The Secret Diary by Anna Stuart Book Review

Publication Date: August 3, 2021
Publisher: Bookouture
Format: ebook & paperback
Genre: Historical Fiction

Synopsis

Two women. One house. And a wartime secret that spans decades…

Norfolk, 1945: Only a few months ago Nancy Jones was fighting for her country as a gunner girl. Now she’s struggling to adjust to her responsibilities as a gamekeeper’s wife. After a whirlwind romance, Nancy is deeply in love with her handsome husband Joe but there is still so much they don’t know about each other. When a secret from Nancy’s war years threatens to resurface, will the terrible truth about the worst night of her life shatter their new marriage?

Norfolk, 2019: Devastated by the sudden loss of her husband, Lorna Haynes escapes to the beautiful but crumbling Gamekeeper’s Cottage. There, she stumbles upon a locked room. When she enters, it’s like going back in time. A soldier’s uniform hangs on the back of the door, the flowery wallpaper still intact, the spindle of the record player frozen and ready to play. At the back of the room, Lorna discovers a red, leather-bound diary in a hidden compartment of a desk drawer.

As Lorna battles with heartache, she takes comfort in reading the ink-stained words. Turning the pages of the old book, she learns of the incredible bravery of the woman who lived in the house decades before her. And discovers a shocking wartime secret that will change the course of her own life…

Fans of The Nightingale, The Alice Network, and Lilac Girls will love this unforgettable, poignant tale of love, loss and courage during the darkest days of war.

My Thoughts

A diary dating back to 1945 tells of Nancy Jones' hopes and struggles when the war ends and she goes to live with her husband and his family in the village of Langham. She is looking forward to becoming a gamekeeper, but she hadn't considered that her in-laws would be opposed to her wanting to work side by side with the men. Helping in the house was not what she expected to be doing, especially when her talents could be put to better use elsewhere.

Lorna, who found the diary, has recently lost her husband. The diary distracts her from her grief and she becomes engrossed and intrigued by what Nancy has written. She senses Nancy's frustration at being relegated to work deemed appropriate for women, and also that Nancy and the three other gunner girls in her unit had a secret. Does it relate to the fate of one of the gunner girls, or to where the money came from to fund expensive repairs to the cottage? Unfortunately, the last few pages of the diary are missing and Lorna resigns herself to never knowing the outcome. That is until a piece of information comes her way that will finally help solve the mystery.

The Secret Diary recounts the turning point in two women's lives. One, as she faces a life without her husband, grieving and coming to terms with her loss; the other, as she adjusts to married life in peace time after relinquishing a role both exhilarating and dangerous, only to have her wishes ignored.

I found the present day story appealing and particularly enjoyed the portrayal of modern family life, but it was the story of Nancy and her struggles that captivated me more - and, of course, the mystery element. Both Nancy and Lorna were surrounded by people that loved and supported them, although in Nancy's case she wasn't too sure. Her clashes with Ted, her father-in-law, certainly added to the drama.

The Secret Diary is perfect for World War II fiction lovers and those who like a well-handled, dual time frame narrative. Engaging characters, lots of historical detail and surprising revelations also make this a worthwhile read. If you've not read Anna Stuart before, this is an excellent novel with which to start.

Meet the Author

Anna Stuart lives in Derbyshire with her campervan-mad husband, two hungry teenagers and a slightly loopy dog. She was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English literature at Cambridge university, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. Anna loves the way that writing lets her ‘try on’ so many different lives, but her favourite part of the job is undoubtedly hearing from readers. You can reach her on Facebook @annastuartauthor or Twitter @annastuartbooks.

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