Shadow Child (by Libby Purves)

I have very much enjoyed re-reading the novels by Libby Purves, and have just finished re-reading the last one she wrote, ‘Shadow Child’. I read this first in September 2011, not quite nine years ago, but had entirely forgotten the story.

It’s told in the first person by Marion, who lives in a village with her husband Tom. They’ve been happy enough together, although they were only able to have one child, Sam. And we quickly learn that Sam died in a tragic accident the night before his 21st bir...