A Bend of Light by Joy Jordan-Lake ~ a Review

by Susan Roberts

A quiet coastal village in post–World War II America is shaken when the secrets of the past and present collide in a riveting novel.   

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

September 2022; Lake Union; 978-1542037907
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); historical fiction

Five years after World War II ends, Amie returns to the small coastal Maine village where she grew up.  During the war, she was a photo interpreter for the Allies and lived in England.  Now that the war is over and her skills are no longer needed, she's fired from her job because of the belief that jobs should be given to men.

She arrives in her hometown not sure of what she wants to do with her life and quickly gets involved in a mystery when she finds a young boy with a note pinned to his coat requesting that he be taken to Shibby to be taken care of.  Shibby took in lots of children who had no home over the years and raised them.  In fact, Amie spent most of her growing years in her house because she had a father who didn't care for her emotionally.  Amie and Shibby both try to talk to Chester but he refuses to communicate with them so they are left with the mystery of where he came from and who left him in town.  Along with the mystery about Chester, there are several other occurrences that have her trying to solve -- what's the story behind the veterinarian with PTSD and what's his connection to the body found in his barn.  Can the key to all of the mysteries be solved by finding out more about the hotel in town that is owned by a rich but cruel man.  Amie wants the answers and is willing to stand up to the chief of police if it will help her

This book takes place in the 1950s and the author's research made it possible for her to create a real 50s feeling.  The town and the characters all fit perfectly into this time period.  This is a fantastic historical fiction that is also filled with mysteries that need to be solved.  It's a book about love and trust, acceptance and forgiveness, and is a story that I won't soon forget.

Buy A Bend of Light at Amazon

(Kindle Unlimited subscribers can read the ebook for FREE)

Susan Roberts grew up in Michigan but loves the laid-back life at her home in the Piedmont area of North Carolina where she is two hours from the beach to the east and the mountains in the west.  She reads almost anything but her favorite genres are Southern Fiction and Historical Fiction.  You can connect with her on Facebook.

Enjoyed this post? Never miss out on future posts by following us. Get even more book news in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter today! Girl Who Reads is an Amazon advertising affiliate; a small commission is earned when purchases are made at Amazon using any Amazon links on this site. Thank you for supporting Girl Who Reads.