Parallel Lives
The Girl From Bletchley Park by Kathleen McGurl is a marvellous timeslip novel that captivated me from the start.
The story is set in 1943 and present day as a granddaughter slowly uncovers her grandmother’s wartime experiences. A lifetime of keeping secrets means her granddaughter was surprised by her discovery.
Even without having to keep secrets, we see that many characters keep their own. What is hidden will have to surface sooner or later.
We witness betrayal in both time periods. Betrayal hurts especially when it appears as a bolt from the blue. The reader has their suspicions way before the characters do. As we read we can feel the tension rising within us.
Wartime is hard. Losses are felt not just by the characters but by the reader too – I did gasp out loud in one place. Kathleen McGurl is clearly a masterful story-teller as my emotions were completely invested in the book.
War brings a camaraderie. People band together today as tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Wealth and status do not always bring happiness. Family is important. When a family is together, they have riches beyond belief.
All the characters are well drawn and realistic. Most of them are easy to empathise with. The ones who are not are those we are not supposed to be drawn to.
As the novel alternates between the time periods, the reader can clearly see the parallel between the lives of the two main characters.
The Girl From Bletchley Park was a fabulous read. I always love Kathleen McGurl’s novels.
I will leave you with my favourite quote:
“We fight for tomorrow, but live for today.”
I received a free copy from Boldwood via Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
The Girl from Bletchley Park
A country at war. A heartbreaking betrayal.
1942. Three years into the war, Pam turns down her hard-won place at Oxford University to become a codebreaker at Bletchley Park. There, she meets two young men, both keen to impress her, and Pam finds herself falling hard for one of them. But as the country’s future becomes more uncertain by the day, a tragic turn of events casts doubt on her choice – and Pam’s loyalty is pushed to its limits…
Present day. Julia is struggling to juggle her career, two children and a husband increasingly jealous of her success. Her brother presents her with the perfect distraction: forgotten photos of their grandmother as a young woman at Bletchley Park. Why did her grandmother never speak of her time there? The search for answers leads Julia to an incredible tale of betrayal and bravery – one that inspires some huge decisions of her own…
Purchase Links https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09F92Q8KP/
Author Bio – Kathleen McGurl lives near the coast in Christchurch, England. She writes dual timeline novels in which a historical mystery is uncovered and resolved in the present day. She is married to an Irishman and has two adult sons. She enjoys travelling, especially in her motorhome around Europe.
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/KathleenMcGurl