Sipsworth- Review

 

Author: Simon Van Booy 

Publisher: Bedford square Publishers

Publishing Date: 8th May 2025 

Many thanks to Random Things Tour and the publishing team for my physical copy of the book and a spot on the tour

Blurb 

Over the course of a single week, a woman who is ready to die discovers an unexpected reason to live.

Following the deaths of her husband and son, Helen Cartwright returns to the English village of her childhood after living abroad for six decades. Her only wish is to die quickly and without fuss.

Helen retreats into her home on Westminster Crescent, becoming a creature of routine and habit. Then, one cold autumn night, a chance encounter with an abandoned pet mouse on the street outside her house sets Helen on a surprising journey of friendship.

My Thoughts 

This was a short but brilliant read. Built in with short chapters it is over really quick!

After the tragic loss of her son and her husband, Helen makes a big decision to from  Australia to Westminster to live through her last moments of her remaining life. Even though Westminster is a place she has lived before, it has been many years since she was last here and has no friends or family and has a somber quiet time. That is until she unexpectedly  discovers a mouse 'sipsworth' who she begins to nuture and care for. 

As Helen cares for Sipsworth you seemingly see a shift in her mental health and almost as she has started to live again. 

As the plot progresses we do learn about Helen and her past and the present as the community gather to support her even though at time she is unwilling!

Themes of grief, loneliness, loss, ageing and companionship/ friendship in different forms. 

The author did a good job in reminding the reader that we plan and then the universe plans. Sometimes the role of having another shot or chance could be the game changer to out future. 

I would recommend this book. Also the cover is perfect for this book.