Wow. I cannot believe that it was last September that I (very excitedly!) reviewed The House Across the Street by Lesley Pearse (my review is here). She is one of my long-time favourite authors and I was honoured to have my Twitterverse wish granted and be able to read an ARC copy of this book, especially as it coincided with Lesley’s 25th anniversary year as a published author.
It’s a really great read and is now available in paperback!
(And sssssshhh, but I’ve just seen that Lesley has a new novel out very soon……I may be slightly more than a tad excited!!)
Synopsis
Twenty three year old Katy Speed is fascinated by the house across the street. Gloria, the woman who lives there, is the most glamourous neighbour on the avenue, owning a fashionable dress shop in Bexhill-on-Sea that Katy loves to visit. But all is not as is appears. Katy has noticed a black car making regular visits to Gloria’s home often bringing women, and sometimes children. Intrigued, Katy is keen to find out more but Hilda, Katy’s mother, disapproves of Gloria. She wonders if these mysterious visitors have just been released from prison. Is Gloria secretly bringing criminals, or worse, into the heart of their community?
Then one night, the house burns down…..
In the wreckage, the bodies of Gloria and her daughter are found. Katy is sure the unexplained visitors must be responsible but before she can find out more, her father is arrested and charged with murder. Surely the police have arrested the wrong man? Are the rest of the street safe and can Katy find the truth before it’s too late?
About the Author
Lesley Pearse was told as a child that she had too much imagination for her own good. She left home at 15 and headed to London where she worked her way through many jobs – from corsetry sales in Cooks of St. Pauls (featured in Dead to Me) to musician’s muse (her second husband was a musician managed by Don Arden) to bunny girl to nanny; from gift shop owner to dressmaker – finally finding her true vocation when she became a published author age 49. Since then Lesley has become an internationally bestselling author, with over 10 million copies of her books sold worldwide.
A true storyteller and a master of gripping storylines, there is no set formula for a Lesley Pearse novel although strong heroines and difficult circumstances are pervasive. Whether historical adventures such as Gypsy or Never Look Back, or the passionately emotive Trust Me, Lesley is inspired by stories of courage and adversity and often gives voice to women lost in history and people damaged by their childhood experiences. She is passionate about her research and her stories have taken her far and wide; from Alaska to the Crimea. Lesley now lives in Torquay in Devon where she loves to spend time walking on the beach with her grandchildren and dogs. A fantastic speaker and committed and passionate fundraiser for the NSPCC, Lesley is a much sought-after guest at literary lunches, library events and festivals up and down the country.
Emma R. 