A Cuckoo in Candle Lane

by Kitty Neale

A Cuckoo in Candle Lane, is Sunday Times bestseller Kitty Neale's first novel, a powerful drama of family life set in post-war London.

When Elsie and Bert Jones move with their children, Ann and Arthur, to Candle Lane, a modest street in Battersea, they miss their comfortable house in Wimbledon. But the move is the right thing to do, while Bert starts a new business.

They are a warm-hearted family and Elsie soon makes friends with her less fortunate neighbour, Ruth, and her daughter Sally.

But before long Elsie realises that all is not well in the house next door...

Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries and Katie Flynn, this is a rags to riches story from the Sunday Times bestselling author of A Mother's Sacrifice and A Family Scandal .

Genres: Romance

384 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Louise]

This book was not what I expected at all, and whilst it is an enjoyable book, I did feel like I was reading the storyline of a soap - you name it, it happens to one of the characters in this book. It touches on some dark themes without quite doing them justice (again, like a soap) and with so many characters I had to make a conscious effort to remember who they all were (not unlike Eastenders), even towards the end. The writing style reflects the period that it was set in, instantly taking you back to the 50s and 60s, and the jumps in time are well-structured and clear, but I have to say the writing often irritated me: I felt the writing was often jumpy, with it unclear who was speaking/thinking/being described, with an often confusing mix of both first and third person.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it was very easy to put down and walk away from and, as it often irritated me, is not a book I will be reading again.

[Kathleen Orme]

Found this book easy to read reminded me of my childhood some of the places I remember well

[Kay-marie]

Exhilarating

Wow . I really couldn't put this book down. The characters are so real. From one character to another, their stories unfold .To torment you as to how things are going to go. Very very very hard not to feel for them and finish it in 3 days.. twists and turns along the way . No wonder it's a no best seller x

[Booklover BEV]

Stretch your wings and fly

Battersea south London 1953, ten years old Sally Marchant known as ginger nut is in the warren of streets and alleyways on her way home from school and two tormentors jumped out as she braced herself for the confrontation, but Sally gives as good as she gets and won't cry and runs off back to Candle Lane up to her bedroom she yearns to play out her dad Ken disallows it her mum Ruth lets her down in the kitchen when he's out at the pub and he's always raising his hands known as the cuckoo feeling angels kiss and the room glowing her friend was here daft nonsense to her mum. She loved visiting her gran Sadie in Tooting along with her Aunt who both spoil her, this is Sallys story as she grows up. This book captures wholesome moments, that is written in a natural style, Sally has a hard childhood that I took to my heart as she grows into a teenager, this book for me is not my first read but it's ten times better like watching old movies you never tire of them and still leaves a lump in your throat. Sally has psychic powers and healings they don't scare her they like urgent whispers in her head, it's a real eye opener to what goes on behind closed doors I just loved reading every chapter of this book that left me with a feel of contentment once again.

[Serene]

I like these old-timey vintage books, but the heroine is a woobie, and there are times when just about everything but the kitchen sink happens to this woman. The theme is a bit much and includes child molestation, tarot, psychic powers and domestic violence.

First, she is born with psychic powers, an invisible friend, a missing father, and a pedophilia uncle tries to molest her. As she grows up, she falls in love with a gay man who wants to marry her to be his beard, and at the same time she ignores the hunk next door. Near the end, she mysteriously jumps into bed with an engaged man, gets pregnant, refuses to name the father, and lets him move to Australia with his promiscuous wife.

I think one or two themes would've been enough for this book. But it felt like every trite historical plot device rolled into one. I almost gave up when She got involved with the religious man and refused to heal her granny for a whole year! That seemed so cruel.

[Dunkypoos]

Oh my god. I’ve always loved the few bits of Kitty’s stuff I’ve read (started with the Battersea Tavern series). This one, however, is my absolute favourite to date. I had goosebumps near the end and never knew how quick I could read until the last couple of chapters in this! My kindle was on fire at the end i was that keen to get there.

Drawn in from the start, I could pick this up at any time and be instantly gripped. You go through every emotion and feeling of hatred, excitement and, thankfully, satisfaction throughout.

Nailed it, sleep-lackingly, within 24 hours. Night!

[Kaye Arnold]

Loved it! Following the main character, Sally, from a 10 year old girl treated terribly by the man she thinks is her father, to her abuse by her uncle, to her first job, first love and beyond. The story begins in the 1950's. Sally is the cuckoo in Candle Lane....she is not her father's daughter. The story is predictable at times, but lively from the very first page. So happy to have discovered this author.

[Keri]

Hard to put down. I love books by Kitty Neale, I enjoyed this book so much. I loved this book so much I'm already reading another one of her books. Kitty Neale is such a gifted writer I felt like I was watching a movie watching the events happen in her book.

[Angelic Sword]

Un drame familial et historique avec une petite touche en plus à découvrir pendant la lecture 👀 ! Les personnages sont touchants malgré leurs défauts évidents, c’est sans doute ce qui m’a plu. L’ensemble est assez prévisible mais on se passionne pour cette histoire. Je regrette juste une fin un peu rapide mais j’ai passé un très bon moment dans un genre loin de mon style de prédilection d’habitude.

[Cara Byrne]

As some others have suggested, it's very much like a soap opera, playing Trumps at what could go wrong next in their lives BUT I did still enjoy it. I found it would suddenly skip a few months every now and then but it was still a pleasant read.

[NaomiDaviesWatters]

loved it all was so intense felt every emotion every pge kept me hooked and i felt like i was woth the characters throw their story great ending felt like i wasnt gonna get the ending i wanted in some places but i did amaz8ng story defnitly recomend :)

[natalie bowes]

Another great read by Kitty Neale. Easy to read, shame that the ending ended the way it did, wished there had been more to it.

[Alison Henderson]

Fab

Couldn't put the book down. Great from start to a wonderful finish.. Will be looking out for the next book.

[Marc Clegg]

A brilliant read , really enjoy Kitty’s book.

[Annemarie Farthing]

A rather abrupt end to this book,
kind of spoilt it .

[Tracy Hall]

A good read but not what I expected full of abuse and domestic violence

[RJC]

Aga saga. Touching on paedophilia mixed with psychic powers, which was an odd mix. Very descriptive in places.

[Yvonne Simcox]

This was my first book by Kitty ..It was brilliant..lovely book ..shall be reading more of her books x

[Mrs. E. W. Walker]

Great book

I loved this book with all its twists and turns. I simply could not put it down until I had come to the end

[Lynn Smith]

Enjoyable read with some dramatic events throughout. A nice introductory novel. A prequel to Mother's Ruin which explores Sally's marriage.

[ROSEMARY ELIZABETH FAULKNER]

Beautiful

Brilliant and wonderfully written so real life could not put the book down hard in some places but so glad I read this book love her writing thank you

[Elaine Alderton]

One of the best Kitty Neal books I have read so far. I’m going straight on the the follow on book

[Tracy]

Just another fantastic story from Kitty Neale I just can’t seem to stop reading her books absolutely brilliant

[Lana Andrew]

nice read

[Lesley Casey]

I loved this book, such a great storyline kept me hooked all the way through. I love all of kitty neales nooks so far.....onto the next one ❤️

[Caroline]

Sally was abused as a child, will she ever get over it and trust men ever again and have a good life and love again

[Alicia]

I was given this book as a present for my 15th birthday in 2011 by a girl in my homeroom. I know they say never judge a book by its cover - but that's EXACTLY what I did. I thought to myself "This is one of those books written in the 40's about a housewife or something, right?". Wrong.

I finished the book within a matter of days actually. I couldn't put it down. I don't remember the whole story but I do know that I did really enjoy it. It was very light-hearted and happy in some parts, then more sinister and slightly creepy in some others (I don't want to say why because spoiling a book for someone is absolutely stupid, not to mention rude).

I still have this book on my shelf to this day and I think I will definitely be reading it a second time in the near future :)

5/5 Stars x

[Evie Childs]

Set throughout the 1950's, this book took me by surprise. The blurb definitely doesn't do the captivating storyline justice. This was a fun and entertaining read, despite dealing with some heavy topics; which the author handled realistically and relatively well. The writing, opinions and characters suited the era and decade of that time, the characters were realistic and the plot was enjoyable, if only a little predictable at certain times. (In my opinion).
My main problem with this book is that it seemed to skim and rush past conflict, and often the big reveals and climaxes, although good, seemed to be resolved too quickly and neatly. Overall, I think the novel as a whole deserves at least 3.5 stars. I'm looking forward to reading the combined sequels; Mother's Ruin.

[Claire Moss]

an insight into hiw things may have been before we had things most if us take for granted now. the characters are interesting and their lives are in places relatable and realistic. its sad and heartwarming too I am now reading the sequel and will read more by kitty neale :)

[Ann Taylor]

So many themes run through this book it was really just too much in one story. As if everything that happened could actually have happened to ONE person. Not a book that I would return to and I would imagine perhaps disappointing to fans of Kitty Neale.