The Kindness of Strangers- Julie Newman- 4*

Helen has just lost her husband and is trying to get back to normal life, whatever that

means. She comes across a locked cabinet. Once opened it reveals far more than she

ever thought possible. Secrets and lies are not a good start to being a widow. Martin

is homeless. He left the army and has struggled with his memories of Helmand.

He has PTSD and needs a new start. With an helping hand he finds somewhere to

stay and a job, but what he wants more than anything is to put things right with his

wife and children who are now rather fearful of him. Charley is a teenager who stands

on her own two feet as her Mother takes life lying down- in every sense of the word.

When a thin blue line appears and Charley’s boyfriend joins the army, her life takes

on a very different turn. This is a well told story that draws you in from the start.

Characters that you take to even if you don’t particularly like (if that makes sense)

and wonder how they are going to come together. We like it when people are kind.

Generous perhaps, not always in a monetary fashion, but with time and effort and

care. However some of these people may have their own hidden agenda.

This is the story of three people  inextricably linked but don’t yet know it.

Expect the unexpected. A comfortable read to begin with but then….

I won’t spoil it, but I didn't expect what happened. An interesting memorable

read.

For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blogspot.co.uk/

or follow me on Twitter @nickijmurphy1

PUB DATE: 19th April 2018 ISBN: 9781911583769 PRICE: £8.99 EXTENT: 360 Pages DIMENSIONS: B format paperback CATEGORY: Women’s fiction, thriller BIC CODE: FA, FH REGIONS: World

“'Lies, deceit and dark secrets - this is a wonderfully addictive read' --Sheree Murphy, actress and television presenter 

Secrets and lies abound in Julie Newman's breath-taking new novel. When Helen's chance at happiness is threatened what lengths will she go to in order to hide the truth? Deceived by her husband and desperate for a ‘perfect’ family life, Helen will do everything she can to get the life she wants. Following the gripping and controversial 

Beware the Cuckoo, Julie Newman’s new novel lifts the lid on family secrets, and the dark past that haunts a seemingly happy household… 

• Beware the Cuckoo was an Amazon bestseller, reaching no1 in the women’s fiction kindle charts • Planned launch at the Essex literary festival 2018

 • On Beware the Cuckoo - ‘A fabulous debut novel, compelling, a real page turner. It was great to read a modern novel that wasn't formulaic or predictable. I would thoroughly recommend this book.’ 

Julie Newman was born in East London but now lives a rural life in North Essex. She is married with two children. Her working life has seen her have a variety of jobs, including running her own publishing company. She is the author of the children's book Poppy and the Garden Monster. Julie writes endlessly and when not writing she is reading. Other interests include theatre, music and running. Besides her family, the only thing she loves more than books is Bruce Springsteen