Finding Eadie by Caroline Beecham, bestselling author of Maggie’s Kitchen and Eleanor’s Secret, presents another powerful novel about families torn apart, but finding solace in books during wartime.
London, 1943 – Alice Cotton is currently employed by the US company, Partridge Press, at their British branch. Run by Managing Director, George Armstrong-Miller, she shares an office with Tommy, Production Controller, Emily Dalrymple, Non-fiction Editor and Ursula Rousson, the Fiction Editor.
They are all struggling to keep the company in business as paper rations are reduced even further. Ironically, the general public are reading more, as they spend long hours in air-raid shelters and homes during the blackouts. Books are also an important commodity in the lives of troops and voluntary services personnel.
To be eligible for paper rations, publishers need to sell books and find those that will appeal to their readers, such as Agatha Christie’s crime novels and Enid Blyton’s books for children.
Alice is keen to voice her ideas for new and interesting publications, but, before she can do so, she leaves her job very abruptly after telling George and the staff that she is going to look after a cousin, who is expecting a baby. Ursula remains very sceptical about this.
New York 1943 – Theo Bloom is working for the US office of Partridge Press and is engaged to his employer’s daughter, Virginia. He is being sent to London to assist George, who is Virginia’s uncle on her father’s side. Theo will be away for several months, leaving Virginia to plan their wedding.
Alice has gone to her Aunt’s guesthouse in Brighton to birth her child. Before leaving London Alice tells he mother, Ruth, but refuses to reveal the name of the baby’s father. Nevertheless, Ruth promises to help raise the child. Lives are changed, however, when Ruth takes matters into her own hands.
Betrayed by her mother, Alice turns to her long-time friend, Penny, who gives her love, support and a roof over her head.
This revealing novel was inspired by factual events that occurred during the second world war and tells of atrocities that went beyond those committed by the enemy.
In contrast, it also tells of close friendships, both old and new, that endured during this chaotic period of time. Love and endurance abound and immense bravery to seek out the truth no matter what the cost.
Throughout there is the belief that books can provide comfort to the lost and broken hearted, and provide new places and lives to adopt as escape from stressful situations.
The historical information provided will surprise, shock and delight.
A must read for 2020!
ISBN: 9781760529642
Finding Eadie is available in paperback
About Caroline Beecham
Caroline Beecham is a novelist, writer and producer. She is the author of three books: the bestselling novel Maggie’s Kitchen, published August 2016, Eleanor’s Secret, published May 2018, and Finding Eadie, July 2020.
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Booktopia’s Best Historical Fiction in 2016 and nominated for Book of the Year and Caroline for Best New Author by AusRom Today.
She has worked in documentary, film and drama, and discovered that she loves to write fiction and to share lesser known histories; in particular, those of pioneering women whose lives transport us back to the past, yet speak to us now.
Caroline studied the craft of novel writing at the Faber Academy in Sydney, with Curtis Brown Creative in London, and has a MA in Film & Television and a MA in Creative Writing. She lives in Sydney with her husband and two teenage sons, and is working on a fourth novel and adapting Maggie’s Kitchen as a drama series.
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