As the war starts to get closer she ends up taking in evacuee’s two little girls and their teacher as time goes on she learns life isn’t ever going to be the same anymore. There’s an come clues, but they just read like facts, I didn’t mind reading them, but I wasn’t eager to find them out either. She creates characters who are thoroughly believable and whose stories the readers are wholly invested in. Many of her ideas strike during morning dog-jogs along the beach followed by a dip in the sea - no matter how cold it is!

However, that being said, I enjoyed the longest ending ever and the merging (kinda) of the two timelines. Elizabeth and Adeline’s story takes place during the second world war, when residents of the coastal village felt in danger of a German invasion.This is a story told by Nancy in the modern time and Elizabeth back in the early days of World War 2. She has happy memories there from when her father was alive, swimming in the sea, time spent with her best friend Claire.

The two young girls Maisie and Shirley shared a room and their teacher Stephen Smith had another room. This novel is told from the points of view of Nancy whose stepbrother Martin has just been imprisoned for murdering her mother and stepfather (Martin's father). Set in Sidmouth and written during the second world war and the present day, this book takes you on an emotional journey.

I have read several books by this author and as I have said before, the books are not normally the type I would choose, however whenever I start reading one, I get hooked every time. In a dual timeline back in 1941, we follow a story involving Nancy's grandmother, her friend, and the house on the south coast where Nancy is now seeking refuge. This one was a bit of a let down for me the Nancy storyline just felt a little rushed and underwhelming. Honestly there’s not much I can say with the plot because the main plot ended quicker than the second plot. Most of the ‘Jane Corry-isms’ were present: the South-West-seaside-setting; an unreliable female narrator; a dark secret; shifting time and perspective; a brief jaunt to to prison, and of course a murder.

I loved the dual timeline aspect of this book and the twists kept me hooked right to the final page. Jane Corry explores to perfection the concepts of truth – from historical facts through social construction of truth to personal self-delusion – so that there are echoes for all readers. Family tragedy leads to Nancy seeking refuge in tall chimneys hoping she will find peace and obscurity.I was driven to Google ‘conchie’ and ‘grockle’ and was excited to discover ‘why’ I clean when I’m stressed. Throughout, certain events felt a bit rushed and I wish we had gotten into more detail, but overall, it was an interesting read that kept my attention. I was gifted this copy by Penguin Random House Canada, Doubleday Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

If you love a good murder, mystery, addictive thriller then get yourself a copy of this now you will not be disappointed. The worry of impending bombing, worry of family fighting, of not being able to trust anyone in case they were a spy.I am not sure which section I loved the most as the historical setting was as compelling as the present-day setting. It is a tightly written book where words are not wasted and you are left anxiously waiting to find out what happens next. Eighty years later, Nancy Greenfield, takes refuge in the same house on Cliff Road when her stepbrother is sent to prison. I especially enjoy the emerging dual narrative of the present day with a second world war storyline and I ultimately find that is more compelling than the present day one. It all comes together as you'd expect and weaves into a single story which satisfies the curiosities I had about where people ended up.