Hannah Merrill is a thoroughly modern young woman, and is prepared to forge her own way in the London of 1915. Rather than rely on her father to support her until marriage, she gets a job in her unconventional Aunt Violet's bookshop. When her best friend, Lily-Anne is murdered in the shop, Hannah sees it as her duty to her friend to find the killer. With Aunt Violet's help she begins to uncover secrets and lies - and in doing so puts herself in danger. Can she find the killer before it's too late? Or will she become another victim?
I loved this story for its historical detail and the writer's ability to draw me into an addictive and fascinating story. I could almost smell the soot and picture the thronging streets of London.
I admired Hannah. She was strong and determined and prepared to take risks to solve the mystery of Lily-Anne's death. When confronted with the possibility of German spies and dastardly doings, she was unafraid. Determined to prove she was not naive and unworldly, she wouldn't rest until the killer was found.
The time period was wonderfully described. The Women's Rights movement may have been paused for the duration of the First World War, but their hopes and aspirations were building nonetheless . Hannah was a part of that - as was Aunt Violet, who had some secrets of her own.
An enjoyable mystery, with an admirable and strong lead character.
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