Towards the Vanishing Point

by Jan Turk Petrie

In the North of England in1938, two ten-year-old girls, Lily Hetherington and Stella Marsden, form a close if unlikely friendship that endures despite their wartime experiences. After the war, the two women are working as nursing auxiliaries when Lily meets male nurse Will Bagshaw. Stella begins to hear sinister rumours about the man, but the besotted Lily won’t listen to a word said against him. Can Stella make her see sense before it’s too late? Building to a tense, dramatic climax, this is a story of friendship, love, loyalty and the ultimate betrayal.

268 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

About the author

Jan Turk Petrie is an award winning writer who lives in the Cotswolds area of England (UK).

She is the author of twelve novels including:

The fast paced, Nordic thriller series: the Eldísvík Trilogy,

'Running Behind Time' and the three other volumes of her bestselling Cotswolds Time-slip Series

'Too Many Heroes' - a noir thriller set in London England in 1952.

'Towards the Vanishing Point' - a tense, domestic drama mainly set in the 1950s

'The Truth in a Lie' - Jan's first contemporary novel dealing with family dramas and relationships.

''Still Life with a Vengeance' - a contemporary story of a woman whose rock star husband is accused of rape.

Jan's latest novel - 'Falling Apart' a dystopian triller full of twists and intrigue.

A former English teacher with an MA in Creative Writing from the University of Gloucestershire, Jan has also penned numerous, prize-winning short stories.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The power of friendship is often the subject of novels; rarely is it so wrapped up in the plot that it powers much of the believable tension throughout the book. Beginning in 1938 with two small girls forming a friendship that will last for many years, it is a dominant theme which runs through a book with immense atmosphere and an appreciation for setting that makes it an excellent read. The author has created characters who linger in the mind in all their nuances and behaviour. Not that they are fixed; the wartime setting affects the relationships of many young people in terms of love and loss. Another theme is domestic violence, proving that it is not only a modern problem but that it has afflicted women and men for many years. This novel is a strong witness to the loyalty of friends in challenging times, and the way that families affect relationships in a small area. Beautifully descriptive and intense, this is a well paced and well written book. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this excellent historical novel.

The book is largely set in the North of England, where two small girls are partners in a three legged race. Stella is determined to win, but Lily eventually realises that winning is important, learning from her more confident friend. They discover a book which will shade their view of relationships for years; growing up is very much presented as a time of learning. As the bombs fall in 1941, the slightly older Lily hears gossip about women and babies which shocks and leaves her with a view of women’s life. Another scene is later in the war when the two young women meet airmen who are actually fighting in the battles which were so important to the country, with two different outcomes. Stella’s life is transformed by that night, leaving her with decisions and responsibility that she has never previously imagined. Lily’s meeting will end differently, and also change her life for a long time.

As the two young women’s families leave them with different circumstances, the story of Will Bagshaw emerges. His second wife has just died in slightly suspicious circumstances, and he soon fixes his attention on Lily, who has felt left out. This meeting and subsequent events tests the friendship between the young women, but what will be the outcome of this complex situation?

This is a mature book which looks carefully at the variability of relationships against a background of war and peace, with questions of love in various forms. Women’s lives are thoughtfully examined, as they respond to the problems of life in a society which has been permanently changed by war. The buildings, the houses that the people live in, are brilliantly described, the ways that people live respectable lives in the shadow of change, are so well realised. This is a novel of people in a very detailed way, but also of place. The particular events of the book, the increase of tension, the way the action evolves, only takes place because of the nature of the houses, the way people live, and the build up to the suspenseful ending. I enjoyed the style and plot of this book, a slow burner, with a pace that allows for the development of character. A remarkable book which has a fine plot, it is recommended to many fans of historical fiction set in the mid twentieth century.

[Juliet Bookliterati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Towards The Vanishing Point has a little bit of everything in it, historical fiction, romance and thriller which make it such a engaging read. The main characters of Lily and Stella are very different but form a friendship more like sisters, working and socialising together they are inseparable. As a reader we watch them grow from children, to young women and into adulthood. We are party to their high’s and lows, and their loves and losses over the nineteen year period. This book could have started with them later in life, but by starting their stories as children Jan Turk Petrie draws us into their lives, making us more invested in their stories. The nemesis in their friendship is Will Bagshaw, a widower with a young son, and a nurse like them. He may be full of charm and good-looking but rumours follow him, and he carries and air of mistrust and suspicion that Lily can’t see. The whole feel of the book changes with his character’s appearance, it moves into a darker realm with underlying fear.

Jan Turk Petrie captures the pre and post war years, the challenges people faced and the social culture of the period in her writing. Through her characters we see the fear and death caused from the bombings, the families who fear for their sons and husbands fighting in the war, and the losses suffered, and the lack of money making lives difficult. There are also the fun times, the dancing, going out on the town and the pull of the bigger cities from those who lives in the smaller towns. Jan Turk Petrie also uses colloquial language, which again adds to the natural and believable feel of this book.

Towards The Vanishing Point is atmospheric and perfectly captures the period and its social and cultural climate. I was so engrossed in Lily and Stella’s story that I ended up reading the book in one sitting, I barely looked up from the page throughout. Friendship and loyalty are at the heart of this book, a bond that ultimately can never be broken. A powerful and extremely engaging and compelling read.

[Mrs Mary Flood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel spans thirty years, and is a fast-paced story, in which the reader is carried on a tide of unrest, through the lives of ordinary folk. The sheer accuracy of language-use, and the portrayal of attitudes within this very English setting are powerful. But it is in the tension that builds when Will enters Lily’s life that raises the novel to another level – one on which the reader remains for the rest of the story - on edge, distrustful, and fearful. Jan Turk- Petrie’s portrayal of character evokes memories of forties’ films during and after the WW2, as does the references to songs; She wears Red ribbons, and a huly huly skirt. Contemporary cultural attitudes to unmarried mothers are aptly shown in Stella’s defiance – as she insists on keeping her child.
The narrative bites deeply into the norms and customs of pre and post war England: inhibitions, money worries, family traditions. The unfolding of the relationship that develops between Will and Lily, and with it, Stella’s intuitive distrust of the man, is the focus of the story in the second part of the novel – a thriller in effect. We are compelled to imbibe Stella’s doubts for Lily, and are carried to a higher dimension, and a fear of an unhinged mind. As the story reaches its denouement, and Stella rushes to her friend’s aid, the tension rises, dies, then at the end of the story, years later, rises again as it heads towards an unexpected finish. Stella’s strength of character is painted admirably - in her loyalty to Lily, and her intuitive fear for her friend’s safety.
Jan Turk-Petrie depicts the effects of the war, without dwelling on it, as this is a character-centred human story. “During the war I had to deal with some terrible things... the sort of feeling that can stay with you forever.” Lily’s powerful words within a powerful story.

[Susan Wüthrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set mostly in the 1950’s North of England, it’s a story of friendship between two women, Stella and Lily.
During WW2, after a brief encounter with a Canadian airman, Stella becomes pregnant and despite the strict conventions of the times, she decides to keep the baby. Lily falls for Luke but after he goes missing and is eventually declared dead, many years pass before she meets someone else.
Unbeknown to her, Will, who has been married twice before is a control freak, but lured in by his ‘charming’ ways, against everyone’s better judgement, she goes ahead and marries him.
At this point her character becomes rather vague. I would have liked to know more about what happened after their marriage and how she inter-acted with his son Brian. There is no mention of Will’s feelings about his previous wives (for example the night Ivy dies) and his sinister motives remain a mystery.
There are a few different points of view in the book and I initially thought the story was Lily’s, but in conclusion felt it was Stella’s. I preferred her stronger character, when she proved that real friendship knows no boundaries and goes out on a limb when she believes Lily is in trouble.
Despite some question marks, I still enjoyed the story very much.

[Estella Hagin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Towards the Vanishing Point is a book that is all about friendship. One of the things of note, is a book written from the perspective of the 30s. Due to this, it was a slower read for me because I had to look up some of the older-English words to make sure that I was understanding what was being said. I REALLY liked when the girls found the book in Lily's Mom's room. I could see myself doing that searching through my mom's room as well. This helped to make the story relatable to myself.

This book does change perspectives from Stella to Lily, but that is labeled at the beginning of every chapter - so it is easy to follow whose perspective the chapter is coming from. I also could use a different voice in my head for who that chapter was about.

Lily gets into a relationship and then marriage with Will, and that is when things start to go wrong. What happens after that is the mystery and purpose of the book. Will Stella help Lily in time?

[Donna Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...

I really enjoyed this story, there was plenty going on in each chapter and I loved the feel of the book when I was reading it.

Anyone who follows my blog will know I am a huge fan of historical fiction and this book certainly caught my interest. I loved the mix of genres, the book has a mix of betrayal, friendship, love and loyalty.

I really liked the characterisation in the book and the different characters I thought worked really well and their interaction made the book for me.

I thought that the story was well written and I loved the setting and the author really brought the period to life for me. This is the first book that I have read by this author but I enjoyed it so much I am certain that it won’t be my last.

It is 4 stars from me for this one, I really enjoyed it – highly recommended!!

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am honoured to be a part of the Blog Tour for Towards The Vanishing Point, Jan Turk Petrie's new offering. It is set in the 1930's, in the North of England and focuses upon two young girls, Stella and Lily, whose friendship transcends the years. It is only after the war when they are both working as auxillary nurses that Lily meets a man, a male nurse called Ben and falls head over heels but Stella hears things about him that makes her doubt the mans intentions and attempts to make Lily understand the negative side of Ben, that the friendship is thoroughy tested.

I was totally swept away back to the 1930's, to my grandparents era and was engulfed in the journey of Lily and Stella, through the pre war era, then the wartime and finally, when all should be well...the spectre of unease comes along and has to be dealt with.I wish I had a friend like Stella just as Lily has! A story that starts quite light and veers into darker quarters and keeps you wanting to know it all!

[Marcia Meakim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Towards the Vanishing Point tells the story of two best friends that grew up together in England in the late 1930’s. The story unfolds with one of them, Stella, getting pregnant at a young age and the trials and tribulations of deciding to keep her son, in spite of her parents wishes. Years later, her friend, Lily, falls for a man named Will who has already lost his two prior wives in suspicious circumstances. Lily marries him to everyone’s dismay. The story of Lily and Stella is enjoyable, but once Will enters the book seems to go off the rails and lose its way. Thank you to Jan Turk Petrie, Pintail Press, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Cristie Underwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. It wasn't one that consumed me, as I found the author lost momentum when introducing the character of Will. I would have enjoyed this more if it had just focused on Lily and Stella's friendship and the life events that influence it, such as Stella keeping her baby in a time when it was unacceptable for a single woman to raise a child. I think that the author tried to fit too much into this book by adding the mystery of Will's past and his relationship with Lily. I feel that it would have been better to just write this as historical fiction focusing on the time period and the friendship between these two women.

[John Morrish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan Turk Petrie is a very versatile writer but this is her best yet. It tells of the close friendship between two young girls in the Northern England in the 1930s. They learn about life and love together in the tragic circumstances of the Second World War. Then the 1950s bring not peace and tranquility but a new threat not only to their friendship but to life and limb. The friendship is beautifully described, the use of northern dialect is pitch-perfect, and the natural world is skilfully evoked. This is a time of hard work, community and family which Turk Petrie brings to life with detail and sympathy. I found this an excellent, fast-moving read that kept me gripped to the end.

[Derek Healy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another well written, finely crafted and thoroughly researched novel from the prolific Jan Turk Petrie. After her Icelandic crime saga trilogy,here she is back in the noir world of 40s and 50s England which she evokes so accurately and sympathetically. "Towards the Vanishing Point" shows us female friendship and family bonds pitted against the vicissitudes of war, bereavement and the duplicity of men. It builds steadily to an intriguing climax, the outcome of which you'll find hard to guess.

[Pam Keevil · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great thriller set in an unusual time; the 1950s. Meticulously researched and set in the grim cities of the north of England with a use of dialect which does not intrude (for example, the use of the word nowt is just right) but adds to the sense of time and place. I like the two women and the minor characters are also beautifully drawn but it is when we get inside the mind of the killer that it really can send shivers down the spine. It kept me reading and turning the page as scene after scene unfolds.

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An immersive read. Set mainly in the 1950s, Stella Marsden is alarmed when her best friend falls for a charmer with a far more sinister side to him. The gripping story of a coercive relationship told with convincing period details.

[T.N. Traynor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

This is a well researched, and very well written book.
The author has a great story voice that pulls you into the lives of her characters. A lot of research must have been done into this period as I felt it was very authentic.

[(Ellie) ReadtoRamble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like historical fiction, so this was a must-read for me. I read it relatively quickly, it was fast-paced and really unique.
The story was told in third-person, but we also got Stella's, Lily's and some other characters' points of view. The story is set in the 1930s to start, but then moves along quickly through the years until 1957.
I really liked how this one was unique because it focused on Lily and Stella's friendship instead of a romance. I highly recommend, it was very enjoyable and I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author!