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The Deserter's Daughter
Manchester, 1920. Carrie Jenkins reels from the revelation that her beloved father was shot for desertion during the Great War. Jilted, and with the close-knit community turning its back on her as well as her mother and her half-sister Evadne, the plans Carrie nurtured are in disarray. Desperate to overcome private shock and public humiliation, and with her mother gravely ill, Carrie accepts the unsettling advances of Ralph Armstrong and Evadne also meets Alex Larter. But both sisters put their faith in men who are not to be trusted, and they will face danger and heartache before they can find the happiness they deserve.
320 pages, Paperback
Published May 24, 2018
About the author
Susanna Bavin
12 books68 followersI am a saga writer, living in beautiful North Wales. Moving here was the fulfilment of a lifelong dream, but my writing is inspired by my Mancunian roots.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 23, 2017
Having never read a saga before (unless the Poldark series counts, and I read that a LONG time ago when I was a teen), The Deserter's Daughter took me by surprise. I expected a comfortable read - a nice romance with some hardship thrown in. It is romantic and there is hardship, but it's SO much more than that, with elements of domestic noir, crime, thriller & suspense. The world, 1920s Manchester is wonderfully realised with fabulous period detail, but never too much to slow the pace. It's so well done that, after reading, I felt as if I'd SEEN it rather than read it. I think it would make a fantastic film or TV series.
I warmed to Carrie, the main character, immediately, as well as several other lovely characters. They're by no means all nice, however. There are some properly scary villains in this, the most frightening being Ralph, who I found genuinely terrifying.
It's a roller coaster of a read. Recommended :)
I warmed to Carrie, the main character, immediately, as well as several other lovely characters. They're by no means all nice, however. There are some properly scary villains in this, the most frightening being Ralph, who I found genuinely terrifying.
It's a roller coaster of a read. Recommended :)
July 4, 2017
Loved, loved, loved this book.
From the first word you are in 1920’s Manchester where we meet Carrie Jenkins and her mother on the eve of Carrie’s wedding. The dress is being tried on so half-sister Evadne can see the outfit before everybody else. Suddenly there is knock on the door. It is the parish priest come not to calm last minute wedding nerves but to deliver shattering news. From this moment the three women’s lives fall apart as Carrie’s financé jilts her and all three loose their jobs as people fall over themselves to get over the stain that now marks the family.
Just as all looks lost, two handsome heroes ride into view and sweep the sisters of their feet. They seem to be everything they need, but as the sisters set about working for men’s auction company things begin to go wrong.
..... for the rest of my review please visit https://culturalwednesday.co.uk/book-...
From the first word you are in 1920’s Manchester where we meet Carrie Jenkins and her mother on the eve of Carrie’s wedding. The dress is being tried on so half-sister Evadne can see the outfit before everybody else. Suddenly there is knock on the door. It is the parish priest come not to calm last minute wedding nerves but to deliver shattering news. From this moment the three women’s lives fall apart as Carrie’s financé jilts her and all three loose their jobs as people fall over themselves to get over the stain that now marks the family.
Just as all looks lost, two handsome heroes ride into view and sweep the sisters of their feet. They seem to be everything they need, but as the sisters set about working for men’s auction company things begin to go wrong.
..... for the rest of my review please visit https://culturalwednesday.co.uk/book-...
June 29, 2018
Heartbreaking and heartwarming by turns, The Deserter’s Daughter is a beautifully written story that will have you staying up into the early hours to finish it.
Set in 1920s Manchester, with the country still coming to terms with the aftermath of the War, young Carrie Jenkins’ life is turned upside down by shocking news: her beloved father didn’t die fighting for his country - he was shot for desertion.
The ramifications for Carrie (whose feeble fiancé drops her faster than a hot pasty), her mother and her half-sister, Evadne, are far reaching and punch an emotional impact that affects all their lives.
As she struggles to rebuild her life, support her ailing mother and find love in amongst the turmoil, Carrie begins to realise she will have to fight for everything she holds dear, but in amongst the heartbreak and challenges, there is comfort in discovering how people can change and how even those we are most familiar with can surprise us.
What a strong, thought-provoking debut novel this is. Susannah Bavin touches every emotion in her beautifully written story, drawing you in so closely you feel as though you are watching things unfold from the corner of the street.
Expressed through multiple points of view, which I loved - especially that of the half-sisters and their misinterpretation of each other (so real) - this is a book to savour and one to re-read again and again, and I highly recommend it.
Set in 1920s Manchester, with the country still coming to terms with the aftermath of the War, young Carrie Jenkins’ life is turned upside down by shocking news: her beloved father didn’t die fighting for his country - he was shot for desertion.
The ramifications for Carrie (whose feeble fiancé drops her faster than a hot pasty), her mother and her half-sister, Evadne, are far reaching and punch an emotional impact that affects all their lives.
As she struggles to rebuild her life, support her ailing mother and find love in amongst the turmoil, Carrie begins to realise she will have to fight for everything she holds dear, but in amongst the heartbreak and challenges, there is comfort in discovering how people can change and how even those we are most familiar with can surprise us.
What a strong, thought-provoking debut novel this is. Susannah Bavin touches every emotion in her beautifully written story, drawing you in so closely you feel as though you are watching things unfold from the corner of the street.
Expressed through multiple points of view, which I loved - especially that of the half-sisters and their misinterpretation of each other (so real) - this is a book to savour and one to re-read again and again, and I highly recommend it.
July 24, 2017
This is not a period in history I know much about but this story was illuminating. The dreadful treatment of the innocent wives and daughters of deserters was terrible and in this book Carrie is jilted on the eve of her wedding because of her father's behaviour. She is forced to draw on all her reserves of courage to cope with all that follows. Beautifully drawn characters. Highly recommended and I look forward to Susanna Bavin's next novel.
June 26, 2017
What a surprise
I am a friend of the author, so of course I immediately ordered her book when it was launched last Thursday. My usual choice of book is a thriller, or a police/detective novel, but not usually a historical, romantic saga. What a surprise that I couldn't put it down, I have fallen asleep twice and woken up next morning with my kindle on my tummy !
I have learned now that a great book is a great book, and this a great book ! It has it all - drama, romance, history, dreadful characters and wonderful characters. How you can change in life if you have the courage, how you can overcome adversity, and never ever give up your dream.
Of course it also helped that the book was set in North Manchester, near to where I was born, so road James and area were familiar to me.
Do yourself a favour read this wonderful book, but don't call asleep with it on your lap, there is always more time tomorrow to indulge yourself.
I am a friend of the author, so of course I immediately ordered her book when it was launched last Thursday. My usual choice of book is a thriller, or a police/detective novel, but not usually a historical, romantic saga. What a surprise that I couldn't put it down, I have fallen asleep twice and woken up next morning with my kindle on my tummy !
I have learned now that a great book is a great book, and this a great book ! It has it all - drama, romance, history, dreadful characters and wonderful characters. How you can change in life if you have the courage, how you can overcome adversity, and never ever give up your dream.
Of course it also helped that the book was set in North Manchester, near to where I was born, so road James and area were familiar to me.
Do yourself a favour read this wonderful book, but don't call asleep with it on your lap, there is always more time tomorrow to indulge yourself.
July 24, 2019
Life in Manchester in the 1920s is not easy. Many of the men in the working class neighborhood of Wilton Lane have not returned from the War, and feelings are sensitive. This saga is an intelligent and complex study of family life when desire, money, greed and fear become muddled with loss and hatred. Carrie’s family situation suddenly spirals out of control and she has to make the best of an impossible set of facts. It is not a unique dilemma for a novel of this type, but what makes this book so special is the way that Bavin creates a world of deceit and criminality in which the innocent suffer, and mistakes are harshly punished. As in Bavin’s other book, the research into the era is absolutely impeccable, giving not only the facts but also managing to convey the feeling of the period in so many details. The few years covered by this book are a time of momentous events for Carrie and her immediate family as the world of Manchester settles into a post war state. Sometimes brutal, even tragic, the hope and love which perminate this book with the basic strength of the characters means that it is difficult to put down, as tension and surprises maintain the reader’s interest. A flowing and immensely readable book, I found it a fascinating read. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this book.
The book begins with Carrie’s joyful preparations for her imminent marriage to Billy Shipton with her mother. Her sister Evadne is jealous that her younger half sibling is to marry before her, and when the news arrives that Carrie’s father was executed as a deserter in the war. At a time when even shell shock was not diagnosed properly, the shame of a so called coward in the family is life changing. Later on in the novel there is more on the mental damage that war caused, but at this stage the revelation is life changing, as the wedding is called off and even Evadne’s job is imperiled. As Carrie’s options are limited, tragedy strikes and the women become desperate, an opportunity appears that will have dramatic consequences for everyone. The world of medicine as therapies are tried is introduced, but curiously it is the business of antique dealing which becomes actually dangerous. Who if anyone will survive, and what is the role of true love and loyalty?
This is a powerful, complex and well written saga which contains important themes such as the lack of choices that women had in the recent past, the way men influenced their lives, and the ways they were so dependent on the choices made for them. The effects of a terrible war both on those who fought, and those who loved them is well written. The characters are all well developed, with very human failings and qualities, and there are some interesting details of clothing, setting and even antiques.There is a strong plot which works well throughout, and all loose ends are well tied up. This is a delicious saga, and an excellent read for fans of historical family novels featuring strong female characters. Well worth seeking out!
The book begins with Carrie’s joyful preparations for her imminent marriage to Billy Shipton with her mother. Her sister Evadne is jealous that her younger half sibling is to marry before her, and when the news arrives that Carrie’s father was executed as a deserter in the war. At a time when even shell shock was not diagnosed properly, the shame of a so called coward in the family is life changing. Later on in the novel there is more on the mental damage that war caused, but at this stage the revelation is life changing, as the wedding is called off and even Evadne’s job is imperiled. As Carrie’s options are limited, tragedy strikes and the women become desperate, an opportunity appears that will have dramatic consequences for everyone. The world of medicine as therapies are tried is introduced, but curiously it is the business of antique dealing which becomes actually dangerous. Who if anyone will survive, and what is the role of true love and loyalty?
This is a powerful, complex and well written saga which contains important themes such as the lack of choices that women had in the recent past, the way men influenced their lives, and the ways they were so dependent on the choices made for them. The effects of a terrible war both on those who fought, and those who loved them is well written. The characters are all well developed, with very human failings and qualities, and there are some interesting details of clothing, setting and even antiques.There is a strong plot which works well throughout, and all loose ends are well tied up. This is a delicious saga, and an excellent read for fans of historical family novels featuring strong female characters. Well worth seeking out!
November 26, 2021
The Deserter's Daughter is a title that immediately captured my imagination. Set in 1920, the First World War is a very recent memory and it's Carrie Jenkins who finds out that she is the daughter of the title. It's the work of a moment to take her father from war hero to a deserter and it ostracises her and her family from their community.
We know so much now about the war and its effects on the men who fought in it, but at the time emotions ran so high that shell shock was thought of as cowardly behaviour. Because of her family's new status Carrie finds herself gravitating towards Ralph Armstrong, a man who can help her but who is not a good man.
I found this to be such a compelling read, following Carrie as she falls further and further into a murky world of which she knows nothing. Whilst this is very much a saga, there are aspects of a psychological thriller about it, with themes of manipulation, and emotional and physical abuse. Carrie is a thoroughly likeable character, only 20 and with so much on her shoulders, looking after her mother and having an older sister who thinks she's a cut above, and I found her story moving and emotional.
Ralph is a brilliant villain of the piece. I had to smile sometimes as he was just so well-written and his thoughts so barbed. To temper this there are some absolutely lovely characters too and I was particularly fond of kind Mr Weston, who worked at the antiques shop.
I enjoyed the settings from the small Manchester community where the Jenkins family live to the auction rooms and antiques shops that Ralph manages and the large hospital where his doctor brother works trying to help men who were badly affected by the war.
The Deserter's Daughter is an excellent read which transported me to 1920s Manchester. There's heartbreak aplenty but lots of warmth too.
We know so much now about the war and its effects on the men who fought in it, but at the time emotions ran so high that shell shock was thought of as cowardly behaviour. Because of her family's new status Carrie finds herself gravitating towards Ralph Armstrong, a man who can help her but who is not a good man.
I found this to be such a compelling read, following Carrie as she falls further and further into a murky world of which she knows nothing. Whilst this is very much a saga, there are aspects of a psychological thriller about it, with themes of manipulation, and emotional and physical abuse. Carrie is a thoroughly likeable character, only 20 and with so much on her shoulders, looking after her mother and having an older sister who thinks she's a cut above, and I found her story moving and emotional.
Ralph is a brilliant villain of the piece. I had to smile sometimes as he was just so well-written and his thoughts so barbed. To temper this there are some absolutely lovely characters too and I was particularly fond of kind Mr Weston, who worked at the antiques shop.
I enjoyed the settings from the small Manchester community where the Jenkins family live to the auction rooms and antiques shops that Ralph manages and the large hospital where his doctor brother works trying to help men who were badly affected by the war.
The Deserter's Daughter is an excellent read which transported me to 1920s Manchester. There's heartbreak aplenty but lots of warmth too.
July 31, 2021
It should be the happiest time of Carrie Jenkins life as she is about to marry her sweetheart but when devastating news about Carrie's father is revealed it alters the whole trajectory of not just Carrie's life but also that of her mother and older sister. With her marriage plans in disarray Carrie makes a hasty decision to become involved with Ralph Armstrong who offers a solution to her problems but which turns out not to be the safe haven she so desperately desires.
What then follows is an interesting family drama which looks at the stigma which was attached to the families of all those men who were found guilty of desertion during WW1. There is a real sense of shame in this family tragedy not just from the sadness of having once friendly neighbours turn against you but also the bewilderment of having to make life altering decisions when everything around you seems hopeless.
Th author writes well and brings a real sense of historical accuracy to this character driven story. I enjoyed the northern setting around Manchester which highlights the stern good humour, the strict moral code and the implacable northern grit of the inhabitants of this tough industrial town. The characters are well fleshed out, some are instantly likable, others take a while to get to know and some are, quite frankly, vile from the beginning but this all adds to the rich tapestry of this strong and powerful family saga which kept my attention from start to finish.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I am sure it won't be the last.
What then follows is an interesting family drama which looks at the stigma which was attached to the families of all those men who were found guilty of desertion during WW1. There is a real sense of shame in this family tragedy not just from the sadness of having once friendly neighbours turn against you but also the bewilderment of having to make life altering decisions when everything around you seems hopeless.
Th author writes well and brings a real sense of historical accuracy to this character driven story. I enjoyed the northern setting around Manchester which highlights the stern good humour, the strict moral code and the implacable northern grit of the inhabitants of this tough industrial town. The characters are well fleshed out, some are instantly likable, others take a while to get to know and some are, quite frankly, vile from the beginning but this all adds to the rich tapestry of this strong and powerful family saga which kept my attention from start to finish.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I am sure it won't be the last.
May 3, 2018
When the paperback version of Susanna Bavin’s debut, The Deserter’s Daughter, arrived in the post I Tweeted a photo with the caption: “That’s my weekend reading sorted.”
In reality, I turned the first page on Friday night and the next thing I knew it was 24 hours later and I was breathing a happy sigh as I closed the book. It is THAT GOOD.
I’m sure I didn’t sit reading the whole time but my husband did comment, ‘Is that book attached to your hand?’.
I wanted it to be. I fell asleep (way after my bedtime) worrying about the lead character, Carrie, and I awoke desperate to see where the story would lead her. Where it would lead all of them, really.
Susanna has created nuanced, believable characters, who I was invested in from the start, along with an absorbing and colourful narrative.
She writes with honesty and sensitivity about what it must have been like to be a deserter’s daughter. I felt the shame of the family as sure as if they were my relations.
This is an accomplished book and an incredible debut. I can’t wait for her next one.
With thanks to Susanna and her publishers, Allison & Busby, for the paperback in return for an honest review.
In reality, I turned the first page on Friday night and the next thing I knew it was 24 hours later and I was breathing a happy sigh as I closed the book. It is THAT GOOD.
I’m sure I didn’t sit reading the whole time but my husband did comment, ‘Is that book attached to your hand?’.
I wanted it to be. I fell asleep (way after my bedtime) worrying about the lead character, Carrie, and I awoke desperate to see where the story would lead her. Where it would lead all of them, really.
Susanna has created nuanced, believable characters, who I was invested in from the start, along with an absorbing and colourful narrative.
She writes with honesty and sensitivity about what it must have been like to be a deserter’s daughter. I felt the shame of the family as sure as if they were my relations.
This is an accomplished book and an incredible debut. I can’t wait for her next one.
With thanks to Susanna and her publishers, Allison & Busby, for the paperback in return for an honest review.
December 11, 2019
The Deserter's Daughter takes us to post-war Manchester where Carrie Jenkins is preparing for her wedding. However, news comes through that her beloved father was actually executed for desertion and not killed in action, which they had been lead to believe. Carrie's world collapses, her fiance cancels the wedding and there is a huge impact for herself, half-sister Evadne and their mother.
The story follows how the sisters try to rebuild their lives despite the prejudice surrounding them. The road is filled with danger, greed, and punishment when their vulnerability and desperation becomes apparent.
I enjoyed learning about the trading of antiques and the groundbreaking medical breakthroughs towards shell shock in front line soldiers. The attention to detail around this era is so informative and totally compelling. There is great warmth to the writing and although most of the characters are hugely likable the villains are well portrayed too. I particularly enjoyed the change in one of the characters, showing that goodness can emerge in anyone.
This is a gritty family drama, full of suspense, sometimes chilling and overall, an intriguing, heartwarming read.
The story follows how the sisters try to rebuild their lives despite the prejudice surrounding them. The road is filled with danger, greed, and punishment when their vulnerability and desperation becomes apparent.
I enjoyed learning about the trading of antiques and the groundbreaking medical breakthroughs towards shell shock in front line soldiers. The attention to detail around this era is so informative and totally compelling. There is great warmth to the writing and although most of the characters are hugely likable the villains are well portrayed too. I particularly enjoyed the change in one of the characters, showing that goodness can emerge in anyone.
This is a gritty family drama, full of suspense, sometimes chilling and overall, an intriguing, heartwarming read.
January 3, 2022
This debut novel from Susanna Bavin, an author I've come to love from her later books, is a gorgeous, poignant portrayal of family strife in times of war. Carrie and family are reeling from the news that their Pa was a deserter. Half-sisters Carrie and Evadne have a fragile relationship and this is beautifully portrayed as they each try to emerge from the shame, both public and private. 1920s life, at times heartbreaking, cruel to those who went to war and to those who were left behind, is intelligently examined in all its aspects as the book unfolds. Billy Shipton is weak. Ralph Armstrong is downright scary, Alex Larter a scheming conniving individual, Adam Armstrong a warm dedicated professional. The sisters have to make their way through relationships with these men while trying to survive and keep their Mum alive. This is a multi-layered story with great depth and appreciation for times of war.
January 23, 2018
Susanna Bavin has woven a wonderful story populated by a varied cast of characters who are so realistically drawn they spring to life in the reader’s mind. Carrie Jenkins and her half-sister, Evadne, are compelling leads and the antagonists are much, much more than one-dimensional foils. The intriguing plot is so expertly structured and well-paced that I read the book within a couple of days.
This beautifully-written and sensitive novel offers romance, grit and determination; intrigue, crime, heartache and hardship; injustice, hope and tragedy. Full of fascinating period detail the story also depicts the reality of life spent in the shadow of the Great War.
The Deserter’s Daughter really is a fantastic debut and Susanna Bavin is a master storyteller. I hope this book garners the accolades it surely deserves. Highly recommended.
This beautifully-written and sensitive novel offers romance, grit and determination; intrigue, crime, heartache and hardship; injustice, hope and tragedy. Full of fascinating period detail the story also depicts the reality of life spent in the shadow of the Great War.
The Deserter’s Daughter really is a fantastic debut and Susanna Bavin is a master storyteller. I hope this book garners the accolades it surely deserves. Highly recommended.
December 22, 2018
THE DESERTER'S DAUGHTER, a saga that has it all! Intrigue, tension and strong characters, with plots twists that keep the reader wanting to turn the page. This debut novel will have a broad appeal and satisfy anyone looking for something a little different in the saga genre; a fresh new talent with something important to say - no wasted words! Carrie and half-sister Evadne are plunged into unexpected shame and heartache from the very start, their struggle to find themselves and their place in life and love continuing until the very last page. An enthralling read!
April 19, 2019
I simply loved it! Just couldn't put it down. There is excitement, drama and intrigue from the outset and the book kept me enthralled to the very last page. I loved the strong sense of place and time - 1920s Manchester - and the characters are all exceptionally well drawn. This story makes you think of how a lot of the Soldiers classed as deserters in 1914-18 war who lost their minds through shell shock, and how their families were ostracized by actions taken, by them being called deserters and were shot.
July 27, 2020
Listened to it in Bookbeat. This is the second Susanna Bavin that I’ve heard and I’m already listening to the third. I really enjoyed this and was thoroughly engrossed in the story. I’ve been unwell and this kept me company overnight. I would have preferred a little more about what attracted the heroine to the man she falls for, rather than sheer animal attraction, but there were times of real sorrow and tension in the plot to make up for that. It’s a really engrossing story with very real emotions.
November 18, 2018
set in manchester 1920's. this is carrie jenkins story. the devastating blow of finding out about her pa brings sorrow for her and her mam and sister evadne in wilton lane. billy calls off the wedding, miss reilly the lodger moves out, they all loose their jobs what is to become of them? carrie marries ralph armstrong a very controlling man who becomes a father to her child. this book will pull at your heartstrings as you read. carrie goes through so much tragedy i really enjoyed it.
January 6, 2020
This book was unputdownable! I feel like I was instantly taken back to 1920s Manchester, I could see the rows of terraced houses.
A well thought out novel, Carrie goes through such a lot of turbulent times, her sister Evadne annoyed me throughout. Gripping from the start. Perfect if you like British historical fiction.
A well thought out novel, Carrie goes through such a lot of turbulent times, her sister Evadne annoyed me throughout. Gripping from the start. Perfect if you like British historical fiction.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2017
An excellent read, totally immersing me in the period with wonderful description and emotional characterisation. You root for the characters as they battle against their circumstances and the morals of the age. I'm looking forward to more from Susanna Bavin.
November 4, 2018
I'm not normally a saga reader but I really did enjoy this one set in Manchester in the aftermath of WW1. It was real and gritty and thoroughly well researched. A story that kept me gripped and praying for a happy ending.
February 27, 2025
A good story and one I couldn't put down. Although it got a bit 'samey' and 'going round in circles' at some crucial moments, I kept going and wasn't disappointed. I did not like Ralph from the outset and he turned out to be a real brute. All in all, a good read.
September 18, 2018
Loved this book from start to finish wonderful portrayal of post world war one
working class Britain, heart breaking in parts a great story beautifully written .
working class Britain, heart breaking in parts a great story beautifully written .
May 10, 2019
This is the second book I have read by this author and she hasn't disappointed me.
November 9, 2019
A very good first book
I congratulate the author on a very well written first book I enjoyed the story and thought she had put so much detail into it
I congratulate the author on a very well written first book I enjoyed the story and thought she had put so much detail into it
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews