The Only Child- Blog Tour

 

Author: Kayte Nunn 

Publisher:Orion Publishing

Publishing date: 16th February 2022 

Many thanks to the author and publishing team for my physical copy and a spot on the tour 

Blurb 

1949 It is the coldest winter Orcades Island has ever known, when a pregnant sixteen-year-old arrives at Fairmile, a home for 'fallen women' run by the Catholic Church. She and her baby will disappear before the snow melts.

2013 Frankie Gray has come to the island for the summer, hoping for one last shot at reconnecting with her teenage daughter, Izzy, before starting a job as a deputy sheriff. They are staying with her mother, Diana, at The Fairmile Inn, soon to be a boutique hotel, but when an elderly nun is found dead in suspicious circumstances, and then a tiny skeleton is discovered in the grounds of the house, Frankie is desperate for answers.

My Thoughts

This was my first read from the author and it was so good. The blurb had me reeled in and I knew this would be a page turner. 

I really liked the dual timeline we get to read in this book as we gain insight to different stories and uncovering some truths. You start to piece the puzzle together as you start reading and the two stories start to connect together. 

It was really sad to read how the girls were treated in the past and the emotional trauma they had to endure. Their feelings and emotions, even though hard to read at times really shone through, which made a big impact to the story I feel. The coercion from the nuns by prying on vulnerable girls and making it impossible for them was horrific. 

Bridget's character stood out for me and how she tried to remain strong given the challenges and obstacles so came up against. I would have liked to hear a bit more from her. We get some insight into Frankie and some of the decision she has come to make. I do feel there were some loose ends to Frankie's stories which would have been great to add to round the story off. But nonetheless reading about Izzy, Diana and Frankie in the present day and building/ mending on that relationship was interesting. 

One aspect I did like reading was the different dynamics between the women, in doing so this build a great picture to family and relationships within the story. It signified how different circumstances and communication can open and close doors. 

I am glad the author placed an acknowledgements chapter which was very informative and relayed the details that during these times many women gave up their children not because they wanted to but were made to feel and pressured into doing so. I cannot imagine the psychological impact this would have had on the mothers and children. 

The book does touch on my sensitive topics, such as pregnancy, adoptions, coercion, trafficking and abuse. 

A brilliant historical/ crime mystery and I am sure to read the other books by the author too.