The Last House on the Street- Diane Chamberlain- Women’s literary fiction

A stunning read to remember. This is initially set in two time lines. With Ellie we

are in 1965. Coloureds ( as they were called then) now have the vote and she

is to join the SCOPE programme to help them register as so far there has

been little uptake. Her parents won't be keen she knows and to fully be part

of the programme she will be expected to live and work in the coloured area

of town, staying with a family there.

Kayla in 2010 has recently lost her husband Jackson who designed a house

for them- which she is just about to move into. Jackson died through an

accident in the house and Kayla is now unsure that she wants to go ahead

with the move but has little choice as she is currently staying in her fathers

house which has also been sold. She gets a visit at work from a woman

who appears to know things about her, personal things. This worry Kayla

so much she calls the police as the woman appears to want to commit

murder. Who is she and why has she visited and threatened Kayla?

Wow! Although fiction this gives a background into the civil rights movement

and what they went through in the 1960’s- really not that long ago- but oh

how the world has changed for the better. This came across as sensitively

done and well researched. I felt for Kayla and wanted to hug Ellie- a strong,

determined woman if there ever was one who stands out for putting others

first and being totally unselfish in a world that only thought of themselves.

A truly memorable inspiring read. Wow!

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