Lesley Pearse is a prolific writer of stories about young heroines in trouble. Many have names that would be familiar to readers of 1920s and 30s fiction, such as Dulcie, Daisy, Rosie, Belle and so on. The heroine of this story is Eva, who was born illegitimate and raised by her mother and step-father in a a comfortably-off family. The story begins in 1991.
Eva's mother commits suicide and Eva is determined to find out why. She realises that her mother wasn't who Eva thought she was. Unfortunately her investigations open a Pandora's box of troubles for her and her 2 younger half-siblings. What follows is a series of disasters that would fell the strongest of people . There are several men involved in Eva's journey of discovery; most of them are stereotypes - either complete a******s or gentle and kindly.
Eva has no financial worries - her mother's legacy takes care of that - and she travels between London, Cheltenham and Scotland adding to her store of knowledge, with the help of her mother's diaries. The fact that the diaries contain only initials instead of names, and no dates, makes Eva's job less than straightforward.
Eventually the whole truth emerges, but only after much soul baring and tragedy. Eva emerges stronger and ready to start a new life with her true love.
Being new to Lesley Pearce's books, I read the back page and thought I was in for a mild thriller/amateur detective story. Unfortunately this one turned out to be just a cut above a Mills and Boon, but without the bodice-ripping. Too many stereotyped characters for my liking. Still, many will love this, and other Lesley Pearce, books so have a go if you like your books to be less than challenging.
'Forgive Me' is published by Penguin Books, ISBN978-0-241-96149-0
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