Cleverly Constructed & Well Executed

The Girl In The Picture by Terry Marsh is a cleverly constructed dual timeline novel that intrigued me from the start.

The novel is set in present day and 1870. Both time periods are linked by a photograph. In present day there is a search to find out who the people are in the photo. In 1870 there is also a search to fit in and find out where a character belongs.

Terry Marsh has cleverly planned out and executed the plotline. The reader knows the answers to some of the present day questions as we are privy to both time periods. Characters in present day are relentless in their search for the truth. Each answer provokes them to dig deeper.

We witness the vital role of DNA in shedding light on our pasts and our ancestors.

1870 was a time entrenched in the class system. Those in the upper classes could wield power over those beneath them. They could hold lives to ransom. The lower classes could easily be manipulated by those above them as they needed their jobs. Not everyone in the upper classes was ruthless. There were pockets of kindness given in unique ways.

I was entertained by the novel although there were certain aspects of the plotline that I was very uncomfortable with. This did not detract from my overall assessment that this was a well thought out and presented novel.

I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A word of caution: there are some themes and situations which some readers may not like.

JULIA WILSON