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Josephine Tey #10
Dear Little Corpses
It takes a village to bury a child.
1 September, 1939. As the mass evacuation takes place across Britain, thousands of children leave London for the countryside, but when a little girl vanishes without trace, the reality of separation becomes more desperate and more deadly for those who love her.
In the chaos and uncertainty of war, Josephine struggles with the prospect of change. As a cloud of suspicion falls across the small Suffolk village she has come to love, the conflict becomes personal, and events take a dark and sinister turn.
1 September, 1939. As the mass evacuation takes place across Britain, thousands of children leave London for the countryside, but when a little girl vanishes without trace, the reality of separation becomes more desperate and more deadly for those who love her.
In the chaos and uncertainty of war, Josephine struggles with the prospect of change. As a cloud of suspicion falls across the small Suffolk village she has come to love, the conflict becomes personal, and events take a dark and sinister turn.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published January 1, 2022
66 people are currently reading
712 people want to read
About the author
Nicola Upson
15 books533 followersNicola Upson was born in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, and read English at Downing College, Cambridge. She has worked in theatre and as a freelance journalist, and is the author of two non-fiction works, and the recipient of an Escalator Award from Arts Council England. She lives with her partner and splits her time between Cambridge and Cornwall.
Nicola is currently writing the sixth book in the 'Josephine Tey' series, and a standalone novel set in the 1920s.
Series:
* Josephine Tey
Nicola is currently writing the sixth book in the 'Josephine Tey' series, and a standalone novel set in the 1920s.
Series:
* Josephine Tey
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 201 reviews
May 9, 2022
Nicola Upson's latest addition to her historical crime series featuring the Scottish writer Josephine Tey has a very dark heart, set in the Suffolk village of Polstead, where Tey inherited a house from her godmother. Black clouds hang heavy as villagers prepare for the coming war, with the order to carry gas masks at all times and fitting black out curtains, and Tey is living with her friend and lover, Marta, making the most of the time they have together before Marta leaves for America to work with Hitchcock. London is preparing for the terror of war with the mass evacuation of children and mothers with little children to more rural parts of the country. Unsurprisingly, there is heartbreak and anguish amongst parents, having to entrust their precious children to strangers, hoping they have made the right decision.
Vicar's wife Hilary Lampton has made arrangements for Polstead residents to take some of the children, only to find amidst the chaos and confusion, four times more than expected turn up, leaving her to cajole the community into accepting them all. However, one child, Betty is taken in by the Herron family, but they refuse to take in her brother, Noah. Tey takes him in as a short term measure, only to find he is more disturbed and unsettled than she first realises. In the meantime, Scotland Yard DCI Archie Penrose finds himself in charge of a London murder with a victim, a rent collector, he has little sympathy with. At the village fete, Tey finds herself meeting the well known author, Marjery Allingham, and judging the various competitions with her, when it transpires that there is a missing child, and a search for her is organised by Penrose who is temporarily visiting.
There are unexpected twists in a harrowing narrative where the full extent of nightmare horrors hidden with Polstead's community slowly begin to come to light, as the start of the war shakes out other secrets as well. Upson skilfully introduces a wide ranging cast of disparate characters as she builds up a intricate and detailed picture of the ordinary and everyday life of a village. The underlying sinister and menacing undercurrents culminate in revelations that come as a traumatic shock, it seems you can know people all your life and yet not know who they really are. This is a wonderfully atmospheric historical crime series, this addition captures the turbulence of this period, in London with the messy logistics of a mass evacuation and the impact on rural villages. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Vicar's wife Hilary Lampton has made arrangements for Polstead residents to take some of the children, only to find amidst the chaos and confusion, four times more than expected turn up, leaving her to cajole the community into accepting them all. However, one child, Betty is taken in by the Herron family, but they refuse to take in her brother, Noah. Tey takes him in as a short term measure, only to find he is more disturbed and unsettled than she first realises. In the meantime, Scotland Yard DCI Archie Penrose finds himself in charge of a London murder with a victim, a rent collector, he has little sympathy with. At the village fete, Tey finds herself meeting the well known author, Marjery Allingham, and judging the various competitions with her, when it transpires that there is a missing child, and a search for her is organised by Penrose who is temporarily visiting.
There are unexpected twists in a harrowing narrative where the full extent of nightmare horrors hidden with Polstead's community slowly begin to come to light, as the start of the war shakes out other secrets as well. Upson skilfully introduces a wide ranging cast of disparate characters as she builds up a intricate and detailed picture of the ordinary and everyday life of a village. The underlying sinister and menacing undercurrents culminate in revelations that come as a traumatic shock, it seems you can know people all your life and yet not know who they really are. This is a wonderfully atmospheric historical crime series, this addition captures the turbulence of this period, in London with the messy logistics of a mass evacuation and the impact on rural villages. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
August 22, 2022
This is the tenth book in this excellent series, and I have read all of the previous nine books. Over time I have developed a close relationship with the main characters and expected to enjoy this book very much. I was not disappointed.
Dear Little Corpses begins in September 1939, as war is announced and the mass evacuation of children from London begins. Reading Upson's account brought home to me the awfulness of the situation. Imagine being a mother putting a luggage label on your five year old daughter and having to leave her with hundreds of other children in the care of a few teachers and overworked officials. As can be expected in such a huge event, despite an incredible amount of organisation, mix ups would have occurred and children must have gone missing. The author takes this basic idea and turns it into a harrowing story.
Josephine Tey and her partner Marta meanwhile are spending one short holiday together before Marta goes to America to work for Alfred Hitchcock. They become involved in the arrival of the evacuees to the village and are there when the first child goes missing. Archie Penrose is there too and he leads the initial investigation. I very much enjoyed the introduction to the story of Margery Allingham who at the time was a more famous author than Tey.
Beautifully written as always this book was a fascinating account of historical events mixed into an intriguing fictional mystery. Hopefully the author has plans for more books because I am not ready to say goodbye to Archie and Josephine yet.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Dear Little Corpses begins in September 1939, as war is announced and the mass evacuation of children from London begins. Reading Upson's account brought home to me the awfulness of the situation. Imagine being a mother putting a luggage label on your five year old daughter and having to leave her with hundreds of other children in the care of a few teachers and overworked officials. As can be expected in such a huge event, despite an incredible amount of organisation, mix ups would have occurred and children must have gone missing. The author takes this basic idea and turns it into a harrowing story.
Josephine Tey and her partner Marta meanwhile are spending one short holiday together before Marta goes to America to work for Alfred Hitchcock. They become involved in the arrival of the evacuees to the village and are there when the first child goes missing. Archie Penrose is there too and he leads the initial investigation. I very much enjoyed the introduction to the story of Margery Allingham who at the time was a more famous author than Tey.
Beautifully written as always this book was a fascinating account of historical events mixed into an intriguing fictional mystery. Hopefully the author has plans for more books because I am not ready to say goodbye to Archie and Josephine yet.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
October 13, 2022
It was 1939 as war was declared that the evacuation of hundreds of young children from London to the countryside began. Most parents didn't want their children to leave, sure they could protect them better themselves. But being reassured by teachers and staff saw them boarding the trains, most were crying, a lot looked frightened, but it was supposed to keep them safe. When two buses arrived in the small Suffolk village of Polstead, the vicar's wife could see there were many more children than she'd thought. The chaos went on for a number of hours before the children were taken to their new homes.
With the fete on the following day, Josephine and Marta arrived to help out. Josephine was to do some of the judging and she was nervous about that. As she and her fellow judge were about to tackle the fancy dress, it was realised that one of the children, Annie, daughter of a local family who'd taken other children, was missing. The fete was dismantled, and as Josephine's friend, Archie Penrose, a DCI from Scotland Yard, was there, he soon had searchers ready for the task of finding Annie. But worse was to come, much worse. There were secrets in the village and it seemed they'd all come out very soon...
Dear Little Corpses is the 10th in the Josephine Tey series by Nicola Upson and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heartbreak of taking children from their families mingled with the concerns of war, the young men who'd enlisted, and the changes that were coming. I've only read #9 before this one, so I can say they standalone. I can also see I'd know the characters better if I'd started at the beginning. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
With the fete on the following day, Josephine and Marta arrived to help out. Josephine was to do some of the judging and she was nervous about that. As she and her fellow judge were about to tackle the fancy dress, it was realised that one of the children, Annie, daughter of a local family who'd taken other children, was missing. The fete was dismantled, and as Josephine's friend, Archie Penrose, a DCI from Scotland Yard, was there, he soon had searchers ready for the task of finding Annie. But worse was to come, much worse. There were secrets in the village and it seemed they'd all come out very soon...
Dear Little Corpses is the 10th in the Josephine Tey series by Nicola Upson and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The heartbreak of taking children from their families mingled with the concerns of war, the young men who'd enlisted, and the changes that were coming. I've only read #9 before this one, so I can say they standalone. I can also see I'd know the characters better if I'd started at the beginning. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2022
This popular series is based on the imagined life of respected Scottish playwright and novelist Josephine Tey whose popular mystery series, published from 1929 to 1952, featured the much loved Inspector Alan Grant of Scotland Yard. Tey was a very private person and little is known about her personal life, so Nicola Upson has imagined her as an amateur sleuth involved in the types of mysteries she loved to write about.
On 1st September 1939 with Great Britain on the brink of declaring war on Germany, Josephine Tey is living in the cottage in the small village of Polstead, Suffolk that she inherited from her godmother. Her friend and lover Marta is staying with her and they are looking forward to spending a quiet week together before Marta leaves for America and Josephine returns home to Inverness.
London is in the throes of evacuating children and women with babies before the onset of the Blitz and Josephine has been asked by the vicar’s wife to help receive the busload of evacuees assigned to the village. Families have already volunteered to take in the twenty children being sent to Polstead, however when the buses from London arrive with four times that many on board, chaos ensues as the welcoming committee tries desperately to find homes for the extra evacuees. Only Noah, a young boy is left with no one to take him, so Josephine reluctantly agrees to temporarily take him home with her until he can be a family can be found to look after him.
The following day is the day of the village fete where Josephine has agreed to be a judge for the various events, culminating in a fancy dress parade. At the start of the parade, the devastating discovery is made that Annie, a four year old girl is missing. Her mother last saw her the afternoon before at the school hall during the chaotic scramble of finding homes for the extra evacuated children. Annie was cross that her mother was taking in more children herself and had gone off in a huff to stay with her grandmother who lived across the road from the school. However, she never arrived there and neither woman knew she was missing until they both arrived at the fancy dress parade without her. Fortunately, Josephine’s friend DCI Archie Penrose of Scotland Yard is staying with friends in the village and is able to calm everyone down and organise a thorough search for the child.
The search for a missing child becomes a catalyst for historical secrets and lies to be uncovered in this small peaceful village, with the plot drawing in more families in both London and Polstead. Upson’s fine writing realistically conveys the heartbreak of mothers sending children away during this stressful time, trusting that they will be cared for and loved by strangers in some unknown place. The chaos of such a huge evacuation of the very young and the potential for children to be lost or misplaced felt particularly poignant with similar evacuations once again taking place in Europe today. The descriptions of village life at that time in history also felt very evocative of that pre-war period in England, just before everything was about to change forever. Upson’s colourful collection of characters are also well drawn from DCI Penrose to the Vicar’s wife, the spinster sisters living with their bachelor brother, the nosy neighbour and the chatty shopkeeper and of course Josephine herself. Although this is the tenth book in the series, it reads well as a stand alone mystery, although after reading it you may then find yourself wanting to devour the whole series.
With thanks to Faber and Faber via Netgalley for a copy to read. Original review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/de...
On 1st September 1939 with Great Britain on the brink of declaring war on Germany, Josephine Tey is living in the cottage in the small village of Polstead, Suffolk that she inherited from her godmother. Her friend and lover Marta is staying with her and they are looking forward to spending a quiet week together before Marta leaves for America and Josephine returns home to Inverness.
London is in the throes of evacuating children and women with babies before the onset of the Blitz and Josephine has been asked by the vicar’s wife to help receive the busload of evacuees assigned to the village. Families have already volunteered to take in the twenty children being sent to Polstead, however when the buses from London arrive with four times that many on board, chaos ensues as the welcoming committee tries desperately to find homes for the extra evacuees. Only Noah, a young boy is left with no one to take him, so Josephine reluctantly agrees to temporarily take him home with her until he can be a family can be found to look after him.
The following day is the day of the village fete where Josephine has agreed to be a judge for the various events, culminating in a fancy dress parade. At the start of the parade, the devastating discovery is made that Annie, a four year old girl is missing. Her mother last saw her the afternoon before at the school hall during the chaotic scramble of finding homes for the extra evacuated children. Annie was cross that her mother was taking in more children herself and had gone off in a huff to stay with her grandmother who lived across the road from the school. However, she never arrived there and neither woman knew she was missing until they both arrived at the fancy dress parade without her. Fortunately, Josephine’s friend DCI Archie Penrose of Scotland Yard is staying with friends in the village and is able to calm everyone down and organise a thorough search for the child.
The search for a missing child becomes a catalyst for historical secrets and lies to be uncovered in this small peaceful village, with the plot drawing in more families in both London and Polstead. Upson’s fine writing realistically conveys the heartbreak of mothers sending children away during this stressful time, trusting that they will be cared for and loved by strangers in some unknown place. The chaos of such a huge evacuation of the very young and the potential for children to be lost or misplaced felt particularly poignant with similar evacuations once again taking place in Europe today. The descriptions of village life at that time in history also felt very evocative of that pre-war period in England, just before everything was about to change forever. Upson’s colourful collection of characters are also well drawn from DCI Penrose to the Vicar’s wife, the spinster sisters living with their bachelor brother, the nosy neighbour and the chatty shopkeeper and of course Josephine herself. Although this is the tenth book in the series, it reads well as a stand alone mystery, although after reading it you may then find yourself wanting to devour the whole series.
With thanks to Faber and Faber via Netgalley for a copy to read. Original review first published in Mystery & Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/de...
August 30, 2022
First up, this is the first book I have read by this author, so I am unfamiliar with this series of books. So for me that probably detracted a little, as it took me a while to work out the central characters and how they were connected. I also felt I wasn't fully understanding of the impact the back story may have had on how this played out.
On the upside I did enjoy this book and am intrigued to go back and read the series now.
Josephine Tey is a mystery novelist who is living in a small English village as WWII is announced. A large number of children are evacuated from London in anticipation of a bombing blitz by Germany. When a local girl goes missing on the night where a large influx of children arrive in the town, the locals and police are puzzled,. However, it soon becomes apparent that there are long held secrets that are about to surface.
For me 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 as I feel if I knew the series I would enjoy it so much more.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this digital ARC.
On the upside I did enjoy this book and am intrigued to go back and read the series now.
Josephine Tey is a mystery novelist who is living in a small English village as WWII is announced. A large number of children are evacuated from London in anticipation of a bombing blitz by Germany. When a local girl goes missing on the night where a large influx of children arrive in the town, the locals and police are puzzled,. However, it soon becomes apparent that there are long held secrets that are about to surface.
For me 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 as I feel if I knew the series I would enjoy it so much more.
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to review this digital ARC.
September 14, 2022
How is it that I'd never encountered Nicola Upson's Josephine Tey mystery series before now? However it happened, I'm glad I'm now on to it. Dear Little Corpses is the 10th volume in this series, but I had no trouble reading it as a stand-alone and am eager to get going on the nine previous titles I missed.
What makes Dear Little Corpses such a good read?
• It lies in that borderland territory between cozy (too frivolous) and psychological thriller (too menacing) that's my favorite mystery territory.
• This volume is set in the weeks before and after Britain's entry into WWII, and offers an interesting picture of the gradual emergence of the new normal UK citizens will be facing until the war's end.
• The characters are genuine and specific—no cardboard cut-outs, no incomplete background figures. Everyone's story is complicated, and those complications all contribute to the plot. The cast of characters is large, but each character was distinct enough that I could easily keep them all in mind without any "wait a minute—who was that?" moments.
• Josephine Tey is a lesbian, as was the case in real life. Upson does a solid job of depicting the balancing act that identity requires—though as a financially independent novelist, Tey doesn't face as many challenge as a more quotidian hero might.
• The mystery itself, about the disappearance of a child, one of 800,000+ children that were relocated from the city to the countryside to live with host families during the war, is plausible and unsettling enough to keep reads turning pages.
I admit I'm basing my enthusiasm for the series on a single volume, but I'm absolutely convinced that the other volumes will be as effective as this one and can't wait to read more. If you enjoy historical mysteries/fiction, WWII mysteries/fiction, or mysteries that have depth but don't turn into nightmarish gore fests, you're going to love this series.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Net Galley; the opinions are my own.
What makes Dear Little Corpses such a good read?
• It lies in that borderland territory between cozy (too frivolous) and psychological thriller (too menacing) that's my favorite mystery territory.
• This volume is set in the weeks before and after Britain's entry into WWII, and offers an interesting picture of the gradual emergence of the new normal UK citizens will be facing until the war's end.
• The characters are genuine and specific—no cardboard cut-outs, no incomplete background figures. Everyone's story is complicated, and those complications all contribute to the plot. The cast of characters is large, but each character was distinct enough that I could easily keep them all in mind without any "wait a minute—who was that?" moments.
• Josephine Tey is a lesbian, as was the case in real life. Upson does a solid job of depicting the balancing act that identity requires—though as a financially independent novelist, Tey doesn't face as many challenge as a more quotidian hero might.
• The mystery itself, about the disappearance of a child, one of 800,000+ children that were relocated from the city to the countryside to live with host families during the war, is plausible and unsettling enough to keep reads turning pages.
I admit I'm basing my enthusiasm for the series on a single volume, but I'm absolutely convinced that the other volumes will be as effective as this one and can't wait to read more. If you enjoy historical mysteries/fiction, WWII mysteries/fiction, or mysteries that have depth but don't turn into nightmarish gore fests, you're going to love this series.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Net Galley; the opinions are my own.
April 4, 2022
London on the brink of WWII. Hundreds of young children are moved from the city to the country side. One little girl goes missing.
This is a gripping tale of historical circumstance not often covered. Yet the story focusses on the missing child and steers clear from turning into another WWII novel.
A well crafted twist solves this pleasantly paced mystery.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
This is a gripping tale of historical circumstance not often covered. Yet the story focusses on the missing child and steers clear from turning into another WWII novel.
A well crafted twist solves this pleasantly paced mystery.
Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
May 22, 2022
It is set during the brink of the Second World War where there is a mass evacuation of children from London to the countryside before the war breaks out. You can imagine times are chaotic and confusing enough without the discovery of a little girl vanishing in the most unsuspecting place of Polstead village in Suffolk.
This is the 10th book in Upson’s Josephine Tey’s series, but it is a standalone mystery and readers familiar with her other books will enjoy being reunited with the crime novelist.
We are introduced to a whole cast of characters that live in the village and although it takes a bit of time to get your head around them all, Upson builds tension and suspicion within the village, misdirecting the reader to follow one character over another which makes the read quite addictive. I liked the interactions between Josephine and Margery, both crime writers that end up living this real life crime mystery.
I really enjoyed the setting of this mystery. I haven’t read many world war novels that hone into the days leading up to World War Two and I can imagine the unsettling fear and pain that happened at the time when families were torn apart and children were sent away for months and even years. Upson brought out a lot of emotion and empathy to the families, particularly mothers, that have to send away their children and the heartache that is endured. Bad enough to deal with such difficult times but to also deal with potential child abduction too.. 💔
A fantastic mystery for any fans who enjoy Agatha Christie or a classic murder mystery with a similar style.
This is the 10th book in Upson’s Josephine Tey’s series, but it is a standalone mystery and readers familiar with her other books will enjoy being reunited with the crime novelist.
We are introduced to a whole cast of characters that live in the village and although it takes a bit of time to get your head around them all, Upson builds tension and suspicion within the village, misdirecting the reader to follow one character over another which makes the read quite addictive. I liked the interactions between Josephine and Margery, both crime writers that end up living this real life crime mystery.
I really enjoyed the setting of this mystery. I haven’t read many world war novels that hone into the days leading up to World War Two and I can imagine the unsettling fear and pain that happened at the time when families were torn apart and children were sent away for months and even years. Upson brought out a lot of emotion and empathy to the families, particularly mothers, that have to send away their children and the heartache that is endured. Bad enough to deal with such difficult times but to also deal with potential child abduction too.. 💔
A fantastic mystery for any fans who enjoy Agatha Christie or a classic murder mystery with a similar style.
July 25, 2022
‘The full moon made a nonsense of the blackout.’
This is the tenth book in in a series based on an imagined life of Scottish novelist and playwright Josephine Tey, whose novel ‘The Daughter of Time’ is amongst my favourite reads. Very little is known about Josephine Tey’s private life, and Ms Upson has imagined her involved in investigating the sort of mysteries she wrote about.
This novel opens on 31 August 1939 as Great Britain prepares to declare war on Germany. Josephine Tey is living in Polstead, Suffolk, in the cottage she inherited from her godmother (‘The Death of Lucy Kyte’ Josephine Tey #5). Her lover Marta is staying with her, and they are looking forward to spending a quiet week together.
Children are being evacuated from London, and the vicar’s wife has asked Josephine to help with the arrival of a busload of evacuees allocated to Polstead. But, while Polstead is expecting twenty children, each of whom has been allocated to a family, a significantly larger number of children arrive. The welcoming committee is thrown into chaos as they try to find homes for each of the additional children. One boy, Noah, is left without a place to stay. The spinster sisters who have taken his sister refuse to take him as well. Reluctantly, Josephine offers Noah temporary accommodation.
The next day, at the village fete, where Josephine has been invited to judge a series of events culminating in a fancy-dress parade, a local family realise that their four-year-old daughter Annie is missing. Annie, annoyed that her mother was taking in extra children, had gone off on her own across the street to stay with her grandmother. But Annie never arrived, and neither her mother nor her grandmother realised she was missing until they arrived at the fancy dress parade.
Josephine’s friend, DCI Archie Penrose of Scotland Yard is visiting friends in the village and organises a thorough search. The search itself uncovers some secrets that several villagers would prefer to remain hidden. There are a few twists in this story, and heartbreak for more than one family. Ms Upson has peopled this novel with some well-drawn characters and has also included a role for Margery Allingham.
While this novel can be read as a standalone, I recommend the series. Which reminds me: there are still a few that I have not yet read.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
This is the tenth book in in a series based on an imagined life of Scottish novelist and playwright Josephine Tey, whose novel ‘The Daughter of Time’ is amongst my favourite reads. Very little is known about Josephine Tey’s private life, and Ms Upson has imagined her involved in investigating the sort of mysteries she wrote about.
This novel opens on 31 August 1939 as Great Britain prepares to declare war on Germany. Josephine Tey is living in Polstead, Suffolk, in the cottage she inherited from her godmother (‘The Death of Lucy Kyte’ Josephine Tey #5). Her lover Marta is staying with her, and they are looking forward to spending a quiet week together.
Children are being evacuated from London, and the vicar’s wife has asked Josephine to help with the arrival of a busload of evacuees allocated to Polstead. But, while Polstead is expecting twenty children, each of whom has been allocated to a family, a significantly larger number of children arrive. The welcoming committee is thrown into chaos as they try to find homes for each of the additional children. One boy, Noah, is left without a place to stay. The spinster sisters who have taken his sister refuse to take him as well. Reluctantly, Josephine offers Noah temporary accommodation.
The next day, at the village fete, where Josephine has been invited to judge a series of events culminating in a fancy-dress parade, a local family realise that their four-year-old daughter Annie is missing. Annie, annoyed that her mother was taking in extra children, had gone off on her own across the street to stay with her grandmother. But Annie never arrived, and neither her mother nor her grandmother realised she was missing until they arrived at the fancy dress parade.
Josephine’s friend, DCI Archie Penrose of Scotland Yard is visiting friends in the village and organises a thorough search. The search itself uncovers some secrets that several villagers would prefer to remain hidden. There are a few twists in this story, and heartbreak for more than one family. Ms Upson has peopled this novel with some well-drawn characters and has also included a role for Margery Allingham.
While this novel can be read as a standalone, I recommend the series. Which reminds me: there are still a few that I have not yet read.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
June 17, 2024
Auf dem Land
Josephine Tey und ihre Freundin Marta Fox verbringen die letzten Tage des Sommers 1939 in Josephines Cottage auf dem Land. Bald muss Marta nach Hollywood reisen, um Alfred Hitchcock bei Dreh seines Filmes Rebecca zu unterstützen. Sie wollen die verbleibende Zeit in trauter Zweisamkeit genießen. Doch London ist sich der Gefahren des herannahenden Krieges bewusst. Man beschließt die Kinder aus der Stadt aufs Land zu schicken. In mehreren Bussen kommen die Kinder in dem kleinen Ort an. Es sind viel mehr als angekündigt. Josephine und Marta sehen es als ihre Pflicht an, entgegen ihrer eigentlichen Planungen doch ein Kind aufzunehmen.
Ein Kind verschwindet, das ist wohl das Schlimmste, was Eltern passieren kann. Es ist nicht Josephines Schützling, der wie vom Erdboden verschluckt ist. Ein kleines Mädchen aus dem Dorf wird vermisst. Archie Penrose, der Josephine seine neue Freundin vorstellen wollte, ist vor Ort und kann den Beginn der Ermittlungen übernehmen. Als Polizist musste er schon häufiger schlimme Fälle aufklären, doch wenn Kinder betroffen sind, ist ihm seine Arbeit besonders wichtig, doch in diesem Momenten ist sie auch besonders belastend. Fieberhaft wird mit der Suche begonnen. Immer unter der Bedrohung, dass es jederzeit zu Luftangriffen kommen könnte.
Dies ist der zehnte Band einer bisher elfteiligen Reihe. Die Bände erscheinen nach und nach in deutscher Übersetzung. Recht gemächlich beginnt dieser Roman. Allerdings immer unter dem Eindruck der beklemmenden Furcht vor dem ausbrechenden Krieg. Das Leben verändert sich, der letzte Krieg ist nicht vergessen. Gasmasken werden verteilt, die Verdunkelung wird vorbereitet, es werden Lazarette eingerichtet und viele weitere Dinge. Das normale Leben ist einfach nicht mehr normal. Wie bei einem Tanz auf dem Vulkan wollen die Menschen die letzten friedlichen Tage genießen. Doch mit der Verschickung der Kinder ist wirklich jedem klar, dass es in jedem Moment ernst werden kann. Dass in dieser Situation ein Kind abhanden kommt, ist eine Katastrophe. Je mehr klar wird, dass nicht jeder die volle Wahrheit von sich gibt, desto spannender wird es. Mit einem Twist ist wirklich nicht zu rechnen und dann wird es so rasant und außerordentlich dramatisch und beklemmend, dass man zum einen nicht mehr aufhören kann zu lesen, sich zum anderen jedoch eine Weile von dem Gelesenen erholen muss. Dieser düstere Kriminalroman hat einen Nachhall.
4,5 Sterne
Josephine Tey und ihre Freundin Marta Fox verbringen die letzten Tage des Sommers 1939 in Josephines Cottage auf dem Land. Bald muss Marta nach Hollywood reisen, um Alfred Hitchcock bei Dreh seines Filmes Rebecca zu unterstützen. Sie wollen die verbleibende Zeit in trauter Zweisamkeit genießen. Doch London ist sich der Gefahren des herannahenden Krieges bewusst. Man beschließt die Kinder aus der Stadt aufs Land zu schicken. In mehreren Bussen kommen die Kinder in dem kleinen Ort an. Es sind viel mehr als angekündigt. Josephine und Marta sehen es als ihre Pflicht an, entgegen ihrer eigentlichen Planungen doch ein Kind aufzunehmen.
Ein Kind verschwindet, das ist wohl das Schlimmste, was Eltern passieren kann. Es ist nicht Josephines Schützling, der wie vom Erdboden verschluckt ist. Ein kleines Mädchen aus dem Dorf wird vermisst. Archie Penrose, der Josephine seine neue Freundin vorstellen wollte, ist vor Ort und kann den Beginn der Ermittlungen übernehmen. Als Polizist musste er schon häufiger schlimme Fälle aufklären, doch wenn Kinder betroffen sind, ist ihm seine Arbeit besonders wichtig, doch in diesem Momenten ist sie auch besonders belastend. Fieberhaft wird mit der Suche begonnen. Immer unter der Bedrohung, dass es jederzeit zu Luftangriffen kommen könnte.
Dies ist der zehnte Band einer bisher elfteiligen Reihe. Die Bände erscheinen nach und nach in deutscher Übersetzung. Recht gemächlich beginnt dieser Roman. Allerdings immer unter dem Eindruck der beklemmenden Furcht vor dem ausbrechenden Krieg. Das Leben verändert sich, der letzte Krieg ist nicht vergessen. Gasmasken werden verteilt, die Verdunkelung wird vorbereitet, es werden Lazarette eingerichtet und viele weitere Dinge. Das normale Leben ist einfach nicht mehr normal. Wie bei einem Tanz auf dem Vulkan wollen die Menschen die letzten friedlichen Tage genießen. Doch mit der Verschickung der Kinder ist wirklich jedem klar, dass es in jedem Moment ernst werden kann. Dass in dieser Situation ein Kind abhanden kommt, ist eine Katastrophe. Je mehr klar wird, dass nicht jeder die volle Wahrheit von sich gibt, desto spannender wird es. Mit einem Twist ist wirklich nicht zu rechnen und dann wird es so rasant und außerordentlich dramatisch und beklemmend, dass man zum einen nicht mehr aufhören kann zu lesen, sich zum anderen jedoch eine Weile von dem Gelesenen erholen muss. Dieser düstere Kriminalroman hat einen Nachhall.
4,5 Sterne
May 17, 2022
Set in 1939, this story includes the period when Britain was on the cusp of war with Germany and parents were facing the heartbreaking decision to send their children away from London to the country they thought, to safety.
The whole evacuation process seemed a logistical nightmare. In the village of Polstead, Suffolk, where Josephine and Marta have a cottage, the vicar’s wife has the headache of trying to find additional accommodation when buses of far more children arrive than they were expecting, along with accompanying adults. It’s amongst this chaos that a child goes missing and the residents of Polstead have their lives and village thrown under an unwanted spotlight.
Stories involving missing children often make for emotional storylines but I thought this was the darkest and most poignant one I’ve read yet in this series. However there are lighter moments, often provided by the appearance of another crime writer, Margery Allingham living in Tolleshunt D’Arcy in neighbouring Essex. Margery was a fabulous addition, I loved seeing her interactions with Josephine and do hope she appears again in future stories.
It’s always a pleasure to see familiar characters such as Josephine’s partner Marta (again having to deal with the last minute demands of her employer, Alfred Hitchcock); there is even a returning character from a previous novel (which I believe was Nine Lessons) and DCI Archie Penrose of Scotland Yard is of course a central figure. There are strands of the story involving a London murder which he was investigating and he takes temporary charge of the Suffolk investigation in his usual calm and efficient manner. However this is a different Archie we meet now and the events in the story affect him deeply.
There is so much more to this story than initially appears and events do take time to unfold. The uncertainty of war before Chamberlain’s solemn declaration, with men being called up, mothers left alone facing the heartache of sending away their children and entrusting them to strangers adds to the sombre tone of a country bracing itself to face a situation they hoped would never happen again. In addition, there is a sinister undercurrent hiding behind the facade of an unremarkable English village where some people are desperate to keep their secrets.
Dear Little Corpses is an excellent addition to this addictive historical crime series. With vividly drawn characters and a plot that feels atmospheric and authentic it is absorbing and intriguing whilst showing the darker side of life and at times I was taken somewhere that I wasn’t expecting to be. Definitely recommended. For new readers, it is not necessary to have read any previous books to enjoy this one but if you’re anything like me, once you read one, you will want more!
The whole evacuation process seemed a logistical nightmare. In the village of Polstead, Suffolk, where Josephine and Marta have a cottage, the vicar’s wife has the headache of trying to find additional accommodation when buses of far more children arrive than they were expecting, along with accompanying adults. It’s amongst this chaos that a child goes missing and the residents of Polstead have their lives and village thrown under an unwanted spotlight.
Stories involving missing children often make for emotional storylines but I thought this was the darkest and most poignant one I’ve read yet in this series. However there are lighter moments, often provided by the appearance of another crime writer, Margery Allingham living in Tolleshunt D’Arcy in neighbouring Essex. Margery was a fabulous addition, I loved seeing her interactions with Josephine and do hope she appears again in future stories.
It’s always a pleasure to see familiar characters such as Josephine’s partner Marta (again having to deal with the last minute demands of her employer, Alfred Hitchcock); there is even a returning character from a previous novel (which I believe was Nine Lessons) and DCI Archie Penrose of Scotland Yard is of course a central figure. There are strands of the story involving a London murder which he was investigating and he takes temporary charge of the Suffolk investigation in his usual calm and efficient manner. However this is a different Archie we meet now and the events in the story affect him deeply.
There is so much more to this story than initially appears and events do take time to unfold. The uncertainty of war before Chamberlain’s solemn declaration, with men being called up, mothers left alone facing the heartache of sending away their children and entrusting them to strangers adds to the sombre tone of a country bracing itself to face a situation they hoped would never happen again. In addition, there is a sinister undercurrent hiding behind the facade of an unremarkable English village where some people are desperate to keep their secrets.
Dear Little Corpses is an excellent addition to this addictive historical crime series. With vividly drawn characters and a plot that feels atmospheric and authentic it is absorbing and intriguing whilst showing the darker side of life and at times I was taken somewhere that I wasn’t expecting to be. Definitely recommended. For new readers, it is not necessary to have read any previous books to enjoy this one but if you’re anything like me, once you read one, you will want more!
February 24, 2023
I read the first book in this series, and while it was fine in and of itself, the co-opting of Josephine Tey to be a marionette on Nicola Upson's strings made me a little queasy. Yet when I saw this tenth book in the series on Netgalley, I thought I'd try it anyway. Stupid rookie error. I should know by now to always follow my gut.
If you google Josephine Tey, the first real hit is josephinetey.net. Underneath the url all you'll see is "Josephine Tey A Very Private Person". And yet here she is, saying and thinking and detecting things that she never did in life. And if she had a lesbian lover, my sense is she would not want that relationship splashed across the pages of novels. Everything about this is nauseous.
It's also just never a very good idea to meddle with someone known to be a truly fine author. Anyone trying to write a sequel to a Jane Austen novel is going to have to expect a gimlet eye on their prose. And writing a mystery novel starring a mystery writer who produced books that were not only fine mysteries but fine books ... well, that has to be a little fraught. Vanity Fair cites Tey's "disdain for formulaic fiction"... I can't say I remember enough of that first novel in the series to say if it was sufficiently unformulaic to deserve its star, but ... well, that kind of answers the question, doesn't it? I remember each one of Tey's works vividly.
Lesson learned, finally. I need to avoid these books and books like them at all costs.
If you google Josephine Tey, the first real hit is josephinetey.net. Underneath the url all you'll see is "Josephine Tey A Very Private Person". And yet here she is, saying and thinking and detecting things that she never did in life. And if she had a lesbian lover, my sense is she would not want that relationship splashed across the pages of novels. Everything about this is nauseous.
It's also just never a very good idea to meddle with someone known to be a truly fine author. Anyone trying to write a sequel to a Jane Austen novel is going to have to expect a gimlet eye on their prose. And writing a mystery novel starring a mystery writer who produced books that were not only fine mysteries but fine books ... well, that has to be a little fraught. Vanity Fair cites Tey's "disdain for formulaic fiction"... I can't say I remember enough of that first novel in the series to say if it was sufficiently unformulaic to deserve its star, but ... well, that kind of answers the question, doesn't it? I remember each one of Tey's works vividly.
Lesson learned, finally. I need to avoid these books and books like them at all costs.
July 1, 2022
What I love about this series is that Upson does such an amazing job with the characters. They are all interesting, and every single person has a life outside of the plot. And Josephine just stands out wonderfully. She is an absolute joy to follow. The writing itself is very easy, making this a very fun read even though the plot is very dark. There are some major content warnings in here regarding infanticide and paedophilia, so please be aware of that before picking this book up. The story is set at the start of war in 1939 and the start of the mass child evacuation of London. During the chaos of this, a little girl disappears. This is the 10th book in the series, but the mystery stands on its own. It is nice to know a bit about the main character's stories, but definitely not necessary. Then again, it is also not a punishment at all to read the other books in this series...
April 28, 2024
In einem Londoner Arbeiterviertel wird 1939 der Kassierer der Wohnungsmieten ermordet aufgefunden - erstochen mit einer Schneiderschere. Die Ermittlungen führt Archie Penrose aus, den wir als guten Freund der (realen) Autroin Josephine Tey kennen. Penrose, der nichts lieber hat als die Routine einer Mordermittlung, ist als Familienvater neuerdings sehr dünnhäutig, wenn es um Kinder geht. Als angesichts des drohenden Zweiten Weltkriegs die ersten Evakuierungstransporte aufs Land für Londoner Kinder organisiert werden, geht das Archie sehr nahe. Die Schulklassen und ihre Lehrer marschieren zur Abfahrt vom Bahnhof Liverpool Street durch genau die Straßen, an denen sein aktueller Tatort liegt.
Das kleine Polstead/Suffolk erwartet derweil 20 Kinder, auf die freiwillige Helfer sich akribisch vorbereitet haben. In Polstead trifft sich in ihrem ererbten Ferienhaus gerade Josephine Tey mit ihrer Gefährtin Marta. Die Freundinnen hatten sich fern von Schottland etwas Privatsphäre versprochen. An die Bahnfahrt anschließend kommen aus London unerwartet 80 Personen in zwei Doppeldeckerbussen; für diese Mütter und Kinder sind jedoch keine Namenslisten vorhanden. Spontan und rührend besorgt werden die zusätzlichen Kinder verteilt. Besonders für kinderlose Dorfbewohner ist das ein Abenteuer, denen man nicht unbedingt das Talent zutraut, traumatisierte Grundschulkinder zu versorgen. Im Durcheinander der Ankunft und des folgenden Dorffestes geht Annie verloren, die Enkelin der einheimischen Ladenbesitzerin, und kann auch durch eine groß angelegte Suchaktion nicht gefunden werden, die der inzwischen eingetroffene Archie Penrose leitet.
Nachdem sich das Rätsel um Annies Verschwinden aufgelöst hat, wird noch immer ein Kind vermisst – und in der harmlos wirkenden Idylle brodeln die Emotionen. Alte Konflikte brechen auf, nahezu jeder könnte verdächtig sein; und Sonderlinge haben Obsessionen zu verbergen, über die andere Sonderlinge offenbar bestens unterrichtet sind. All das verengt sich auf die Frage, wer im Dorf ein Kind entführen oder sogar töten könnte. Während in London eine Mutter sich heftige Vorwürfe macht, sie wäre als Mutter nicht gut genug, eskaliert in Polstead ein Problem mit dem 10jährigen Noah, der auf keinen Fall seine Schwester allein lassen will und zuvor in London offenbar Schlimmes erlebt haben muss. Marta ist derweil auf dem Weg nach Amerika, wo sie für Hitchcock arbeiten wird, während Josephine sich davon niederdrücken lässt, dass der Krieg sie um ihre Lebenszeit betrügt, besonders um die knappe Zeit mit Marta.
Da mir Josephine Tey aus „Der letzte Zug nach Schottland“ bekannt war, bin ich spontan und problemlos in den 10. von bisher 11 erschienen Bänden eingestiegen. Die Spannung steigt durch die Vielzahl an Verdächtigen in der zweiten Hälfte des Romans rapide an, und den Auftritt der realen Autorin Josephine Tey fand ich sehr ansprechend. Nicola Upson hat allerdings Probleme mit der realistischen Darstellung von Kindern und wirft etwas zu lässig mit Modernismen. Dass Kinder 1939 einen so forschen Ton anschlugen und die Wortwahl im Allgemeinen erscheint mir insgesamt für England zu lässig. Trotzdem werde ich nun den ersten Band anschließen …
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Serien-Info
Band 10 von 11
Das kleine Polstead/Suffolk erwartet derweil 20 Kinder, auf die freiwillige Helfer sich akribisch vorbereitet haben. In Polstead trifft sich in ihrem ererbten Ferienhaus gerade Josephine Tey mit ihrer Gefährtin Marta. Die Freundinnen hatten sich fern von Schottland etwas Privatsphäre versprochen. An die Bahnfahrt anschließend kommen aus London unerwartet 80 Personen in zwei Doppeldeckerbussen; für diese Mütter und Kinder sind jedoch keine Namenslisten vorhanden. Spontan und rührend besorgt werden die zusätzlichen Kinder verteilt. Besonders für kinderlose Dorfbewohner ist das ein Abenteuer, denen man nicht unbedingt das Talent zutraut, traumatisierte Grundschulkinder zu versorgen. Im Durcheinander der Ankunft und des folgenden Dorffestes geht Annie verloren, die Enkelin der einheimischen Ladenbesitzerin, und kann auch durch eine groß angelegte Suchaktion nicht gefunden werden, die der inzwischen eingetroffene Archie Penrose leitet.
Nachdem sich das Rätsel um Annies Verschwinden aufgelöst hat, wird noch immer ein Kind vermisst – und in der harmlos wirkenden Idylle brodeln die Emotionen. Alte Konflikte brechen auf, nahezu jeder könnte verdächtig sein; und Sonderlinge haben Obsessionen zu verbergen, über die andere Sonderlinge offenbar bestens unterrichtet sind. All das verengt sich auf die Frage, wer im Dorf ein Kind entführen oder sogar töten könnte. Während in London eine Mutter sich heftige Vorwürfe macht, sie wäre als Mutter nicht gut genug, eskaliert in Polstead ein Problem mit dem 10jährigen Noah, der auf keinen Fall seine Schwester allein lassen will und zuvor in London offenbar Schlimmes erlebt haben muss. Marta ist derweil auf dem Weg nach Amerika, wo sie für Hitchcock arbeiten wird, während Josephine sich davon niederdrücken lässt, dass der Krieg sie um ihre Lebenszeit betrügt, besonders um die knappe Zeit mit Marta.
Da mir Josephine Tey aus „Der letzte Zug nach Schottland“ bekannt war, bin ich spontan und problemlos in den 10. von bisher 11 erschienen Bänden eingestiegen. Die Spannung steigt durch die Vielzahl an Verdächtigen in der zweiten Hälfte des Romans rapide an, und den Auftritt der realen Autorin Josephine Tey fand ich sehr ansprechend. Nicola Upson hat allerdings Probleme mit der realistischen Darstellung von Kindern und wirft etwas zu lässig mit Modernismen. Dass Kinder 1939 einen so forschen Ton anschlugen und die Wortwahl im Allgemeinen erscheint mir insgesamt für England zu lässig. Trotzdem werde ich nun den ersten Band anschließen …
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Serien-Info
Band 10 von 11
August 10, 2022
Cw: death of a child, lost child/kidnapped
Sept 1, 1939 a mass evacuation took place across Britain, thousands of children left their parents for safety. The story starts out with Angela leaving her parents on the way to the train station. This was such a good book but so hard to read. My heart breaks for the families this has happened too. Past and present. I'm having a hard time coming up with the right words to describe this book. If I'd known the content I probably wouldn't have read this book.
Sept 1, 1939 a mass evacuation took place across Britain, thousands of children left their parents for safety. The story starts out with Angela leaving her parents on the way to the train station. This was such a good book but so hard to read. My heart breaks for the families this has happened too. Past and present. I'm having a hard time coming up with the right words to describe this book. If I'd known the content I probably wouldn't have read this book.
June 7, 2023
Josephine Tey and her partner Marta are living in the village of Polstead in a house Josephine inherited from her godmother. Marta is preparing to leave for California to work on a Hitchcock movie, so the two are hoping to spend as much time together before Marta must go.
It's the eve of Britain's entry in WWII, and the government is sending countless children into the countryside to protect them from the inevitable effects of war. London Parents and children are stressed, including young Angie, who can't understand why her parents no longer love her and seem to be getting rid of her.
In Polstead, the vicar's wife Hilary has worked out arrangements for the influx of children, but is surprised that a great many more have arrived than expected, including a boy Noah and his younger sister Betty who don't seem to be on any of Hilary's lists. The Herron family agrees to take Betty, but refuse to take in a boy. It falls to Josie and Marta to offer their home. Noah is upset and angry, and slow to trust, but is soothed somewhat when it seems Betty is relatively happy.
Scotland Yard DCI Archie Penrose arrives in the village soon after for the Polstead village fete with his new family. He's currently working on the murder of a rent collector, who by accounts is an unpleasant man. Archie is happy for the short respite from the investigation and to reunite with his friends Josie and Marta. All that changes suddenly when it's discovered that a local girl is missing. Penrose immediately offers to help with the search, which drags on ominously.
This was a much darker novel than I was expecting. Impending war, the incredibly hard choices made by parents to send their children far from home, are all dark enough subjects, but add to this missing children and the horrible fear the longer there are no answers. When it turns out there is actually more than just one child missing, the fear only intensifies. Nicola Upson introduces us to a wide number of characters in the village in this book, and the various secrets they're concealing, and aware of in others. The reveal of who did what when left me a little sick.
I've read the first book in this series, and have returned to the "Josephine Tey" series with this novel. While I liked book one moderately, this story was a huge improvement on it. The historical details are well integrated into the narrative, and characters all feel credible. It's a well crafted and compelling story.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
It's the eve of Britain's entry in WWII, and the government is sending countless children into the countryside to protect them from the inevitable effects of war. London Parents and children are stressed, including young Angie, who can't understand why her parents no longer love her and seem to be getting rid of her.
In Polstead, the vicar's wife Hilary has worked out arrangements for the influx of children, but is surprised that a great many more have arrived than expected, including a boy Noah and his younger sister Betty who don't seem to be on any of Hilary's lists. The Herron family agrees to take Betty, but refuse to take in a boy. It falls to Josie and Marta to offer their home. Noah is upset and angry, and slow to trust, but is soothed somewhat when it seems Betty is relatively happy.
Scotland Yard DCI Archie Penrose arrives in the village soon after for the Polstead village fete with his new family. He's currently working on the murder of a rent collector, who by accounts is an unpleasant man. Archie is happy for the short respite from the investigation and to reunite with his friends Josie and Marta. All that changes suddenly when it's discovered that a local girl is missing. Penrose immediately offers to help with the search, which drags on ominously.
This was a much darker novel than I was expecting. Impending war, the incredibly hard choices made by parents to send their children far from home, are all dark enough subjects, but add to this missing children and the horrible fear the longer there are no answers. When it turns out there is actually more than just one child missing, the fear only intensifies. Nicola Upson introduces us to a wide number of characters in the village in this book, and the various secrets they're concealing, and aware of in others. The reveal of who did what when left me a little sick.
I've read the first book in this series, and have returned to the "Josephine Tey" series with this novel. While I liked book one moderately, this story was a huge improvement on it. The historical details are well integrated into the narrative, and characters all feel credible. It's a well crafted and compelling story.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.
June 25, 2022
Just not for me. I usually enjoy Nicola’s books but not this one.
June 30, 2024
[IN PROGRESS]
Dear Little Corpses is another engrossing instalment in Nicola Upson's brilliant historical mystery series featuring real life crime writer Josephine Tey (Elizabeth Mackintosh).
The tenth book in the series, Dear Little Corpses is set against the backdrop of the opening days of World War II, and the evacuation of children out of Britain's major cities to billets in the countryside. Josephine's home village of Polstead, Suffolk, is no exception, though Josephine is reluctant to take on an evacuee, given that her partner Marta is shortly to depart for America, to work with Alfred Hitchcock on his adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's classic novel, Rebecca. However, when many more children arrive than anticipated, Josephine and Marta are convinced to take in Noah, a troubled young boy whose younger sister, Betty, has been biletted with the eccentric Herron siblings.
Dear Little Corpses is another engrossing instalment in Nicola Upson's brilliant historical mystery series featuring real life crime writer Josephine Tey (Elizabeth Mackintosh).
The tenth book in the series, Dear Little Corpses is set against the backdrop of the opening days of World War II, and the evacuation of children out of Britain's major cities to billets in the countryside. Josephine's home village of Polstead, Suffolk, is no exception, though Josephine is reluctant to take on an evacuee, given that her partner Marta is shortly to depart for America, to work with Alfred Hitchcock on his adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's classic novel, Rebecca. However, when many more children arrive than anticipated, Josephine and Marta are convinced to take in Noah, a troubled young boy whose younger sister, Betty, has been biletted with the eccentric Herron siblings.
July 28, 2022
This is the second novel I read in Nicola Upson's Josephine Tey Mistery series. While it is a good read, I have to say I enjoyed it a bit less than the other novel I read, Nine Lessons (which is a bit unfair of me because that one was outstanding, in my opinion).
Yet, I did find that the story took a lot to take off, and I did find that it lingered more than was maybe necessary on Josephine and Marta's relationship.
On the other hand, I find the end to be a bit rush, especially considering the complexity of the situation. The cold case regarding the Herrons is indeed emotionally very complex, and I think it should have deserved more space, which was instead given to the long-winded beginning and to the friendly relationship between Josephine and Margery Allingham (two historical figures).
But the middle of the book was fantastic!
It is not just about a little girl gone missing and what that means for the small community she's part of, but it's also about the beginning of WWII and how families in London sent their children away to keep them safe.
The emotional portrayal that Upson gives of this historical fact, and the realistic way she describes the loss of a child, whether for one reason or another, is so moving that I often found a lump in my throat while reading.
This is what Nicola Upson is capable of, and I would have liked the entire story to be like this.
But it was a good read nonetheless. Fantastic setting, both in Suffolk and London. Great character characterisation. Outstanding psychological descriptions. A complex but believable plot.
Recommended.
Yet, I did find that the story took a lot to take off, and I did find that it lingered more than was maybe necessary on Josephine and Marta's relationship.
On the other hand, I find the end to be a bit rush, especially considering the complexity of the situation. The cold case regarding the Herrons is indeed emotionally very complex, and I think it should have deserved more space, which was instead given to the long-winded beginning and to the friendly relationship between Josephine and Margery Allingham (two historical figures).
But the middle of the book was fantastic!
It is not just about a little girl gone missing and what that means for the small community she's part of, but it's also about the beginning of WWII and how families in London sent their children away to keep them safe.
The emotional portrayal that Upson gives of this historical fact, and the realistic way she describes the loss of a child, whether for one reason or another, is so moving that I often found a lump in my throat while reading.
This is what Nicola Upson is capable of, and I would have liked the entire story to be like this.
But it was a good read nonetheless. Fantastic setting, both in Suffolk and London. Great character characterisation. Outstanding psychological descriptions. A complex but believable plot.
Recommended.
February 28, 2022
This book left me staring at the wall in silence for half an hour after I finished it because the one feeling it left me with was devastating emptiness.
Especially considering the current political climate (as of February 2022), I was very hesitant to pick up Dear Little Corpses, and rightfully so.
Even though the prologue left me very intrigued, it did take quite some time for me to actually get into the rhythm of the book after that.
With the constantly changing points of view it's very hard to keep track of the characters and their individual storylines - which might be the point, but makes it hard for the reader, anyways.
The plot only really gets going about half ways into the book, but from then on it's one plot point after the other, so you really won't be able to put the book back down.
Upson's characters are written in a way that's so up close and personal and so very human, you'll find yourself rooting for them, hating them, feeling your heart break for them.
I am taking one star off due to a few grammatical errors and the fact that it took me quite a while to really get into the story.
I haven't read any other works by Nicola Upson besides Dear Little Corpses, so it might just be this one book, but I'm reminded of Donna Tartt's writing in the way that you have no idea what's going on until 75% into the book it all starts coming together all of a sudden - so if you like Donna Tartt, I can imagine Dear Little Corpses might be for you, too.
Especially considering the current political climate (as of February 2022), I was very hesitant to pick up Dear Little Corpses, and rightfully so.
Even though the prologue left me very intrigued, it did take quite some time for me to actually get into the rhythm of the book after that.
With the constantly changing points of view it's very hard to keep track of the characters and their individual storylines - which might be the point, but makes it hard for the reader, anyways.
The plot only really gets going about half ways into the book, but from then on it's one plot point after the other, so you really won't be able to put the book back down.
Upson's characters are written in a way that's so up close and personal and so very human, you'll find yourself rooting for them, hating them, feeling your heart break for them.
I am taking one star off due to a few grammatical errors and the fact that it took me quite a while to really get into the story.
I haven't read any other works by Nicola Upson besides Dear Little Corpses, so it might just be this one book, but I'm reminded of Donna Tartt's writing in the way that you have no idea what's going on until 75% into the book it all starts coming together all of a sudden - so if you like Donna Tartt, I can imagine Dear Little Corpses might be for you, too.
June 4, 2022
Incredibly boring, depressing and cynical. The worst book I’ve read for several years.
February 10, 2022
Talk about heartbreaking.
I'll be the first to admit, I was dreading the moment I'd have to pick this book up. I've read so many disappointing stories lately, I couldn't take another. Turns out, this book is a saving grace, I raced through it. Upson's writing is so beautiful; the delicacy with which this world was forged is striking. Every single detail was perfectly integrated into the plot as to personalize each character and emotion. I've never felt so connected to a book. By constantly reading fantasy novels, I've become so accustomed to feeling disconnected from the story and characters. I'm consciously aware of the realistic differences between fantasy and sci-fi storylines and my own life. Dear Little Corpses absolutely shattered that disconnect. Like I said before, this book is devastating. I may not have cried but I certainty finished it feeling unnervingly raw and beautifully human.
Dear Little Corpses is set at the beginning of World War II, it's 1939 and Britain is evacuating the majority of it's young population to the countryside of London. Now sending thousands of children away from home with little supervision, something is bound to go wrong. Dear Little Corpses follows the devastation and heartbreak of a small Suffolk village as they wrestle with the disappearance of a young girl.
Frankly, there is not a lot else that can be said about the plotline without spoiling it, but Dear Little Corpses brings fresh anguish and an unbeatable sense of duty and love to the table. There's both overwhelming division and unity for the small village that harbors dark and old secrets. Every emotion on the page will inevitably bleed into your own heart.
A notable quote:
"You'd think so, wouldn't you, but as far as I know there isn't a cure yet for bigotry or prejudice."
I'll be the first to admit, I was dreading the moment I'd have to pick this book up. I've read so many disappointing stories lately, I couldn't take another. Turns out, this book is a saving grace, I raced through it. Upson's writing is so beautiful; the delicacy with which this world was forged is striking. Every single detail was perfectly integrated into the plot as to personalize each character and emotion. I've never felt so connected to a book. By constantly reading fantasy novels, I've become so accustomed to feeling disconnected from the story and characters. I'm consciously aware of the realistic differences between fantasy and sci-fi storylines and my own life. Dear Little Corpses absolutely shattered that disconnect. Like I said before, this book is devastating. I may not have cried but I certainty finished it feeling unnervingly raw and beautifully human.
Dear Little Corpses is set at the beginning of World War II, it's 1939 and Britain is evacuating the majority of it's young population to the countryside of London. Now sending thousands of children away from home with little supervision, something is bound to go wrong. Dear Little Corpses follows the devastation and heartbreak of a small Suffolk village as they wrestle with the disappearance of a young girl.
Frankly, there is not a lot else that can be said about the plotline without spoiling it, but Dear Little Corpses brings fresh anguish and an unbeatable sense of duty and love to the table. There's both overwhelming division and unity for the small village that harbors dark and old secrets. Every emotion on the page will inevitably bleed into your own heart.
A notable quote:
"You'd think so, wouldn't you, but as far as I know there isn't a cure yet for bigotry or prejudice."
June 28, 2022
Set in September 1939 Suffolk, this is the tenth in the twisty Josephine Tey series. London is bracing itself for attack and in preparation sends thousands of children by bus and train to the countryside for safety. In the confusion and terror of the mass exodus, a child goes missing (very believable). Many people take children into their homes out of kindness but some do it begrudgingly and in hopes for cheap labour. Josephine and her partner get involved in placing children and Josephine discovers and investigates sinister secrets.
Dear Little Corpses is a bit darker than Nicola Upson's other writing as it involves children but beautiful nonetheless. Upson uses clever red herrings which makes for delightfully unpredictable reading. The first 40% is slow paced but it really picks up and zooms to a brilliant finish. Golden Age authors in my view are outstanding and Margery Allinghams's involvement is a wonderful addition. The unique war perspective and atmospheric and historical details such as mouthwatering food descriptions are incredible. But what captured me most was imagining the agonizing despair of parents who let their children go without knowing when they would see them again.
Historical Fiction fans ought to read this thoughtfully-written series. Dear Little Corpses is not light reading due to the subject matter but is gripping and laden with fascinating information drawn from true stories.
My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this thought provoking and utterly engrossing book. I look forward to reading Josephine's next adventures!
Dear Little Corpses is a bit darker than Nicola Upson's other writing as it involves children but beautiful nonetheless. Upson uses clever red herrings which makes for delightfully unpredictable reading. The first 40% is slow paced but it really picks up and zooms to a brilliant finish. Golden Age authors in my view are outstanding and Margery Allinghams's involvement is a wonderful addition. The unique war perspective and atmospheric and historical details such as mouthwatering food descriptions are incredible. But what captured me most was imagining the agonizing despair of parents who let their children go without knowing when they would see them again.
Historical Fiction fans ought to read this thoughtfully-written series. Dear Little Corpses is not light reading due to the subject matter but is gripping and laden with fascinating information drawn from true stories.
My sincere thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the privilege of reading this thought provoking and utterly engrossing book. I look forward to reading Josephine's next adventures!
September 12, 2022
Search for Annie
This book is not only a historical fiction from WWII but a mystery as well. Engaging in its setting, disturbing in its content and tragic in its ending. The book was set in the time just before the war started when the children were sent on the Kinder transport from London to the countryside for safety.
It focuses around one little girl name Annie that disappears at the same time as the evacuee's arrive in the small village of Polstead. The ongoing search turns up Annie but finds two other girls missing.
A secret kept to hide another secret. Two families hiding secrets of the past collide with secrets of the present in a mystery involving these two evacuee's a girl named Angie and a girl named Lizzie. The girls were sent on the kinder transport but never checked in at the village of Polstead. Where could they have gone and who is responsible for their disappearance. Does someone in the village know more than they are telling?
The ending is tragic for all. It was an engaging book, but the content was quite disturbing and the ending was very sad.
I did like how the village pulled together to help find the missing girls, first Annie, then Angie and Lizzie. There was much compassion among the villagers and the truth was rooted out and justice was dealt.
it is a historical fiction with a mystery which was a novelty in itself. The book was well written and the characters were well placed.
Thanks to Nicola Upson for writing the story, to Crooked Lane Books for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing a copy for me to read and review.
This book is not only a historical fiction from WWII but a mystery as well. Engaging in its setting, disturbing in its content and tragic in its ending. The book was set in the time just before the war started when the children were sent on the Kinder transport from London to the countryside for safety.
It focuses around one little girl name Annie that disappears at the same time as the evacuee's arrive in the small village of Polstead. The ongoing search turns up Annie but finds two other girls missing.
A secret kept to hide another secret. Two families hiding secrets of the past collide with secrets of the present in a mystery involving these two evacuee's a girl named Angie and a girl named Lizzie. The girls were sent on the kinder transport but never checked in at the village of Polstead. Where could they have gone and who is responsible for their disappearance. Does someone in the village know more than they are telling?
The ending is tragic for all. It was an engaging book, but the content was quite disturbing and the ending was very sad.
I did like how the village pulled together to help find the missing girls, first Annie, then Angie and Lizzie. There was much compassion among the villagers and the truth was rooted out and justice was dealt.
it is a historical fiction with a mystery which was a novelty in itself. The book was well written and the characters were well placed.
Thanks to Nicola Upson for writing the story, to Crooked Lane Books for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing a copy for me to read and review.
February 22, 2022
The mass evacuation in September 1939 from London to the countryside of thousands of children was a lesson in planned logistics. Of course like all plans something has to go wrong somewhere and one isolated incident did Two children went missing, one got misplaced due to sheer mischief and families all around and a community went to pieces.
In a small Suffolk village Josephine has to come to terms with the onset of war, and that her partner and lover Martha is leaving to go to America. In such uncertain times when she will come back is unknown. On top of that with the missing girl from a fair in open view of all the villagers is something that has to be tracked down carefully to find out what happened to the little girl.
As usual in Upson's novels, nothing is as straight forward as just a missing girl and when the story is unravelled we find one missing girl, two missing girls and then bodies. Complicated in its telling you have to follow the stories of several families who try to deal with the trauma of separated families - husbands at the warfront, wives alone without the emotional support children can give you and not knowing whether your children are happy, settled and safe.
I was also thinking of how in the present context of what my grandson was told "stranger danger" how we would deal with this forced separation. Anti vaxxer protests will be nothing compared when parents take to the streets! I dont blame them either. (the parents not the anti vaxxers!)
The story made one think and drew the reader into the emotional morass of it. Like Nicola Upson always does.
In a small Suffolk village Josephine has to come to terms with the onset of war, and that her partner and lover Martha is leaving to go to America. In such uncertain times when she will come back is unknown. On top of that with the missing girl from a fair in open view of all the villagers is something that has to be tracked down carefully to find out what happened to the little girl.
As usual in Upson's novels, nothing is as straight forward as just a missing girl and when the story is unravelled we find one missing girl, two missing girls and then bodies. Complicated in its telling you have to follow the stories of several families who try to deal with the trauma of separated families - husbands at the warfront, wives alone without the emotional support children can give you and not knowing whether your children are happy, settled and safe.
I was also thinking of how in the present context of what my grandson was told "stranger danger" how we would deal with this forced separation. Anti vaxxer protests will be nothing compared when parents take to the streets! I dont blame them either. (the parents not the anti vaxxers!)
The story made one think and drew the reader into the emotional morass of it. Like Nicola Upson always does.
May 27, 2022
*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review*
3.5 stars rounded up
During the evacuation of children from London at the beginning of World War Two, a little girl goes missing. While the village searches for her, long-buried secrets are unearthed and the truth of her disappearance is worse than anyone could have imagined.
TW: death of children
This book kept me guessing until the last second, but when all was revealed it every piece of the puzzle fit together perfectly. The mystery part of this book was SO satisfying, and I want to commend the author for that because I was blown away by how it all came together! It was also an excellent peek into a specific historical event and the incorporation of real-life characters was fantastic. This is the 10th book in a series, but it read flawlessly as a stand-alone.
At times, I did find it hard to keep up with the cast of characters, and at the beginning I really struggled with the amount of exposition there was in order to set the scene. But again, the ending made it all worth it.
I would strongly caution people who are thinking about reading this that there are multiple deaths of young children, so if you are someone who finds that triggering this book may not be for you.
3.5 stars rounded up
During the evacuation of children from London at the beginning of World War Two, a little girl goes missing. While the village searches for her, long-buried secrets are unearthed and the truth of her disappearance is worse than anyone could have imagined.
TW: death of children
This book kept me guessing until the last second, but when all was revealed it every piece of the puzzle fit together perfectly. The mystery part of this book was SO satisfying, and I want to commend the author for that because I was blown away by how it all came together! It was also an excellent peek into a specific historical event and the incorporation of real-life characters was fantastic. This is the 10th book in a series, but it read flawlessly as a stand-alone.
At times, I did find it hard to keep up with the cast of characters, and at the beginning I really struggled with the amount of exposition there was in order to set the scene. But again, the ending made it all worth it.
I would strongly caution people who are thinking about reading this that there are multiple deaths of young children, so if you are someone who finds that triggering this book may not be for you.
January 12, 2023
When you start reading a book and it feels like you have come home, you can enjoy the story. Nicola writes in a way that grips me.
The theme of this story is based in a village that Josephine Tey comes to with her lover Marta to stay in the house she was left in a will.
The book is set in the days leading up to the declaration of war in Britain when a mass movement of children out of London happened. It is at the time of Loren being received into the village that a child from the village went missing.
Another mystery writer from the time is introduced, and Archie is there also at the Village with a woman he is/has a developing relationship with.
I found in these times of Covid -yes we are still in uncertain times, even though we are more or less ignoring it now in many societies, I think this is a reminder to consider the invalid and at risk members of our countries/communities.
Well constructed and keeping many secrets till towards the end, I highly recommend this mystery.
Hoping we will get another.
The theme of this story is based in a village that Josephine Tey comes to with her lover Marta to stay in the house she was left in a will.
The book is set in the days leading up to the declaration of war in Britain when a mass movement of children out of London happened. It is at the time of Loren being received into the village that a child from the village went missing.
Another mystery writer from the time is introduced, and Archie is there also at the Village with a woman he is/has a developing relationship with.
I found in these times of Covid -yes we are still in uncertain times, even though we are more or less ignoring it now in many societies, I think this is a reminder to consider the invalid and at risk members of our countries/communities.
Well constructed and keeping many secrets till towards the end, I highly recommend this mystery.
Hoping we will get another.
September 21, 2022
This is one of the best mysteries I've read in years. It's as good as best of Agatha Christie and as literate as the best of Dorothy Sayers. It starts in Sept. 1939, as thousands of children are evacuated to the English countryside. Busses of children come to Josephine Tey's small Suffolk village and amid the chaos, a little girl vanishes. Luckily Scotland Yard Inspector Archie Penrose is at the village at the time and spearheads the investigation. Marta and Josephine lend a hand and a new friend, famous mystery writer Margery Allingham, plays an important part in the story. This is a dark and sinister blend of a Golden Age mystery and a stylish Hitchcock noir. That's all I'm going to say - I really dislike people who "give too much away".
So, so many good lines - here's one - "She stoked up the range, more for comfort than for warmth, and lit all the lamps downstairs, keen to dispel the desolate feeling that often occurs when tiredness collides with a lack of hope."
So, so many good lines - here's one - "She stoked up the range, more for comfort than for warmth, and lit all the lamps downstairs, keen to dispel the desolate feeling that often occurs when tiredness collides with a lack of hope."
May 5, 2024
Marta and Josephine are at the cottage and have been roped in to help with the evacuee children from London who have been sent out just before war is declared. There is uproar at the school as there are considerably more children than they have beds for. Noah is billeted with Josephine as a temporary measure and his sister, Betty, is sent to the Herron sisters who refused to take him. He goes missing on the first night but is found. Not so a local girl and, as Archie Penrose is at the local fete, he helps organise the search. However, secrets and a vendetta come to light but will the situation end well?
I really like this series and the development of the characters, particularly Josephine Tey who was an author of the time. The writing is also very good and keeps you hooked to the end.
I really like this series and the development of the characters, particularly Josephine Tey who was an author of the time. The writing is also very good and keeps you hooked to the end.
June 16, 2022
I struggled with some of the early books in Nicola Upson’s Josephine Tey series, but I think the series has really found it’s pace now.
Set in the earliest days of WW2, this book captures well the confusion and anxiety surrounding the mass evacuation of children from London. Above all though, like all of Upson’s books - this story is about relationships and secrets.
Sometimes I find the books can ‘go on a bit’ but I found this one pacey, and I was hooked throughout. Its a difficult subject to write about - a missing child possibly a murder - but Upson captures the emotions well. It’s mainly set in a Suffolk village which gives a great opportunity to explore the main themes.
Set in the earliest days of WW2, this book captures well the confusion and anxiety surrounding the mass evacuation of children from London. Above all though, like all of Upson’s books - this story is about relationships and secrets.
Sometimes I find the books can ‘go on a bit’ but I found this one pacey, and I was hooked throughout. Its a difficult subject to write about - a missing child possibly a murder - but Upson captures the emotions well. It’s mainly set in a Suffolk village which gives a great opportunity to explore the main themes.
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