Jonesy is the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness. Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take the matter into their own hands.
Inspired by a true story. What makes it more believable is that it's told through the eyes of a child. A story of friendship in an Orphanage in the 1960s. The story is based on real people. Lesley is now twelve and she's been in The Homes since she was a baby. This should be a safe place for Lesley and her best friend Jonesy to grow up, but then a girl is found murdered. What a compelling read this book was. I liked the dynamic between Lesley and Jonesy. We learn about life in The Holes, and it's not all good. The gripping account moved me. It's beautifully and emotionally written.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #SerpentsTailViperProfileBooks and the author #JBMylet for my ARC of #TheHomes in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2022
The easiest 5* I've given this year.
Told from the point of view of 12 year old Lesley, whose life in "The Homes", an orphan village, is defined by her friendships and circumstances, the narrative is melancholy and beautiful and genuinely captures the sense of 12 year old girl in a compelling way.
There is a murder mystery here but the whole heart of this novel is in the friendship at the heart of it and in the realities of the situation these children find themselves in. It made me laugh and it made me cry I think it will stay with me for a long long time.
One to watch this year. Don't miss this unique character voice.
Told from the point of view of 12 year old Lesley, whose life in "The Homes", an orphan village, is defined by her friendships and circumstances, the narrative is melancholy and beautiful and genuinely captures the sense of 12 year old girl in a compelling way.
There is a murder mystery here but the whole heart of this novel is in the friendship at the heart of it and in the realities of the situation these children find themselves in. It made me laugh and it made me cry I think it will stay with me for a long long time.
One to watch this year. Don't miss this unique character voice.
February 8, 2023
The Homes is a sad, dark murder mystery set in the 1960's in a children's orphanage village in the lowlands Scotland.
The story is told by 12 year old Lesley who is not a childish 12 year but intelligent one,it tells of her life and understanding of the bad and life.
I'd definitely recommend this 📚
The story is told by 12 year old Lesley who is not a childish 12 year but intelligent one,it tells of her life and understanding of the bad and life.
I'd definitely recommend this 📚
June 21, 2022
The Homes does exactly what it says on the tin – it’s a coming-of-age tale that will crack even the hardest of hearts.
A group of children’s homes set in the outskirts of Glasgow. It acts as a village of cared for children; they say it takes a village to raise a child, and in this case, it’s true. Each cottage has a set of houseparents and the children have as close to a normal upbringing as possible. The characters have had the worst starts in life but with love and discipline, they hope they can leave as well-rounded individuals.
After learning that The Homes was based on a true story my heart ached for these girls and boys. Lesley is a beautiful soul. Her passion for maths and for her friends comes out in her voice with crystal clear clarity. Never have I got a sense of a protagonist’s accent, her mannerisms, and her vigour for life. Her best friend, Morag (Jonsey) can only be described as a spitfire. She knows what she wants, and she chases it until it is within her grasp. As a duo they are unstoppable. When a girl ends up murdered on the grounds of The Homes, Lesley and Jonesy are determined to solve it.
Now as you can imagine two twelve-year-olds trying to solve a murder is highly unlikely, but with Lesley’s love of problem-solving and mathematical equations and Jonesy’s rabid dog tenacity will they get close to following the clues to the killer?
The author has done a magnificent job of tapping into the reader’s ability to associate with emotions. This is a highly emotive novel, and any potential readers need to be prepared for the onslaught of pain and longing that these children endure. The undertones of every word leave you feeling anxious, real edge-of-your-seat stuff.
The story is fast-paced and when it started to escalate, the darkness was rife. The creepiness oozes from the pages, imagine girls turning up dead in the one place you should be safe, will you be next? I began doubting characters, my own assumptions, and even the place.
Lesley fights to get to the bottom of the murders. She searches for evidence and motive oftentimes illegally. She knows she can find the killer with just a bit more information; she longs to solve it like a difficult maths equation. The author drip-feeds the reader information, and we understand why characters behave in the manner that they do.
M.J. Mylet cleverly builds an intense plot, it’s a maze and the reader tries to run through it to finally make it to the clearing and discover its secrets, but the author has created many misdirections before finally giving it up.
The Homes is a story told with honesty, emotion, and originality. One of the most moving novels with its surefootedness. It’s a formidable tale.
A group of children’s homes set in the outskirts of Glasgow. It acts as a village of cared for children; they say it takes a village to raise a child, and in this case, it’s true. Each cottage has a set of houseparents and the children have as close to a normal upbringing as possible. The characters have had the worst starts in life but with love and discipline, they hope they can leave as well-rounded individuals.
After learning that The Homes was based on a true story my heart ached for these girls and boys. Lesley is a beautiful soul. Her passion for maths and for her friends comes out in her voice with crystal clear clarity. Never have I got a sense of a protagonist’s accent, her mannerisms, and her vigour for life. Her best friend, Morag (Jonsey) can only be described as a spitfire. She knows what she wants, and she chases it until it is within her grasp. As a duo they are unstoppable. When a girl ends up murdered on the grounds of The Homes, Lesley and Jonesy are determined to solve it.
Now as you can imagine two twelve-year-olds trying to solve a murder is highly unlikely, but with Lesley’s love of problem-solving and mathematical equations and Jonesy’s rabid dog tenacity will they get close to following the clues to the killer?
The author has done a magnificent job of tapping into the reader’s ability to associate with emotions. This is a highly emotive novel, and any potential readers need to be prepared for the onslaught of pain and longing that these children endure. The undertones of every word leave you feeling anxious, real edge-of-your-seat stuff.
The story is fast-paced and when it started to escalate, the darkness was rife. The creepiness oozes from the pages, imagine girls turning up dead in the one place you should be safe, will you be next? I began doubting characters, my own assumptions, and even the place.
Lesley fights to get to the bottom of the murders. She searches for evidence and motive oftentimes illegally. She knows she can find the killer with just a bit more information; she longs to solve it like a difficult maths equation. The author drip-feeds the reader information, and we understand why characters behave in the manner that they do.
M.J. Mylet cleverly builds an intense plot, it’s a maze and the reader tries to run through it to finally make it to the clearing and discover its secrets, but the author has created many misdirections before finally giving it up.
The Homes is a story told with honesty, emotion, and originality. One of the most moving novels with its surefootedness. It’s a formidable tale.
May 29, 2022
It’s the 1960s and twelve year old Lesley lives, along with thousands of other unwanted children, in the Homes, a community in rural Scotland. Lesley has lived in the Homes all her life, she knows nothing else. But life is made bearable by her passion for learning and her very best friend, Morag Jones. They share a bedroom and are going to be friends for ever.
Then a child is found murdered at the Homes. Then another. The police don’t seem to have a clue so Lesley and Jonesy decide that they are going to do some detective work of their own, after all they know the place like the back of their hands. Is the killer somebody they know and will he strike again?
What a haunting and heartbreaking novel this is. Based on a true story it lets you appreciate the true horror of orphanages like the Homes and the suffering and sadness of many of the kids placed there. Lesley broke my heart a little bit. She was funny and feisty and good and honest, she needed a break. She needed a family. She needed love.
Part crime, part drama, this is a thrilling yet tender novel. You’ll fall in love with Lesley and her story won’t leave you. I know I’ll be thinking about her for a long time.
Then a child is found murdered at the Homes. Then another. The police don’t seem to have a clue so Lesley and Jonesy decide that they are going to do some detective work of their own, after all they know the place like the back of their hands. Is the killer somebody they know and will he strike again?
What a haunting and heartbreaking novel this is. Based on a true story it lets you appreciate the true horror of orphanages like the Homes and the suffering and sadness of many of the kids placed there. Lesley broke my heart a little bit. She was funny and feisty and good and honest, she needed a break. She needed a family. She needed love.
Part crime, part drama, this is a thrilling yet tender novel. You’ll fall in love with Lesley and her story won’t leave you. I know I’ll be thinking about her for a long time.
May 17, 2022
What an absolutely wonderful book!
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness.
Life is hard and for these young children it becomes even harder when some of them own turn up murdered, who could be doing this to innocent children and why? The book has a wonderful cast of characters all brilliantly portrayed with great depth that allow the reader to really become a part of their lives and oh how your emotions roll with the terrible events taking place around them. There are also some caring people who really do care for Lesley but as all things in life these can be few and far between and not always constant in their lives.
I loved the deep friendship between Lesley and Jonesy and my heart caught in my mouth at the what I probably should have seen coming but didn't, all I can say is that I had tears in my eyes as I read further on. The author does a wonderful job of describing the girls relationship and even though there are tough realities the two have to face there are also some wonderful humerous moments that touched me very deeply.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for allowing me into Lesley's world, it really was a privilege. All opinions in this review are my own.
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness.
Life is hard and for these young children it becomes even harder when some of them own turn up murdered, who could be doing this to innocent children and why? The book has a wonderful cast of characters all brilliantly portrayed with great depth that allow the reader to really become a part of their lives and oh how your emotions roll with the terrible events taking place around them. There are also some caring people who really do care for Lesley but as all things in life these can be few and far between and not always constant in their lives.
I loved the deep friendship between Lesley and Jonesy and my heart caught in my mouth at the what I probably should have seen coming but didn't, all I can say is that I had tears in my eyes as I read further on. The author does a wonderful job of describing the girls relationship and even though there are tough realities the two have to face there are also some wonderful humerous moments that touched me very deeply.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for allowing me into Lesley's world, it really was a privilege. All opinions in this review are my own.
May 22, 2022
- There were good people in The Homes. But there were also some very, very bad ones. Life is often cruel there but it suddenly becomes even crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. But unwanted children are easy victims and as Lesley and her best friend Jonesy decide to take matters into their own hands, they find themselves in terrible danger —
The book is narrated by Lesley, a twelve year old staying in cottage 5 of The Homes, a fictional orphan’s village near Glasgow, that is self contained with its own school, church, shops and even a small hospital. The story starts with Lesley waking up knowing she has to fight another girl that morning before school, perfectly setting the scene for how hard survival is for the children. I genuinely got into the mind of Lesley and we get to share her fear, grief, loneliness and the numerous emotions being an unwanted child, along with her excited determination to find a brutal killer. Seeing the world through a twelve year old eyes, thinking that life in the village is the norm for children broke my heart, her innocence at wondering why there are bad people in the world and can a God even exist when people do bad things? An interesting perspective from such a young girl.
I loved the friendship between Lesley and her best friend Jonesy, so honest and genuine and my heart went out to them both throughout the story.
Sadly, the premise for this book was inspired by a true story affecting the author’s mother, regarding the time she herself spent in the infamous Quarriers orphan village in Scotland, during the 1950/60’s.
Truly heartbreaking to learn that this fascinating story is based on real life experiences but kudos to the author J.B. Mylet for highlighting the issues and the emotions of young children in care, living in those conditions back then. Incorporating it with a murder mystery was a clever plan and it really worked due to the many characters personalities.
#TheHomes - 4.5 stars
Thank you to Rosie Parnham and Viper/Profile Books for inviting me on the online book tour for “The Homes” and for my copy of the book in return for an honest opinion.
The book is narrated by Lesley, a twelve year old staying in cottage 5 of The Homes, a fictional orphan’s village near Glasgow, that is self contained with its own school, church, shops and even a small hospital. The story starts with Lesley waking up knowing she has to fight another girl that morning before school, perfectly setting the scene for how hard survival is for the children. I genuinely got into the mind of Lesley and we get to share her fear, grief, loneliness and the numerous emotions being an unwanted child, along with her excited determination to find a brutal killer. Seeing the world through a twelve year old eyes, thinking that life in the village is the norm for children broke my heart, her innocence at wondering why there are bad people in the world and can a God even exist when people do bad things? An interesting perspective from such a young girl.
I loved the friendship between Lesley and her best friend Jonesy, so honest and genuine and my heart went out to them both throughout the story.
Sadly, the premise for this book was inspired by a true story affecting the author’s mother, regarding the time she herself spent in the infamous Quarriers orphan village in Scotland, during the 1950/60’s.
Truly heartbreaking to learn that this fascinating story is based on real life experiences but kudos to the author J.B. Mylet for highlighting the issues and the emotions of young children in care, living in those conditions back then. Incorporating it with a murder mystery was a clever plan and it really worked due to the many characters personalities.
#TheHomes - 4.5 stars
Thank you to Rosie Parnham and Viper/Profile Books for inviting me on the online book tour for “The Homes” and for my copy of the book in return for an honest opinion.
March 28, 2022
I couldn’t get enough of this book. After reading the blurb I knew I had to read it.
Set in the outskirts of Glasgow, it wasn’t long before the Scottish accents of the characters were chattering in my head. I’ve never heard of an orphanage being run in this way where so many children live in a cottage with house parents. Knowing that the novel had been inspired by a true story, had left me eager for more and there is more on that at the end of the book and how it all originated which was just as fascinating as the novel itself.
The story is told from the point of view of Lesley who is twelve. In some aspects, it brought a bit of humour to the story as to how a child’s mind works. It was also heart-breaking. Some of the children have never known their parents where as some do but for various reasons find themselves living at The Homes. The friendship between Lesley and Jonesy, Morgan Jones, was especially endearing and it reminded me of what it was like to be at that age.
Whilst it feels a bit like a whodunnit, this was so much more. It isn’t a fast paced crime thriller and even though there are murders, it isn’t gruesome so is an ideal read for young adults as well as those who prefer this genre on a softer level. Even though I am a hardened crime fiction lover, this was so beautifully done and it tugged on my emotions.
The Homes is without a doubt a standout read that will be in my top ten books for 2022. You know how connected you are with a character when you dread reaching the end of the book as you know it means you must say goodbye. Lesley is such an amazing character who I cared about greatly and I know she will stay with me for a long time to come. I don’t think I have ever read a book in this genre that has emotionally connected with me on so many levels. I absolutely adored this book and it is so wonderfully written. I am very excited to read more by the author.
My thanks to Viper Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Set in the outskirts of Glasgow, it wasn’t long before the Scottish accents of the characters were chattering in my head. I’ve never heard of an orphanage being run in this way where so many children live in a cottage with house parents. Knowing that the novel had been inspired by a true story, had left me eager for more and there is more on that at the end of the book and how it all originated which was just as fascinating as the novel itself.
The story is told from the point of view of Lesley who is twelve. In some aspects, it brought a bit of humour to the story as to how a child’s mind works. It was also heart-breaking. Some of the children have never known their parents where as some do but for various reasons find themselves living at The Homes. The friendship between Lesley and Jonesy, Morgan Jones, was especially endearing and it reminded me of what it was like to be at that age.
Whilst it feels a bit like a whodunnit, this was so much more. It isn’t a fast paced crime thriller and even though there are murders, it isn’t gruesome so is an ideal read for young adults as well as those who prefer this genre on a softer level. Even though I am a hardened crime fiction lover, this was so beautifully done and it tugged on my emotions.
The Homes is without a doubt a standout read that will be in my top ten books for 2022. You know how connected you are with a character when you dread reaching the end of the book as you know it means you must say goodbye. Lesley is such an amazing character who I cared about greatly and I know she will stay with me for a long time to come. I don’t think I have ever read a book in this genre that has emotionally connected with me on so many levels. I absolutely adored this book and it is so wonderfully written. I am very excited to read more by the author.
My thanks to Viper Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
October 21, 2022
This book completely blew me away, I immediately regretted not reading this from my Netgalley shelf soon.
The story really drew me in (especially as based on true events), my heart melted for Lesley and the steps that she took to find out what happened, despite the grief she was experiencing.
A must read that I couldn’t recommend more.
The story really drew me in (especially as based on true events), my heart melted for Lesley and the steps that she took to find out what happened, despite the grief she was experiencing.
A must read that I couldn’t recommend more.
May 8, 2022
Inspired by a true story, The Homes is told through the eyes of twelve-year-old Lesley, who lives in a self-contained village for unwanted and abandoned children in Scotland. When a child is found murdered, and then another Lesley and her best friend Jonsey decide to hunt find the killer. Although The Homes is a ‘whodunnit’, It’s the characters that make this book such a compelling read.
The thing I loved about this book is the friendship between Lesley and Jonesy, together they face abuse, hardship and social injustice in the Homes. There’re as different as chalk and cheese, but they complement each other perfectly. Mylet has done a fantastic job in creating characters that grab a piece of your heart. I laughed, I cried, and I feared for the girls’ safety.
Even after I finished this book, my thoughts kept returning to Lesley and Jonesy. The Homes is beautifully written and although I enjoyed the crime element, for me this book was all about the characters, and that’s why The Homes will sit firmly on my list of top reads of 2022. Highly recommended.
The thing I loved about this book is the friendship between Lesley and Jonesy, together they face abuse, hardship and social injustice in the Homes. There’re as different as chalk and cheese, but they complement each other perfectly. Mylet has done a fantastic job in creating characters that grab a piece of your heart. I laughed, I cried, and I feared for the girls’ safety.
Even after I finished this book, my thoughts kept returning to Lesley and Jonesy. The Homes is beautifully written and although I enjoyed the crime element, for me this book was all about the characters, and that’s why The Homes will sit firmly on my list of top reads of 2022. Highly recommended.
August 24, 2023
Good mystery and a uniquely Scottish story, which is exactly what I was looking for
May 26, 2022
All of my reviews can be found at https://damppebbles.com/
Lesley and Jonesy are twelve-year-old best friends who have been abandoned by their parents. They’re unloved. They live in the Homes, a purpose built village in Scotland, alongside nearly 800 other orphaned and abandoned children. Life is tough. Beatings are common. But it’s the only life they know. When one of the older teenage girls is found dead, it’s the most exciting and interesting thing to have ever happened at the Homes. But when a second girl is killed, realisation dawns on the children. There’s a killer loose targeting the young female population of the Homes and any of the girls could be next. Lesley and Jonesy don’t want to die so they take it upon themselves to try and solve the murders. But the more they dig and poke around, pointing fingers at the staff, the closer to danger they get…
Oh my word, this book! I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from The Homes but what I got was a brilliantly written mystery featuring some of the most memorable characters I’ve met, alongside a bit of an education about the Quarriers Homes and how life was for the children who lived there.
Lesley is such a wonderful character. We meet her as she’s just about to face up to bully Glenda McAdam and it’s immediately clear to the reader that Lesley is very much out of her depth. She’s a clever girl and brawling, particularly with the powerhouse that is Glenda, is not something she wants to do. Egged on by best pal Jonesy, she knows the only way to get Glenda off her back is to stand up to her. And that’s exactly what she does. This opening chapter provides the reader with everything they need to know about Lesley. It’s a beautiful introduction to a character who will stay in your heart long after you’ve finished reading.
The Homes is very much Lesley’s story. Her life, her friends, how she copes with being one of only four children from the Homes who attends the grammar school, the relentless teasing and bullying she gets for being smart, her weekly meetings with Eadie, the on-call psychologist, her interactions with her strict houseparents – Mr & Mrs Paterson – and the other girls who share a room with her, and it’s an absolutely fascinating, highly compelling tale. I was completely smitten with Lesley’s story. Her life isn’t perfect but she has routine and stability, and it’s all she knows.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Homes is a well-written and compelling tale which I was drawn into from the moment I met Lesley. I adored spending time in her world and I now feel a little bereft having finished the book. I couldn’t for the life of me work out whodunit so when the reveal did happen, I was shocked. I also really, really enjoyed that the author has used local dialect throughout the book to tell the story – lots of deids and heids and cannaes – which really added to the authenticity of the story. I read the entire book with a Scottish accent! Emotional, devastating at times, and with a well-plotted mystery at its heart, The Homes is a must read for readers who like strong character-driven tales. Highly recommended.
Lesley and Jonesy are twelve-year-old best friends who have been abandoned by their parents. They’re unloved. They live in the Homes, a purpose built village in Scotland, alongside nearly 800 other orphaned and abandoned children. Life is tough. Beatings are common. But it’s the only life they know. When one of the older teenage girls is found dead, it’s the most exciting and interesting thing to have ever happened at the Homes. But when a second girl is killed, realisation dawns on the children. There’s a killer loose targeting the young female population of the Homes and any of the girls could be next. Lesley and Jonesy don’t want to die so they take it upon themselves to try and solve the murders. But the more they dig and poke around, pointing fingers at the staff, the closer to danger they get…
Oh my word, this book! I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from The Homes but what I got was a brilliantly written mystery featuring some of the most memorable characters I’ve met, alongside a bit of an education about the Quarriers Homes and how life was for the children who lived there.
Lesley is such a wonderful character. We meet her as she’s just about to face up to bully Glenda McAdam and it’s immediately clear to the reader that Lesley is very much out of her depth. She’s a clever girl and brawling, particularly with the powerhouse that is Glenda, is not something she wants to do. Egged on by best pal Jonesy, she knows the only way to get Glenda off her back is to stand up to her. And that’s exactly what she does. This opening chapter provides the reader with everything they need to know about Lesley. It’s a beautiful introduction to a character who will stay in your heart long after you’ve finished reading.
The Homes is very much Lesley’s story. Her life, her friends, how she copes with being one of only four children from the Homes who attends the grammar school, the relentless teasing and bullying she gets for being smart, her weekly meetings with Eadie, the on-call psychologist, her interactions with her strict houseparents – Mr & Mrs Paterson – and the other girls who share a room with her, and it’s an absolutely fascinating, highly compelling tale. I was completely smitten with Lesley’s story. Her life isn’t perfect but she has routine and stability, and it’s all she knows.
Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Homes is a well-written and compelling tale which I was drawn into from the moment I met Lesley. I adored spending time in her world and I now feel a little bereft having finished the book. I couldn’t for the life of me work out whodunit so when the reveal did happen, I was shocked. I also really, really enjoyed that the author has used local dialect throughout the book to tell the story – lots of deids and heids and cannaes – which really added to the authenticity of the story. I read the entire book with a Scottish accent! Emotional, devastating at times, and with a well-plotted mystery at its heart, The Homes is a must read for readers who like strong character-driven tales. Highly recommended.
December 22, 2023
“The Homes” is the debut novel of J B Mylet. It is set in the 1960’s and was inspired by the stories of Mylet’s mother who grew up in the Quarrier’s Homes for orphans and unwanted children in Scotland.
Some would say that “The Homes” is a crime novel; some would say it is a coming of age novel; some would say it’s an epic tale of love and loss, and friendship and “family”…and no one would be wrong. For me it’s all of those things and more.
For me this is a story of a particular summer in the life of an extraordinary young girl who has experienced all the highs and lows, and everything in between, that her world could possibly deliver.
The backdrop for “The Homes” provides insights into life in these establishments during the 1960’s. Mylet shines a light, through his mothers stories, on the often unacknowledged paedaphilia; the bullying by the kids of the kids; the violent physical punishment meted out by those who were charged to care for those those kids.
Mylet has done a wonderful job in providing the voice of the main character, Lesley Beaton. Lesley is smart, inquisitive, determined, and resilient…but she is also a twelve year old girl who is young, naive, yet to fully understand the world she lives in and the people who live in it (especially the adults).
As Lesley discovers more and more the nuances and vagaries of life, its joys and unfairness, and the reality that nothing is simply black and white the reader’s heart is uplifted and breaks in equal measure. You will laugh openly, want to cry softly, and hold your breath without even realising it as Lesley’s story unfolds.
With themes of love, loyalty, and loss; of forgiveness and blame; of protection and selflessness; of fear and hope “The Homes” is a truly wonderful debut.
“The Homes” gets 4 serves of sausage and tatties out of 5.
Some would say that “The Homes” is a crime novel; some would say it is a coming of age novel; some would say it’s an epic tale of love and loss, and friendship and “family”…and no one would be wrong. For me it’s all of those things and more.
For me this is a story of a particular summer in the life of an extraordinary young girl who has experienced all the highs and lows, and everything in between, that her world could possibly deliver.
The backdrop for “The Homes” provides insights into life in these establishments during the 1960’s. Mylet shines a light, through his mothers stories, on the often unacknowledged paedaphilia; the bullying by the kids of the kids; the violent physical punishment meted out by those who were charged to care for those those kids.
Mylet has done a wonderful job in providing the voice of the main character, Lesley Beaton. Lesley is smart, inquisitive, determined, and resilient…but she is also a twelve year old girl who is young, naive, yet to fully understand the world she lives in and the people who live in it (especially the adults).
As Lesley discovers more and more the nuances and vagaries of life, its joys and unfairness, and the reality that nothing is simply black and white the reader’s heart is uplifted and breaks in equal measure. You will laugh openly, want to cry softly, and hold your breath without even realising it as Lesley’s story unfolds.
With themes of love, loyalty, and loss; of forgiveness and blame; of protection and selflessness; of fear and hope “The Homes” is a truly wonderful debut.
“The Homes” gets 4 serves of sausage and tatties out of 5.
March 11, 2022
I absolutely picked up this book because Mr Brookmyre loved it, and there were bits in it I could understand why he did.
Lesser was a fantastic central character, I could have happily listened to her talk about life, the homes, school and everything for a long time.
The murders seemed like a different book.
Squeezed in and hurriedly finished in the last few pages.
I'm not sure I enjoyed them both together.
However, as the majority of the book was the eyes through a funny 12 year old, I enjoyed it
Lesser was a fantastic central character, I could have happily listened to her talk about life, the homes, school and everything for a long time.
The murders seemed like a different book.
Squeezed in and hurriedly finished in the last few pages.
I'm not sure I enjoyed them both together.
However, as the majority of the book was the eyes through a funny 12 year old, I enjoyed it
March 4, 2023
I loved this book it was a Waterstones book of the month and was based on a real home. The author transports you to the homes described by A 12 year old girl. One of the best books I have read for some time.
May 21, 2023
Loved this so much I read it all in a day!
March 26, 2025
I was a little under whelmed by this book which surprised me as most of the reviews are very good.
I just didn't really feel the main characters and felt they lacked depth.
I just didn't really feel the main characters and felt they lacked depth.
May 26, 2022
I’m sometimes amazed by what I learn from reading. I had no idea that there were Orphan villages for children whose parents were dead, imprisoned or otherwise unable to care for their offspring.
This is where J.B. Mylet has chosen to set his thriller. I use the term thriller loosely because this read more like a family drama. The book considers societal divide as well as judgment and religion in the 1960s, where it was acceptable for parents to abandon their children to the state, but not for a successful, unmarried woman to bring a child into the world.
This element was really interesting, but would have liked a lot more information on the homes themselves, as well as the reasons why the children were there. That was fascinating for me and the plot felt secondary to the concept which could have been better explored and used to intensify the drama and fear factor of the book.
Mylet did a really good job of capturing Lesley’s naïve mind, believing she was helping the police to catch the killer and showing a child’s perspective of the incident. Her friendship with Jonesy was lovely and it was a delight to read about their dynamic friendship.
What lets the book down is the fact that there was no real anticipation or sense of foreboding and the final reveal of our murderer seemed quite ridiculous, especially given what we learned about them.
A fantastic concept, good story, but an average thriller.
This is where J.B. Mylet has chosen to set his thriller. I use the term thriller loosely because this read more like a family drama. The book considers societal divide as well as judgment and religion in the 1960s, where it was acceptable for parents to abandon their children to the state, but not for a successful, unmarried woman to bring a child into the world.
This element was really interesting, but would have liked a lot more information on the homes themselves, as well as the reasons why the children were there. That was fascinating for me and the plot felt secondary to the concept which could have been better explored and used to intensify the drama and fear factor of the book.
Mylet did a really good job of capturing Lesley’s naïve mind, believing she was helping the police to catch the killer and showing a child’s perspective of the incident. Her friendship with Jonesy was lovely and it was a delight to read about their dynamic friendship.
What lets the book down is the fact that there was no real anticipation or sense of foreboding and the final reveal of our murderer seemed quite ridiculous, especially given what we learned about them.
A fantastic concept, good story, but an average thriller.
May 19, 2023
2,5
A ver, los personajes estaban bastante bien, es decir, cada uno tiene su personalidad marcada. El libro en realidad no está tan mal solo que muchas veces se hace pesado porque no avanza nada.
No es un libro en el que el misterio sea la trama principal, el libro va sobre Lesley y de su visa aunque durante esto tienen lugar los asesinatos que forman el misterio. Lo que mas me ha gustado ha sido mas de la mitad para el final porque es cuando todo empieza a resolverse, ya conoces a todos los personajes y además no paran de pasar cosas.
La protagonista a veces parecía mas pequeña de lo que en realidad era en cuanto a como se comportaba y eso molestaba un poco
Por lo general está bien el libro pero tampoco es la gran cosa, sobre todo me ha servido porque me lo he leído en inglés y eso siempre ayuda.
<3
A ver, los personajes estaban bastante bien, es decir, cada uno tiene su personalidad marcada. El libro en realidad no está tan mal solo que muchas veces se hace pesado porque no avanza nada.
No es un libro en el que el misterio sea la trama principal, el libro va sobre Lesley y de su visa aunque durante esto tienen lugar los asesinatos que forman el misterio. Lo que mas me ha gustado ha sido mas de la mitad para el final porque es cuando todo empieza a resolverse, ya conoces a todos los personajes y además no paran de pasar cosas.
La protagonista a veces parecía mas pequeña de lo que en realidad era en cuanto a como se comportaba y eso molestaba un poco
Por lo general está bien el libro pero tampoco es la gran cosa, sobre todo me ha servido porque me lo he leído en inglés y eso siempre ayuda.
<3
May 24, 2022
An excellent whodunit featuring two orphaned pre-teen living in a village for children nobody want.
It was a gripping and well plotted story, heartbreaking at moment.
The author is a good storyteller, the mystery is solid, and i loved the strong relationship between the MCs.
A good story, can't wait to read another book by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It was a gripping and well plotted story, heartbreaking at moment.
The author is a good storyteller, the mystery is solid, and i loved the strong relationship between the MCs.
A good story, can't wait to read another book by this author.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
March 5, 2023
This was a book purchased with my Christmas gift card for Waterstones. When I bought it, it was Waterstones’ Scottish Book of the Month. On the front cover, one-line reviews from two authors whose writing I enjoy. “One of the Scottish crime books of the year”- Chris Brookmyre and “Extraordinary” - James Oswald.
The Homes is set in a fictional version of the Quarriers village for orphaned children, in the 1960s. I wasn’t aware that all the references in recent years to Quarriers and the children’s home abuses actually related to a village made up of children’s homes. After years of working with children and families in the children’s hearing system, foster care, children’s homes, I read this with probably different eyes to the “usual reader”. I no longer work in that field, and I found a great deal of this book made me feel heartsore.
However, focussing on the book! The narrator of the story is Lesley, a 12 year old girl, living in Cottage 5 at The Homes. Lesley has been in the homes since she was three weeks old (as per page 11 - the back cover says she was 6 years old??), and her best pal, Jonesy, has been there since about then too. The two of them are almost inseparable, sleeping in beds next to each other, sometimes in the same bed.
The story begins with a body being found in the woods beside the Homes. Jane, an older girl who used to live in the same house as Lesley and Jonesy is found dead, murdered. The police and the adults don’t seem to be doing a very good job of catching the murderer, so Jonesy decides she and Lesley will have to investigate themselves.
Although this is billed as a crime book, I’m not sure it fits neatly in there. It is historical fiction, has traits of family saga, and overall themes of friendship, resilience, coming of age. I found it heart wrenching (still not emotionally over my previous job), sobbed my way through part of it, and overall, I enjoyed the story. I was really rooting for Lesley and Jonesy the whole way through.
The ending was unexpected for me, and I think it could potentially have been explored a bit more thoroughly. It did really seem to come out of the blue - both whodunnit and how they got found out.
So overall, 4*.
The Homes is set in a fictional version of the Quarriers village for orphaned children, in the 1960s. I wasn’t aware that all the references in recent years to Quarriers and the children’s home abuses actually related to a village made up of children’s homes. After years of working with children and families in the children’s hearing system, foster care, children’s homes, I read this with probably different eyes to the “usual reader”. I no longer work in that field, and I found a great deal of this book made me feel heartsore.
However, focussing on the book! The narrator of the story is Lesley, a 12 year old girl, living in Cottage 5 at The Homes. Lesley has been in the homes since she was three weeks old (as per page 11 - the back cover says she was 6 years old??), and her best pal, Jonesy, has been there since about then too. The two of them are almost inseparable, sleeping in beds next to each other, sometimes in the same bed.
The story begins with a body being found in the woods beside the Homes. Jane, an older girl who used to live in the same house as Lesley and Jonesy is found dead, murdered. The police and the adults don’t seem to be doing a very good job of catching the murderer, so Jonesy decides she and Lesley will have to investigate themselves.
Although this is billed as a crime book, I’m not sure it fits neatly in there. It is historical fiction, has traits of family saga, and overall themes of friendship, resilience, coming of age. I found it heart wrenching (still not emotionally over my previous job), sobbed my way through part of it, and overall, I enjoyed the story. I was really rooting for Lesley and Jonesy the whole way through.
The ending was unexpected for me, and I think it could potentially have been explored a bit more thoroughly. It did really seem to come out of the blue - both whodunnit and how they got found out.
So overall, 4*.
April 10, 2022
Thanks to Viper, Serpent’s Tail and Profile books, I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.
This story is told by Lesley, a resident at a purpose-built, self-contained village for unwanted and abandoned children, in 1960's Scotland; 'The Homes'.
It's meant to be a safe place for them to grow up, cared for and nurtured to adulthood. Most of the adults try their best, but some don't, and use the Homes as a place to satisfy themselves and take out the frustrations of their lives on the children.
Lesley is special. She's intelligent, quick-witted and physically and emotionally tougher than she thinks. The author has created one of the most 'real' characters I've read in a very long time. As we follow her daily thoughts, dreams and hopes, we get to really know her, in a way that not many writers can pull off.
Things take a dark turn when one of the young female residents of the Homes is found murdered, then another is found soon after. All thoughts turn to who could be responsible, and why would they be killing young girls. Lesley and her best friend Jonesy decide to do the polis's job for them, when it appears they are incapable of tracking the killer down.
Things then take another, even darker turn. Something happens that really made my jaw drop, and brought tears to my eyes. Such is the skill with which the characters are brought to life, and their voices 'heard', that what happens absolutely shook me. Well done to the author!
The killer is eventually caught, I didn't guess their identity, others might, but although the murder mystery aspect is an important part of why I enjoyed this book so much, the real joy for me was getting to know Lesley, and all the challenges she faces, and they are many.
I could quite happily read about her further, I want to know what Lesley did next, how did her life turn out, did she achieve her aims, where is she now? Surely there's no greater thing a novelist can do than make their characters really live and breathe.
Five stars from me, best novel I've read this year, cannot recommend highly enough.
This story is told by Lesley, a resident at a purpose-built, self-contained village for unwanted and abandoned children, in 1960's Scotland; 'The Homes'.
It's meant to be a safe place for them to grow up, cared for and nurtured to adulthood. Most of the adults try their best, but some don't, and use the Homes as a place to satisfy themselves and take out the frustrations of their lives on the children.
Lesley is special. She's intelligent, quick-witted and physically and emotionally tougher than she thinks. The author has created one of the most 'real' characters I've read in a very long time. As we follow her daily thoughts, dreams and hopes, we get to really know her, in a way that not many writers can pull off.
Things take a dark turn when one of the young female residents of the Homes is found murdered, then another is found soon after. All thoughts turn to who could be responsible, and why would they be killing young girls. Lesley and her best friend Jonesy decide to do the polis's job for them, when it appears they are incapable of tracking the killer down.
Things then take another, even darker turn. Something happens that really made my jaw drop, and brought tears to my eyes. Such is the skill with which the characters are brought to life, and their voices 'heard', that what happens absolutely shook me. Well done to the author!
The killer is eventually caught, I didn't guess their identity, others might, but although the murder mystery aspect is an important part of why I enjoyed this book so much, the real joy for me was getting to know Lesley, and all the challenges she faces, and they are many.
I could quite happily read about her further, I want to know what Lesley did next, how did her life turn out, did she achieve her aims, where is she now? Surely there's no greater thing a novelist can do than make their characters really live and breathe.
Five stars from me, best novel I've read this year, cannot recommend highly enough.
March 27, 2022
O blimey, this one made me cry.
Lesley is a bright, twelve year old, and a bit of a girly swot. Morag Jonesy is her bestest friend, and together they face the daily belting, hardship and social injustice in the Homes.
‘It’s not a happy place.’
Told in a first person narrative (Lesley’s), we learn that there is much to weep over.
Her bestest friend Jonesy often finds herself at the end of the belt, since her mind doesn’t switch off, and she seems to be victimized by the teachers and the houseparent most of the time. Lesley is lucky, she goes to a grammar school, and can leave the Homes during the day.
Through Lesley’s telling, we learn about the cold rooms, and that adults lie. ‘I have been let down by grown-ups.’ ‘We are just here {..} so adults can cause us suffering.’
Things get really, really bad when two girls from the Homes are found dead; that seems merely the beginning of Lesley’s suffering.
This utterly raw and gripping account, as seen through the eyes of a twelve year old, moved me emotionally. Heartbreaking, and beautifully written, the friendship between Lesley and Jonesy even reminded me of the one Jane Eyre and Helen Burns shared at ‘Lowood’. (one of my favorite books - ever - )
Lesley and Jonesy have to fend for themselves as well, there is little room for respect, love and care, (‘you need a friend in a place like this’), yet there seems to be just all the more room for religion, harsh authority and injustice.
oh dear sweet Lesley, if I were to have a magic wand to cast all your sorrows and hurt to go away….
Raw, emotional and gripping, and beautifully written, this is an incredible story about persistence, and finding your place in the world.
I know Goodreads won’t let me give 10 stars - this storytelling deserves it - so hence my easiest 5 star rating to give.
** Thank you Netgalley and the author for this arc. This opinion is my own. **
Lesley is a bright, twelve year old, and a bit of a girly swot. Morag Jonesy is her bestest friend, and together they face the daily belting, hardship and social injustice in the Homes.
‘It’s not a happy place.’
Told in a first person narrative (Lesley’s), we learn that there is much to weep over.
Her bestest friend Jonesy often finds herself at the end of the belt, since her mind doesn’t switch off, and she seems to be victimized by the teachers and the houseparent most of the time. Lesley is lucky, she goes to a grammar school, and can leave the Homes during the day.
Through Lesley’s telling, we learn about the cold rooms, and that adults lie. ‘I have been let down by grown-ups.’ ‘We are just here {..} so adults can cause us suffering.’
Things get really, really bad when two girls from the Homes are found dead; that seems merely the beginning of Lesley’s suffering.
This utterly raw and gripping account, as seen through the eyes of a twelve year old, moved me emotionally. Heartbreaking, and beautifully written, the friendship between Lesley and Jonesy even reminded me of the one Jane Eyre and Helen Burns shared at ‘Lowood’. (one of my favorite books - ever - )
Lesley and Jonesy have to fend for themselves as well, there is little room for respect, love and care, (‘you need a friend in a place like this’), yet there seems to be just all the more room for religion, harsh authority and injustice.
oh dear sweet Lesley, if I were to have a magic wand to cast all your sorrows and hurt to go away….
Raw, emotional and gripping, and beautifully written, this is an incredible story about persistence, and finding your place in the world.
I know Goodreads won’t let me give 10 stars - this storytelling deserves it - so hence my easiest 5 star rating to give.
** Thank you Netgalley and the author for this arc. This opinion is my own. **
July 11, 2022
In The Homes, JB Mylet has introduced some unforgettable characters. It’s told from the point of view of young Lesley who has lived at The Homes as long as she can remember. Unlike some of the other children, she’s not actually an orphan but her mother couldn’t look after her. When tragedy strikes and some children are killed, Lesley is terrified that she might become a victim too. She’s a very bright girl and decides that she and her best friend Jonesy will track down the killer themselves, since she doesn’t think the police are doing a very good job.
Although this is a crime novel, it’s not the crime aspect of it that will stay with me but the stories of the children living in The Homes, the various reasons they came to be there and the way they were treated. Knowing that some of this is based on a true story makes it rather disturbing to read. Lesley is, of course, the stand-out character and the author has captured the voice of his young narrator brilliantly. I loved the close friendship between Lesley and Jonesy and the way they were always there to support each other.
With the story being told in short chapters, with a distinctive Scottish voice and in such a compelling way, I found this a quick read and a very moving one. It was quite heart-breaking to read about Lesley’s experiences and the harsh treatment meted out to the children. Thankfully, there were moments of light in Lesley’s life, not least in her friendship with Jonesy, her relationship with the facility’s psychologist Eadie and the visits from her grandmother.
The Homes is a most unusual crime book. Although it has several murders, there’s no graphic violence For me, it was most definitely more about the voices and experiences of the young residents of The Homes. It’s a moving mystery story which will have you thinking of the characters long after you’ve finished reading.
Although this is a crime novel, it’s not the crime aspect of it that will stay with me but the stories of the children living in The Homes, the various reasons they came to be there and the way they were treated. Knowing that some of this is based on a true story makes it rather disturbing to read. Lesley is, of course, the stand-out character and the author has captured the voice of his young narrator brilliantly. I loved the close friendship between Lesley and Jonesy and the way they were always there to support each other.
With the story being told in short chapters, with a distinctive Scottish voice and in such a compelling way, I found this a quick read and a very moving one. It was quite heart-breaking to read about Lesley’s experiences and the harsh treatment meted out to the children. Thankfully, there were moments of light in Lesley’s life, not least in her friendship with Jonesy, her relationship with the facility’s psychologist Eadie and the visits from her grandmother.
The Homes is a most unusual crime book. Although it has several murders, there’s no graphic violence For me, it was most definitely more about the voices and experiences of the young residents of The Homes. It’s a moving mystery story which will have you thinking of the characters long after you’ve finished reading.
March 21, 2022
The Homes, a village of orphans on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley is Twelve. She lives in cottage no.5 with, amongst others, her best friend Jonesy.
Things aren’t always great here, but when a girl turns up murdered and the police are stumped, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take matters into their own hands.
There are two main things about this book that I loved. 1) the dynamic between Lesley and Jonesy. 2) the fact what while this is undoubtedly a crime thriller, it has all the skill and logic one would expect from a pair of 12 year old girls(spoiler alert. Very little!).
While Lesley is obviously our main protagonist, I personally thought Jonesy was an absolute delight on the page and her personality really shines through.
The dialogue and interactions between the girls(all of them) was really well put together and felt believable throughout and it didn’t feel like an adult trying to “do kid conversation” at all.
I took my time with this one, and I really enjoyed the whole setting and learning about how these orphan towns were ran. The chapters were very short and flowed well to keep the story moving along nicely.
My only complaint, interestingly enough also one of the reasons i liked it, was that at times the detective work of Lesley felt a bit repetitive. A minor grumble though and I would recommend this book for sure!
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback, so thankyou to Mylett, the folks at Viper, Serpent’s Tail and Profile. and NetGalley.
Things aren’t always great here, but when a girl turns up murdered and the police are stumped, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take matters into their own hands.
There are two main things about this book that I loved. 1) the dynamic between Lesley and Jonesy. 2) the fact what while this is undoubtedly a crime thriller, it has all the skill and logic one would expect from a pair of 12 year old girls(spoiler alert. Very little!).
While Lesley is obviously our main protagonist, I personally thought Jonesy was an absolute delight on the page and her personality really shines through.
The dialogue and interactions between the girls(all of them) was really well put together and felt believable throughout and it didn’t feel like an adult trying to “do kid conversation” at all.
I took my time with this one, and I really enjoyed the whole setting and learning about how these orphan towns were ran. The chapters were very short and flowed well to keep the story moving along nicely.
My only complaint, interestingly enough also one of the reasons i liked it, was that at times the detective work of Lesley felt a bit repetitive. A minor grumble though and I would recommend this book for sure!
I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback, so thankyou to Mylett, the folks at Viper, Serpent’s Tail and Profile. and NetGalley.
February 25, 2025
"The Homes" ist ein Buch, das einen lange nicht loslassen wird, so gut ist es. Es nimmt einen auf eine emotionale Achterbahnfahrt und katapultiert einen dann am Ende wieder ins Leben zurück.
The Homes sind in den 60er Jahren (zum Zeitpunkt der Handlung) eine Ansammlung von Cottages, die zusammen ein Heim für Kinder ergeben, die man der "Wohlfahrt" übergeben hat, deren Eltern entweder gestorben sind oder aus anderen Gründen nicht in der Lage sind, sich um sie zu kümmern. Lesley ist eines dieser Kinder. Sie ist klug, aufgeweckt und hat eine beste Freundin namens Jonesy, mit der sie durch dick und dünn geht. Doch eines Tages kommt es in The Homes zu einigen Mordfällen und Lesley fängt an, auf eigene Faust an zu ermitteln.
Lesley ist einfach ein cooler Charakter, den man lieben muss. Sie ist klug, aber auch naiv (na ja, sie ist ja auch erst 12 Jahre alt). Sie ist neugierig und schießt dabei manchmal auch übers Ziel hinaus und gerät in Situationen, wo sie einem als erwachsener Leser ein wenig nervig vorkommt. Trotz allem ist sie sehr authentisch und liebenswert.
Vor allem die tollen Charaktere (allen voran Lesley, aber auch Jonesy, Eadie und einige Nebencharaktere) nehmen einen für das Buch ein, aber auch die realistisch dargestellten Verhältnisse des Kinderheims im Schottland der 60er Jahre.
Wer das Buch allerdings wegen der Krimihandlung liest, wird ein wenig enttäuscht sein, denn es ist eigentlich eine coming-of-age Geschichte mit Krimielementen - ähnlich wie "The List of Suspicious Things". Wer dieses Buch mochte, sollte "The Homes" unbedingt eine Chance geben.
The Homes sind in den 60er Jahren (zum Zeitpunkt der Handlung) eine Ansammlung von Cottages, die zusammen ein Heim für Kinder ergeben, die man der "Wohlfahrt" übergeben hat, deren Eltern entweder gestorben sind oder aus anderen Gründen nicht in der Lage sind, sich um sie zu kümmern. Lesley ist eines dieser Kinder. Sie ist klug, aufgeweckt und hat eine beste Freundin namens Jonesy, mit der sie durch dick und dünn geht. Doch eines Tages kommt es in The Homes zu einigen Mordfällen und Lesley fängt an, auf eigene Faust an zu ermitteln.
Lesley ist einfach ein cooler Charakter, den man lieben muss. Sie ist klug, aber auch naiv (na ja, sie ist ja auch erst 12 Jahre alt). Sie ist neugierig und schießt dabei manchmal auch übers Ziel hinaus und gerät in Situationen, wo sie einem als erwachsener Leser ein wenig nervig vorkommt. Trotz allem ist sie sehr authentisch und liebenswert.
Vor allem die tollen Charaktere (allen voran Lesley, aber auch Jonesy, Eadie und einige Nebencharaktere) nehmen einen für das Buch ein, aber auch die realistisch dargestellten Verhältnisse des Kinderheims im Schottland der 60er Jahre.
Wer das Buch allerdings wegen der Krimihandlung liest, wird ein wenig enttäuscht sein, denn es ist eigentlich eine coming-of-age Geschichte mit Krimielementen - ähnlich wie "The List of Suspicious Things". Wer dieses Buch mochte, sollte "The Homes" unbedingt eine Chance geben.
June 5, 2022
The Homes is an emotional read, an intriguing whodunit but one whose characters ensure that it is so much more, and a book that stays with you long after you finish reading.
The book is told through the eyes of 12 year old Lesley who lives, along with 1000 other unwanted children, in the Homes, a community on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley knows no other life and it is certainly not always an easy one but she makes the best of it - one of only four children from the community to attend the local grammar school, she embraces the opportunity to learn, even if it marks her out at times, and she is lucky enough to have a best friend in Morag Jones, Jonesy, with whom she is thick as thieves, despite the fact they are quite different.
When a young female resident is found murdered, and then a second, Lesley and Jonesy decided to turn amateur detective and attempt to find the killer, with some shocking results.
Whilst the mystery is at the core of the book, it is the characters that really make it stand out. Mylet ensures that both Lesley and Jonesy really jump off the page. Lesley’s spirit is evident from the first chapter and her naivety is skilfully captured making her seem very real and bringing a bittersweet humour to what could have been an unrelentingly depressingly harsh world. It is an engaging and moving read and one made even more poignant when you learn it is based on a true story.
The book is told through the eyes of 12 year old Lesley who lives, along with 1000 other unwanted children, in the Homes, a community on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley knows no other life and it is certainly not always an easy one but she makes the best of it - one of only four children from the community to attend the local grammar school, she embraces the opportunity to learn, even if it marks her out at times, and she is lucky enough to have a best friend in Morag Jones, Jonesy, with whom she is thick as thieves, despite the fact they are quite different.
When a young female resident is found murdered, and then a second, Lesley and Jonesy decided to turn amateur detective and attempt to find the killer, with some shocking results.
Whilst the mystery is at the core of the book, it is the characters that really make it stand out. Mylet ensures that both Lesley and Jonesy really jump off the page. Lesley’s spirit is evident from the first chapter and her naivety is skilfully captured making her seem very real and bringing a bittersweet humour to what could have been an unrelentingly depressingly harsh world. It is an engaging and moving read and one made even more poignant when you learn it is based on a true story.
May 27, 2022
⚠️ TW: murder, rape, child abuse ⚠️ Wow this read was an absolute rollercoaster and left me speechless. This book follows 12 year old Lesley and her best friend Jonesy who live in The Homes, a village like facility of a thousand unwanted and orphaned children, on the outskirts of Glasgow. Life there is often cruel but suddenly it becomes a whole lot crueller when a child is found murdered. And then another.. As the police struggle to find the killer they decide to take the matter into their own hands but unwanted children are easy victims and soon they are both in terrible danger as they discover despite there being some very good people in The Homes, there are also some very, very bad ones. This book left me absolutely reeling. It is told from the pov of Lesley and through the writing style you really get the sense of childlike naivety and innocence. I would have easily binged this in one sitting if I could because it was so compelling and thrilling but also really emotional as this is based on a true story. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because the speech is written/spelt as it would be spoken in Scottish dialect and slang so sometimes it took me a while to decipher which did impact the flow a little for me. Overall, I highly recommend reading this book! It's out now so go grab yourself a copy.
May 28, 2022
There were good people in The Homes. But there were also some very, very bad ones...
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness.
Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take the matter into their own hands. But unwanted children are easy victims, and they are both in terrible danger...
This is a really gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
A thousand unwanted children live in The Homes, a village of orphans in the Scottish Lowlands on the outskirts of Glasgow. Lesley was six before she learned that most children live with their parents. Now Lesley is twelve, and she and her best friend Jonesy live in Cottage 5, Jonesy the irrepressible spirit to Lesley's quiet thoughtfulness.
Life is often cruel at The Homes, and suddenly it becomes much crueller. A child is found murdered. Then another. With the police unable to catch the killer, Lesley and Jonesy decide to take the matter into their own hands. But unwanted children are easy victims, and they are both in terrible danger...
This is a really gripping read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
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