Synopsis

London in 1919 was a city of ghosts and absences, haunted by the men who marched away but never came back from ‘the war to end all wars.’

Grace Armstrong believes that she has come to terms with her own loss, the death of her fiancé, the brilliant and dazzling best friend of her brother. He was declared Missing in Action during the Battle of the Somme, but he starts to reappear both in her waking life and dreams.

Grace is appalled when a body, dragged from the Thames, is identified as Catherine Smith, who has lodged with Grace and her family for the last eight years before suddenly disappearing.

Catherine had been more than a lodger; she had become a close friend to Grace, who feels compelled to find out what happened. In doing so she is drawn reluctantly into the sordid and dangerous underbelly of London and a scandal that rocked Edwardian society. Soon Grace finds herself under threat, and the only person prepared to listen is the brooding Tom Monaghan. But Tom has dark shadows of his own to navigate before being able to put his past behind him to help Grace in her quest for the truth.

Review

The period after the First World War is a fascinating time about which to write, as there are very few unaffected families. Women struggle to find their place, now that there are fewer men to marry and many husbands, sons and brothers have been lost.

Grace Armstrong is one such woman; her fiancé was killed, and – because she is a woman – she cannot carve out a career as a journalist. Struggling to come to terms with her grief, she has become close to the family’s lodger, Catherine. When Catherine is found drowned in the Thames, Grace channels her desperation into solving the murder.

Grace is an excellent character: troubled, resilient and full of guilt. As she delves into the mysteries linked to Catherine, we see her grow as a young woman into something more; at the same time, she fights against her feelings for Tom, wanting to stay true to her lost love.

It’s a brilliant story, with just the right balance between mystery and romance, ensuring that Grace is relatable and interesting to read about. She is sheltered, so her reactions to the places she visits helps us to better visualise and understand them, while the timing of the novel adds a layer of tragedy, as everyone we meet has secrets and grief with which to contend.

Beautifully written, compelling and engaging, The Lodger is a book that stays with you long after you’ve finished.

Thanks to Quercus Books for my advanced copy. Opinions my own.