Water under the Bridge

by Susan Sallis

Emmie Dart was nearly 40 years old when Walter asked her to marry him. He was younger than her and had a secret in his past that he asked Emmie to keep with him. Almost 50 years and three generations later, the secret is revealed—a secret that nearly breaks the family apart.

475 pages, Hardcover

First published March 9, 1995

About the author

Susan Sallis was the author of over twenty bestselling novels, many of them set in the West Country. She was born in Gloucestershire and lived in Somerset with her family. She died in 2020.

Reviews

[Terena · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story centering on three generations of a Gloucestershire family during the early half of the 20th century. Family sagas with a skeleton in the cupboard are a favourite genre of mine. This is the first Susan Sallis book I have read, and will be looking for other titles of hers.

[suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the last year or so reading for me has been a hit or miss. I’m absolutely fed up of all the latest releases of contemporary romance, you know the ones all these tik tok reviewers rave about, I pick some up and they are okay but nothing special. anyway that’s just how I feel, nothing against the authors and I’m glad people enjoy them, as I’ve also read some good books over the years, just not getting the feel for them right now.

I was thinking authors today’s don’t write like they did years ago when I first started reading, just my opinion, maybe I’m not finding the right ones 🤷‍♀️.

Anyhow I picked up this book in a charity shop and devoured it. It was a saga about a family spanning generations, timespan ranging from the 1890’s to 1953. I loved the authors writing style, I was really engrossed in the story. The book deals with some tough subjects, rape off the page early on, cheating, the drama and the whole family dynamics keep me engaged until the end. Best character was Gran, and how she held the whole family together.

I think putting the kindle down for a while and going back to paperbacks is what I’ve needed to find my love of reading again.

[Beverly Brunton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nearly gave up on this book several times. The way the author jumped backwards and forwards through the years was very confusing. First book of this author I have read and I initially vowed I would never read another. Found it quite depressing but in all fairness the 1920’s and 1940’s were both challenging times. It wasn’t until I neared the end that I found I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.

[Pauline Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

I love Susan Sallis. I quite like it when books jump backwards and forwards in time. A really good story with characters you really get to know and like. A very eventful story and keeps you guessing.

[Linda Hobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fab read