Steph's Books

The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt is a novel that is completely different to my usual crime fiction. And I loved every bit of it. Even having the press release stating that it was a fictional biography I was still convinced that Lena existed. I was googling both her and the instrument that she played, the theremin. Think of the music that featured in Midsomer Murders.
Covering a period of eighty years, most of it set in Australia and New Zealand but also in Europe where Lena experienced her first really cold winter and America. She lived through both World Wars but was untouched by both. She lost both her parents when she was still young but was close to neither. But she suffered unmentionable loss later in life.
Her relationship with Uncle Valentine was lovely. Her closest family member who asked no questions and never passed judgement. She had a similar friendship with Cath during the 1940s and Mo, the filmmaker who she let into her past.
Every now and then I read a book that turns into something special. One that stays with you long after finishing it. I would like to thank Aardvark Bureau for sending me this novel.