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A Song Unsung
Set against the bohemian backdrop of Soho’s jazz basements and coffee shops of the late fifties, and a Sussex village during the long hot summer of 1976, A Song Unsung tells the story of an impressionable teenage girl who falls under the spell of a beautiful singer with a mysterious past.
‘Powerful, evocative with such a big heart. Once I started I couldn’t put it down.’ Dreda Say Mitchell.
Soho 1958. Martha Palmer, an aspiring singer working in a coffee shop, is desperately short of cash. She’s been scouted by a photographer. The money’s good. But there’s a catch …
Sussex 1976. Nothing much happens in fourteen-year-old Natasha James’ life. Her mother has taken to her bed and her father, the local doctor, is preoccupied with his patients. But when the magnetic Martha Palmer moves into her village, Natasha is drawn into a glittery world of extravagant parties, steeped in the embroidered rhythms of jazz.
But who is the mysterious Martha Palmer? And why is she the keeper of so many secrets? Desperate to fill in the gaps of Martha’s past, Natasha uncovers a heart-breaking love story, the truth of which threatens to destroy all that she holds dear.
‘Powerful, evocative with such a big heart. Once I started I couldn’t put it down.’ Dreda Say Mitchell.
Soho 1958. Martha Palmer, an aspiring singer working in a coffee shop, is desperately short of cash. She’s been scouted by a photographer. The money’s good. But there’s a catch …
Sussex 1976. Nothing much happens in fourteen-year-old Natasha James’ life. Her mother has taken to her bed and her father, the local doctor, is preoccupied with his patients. But when the magnetic Martha Palmer moves into her village, Natasha is drawn into a glittery world of extravagant parties, steeped in the embroidered rhythms of jazz.
But who is the mysterious Martha Palmer? And why is she the keeper of so many secrets? Desperate to fill in the gaps of Martha’s past, Natasha uncovers a heart-breaking love story, the truth of which threatens to destroy all that she holds dear.
328 pages, Unknown Binding
Published May 27, 2021
1 person is currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Cane
8 books16 followersI was born and educated in Sussex. After graduating from Exeter University with a degree in Philosophy, I worked in London in film, tv and entertainment PR, before moving back to Sussex with my husband and young family. When I wasn’t coaching tennis or looking after my two children, I’d be scratching away at my latest novel.
I’m unusual in that I write across several genres – mystery, cosy mystery, psychological thriller, literary thriller and coming of age – but the one thing my books have in common is that they will keep you turning the page.
Books to date: Angel Town, A Song Unsung, The Other Side of the Mountain, A Push too Far (The Gate), When the Dove Cried, and 'Killing Fame.
Why not sign up to my mailing list at fionacane.com
I’m unusual in that I write across several genres – mystery, cosy mystery, psychological thriller, literary thriller and coming of age – but the one thing my books have in common is that they will keep you turning the page.
Books to date: Angel Town, A Song Unsung, The Other Side of the Mountain, A Push too Far (The Gate), When the Dove Cried, and 'Killing Fame.
Why not sign up to my mailing list at fionacane.com
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 22, 2021
Set over two timelines – the jazz clubs of the late 1950s and the long hot summer of 1976, this coming of age story takes us into the worlds of Martha and Natasha. They may have been born decades apart however the connection of their stories will have far reaching consequences.
In London, 1958, teenager Martha has a whole world opening up for her. Living in a ladies only boarding house whilst working as a waitress in a Soho cafe, she has a fantastic singing talent and has been discovered by Cee Cee, a jazz musician, playing the clubs with his band. Martha joins them but what nobody knows is that Martha made a mistake when she was desperate for money.
In Sussex, its 1976 and Natasha is bored and lonely through the long hot summer. Her mother has withdrawn from the family and stays in her bed and her GP father does his best but is too busy to pay much attention to where his daughter goes or what she does. A new family, the Fairchilds, move into the village – they seem so glamorous with a lifestyle so far removed from Natasha’s that she becomes entranced but the more time she spends with the family the more she plays with fire. Natasha feels the lack of her own mother in her life and Martha begins to fill the void.
I found both strands of the story equally engrossing however whilst both main characters are superbly drawn, it was Martha that I was drawn to the most. Martha’s story was a fascinating one involving the Soho jazz scene, the life of touring and first love. Estranged from her parents, she had no one to guide her and had to navigate her own way through.
A Song Unsung is an evocative and intriguing story with the atmosphere of the Jazz scene so vividly captured and village life so well described. Both Martha and Natasha have something in common and it is this gift which brings Natasha closer to Martha Fairchild. However there are many secrets to be revealed before the dramatic conclusion of this story – although it’s not a mystery there were some things that had my brain in overdrive trying to work out.
I did think that this might be my type of book when I was asked to review and I’m delighted to say that it definitely was. I thoroughly enjoyed A Song Unsung. I was a teenager in 1976 and remember that hot summer. Natasha’s posters of the ‘Davids’ on her bedroom walls bought back memories for me as my bedroom walls were covered with posters of David Cassidy much to the dismay of my parents. There is light and shade to the story, with references to racism and prejudice and it has clearly been well researched. A memorable supporting cast of characters and a story with surprises and revelations make this one to enjoy. Highly recommended.
In London, 1958, teenager Martha has a whole world opening up for her. Living in a ladies only boarding house whilst working as a waitress in a Soho cafe, she has a fantastic singing talent and has been discovered by Cee Cee, a jazz musician, playing the clubs with his band. Martha joins them but what nobody knows is that Martha made a mistake when she was desperate for money.
In Sussex, its 1976 and Natasha is bored and lonely through the long hot summer. Her mother has withdrawn from the family and stays in her bed and her GP father does his best but is too busy to pay much attention to where his daughter goes or what she does. A new family, the Fairchilds, move into the village – they seem so glamorous with a lifestyle so far removed from Natasha’s that she becomes entranced but the more time she spends with the family the more she plays with fire. Natasha feels the lack of her own mother in her life and Martha begins to fill the void.
I found both strands of the story equally engrossing however whilst both main characters are superbly drawn, it was Martha that I was drawn to the most. Martha’s story was a fascinating one involving the Soho jazz scene, the life of touring and first love. Estranged from her parents, she had no one to guide her and had to navigate her own way through.
A Song Unsung is an evocative and intriguing story with the atmosphere of the Jazz scene so vividly captured and village life so well described. Both Martha and Natasha have something in common and it is this gift which brings Natasha closer to Martha Fairchild. However there are many secrets to be revealed before the dramatic conclusion of this story – although it’s not a mystery there were some things that had my brain in overdrive trying to work out.
I did think that this might be my type of book when I was asked to review and I’m delighted to say that it definitely was. I thoroughly enjoyed A Song Unsung. I was a teenager in 1976 and remember that hot summer. Natasha’s posters of the ‘Davids’ on her bedroom walls bought back memories for me as my bedroom walls were covered with posters of David Cassidy much to the dismay of my parents. There is light and shade to the story, with references to racism and prejudice and it has clearly been well researched. A memorable supporting cast of characters and a story with surprises and revelations make this one to enjoy. Highly recommended.
June 1, 2021
I do love a story told in a dual time frame, so when I read the blurb for A Song Unsung, I knew this one was a book for me.
Happily, I was right. I've been totally engrossed by both Martha in the late 1950s and Natasha in 1976. Both characters are cleverly crafted, with their flaws exposed just as much as their redeeming qualities. I love characters who are well rounded, who a reader can identify with and therefore empathise with.
We meet Martha in Soho, it's 1958 and she's left home with little money, but big dreams. Martha loves to sing and is determined that she will make her name among the bright lights of London. However, for a naive, innocent girl, London brings more than glitter and fun and she finds herself in a predicament that is difficult to get out of. Despite her fears, this experience becomes a positive and the author wonderfully describes Martha's rise amongst the jazz clubs in the capital.
Fast forward to 1976 and Natasha is fed up. She's lonely and has little to do. When a beautiful and vibrant woman moves into the area, Natasha becomes obsessed and before long she's determined to know everything about the woman; Martha, and especially how her father seems to know her so well.
This is a beautifully written novel that I enjoyed so much. I was impressed by the depiction of the two different areas, and eras, finding myself humming a little jazz tune as I was reading!
A thoughtful and richly described story. I would recommend this one.
Happily, I was right. I've been totally engrossed by both Martha in the late 1950s and Natasha in 1976. Both characters are cleverly crafted, with their flaws exposed just as much as their redeeming qualities. I love characters who are well rounded, who a reader can identify with and therefore empathise with.
We meet Martha in Soho, it's 1958 and she's left home with little money, but big dreams. Martha loves to sing and is determined that she will make her name among the bright lights of London. However, for a naive, innocent girl, London brings more than glitter and fun and she finds herself in a predicament that is difficult to get out of. Despite her fears, this experience becomes a positive and the author wonderfully describes Martha's rise amongst the jazz clubs in the capital.
Fast forward to 1976 and Natasha is fed up. She's lonely and has little to do. When a beautiful and vibrant woman moves into the area, Natasha becomes obsessed and before long she's determined to know everything about the woman; Martha, and especially how her father seems to know her so well.
This is a beautifully written novel that I enjoyed so much. I was impressed by the depiction of the two different areas, and eras, finding myself humming a little jazz tune as I was reading!
A thoughtful and richly described story. I would recommend this one.
June 4, 2021
A dual timeline, when well done, is always one of my favourites; a coming of age story sometimes rather less so. But this was a book that entirely enchanted me from its opening pages, whisked me away into the worlds it created, and never lessened its grip until I reached the very end.
We first meet a young Martha in 1958, with her dreams of being a singer, working in Giovanni’s cafe in Soho’s Greek Street, desperately short of a way to meet the rent at the ladies’ boarding house she now calls home. Her desperation drives her to an act she immediately regrets – but also a chance meeting with Cee Cee, a black jazz musician who shows her an act of kindness, and then introduces her to the world of the Soho jazz clubs. She unexpectedly stands in as a singer with the Bo Rivers’ Five when the star they’re supporting fails to show up for a gig at the Flamingo, and we then follow her journey to unexpected stardom against a backdrop of the vibrant jazz scene of the late 1950s. And as we do, we also experience her strong friendships, her sometimes unwise relationships – all part of her own journey towards maturity.
In 1975, fourteen year old Natasha is bored and lonely – her mother has retreated to her bedroom, overwhelmed by the recent loss of her young son in a tragic accident, and her doctor father is too busy to show her much attention. She becomes fascinated by a glamorous new arrival – Martha – in their quiet Sussex village, drawn in by the family’s hedonistic lifestyle with its parties and music, happy to endure the torment by the teenage twin boys of the family if it means she can spend time in their orbit. She’s surprised when she discovers that Martha has a connection with her staid and boring father, and – while doing some growing up of her own – becomes obsessed with uncovering the secrets of their shared past, whatever the far-reaching consequences.
Both the main characters are quite superbly drawn – although Martha’s story is told in the third person and Natasha’s in first, they both have clear strong voices, and are entirely believable as their eyes are opened to the world around them. And although they always draw the eye, the supporting cast is quite wonderful too – in Martha’s story there’s the enigmatic Bo, the effusive and caring father figure Giovanni, supportive friend Becky, while the glittering Fairchild family and their large and exotic social circle play a large part in Natasha’s story. I really enjoyed too some of the smaller touches of characterisation – like that wonderful Greek chorus provided by the patients attending the doctor’s surgery, with their observations and judgements on the way the Fairchilds’ arrival is impacting their community.
And then there’s the setting. The 1950s Soho backdrop is far, far more than that – the way it’s recreated is vivid and intoxicating, something you feel through all your senses, that excitement of living through a time of change, the music playing an enormous part, along with the melting pot of people and their shared experiences, with every individual (no matter how peripheral) so wonderfully three-dimensional and real. You also feel – in your bones – the unrelenting heat of the Sussex summer, the standpipes, the shrivelling flowerbeds, the lowering water level in the swimming pool, really intensifying that overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia as the secrets of the past slowly emerge.
The central mystery was everything I wanted it to be – the pages turning ever faster, the inevitable approach of that moment of truth that will inevitably have such far-reaching consequences. The writing and storytelling is simply superb – this isn’t a book you simply read, you live within it, experience everything with its characters, seeing everything through the eyes of young Martha and Natasha. In Natasha’s case, of course, that lens is sometimes distorted – but quite perfectly so. Emotionally, the book is quite perfectly balanced – plenty of lightness and joy to counteract the darker themes that sometimes emerge.
I really loved this book – I approached it with high expectations, and every single one of them was exceeded. Very much recommended – and it might just be one of my books of the year.
We first meet a young Martha in 1958, with her dreams of being a singer, working in Giovanni’s cafe in Soho’s Greek Street, desperately short of a way to meet the rent at the ladies’ boarding house she now calls home. Her desperation drives her to an act she immediately regrets – but also a chance meeting with Cee Cee, a black jazz musician who shows her an act of kindness, and then introduces her to the world of the Soho jazz clubs. She unexpectedly stands in as a singer with the Bo Rivers’ Five when the star they’re supporting fails to show up for a gig at the Flamingo, and we then follow her journey to unexpected stardom against a backdrop of the vibrant jazz scene of the late 1950s. And as we do, we also experience her strong friendships, her sometimes unwise relationships – all part of her own journey towards maturity.
In 1975, fourteen year old Natasha is bored and lonely – her mother has retreated to her bedroom, overwhelmed by the recent loss of her young son in a tragic accident, and her doctor father is too busy to show her much attention. She becomes fascinated by a glamorous new arrival – Martha – in their quiet Sussex village, drawn in by the family’s hedonistic lifestyle with its parties and music, happy to endure the torment by the teenage twin boys of the family if it means she can spend time in their orbit. She’s surprised when she discovers that Martha has a connection with her staid and boring father, and – while doing some growing up of her own – becomes obsessed with uncovering the secrets of their shared past, whatever the far-reaching consequences.
Both the main characters are quite superbly drawn – although Martha’s story is told in the third person and Natasha’s in first, they both have clear strong voices, and are entirely believable as their eyes are opened to the world around them. And although they always draw the eye, the supporting cast is quite wonderful too – in Martha’s story there’s the enigmatic Bo, the effusive and caring father figure Giovanni, supportive friend Becky, while the glittering Fairchild family and their large and exotic social circle play a large part in Natasha’s story. I really enjoyed too some of the smaller touches of characterisation – like that wonderful Greek chorus provided by the patients attending the doctor’s surgery, with their observations and judgements on the way the Fairchilds’ arrival is impacting their community.
And then there’s the setting. The 1950s Soho backdrop is far, far more than that – the way it’s recreated is vivid and intoxicating, something you feel through all your senses, that excitement of living through a time of change, the music playing an enormous part, along with the melting pot of people and their shared experiences, with every individual (no matter how peripheral) so wonderfully three-dimensional and real. You also feel – in your bones – the unrelenting heat of the Sussex summer, the standpipes, the shrivelling flowerbeds, the lowering water level in the swimming pool, really intensifying that overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia as the secrets of the past slowly emerge.
The central mystery was everything I wanted it to be – the pages turning ever faster, the inevitable approach of that moment of truth that will inevitably have such far-reaching consequences. The writing and storytelling is simply superb – this isn’t a book you simply read, you live within it, experience everything with its characters, seeing everything through the eyes of young Martha and Natasha. In Natasha’s case, of course, that lens is sometimes distorted – but quite perfectly so. Emotionally, the book is quite perfectly balanced – plenty of lightness and joy to counteract the darker themes that sometimes emerge.
I really loved this book – I approached it with high expectations, and every single one of them was exceeded. Very much recommended – and it might just be one of my books of the year.
May 22, 2021
Review also posted here: http://www.book-drunk.co.uk/2021/05/r...
It’s rare for me to be able to start and finish a book over the course of 24 hours but with A Song Unsung I had no other choice. I was so engrossed in Martha’s story and Fiona Cane’s beautifully descriptive, scene-setting writing drew me into life in the 1950s and 1970s, with both parts captivating me and having me eager to discover the secrets that were being kept.
The story is told from the perspective of two characters. In Soho in 1958, we meet Martha, a young woman who has left home with little money to her name. She loves to sing but a career from that is just a fantasy. For now, she’s about trying to make enough money to live on. Until a desperate attempt to earn some good pay leads to a chance encounter with someone who may just be able to make her musical dreams come true.
In Sussex in 1976, we meet Natasha. Fourteen years old, she’s bored and lonely. That is, until one Martha Palmer moves into her neighbourhood and casts her spell on Tasha. Obsessed with her fashion, her beauty and her lifestyle, Natasha becomes addicted to the mystery behind Martha, and so did I. The way Martha’s character is depicted throughout both the fifties and seventies is utterly entrancing.
A Song Unsung felt like an ode to jazz music and the jazz scene is brought to life on the pages of this book. From the clubs and the venues to the anxieties, the publicity and the fame, Fiona Cane paints a vivid picture of life on the road for Martha and her band. I loved the author’s evocative style of writing. It was very atmospheric and the culture and jazz soundtrack bursts to life within the pages of this book. Not limited to the music, Fiona Cane draws the reader in to a hot and sticky coffee shop, to awkward teenage first times and to the suspense built through secrets and lies.
I really enjoyed the exploration of both Martha and Natasha’s characters. Though her upbringing was different to Martha’s, there was a resemblance between young Natasha and young Martha that I found fascinating. Whilst I could sympathise with Martha more, and found it easy to root for her despite her flaws, I struggled more with Natasha’s attitude. Her newfound obsession with Martha led to her showing quite a selfish and at times unkind approach towards her mother. There was a side to Tasha that only came about when she was around Martha – a need she had to impress this mysterious woman, a need for excitement that she could only find out of the confines of her own home. Natasha had an impressionable personality and she developed an intriguing fixation on Martha that I found truly compelling.
I loved the mystery at the heart of this novel. A Song Unsung kept me guessing throughout, intrigued by the secrets and hidden truths and always engaged, eagerly piecing together the parts of Martha’s life and what changed in the twenty-year gap from when we first meet her to when we meet her again. There was a lot I didn’t see coming, and I loved the book all the more for it. I would highly recommend A Song Unsung – a must-read this Summer.
It’s rare for me to be able to start and finish a book over the course of 24 hours but with A Song Unsung I had no other choice. I was so engrossed in Martha’s story and Fiona Cane’s beautifully descriptive, scene-setting writing drew me into life in the 1950s and 1970s, with both parts captivating me and having me eager to discover the secrets that were being kept.
The story is told from the perspective of two characters. In Soho in 1958, we meet Martha, a young woman who has left home with little money to her name. She loves to sing but a career from that is just a fantasy. For now, she’s about trying to make enough money to live on. Until a desperate attempt to earn some good pay leads to a chance encounter with someone who may just be able to make her musical dreams come true.
In Sussex in 1976, we meet Natasha. Fourteen years old, she’s bored and lonely. That is, until one Martha Palmer moves into her neighbourhood and casts her spell on Tasha. Obsessed with her fashion, her beauty and her lifestyle, Natasha becomes addicted to the mystery behind Martha, and so did I. The way Martha’s character is depicted throughout both the fifties and seventies is utterly entrancing.
A Song Unsung felt like an ode to jazz music and the jazz scene is brought to life on the pages of this book. From the clubs and the venues to the anxieties, the publicity and the fame, Fiona Cane paints a vivid picture of life on the road for Martha and her band. I loved the author’s evocative style of writing. It was very atmospheric and the culture and jazz soundtrack bursts to life within the pages of this book. Not limited to the music, Fiona Cane draws the reader in to a hot and sticky coffee shop, to awkward teenage first times and to the suspense built through secrets and lies.
I really enjoyed the exploration of both Martha and Natasha’s characters. Though her upbringing was different to Martha’s, there was a resemblance between young Natasha and young Martha that I found fascinating. Whilst I could sympathise with Martha more, and found it easy to root for her despite her flaws, I struggled more with Natasha’s attitude. Her newfound obsession with Martha led to her showing quite a selfish and at times unkind approach towards her mother. There was a side to Tasha that only came about when she was around Martha – a need she had to impress this mysterious woman, a need for excitement that she could only find out of the confines of her own home. Natasha had an impressionable personality and she developed an intriguing fixation on Martha that I found truly compelling.
I loved the mystery at the heart of this novel. A Song Unsung kept me guessing throughout, intrigued by the secrets and hidden truths and always engaged, eagerly piecing together the parts of Martha’s life and what changed in the twenty-year gap from when we first meet her to when we meet her again. There was a lot I didn’t see coming, and I loved the book all the more for it. I would highly recommend A Song Unsung – a must-read this Summer.
July 8, 2021
This was a such a beautifully evocative book, with an incredible sense of place, both of Soho back in the 50s and Sussex in 1976. I felt like the characters were whispering thier stories directly to me: Martha more reticent at first, Natasha more open. It's the prefect summer read, lyrical, lovely, pure escapism.
September 9, 2021
Her best yet!
June 2, 2021
Natasha’s life is pretty boring, with her mum mental illness and room confinement, and her dad constantly working she doesn’t know what to do with herself. Until Martha Palmer comes into town. Tasha becomes soon obsessed with this perfect woman and wants to know more about her past.
The plot is entertaining and compelling, through the dual timeline story we get to know what happened to Martha Palmer when she was 15/17 and how she came to be the woman she is in 1970, nearly 29 years after.
The author’s descriptive writing style bring to life as well the jazz scene of the years and made me want to play some of the tunes while reading.
But definitely the most intriguing part was the whole romance surrounding the story, and the final twist was definitely surprising.
The plot is entertaining and compelling, through the dual timeline story we get to know what happened to Martha Palmer when she was 15/17 and how she came to be the woman she is in 1970, nearly 29 years after.
The author’s descriptive writing style bring to life as well the jazz scene of the years and made me want to play some of the tunes while reading.
But definitely the most intriguing part was the whole romance surrounding the story, and the final twist was definitely surprising.
July 10, 2021
I don’t usually enjoy stories with dual timelines, I find that they are usually not my cup of tea, however, A Song Unsung was a pleasant surprise. I found myself so engrossed in Martha and Natasha’s stories that I couldn’t get enough. I have always been interested in the 50’s and 60’s and the history surrounding jazz, I felt like I was really there with them. Fiona Cane has a gift when it comes to story telling, her descriptive and setting of the scenes was wonderful. The mystery and budding romance in between life lessons made this a five-star book
August 15, 2021
A thoroughly enjoyable read with enough drama, mystery and heart to keep you gripped till the end. Read the last half in one as couldn't wait to find out the answers to all the mysteries! The description and detail about the beauty of jazz music was also a highlight.
July 28, 2021
Coming of age story set in two timelines where a young girl gets drawn to a woman who moves in next door who in her youth was a famous jazz singer.
November 20, 2022
Two stories, old and new, entwined - couldn’t put it down
Such a great book. The end left me wanting more. Wonderful characters, beautiful despite their flaws and the harm they did even while trying to be good. I’ll be reading more Fiona Cane books.
Such a great book. The end left me wanting more. Wonderful characters, beautiful despite their flaws and the harm they did even while trying to be good. I’ll be reading more Fiona Cane books.
August 12, 2021
Love this book!!!
May 31, 2021
I adored A Song Unsung, by Fiona Cane. The stories of Martha and Natasha, two young women coming of age in very different circumstances two decades apart, drew me in and kept me turning the pages.
I really enjoyed following Martha around 1950s London as she found success as a singer. It was so exciting to watch her career unfold, and the descriptions of the clothes, music, and venues absolutely jump off the page. I grew very attached to the cast of characters surrounding her too, especially Cee Cee, Becky and Giovanni.
However, it’s not all glamour and highs, as Martha has some secrets, does some things she’s not proud of that come back to haunt her, and isn’t universally liked. You’re also aware of the racism faced by her fellow musicians. Cane mixes light and dark skilfully to create a well-rounded story.
This balance of light and dark also comes through in Natasha’s story, which is also very enjoyable to read. On the one hand, her family has recently gone through a difficult experience and she’s in a vulnerable position without the support from her mother that she needs. On the other, she has a witty voice and a vitality about her, and the arrival of the Fairchild family (of which Martha is the matriarch) brings some much-needed joy to her life.
As the blurb suggests, though, this is far from an uncomplicated joy. Through her involvement with Martha’s family, and her curiosity about her father’s connection with Martha, Natasha unwittingly stirs up emotions, uncovers secrets, and plays a part in an explosive reckoning. This book has revelations, cliffhangers, and twists throughout, right up to the denouement, which made it very hard to put down.
A Song Unsung is exciting, captivating and addictive.
I really enjoyed following Martha around 1950s London as she found success as a singer. It was so exciting to watch her career unfold, and the descriptions of the clothes, music, and venues absolutely jump off the page. I grew very attached to the cast of characters surrounding her too, especially Cee Cee, Becky and Giovanni.
However, it’s not all glamour and highs, as Martha has some secrets, does some things she’s not proud of that come back to haunt her, and isn’t universally liked. You’re also aware of the racism faced by her fellow musicians. Cane mixes light and dark skilfully to create a well-rounded story.
This balance of light and dark also comes through in Natasha’s story, which is also very enjoyable to read. On the one hand, her family has recently gone through a difficult experience and she’s in a vulnerable position without the support from her mother that she needs. On the other, she has a witty voice and a vitality about her, and the arrival of the Fairchild family (of which Martha is the matriarch) brings some much-needed joy to her life.
As the blurb suggests, though, this is far from an uncomplicated joy. Through her involvement with Martha’s family, and her curiosity about her father’s connection with Martha, Natasha unwittingly stirs up emotions, uncovers secrets, and plays a part in an explosive reckoning. This book has revelations, cliffhangers, and twists throughout, right up to the denouement, which made it very hard to put down.
A Song Unsung is exciting, captivating and addictive.
October 17, 2021
Enjoyed this very much. Evocative of Soho and of the 1970s.
February 19, 2022
Surprisingly gripping
I couldn’t put this down! On the surface it’s seems a “normal” drama story, but I was constantly unable to put it down, even into the small hours, as I just HAD to know what happened next. Very enjoyable, I felt invested in the characters and the scenes described came vividly to life as I read.
I couldn’t put this down! On the surface it’s seems a “normal” drama story, but I was constantly unable to put it down, even into the small hours, as I just HAD to know what happened next. Very enjoyable, I felt invested in the characters and the scenes described came vividly to life as I read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews