In 1947 when Charlotte’s mother escorts her across to Europe for a discrete abortion in Switzerland, Charlotte escapes on a train to London. She clutches an address in the hope of locating her childhood friend, cousin Rose, who disappeared towards the end of WW11 in France. But behind the door of the address she grips is a broken drunk of a woman and an ex con. Can they help her find her beloved cousin?
This is an exciting read made more fascinating by the author’s use of a number of real characters, women who acted as spies during WW1. As well, she wove real events into this well written fiction.
When Hassanali heads to his Kenyan mosque one morning, he encounters an Englishman who collapses at his feet. Hassanali takes care of him until he can pass the Englishman on to the colonial officer. After his recovery, he visits Hassanali’s house to thank him where he encounters the man’s sister, Rehana. The Englishman immediately falls in love with the beautiful woman and begins a taboo love affair.
In the 17thcentury, when a young girl from a Persian village loses her father, she and her mother journey to Isfahan. A distant relative, Gordiyeh invites them to their magnificent house where they are treaded like servants. While the mother strives for some financial independence selling herbal remedies, her daughter tries to learn all she can about rug making from Gordiyeh. But once they are abandoned and no longer under Gordiyeh’s protection, they have to learn to survive alone.
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