The Legacy of Mr Jarvis by Jude Hayland

☆☆☆☆
ebook, 456 pages
Published October 8th 2019 by Troubador Publishing Ltd.
About the Book:
It is 1966 and 12 year old Mary Foster's narrow, prescribed world is abruptly disturbed by a sudden move from suburban London to a neglected Victorian house on the south coast of England. A new friendship provides Mary with some consolation in an unfamiliar world of seagull squawks and endless horizons. And two lodgers who swiftly move into the house. An unexpected discovery of deceit and deception, however, profoundly affects her life and Mary is left to carry on, bitter, resentful, but silent on the matter. 40 years later, Mary wants to know more. Another age, another era, another century; such secrecy seems irrelevant and cowardly and Mary is anxious for the truth. Her parents are ageing and the time left to discover more about the past is limited. However, her resolve to uncover certain stark realities is tested and she begins to question whether such clarity of understanding is really what she wants.

Jude Hayland has written a fascinating story. I could not put down The Legacy of Mr Jarvis, and read it in one day. Mary Foster is starting to revisit all her family secrets, and all of their demons. This is a multi-layered story, with twists but not in the thriller sense but in the family sense.

The writing is simply extraordinary. Jude Hayland does an excellent job taking ordinary, average people and portraying them in totality, good and bad, strengths and flaws. Mary is a wonderful, fully realized character. I understood and empathized with her. Time does seem to fly by and as you look back on your life, there are defining moments along the way, but it is never to late to make a change. Ms. Hyland's story and the characters she creates to inhabit them are quite phenomenal. They unassumingly live in the real world, face real situations, and do their best based on the circumstances. This is a novel about family, keeping your own council, second chances, self-discovery, and, ultimately, hope.

Ms. Hayland has drawn Mary, her family and friends with a deft pen. I was so drawn into their history. The author handles all the tender aspects of the story with great sensitivity and draws such compassion for the characters. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a literate and compassionate look at the lives we lead.

Thank you NetGalley, Jude Hayland, Troubador Publishing Ltd. and Matador for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an impartial review; all opinions are my own.

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