A Liverpool Lullaby

by Anne Baker

Young and pretty Evie Hobson spends her days serving behind the counter at her father's Chemist shop. Joseph Hobson is a bullying man and Evie isn't the only one who lives in fear of her father's violent temper. Then one day a bedraggled woman enters the shop and dies on the premises. Evie is shocked to discover she was in fact her mother, whom she had been told was dead. Why had her father lied to her? What secret was he trying to keep? One thing's for sure, Evie can't take much more from him and when she catches the eye of local lad Ned Collins they plan to run away to begin a new life together. But even when she has escaped and has started a family with Ned, Evie has a long way to go before her happiness is secured...

Genres: Historical Fiction

Paperback

First published November 1, 1998

About the author

Anne Baker trained as a nurse in England, but after her marriage lived in Libya and Nigeria before returning to Birkenhead, where she worked as a health visitor. She now lives with her husband in Merseyside.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not my usual type of book at all, I usually read crime/psychological thrillers. However, I was given this book by a relative during lockdown and thought I would give it a go as I knew they would keep pestering me to find out if I'd read it and also I fancied something a little more calm as I'd just finished a rather disturbing book. I was expecting this to be a Mills & Boon type of romantic novel but it wasn't. It was beautifully written, very easy to follow and gave a excellent and interesting account of what life was like during the early 20th century and through both world wars. I couldn't put this book down and read it in just a few days, which is very quick for me. Will definitely be checking out the other books from this author.

[Margaret Hislop]

Disappointed

Was very disappointed with abrupt ending. It left me feeling cheated. Was reading one minute them abruptly stopped and jumped to library.

[Elaine Hargrave · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book for curling up on the sofa and just reading. The main characters are all engaging in their own way. Evie's father Joseph Hobson is a classic from another era, how times have changed. It's a intriguing story line but am I being a bit of an amateur sleuth in saying did he Joseph Hobson also kill Evie's grandparents who both died relatively young? Evie's young life was dire by today's standards and her father very controlling which forced her into decisions taken by impulse but not regretted. Her children didn't always understand her reason for how life was being lived and her anxiety for them all was a legacy from her youth. A strange twist in the tale when her mother turns up and leaves a very unsettled Evie after her appearance. As I said previously a lovely book to curl up with and count your blessings we don't live in that era.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book set in Liverpool, early 20th century during the first world war.
I would recommend this book.

[Mrs S E Munro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrigue

Brilliant read full of mystery and intrigue. Anne Baker is an amazing author, I look forward to reading more of her work.

[mrs s dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

Book was lovely story of family life with twist and turns in there life. All gud in the final chapter.

[Maureen Keelan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liverpool lullaby


Excellent recommend and
Could not.put it down. Going to read more of Anne baker books. Excellent read

Excellent recommend it

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a twist and turn if a book. What a nasty father Evie had.....I think I would have done dor him myself!!!

[miss c g miskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic

Could not put it down once I had started to read it.
Heartbreak and some many emotions run thru the book you have to read it all.

Another great story from Anne baker

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

[Jean P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely storytelling from beginning to end. This is the first book I have read from this author, hopefully others will be as good.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Evie, the only daughter of a clever and strict chemist, is shocked to see her mother just before death. The book follows Evie's growing up and falling in love, getting away from her father's influence.

The characters were fairly believable, but some of the book wasn't very interesting and I found the ending rather too tidy.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read "A Liverpool Lullaby" was in secondary school where I picked it up in the library. I enjoyed it so much that I borrowed it repeatedly. It was a treasure which I could hardly find outside.

Now, I own a copy of this book and still love reading it to bits. Although my reading of it has changed, I still enjoy reading it. Who doesn't love an underdog?

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good,quick and easy read.

[Xondra Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! This is a great historical spanning many years about one woman's loves, and struggles throughout life.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good so far..finished this in a couple of days, couldn't put it down! Really good story :)

[Shani Cameron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne Bakers books are a great light read.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought more than half of the book was boring but then it got good.

[Barb Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story

Kept guessing until the end making an intriguing story well told. Would recommend this to friend s and family. Great

[Chrissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Lovely read