I read some amazing books in 2020 and I would like to share them again with you, updated with the authors most recent releases and their biography.
Today I am sharing my review for the most recent book by Judith Barrow the compelling family drama The Memory.
About the book
Mother and daughter tied together by shame and secrecy, love and hate.
I wait by the bed. I move into her line of vision and it’s as though we’re watching one another, my mother and me; two women – trapped.
Today has been a long time coming. Irene sits at her mother’s side waiting for the right moment, for the point at which she will know she is doing the right thing by Rose.
Rose was Irene’s little sister, an unwanted embarrassment to their mother Lilian but a treasure to Irene. Rose died thirty years ago, when she was eight, and nobody has talked about the circumstances of her death since. But Irene knows what she saw. Over the course of 24 hours their moving and tragic story is revealed – a story of love and duty, betrayal and loss – as Irene rediscovers the past and finds hope for the future.
The new novel from the bestselling author of the Howarth family saga
My review for the book – March 21st 2020 – A page turner from start to finish.
Judith Barrow has always created characters that are clearly defined and memorable. This is the case again in her latest book about family with all its complexities, particularly within the relationship of mother and daughter. What appears to be an idyllic childhood for Irene changes with the arrival of Rose, who has Down’s and the distance that her mother Lillian creates between herself and her husband and children.
As their world implodes, three generations of women find themselves under the same roof and after Rose dies, guilt and suspicion create an even bigger chasm between them all.
Irene’s childhood friend, Sam, becomes the love of her life and the buffer between Irene and her mother . He has his own family dynamics to come to terms with, and their relationship is tested with duty determining its direction. Dreams are put on hold, as commitment to both Irene’s and Sam’s parents take precedence.
The underlying mystery about Rose’s death is explored throughout the book as the two timelines of the 1970s and 2002 synchronise in vivid flashbacks. This enables the reader to understand the reasons behind the fractured relationship between the women, and also to appreciate why Irene is still driven to care for her mother as she slips into dementia. As the house becomes a prison for them both, the essence of Rose keeps them both tethered to each other despite Lillian’s mental state, and the wedge being created between Irene and Sam.
When it looks like the situation is going to become even more complex and dire, a revelation turns Irene’s life on its head. One that is brilliantly unexpected .
I have enjoyed all of Judith Barrow’s family saga novels involving the Howarth Family and this new book is every bit as absorbing and heartwarming as they were. Wonderfully written with an easy flow between the two timelines, it was not easy to put down.
I can recommend to all lovers of mysteries and stories that portray the complexities of human relationships with such expertise.
Read the reviews and buy the book : Amazon UK – And: Amazon US
Also by Judith Barrow
Read the reviews and buy the books:Amazon US – and: Amazon UK – Goodreads – blog: Judith Barrow – Twitter: @judithbarrow77
About Judith Barrow
Judith Barrow,originally from Saddleworth, a group of villages on the edge of the Pennines,has lived in Pembrokeshire, Wales, for forty years.
She has an MA in Creative Writing with the University of Wales Trinity St David’s College, Carmarthen. BA (Hons) in Literature with the Open University, a Diploma in Drama from Swansea University and She has had short stories, plays, reviews and articles, published throughout the British Isles and has won several poetry competitions..
She is a Creative Writing tutor for Pembrokeshire County Council and holds private one to one workshops on all genres.
Thanks for dropping by and I hope you have enjoyed my review for Judith’s book..Sally
Thanks for that review, Sally.
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Thank you, Sally, for sharing your excellent review. I must check it out! Congratulations, Judith. 🙂
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I am sure you will enjoy it Gwen..hugs ♥
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Great blurb and review. I find myself wanting to know more about what went wrong.
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It will keep you guessing to the end Pete.. as always beautifully written and looking forward to Judith’s new book soon…xx
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Great review 🙂 I have this on my TBR list and look forward to a good read.
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I am sure you enjoy Denise.. one of my favourite authors..xxx
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Souns very intriguing! Thank you for the review, Sally! Will remark for later read. After i had discussed similar things by my own. There is a lot of tension in family things, you cant escape. Michael
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Thanks Michael.. and yes family can be stressful.. as they say you can pick your friends ….hugsx
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😉 xx
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What an emotional story, Judith. Thank you for the excellent review, Sally! 🙂
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It certainly is Miriam..glad you enjoyed the review..hugs xx
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Wonderful share, Sally. I enjoyed this book too. Judith is a wonderful writer. 🙂
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Very much so Diana.. and her new one is on the horizon…hugsx
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A wonderful review, Sally – it sounds very intriguing. Congratulations to Judith. Toni x
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Thanks Toni.. a lovely book and her next looks great too..hugsxxx
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Loved this book and can’t wait to soon dive in to Judith’s new one. ❤
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Thanks Debby and me too..♥
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Por supuesto! ❤
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Si…♥
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❤
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Reblogged this on Judith Barrow and commented:
Reblogged with many thanks to Sally x
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Pleasure Judith..lovely book…hugsx ♥
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A lovely review, Sally.
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Thanks Robbie.. great fun…hugsx
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Reblogged this on Thorne Moore.
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Thanks for sharing Thorne.
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Just found this wonderful review in my spam box. I don’t know what algorithm is being used but the selection of things it decides I don’t want to see is random and frustrating. I suppose I need to check it more regularly but why it posts or spams items from the same source is beyond me.
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Your guess is as good as mine Trish.. but it got there in the end..a lovely book .hugsxx
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