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Secrets of a Whitby Girl
Sarah Brook has kept diaries for most of her life Now85 and at the end of her own journey she allows her favorite greatniece Esther to read them But while full of Sarahs thoughts dreams and family stories the diaries also hold dark family secrets about the past which are about to be exposedWhitby 1832 When their mother tragically dies life changes dramatically for Sarah and her siblings Arabella is ordered by their father to assume the domestic roleomething she fears will destroy her hopedfor relationship with John Sharp captain of her fathers whale ship the Sea King Little does she know that Harriet has an idea to ensure she doesnt end up with a hard life like Arabella she will ensnare John and marry him Charley too has his own escape plan Determined to forge a life at sea against his fathers wishes he stows away on the Sea King But when tragedy strikes the Sea King in the Arctic the Brook family and those near to them are forced to make crucial assessments about their futures
Paperback
First published March 3, 2011
About the author
Jessica Blair
58 books28 followersMy real name is Bill Spence. Jessica Blair came into being when my publisher, Piatkus, accepted my first historical saga and declared that, for various reasons, they would prefer to publish it under a female name and they suggested Jessica Blair.
I was born in Middlesbrough in 1923. I trained as a teacher but never followed the profession as war intervened. I served in the RAF as a bomb aimer doing thirty-six operational flights in Lancasters of 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Bomber Command. After the war I was sent to Rhodesia by the RAF.
It was on the voyage to Durban that I wrote my first short story and was bitten by the writing bug. On return to England I wrote articles for newspapers and magazines and fulfilled my desire to write a novel by using some war time experiences as background.
My second book was a Western and 36 were published between 1960 and 1993. During that time two more war novels and a romance appeared in print. Along with my wife, Joan, I wrote three books dealing with aspects of Yorkshire. I started a review column in the Yorkshire Gazette and Herald and that is now in its fiftieth year.
Visits to Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast, sparked off an interest in whaling and ten years intermittent research into the subject resulted in the publication of an illustrated history. It was from this study that the Jessica Blair novels arose. The first of these appeared in 1992 and a new phase in my writing career began.
There have been twenty-five Jessica Blair novels published to date (February 2015) One more is with my publisher, Piatkus, an imprint of the Little Brown Book Group. All Jessica Blair novels are available in hardback, paperback, ebook, audio download, and Large Print.
Writing was a part-time occupation until 1977 when, with the full support of my wife, Joan, it became full-time. Throughout my whole writing career I have had her, and my four children's, unstinting support, advice, and inspiration.
I was born in Middlesbrough in 1923. I trained as a teacher but never followed the profession as war intervened. I served in the RAF as a bomb aimer doing thirty-six operational flights in Lancasters of 44 (Rhodesia) Squadron Bomber Command. After the war I was sent to Rhodesia by the RAF.
It was on the voyage to Durban that I wrote my first short story and was bitten by the writing bug. On return to England I wrote articles for newspapers and magazines and fulfilled my desire to write a novel by using some war time experiences as background.
My second book was a Western and 36 were published between 1960 and 1993. During that time two more war novels and a romance appeared in print. Along with my wife, Joan, I wrote three books dealing with aspects of Yorkshire. I started a review column in the Yorkshire Gazette and Herald and that is now in its fiftieth year.
Visits to Whitby, on the Yorkshire coast, sparked off an interest in whaling and ten years intermittent research into the subject resulted in the publication of an illustrated history. It was from this study that the Jessica Blair novels arose. The first of these appeared in 1992 and a new phase in my writing career began.
There have been twenty-five Jessica Blair novels published to date (February 2015) One more is with my publisher, Piatkus, an imprint of the Little Brown Book Group. All Jessica Blair novels are available in hardback, paperback, ebook, audio download, and Large Print.
Writing was a part-time occupation until 1977 when, with the full support of my wife, Joan, it became full-time. Throughout my whole writing career I have had her, and my four children's, unstinting support, advice, and inspiration.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 13, 2017
The story, seen through Sarah’s diaries, begins in 1832 in Whitby, a whaling town in England. Sarah’s father owns a successful shipping business. Sarah’s sister, Annabelle, has assumed her late mother’s role of managing the household. Her other sister, Harriet, is an ambitious young woman who is looking for a husband and an exciting life. Their brother, Charley, is very excited about the whaling ship and wants to join the crew rather than work as a clerk in his father’s business. The whaling ship and the whale blubber they harvest and bring to port are the main source of income for Benjamin, Sarah’s father. The reader follows the story of the quest for whale blubber from Whitby port to the whale hunting grounds where the whales are captured, the blubber is gathered, and taken back to Whitby harbor. Although it was a very dangerous job for the whalers, it was a very profitable business and a main industry for Whitby. I found the story very interesting, especially the description of the whaling industry.
September 19, 2019
An easy, enjoyable read. Some parts were a little slow or predictable but still held my attention.
September 8, 2015
This multi-viewpoint novel mainly follows the stories & diaries of three sisters living in Whitby in the 19th Century. With both Arabella and Harriett seeking the attentions of the Sea King Captain, it is immediately evident someone’s heart will be broken. Charley their brother has no desire to take over their fathers business and instead plans to stow away aboard the Sea King. With the Sea King regularly going on treacherous whaling voyages, each time it sails off the family fear what will happen next.
Having visited Whitby the settings in this book where excellent and true to form and the historical scenes like the actual whaling are really well described and action filled.
The authors writing style is quite slow making this story ideal for lazy afternoon reads. Although as mentioned, there are a few action based scenes, it is mostly a book about waiting for the ship to arrive, meaning it is quite drawn out.
The Bad:
I did find the book quite difficult to get into initially, I think largely due to the pace, but I did want to know what would happen, and the synopsis had intrigued me enough to keep up with it and I am quite glad that I did as once you finish the book it is quite endearing and heart-warming.
The Good:
I loved the ending of this book, although I won’t give it away on here. I also loved the way the stiff father grew throughout the book to appreciate his children. I would certainly be intrigued to read other books by Jessica Blair.
Having visited Whitby the settings in this book where excellent and true to form and the historical scenes like the actual whaling are really well described and action filled.
The authors writing style is quite slow making this story ideal for lazy afternoon reads. Although as mentioned, there are a few action based scenes, it is mostly a book about waiting for the ship to arrive, meaning it is quite drawn out.
The Bad:
I did find the book quite difficult to get into initially, I think largely due to the pace, but I did want to know what would happen, and the synopsis had intrigued me enough to keep up with it and I am quite glad that I did as once you finish the book it is quite endearing and heart-warming.
The Good:
I loved the ending of this book, although I won’t give it away on here. I also loved the way the stiff father grew throughout the book to appreciate his children. I would certainly be intrigued to read other books by Jessica Blair.
November 1, 2016
I love visiting Whitby and have always been fascinated by its history so found this a pleasant little read.
"In 1901 eighty five year old Miss Sarah Brook decides that her diary keeping days are over. For her, these pages contain sweet memories along with sad, but for her younger relatives the secrets within could change their entire perception of the family's history if she allows them to read the diaries"
Jessica Blair has written over 50 books under various pseudonyms but you do not have to have read any of these to enjoy 'Secrets of a Whitby girl'. It stands on its own as a novel.
The book was gripping, well-paced, heart-wrenching and historically accurate with regards to Whitby's whaling industry. Although Sarah is the main voice throughout the book my favorite character was her sister Arabella. There felt there was more development to her character and poignancy in her story.
It did keep me enthralled and although some aspects were predictable this did not have a negative effect upon my enjoyment of the novel. There were still lots of action packed moments to keep me enthralled. I liked how the narrative was framed around the older Sarah's dilemma about what to do with her diaries and I found the diary entry Elena quite effective. The only things that really disappointed me were the deaths of some of the characters!
I'd definitely recommend the book and I will look out for the other books by this author.
"In 1901 eighty five year old Miss Sarah Brook decides that her diary keeping days are over. For her, these pages contain sweet memories along with sad, but for her younger relatives the secrets within could change their entire perception of the family's history if she allows them to read the diaries"
Jessica Blair has written over 50 books under various pseudonyms but you do not have to have read any of these to enjoy 'Secrets of a Whitby girl'. It stands on its own as a novel.
The book was gripping, well-paced, heart-wrenching and historically accurate with regards to Whitby's whaling industry. Although Sarah is the main voice throughout the book my favorite character was her sister Arabella. There felt there was more development to her character and poignancy in her story.
It did keep me enthralled and although some aspects were predictable this did not have a negative effect upon my enjoyment of the novel. There were still lots of action packed moments to keep me enthralled. I liked how the narrative was framed around the older Sarah's dilemma about what to do with her diaries and I found the diary entry Elena quite effective. The only things that really disappointed me were the deaths of some of the characters!
I'd definitely recommend the book and I will look out for the other books by this author.
October 14, 2016
I found this book a little hard to get into initially but I persisted (it takes a lot for me to give up on a book!) and quite enjoyed it in the end.
The story was engaging and you could feel the real sense of family about the story. I liked the setting for the story with the old diaries.
I'd love to visit Whitby myself sometime as it sounds like such a beautiful place with a lot of seafaring heritage.
The story was engaging and you could feel the real sense of family about the story. I liked the setting for the story with the old diaries.
I'd love to visit Whitby myself sometime as it sounds like such a beautiful place with a lot of seafaring heritage.
September 23, 2011
(3.5 stars) I thought this was going to be a cheesy novel, but I was pleasantly surprised with the little twists and turns of the plot. The story had it's moments of adventure,love,betrayal and sadness, things that keep me interested.
June 1, 2014
This was not a bad story about a family form Whitby. Sarah Brooke has kept a diary from her teenage years when a family tragedy happened and now her great niece has found it she would like to read it to find out about her family, she will be shocked with her findings.
July 21, 2013
A dry read to start with, a few chapters in the characters begin to take life and depth and then it is difficult to put the book down. Believable, sad, tragic, true to life, compelling and engaging.
November 9, 2012
Got this from a reading group and thought it would be pretty naff but I really enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews