“Tomorrow she could start again. Tomorrow she would make a plan. As she climbed the stairs to her own little room, the thoughts came rushing through her mind like autumn leaves kicked up by a fierce breeze, her initial wave of relief turning to worry.”
The author of ‘That Green Eyed Girl’ returns to work her magic again, bringing 1950s London alive in this compelling and evocative story of three ordinary women and their struggles.
When Edie Budd arrives at a run-down boarding house in the heart of West London in October 1958, she carries with her a battered suitcase, an envelope full of cash… and a secret that haunts her.
But Edie is not the only one at 73 Dove Street who is keeping secrets.
By day, fellow lodger, Tommie, works for the eccentric Mrs. Vee. By night, she succumbs to the allure of Soho’s shadowy nightlife and a relationship from which she can’t break free.
And Phyllis, 73 Dove Street’s formidable landlady, is broken by her husband’s betrayal.
You can rely on Julie Owen Moylan for an immersive read. She breathes life into her setting, transporting readers to every bar and side street of this bygone era.
The three characters’ stories are delicately interwoven and moving without ever veering into melodrama, testament to the author’s skill in balancing emotional depth and resonance with authenticity.
Edie’s story in particular is beautifully unravelled and resolved, with the pacing and tension pitch perfect to keep you turning those pages.
Another exceptional read, “73 Dove Street” showcases Julie Owen Moylan’s talent for crafting immersive and authentic historical fiction.
Victoria Brown 