The Lives She Left Behind - James Long - Guest book review

Guest book review by Joan Hill

This novel is the sequel of the much-loved debut novel written by James Long and called ‘Ferney’, although it could easily be read as a stand-alone novel. It tells the story of the modern day meeting of two teenagers Jo and Luke, both lost to the love of their parents and lonely in their singular lives, but knowing in their innermost convictions that they are both one half of a perfect whole, a love that will endure for all time.

Jo and Luke have always been destined to meet, destined to complete what began when, many hundreds of incarnations before, and spanning many generations, a young boy called Ferney took the momentous decision to exile himself from his own people and save his enemy, a young girl called Galley, captured and awaiting her fate, thereby delivering her from the ravages of war.

Their lives and journeys together make for fascinating and far-reaching historical stories stretching from Stamford Bridge to Slapton Sands, the circle being completed with the modern day story of their reunion at an archaeological dig at Mortacute, the site of a Norman castle. Spanning three genres: Historical fiction, Fantasy and Romantic Fiction this well written novel is a very satisfying read, both as a conclusion to ‘Ferney’ and also for devotes of any of the three genres.

By the end of ‘The Lives She Left Behind’, all of the loose ends are tied up; there is a powerful ending to both the romantic and historical threads and the modern day story threw mystery, suspense and a crime story into the pot. At no time did I find this novel to be predictable, it kept me guessing, engaged and turning the pages to find out what happened next and with a profound sense of loss when I’d read the last paragraph. It was an emotional roller coaster which I thoroughly enjoyed reading. I also loved the cover of the book. If one image could encapsulate this powerful story, then this one is surely the best that could have been chosen. In this picture, there lies the whole story in the small nuances of what the image suggests.

Reviewed by Joan Hill, guest reviewer. Many thanks to Joan for reviewing this novel for The Little Reader Library.

Source: review copy

Publisher: Quercus

Author website

Murders of London - David Long

'This book is for...the ones who want to see for themselves a darker side of this great city, and to explore some of the more macabre episodes in its long and blood-soaked history.'

This intriguing little book takes us back to the scenes of crimes in London and investigates these places as they are now - many of them look completely ordinary on the face of it, or have been all but forgotten. However, the author has collected together the stories and crimes that have occurred and revisited the scenes, and in so doing he has compiled a fascinating look at the dark secrets and shocking stories behind the often innnocent-looking exteriors of London's streets. 

The book has an introduction from the author, and is then divided into ten sections, each covering a different area of London, from East of the City, West End, and On the River, to Kensington & Chelsea, South West London, and more. Within these geographical areas, the author has recounted several stories of murders that have occurred there, detailing the perpetrators and the victims, highlighting curious aspects of the crimes, and furnishing each of these accounts with several colour photographs depicting the locations as they are in the present day.

Whether we choose to admit it or not, many of us have a fascination for murders, and murderers, and if you are one such reader, then you will enjoy these varied and engrossing accounts of murders in London's past. There will certainly be some names contained here that you will find familiar:

'Even now, many decades after their conviction and imprisonment or execution, London's worst murderers find themselves as celebrated as any of the city's more talented or public-spirited inhabitants. Names such as Crippen, Christie and Ellis - and of course Jack the Ripper - are woven into the fabric of London's cultural history, alongside those of Whittington, Dickens and Wren.'

This curious volume has evidently been thoroughly researched and carefully compiled. The stories are intriguing and are written in an informative and entertaining manner. The photographs are a great idea and allow us to feel a bit closer to where it all happened. It's ideal to dip in and out of. If you've always wondered about the darker history that may lie behind ordinary looking places in London, this book will certainly allow you to discover them, and to satisfy your appetite for real-life stories of murderous deeds. 

Published by Random House Books. 256 pages. 

Thank you to the publisher for kindly sending a copy of this book to read and review. 


You can visit the author's website here.