Mrs P’s Book of Secrets

This is a charming book set in 1945, in the Cotswolds. You get a real feel of the after effects of the war both socially and economically. Lucy, Mrs P has lost her newly wedded husband to a wartime tragedy, his body lost at sea. With no grave to visit Mrs P finds herself returning to the town of Moreton-in-Marshher where she spent most of her childhood living with her aunt and uncle who raised her. Unfortunately she is unable to stay in her old bedroom as their lodger Robert Underhill has taken residence there. The mysterious Underhill is also employed by her Uncle at the publishing business they own. Due to her aunt's poor health Lucy agrees to take on the role of tea maker and secretary in order to help out and is given the living quarters above the office space.

As the story unfolds you learn that Underhill is also suffering from his own traumas faced during the war. Together, Lucy and Robert take on the editorial role of proofs that are sent in and are soon drawn into the Ashbrook family mystery of a missing girl. Lucy finds herself wrestling with her own ghosts in the hunt to find out what happened to the orphaned girl who seems to have disappeared without a trace.

I loved the way Lorna Gray was able to combine the themes of love, loneliness, trust, hope, tragedy and grief within this novel. Although heartbreaking in places it also has an uplifting feel to it. I was swept along with the story line and felt compassion towards the characters. I loved the advent calendar that featured in the novel and the budding friendship that developed between Mrs P and Mr Underhill. The ending was an unexpected surprise which filled me with hope and joy. A delightful read which I would love to see as a sequel.