Merryn Allingham Knihy

Working round the clock for her country1941: As a nurse in the rubble-strewn East end of London, Daisy Driscoll is a first-hand witness to the trauma of the Second World War. All she can do during the Blitz is to protect herself - and do her best to help others survive.

She longed for a family of her own... Growing up in an orphanage on East London's Cobb Street, Daisy Driscoll never felt the warm heart of home. Forging her own way in the world, determined Daisy struggles to make ends meet as the country finds itself on the brink of the Second World War.

Flora Steele is a charming bookshop owner with a passion for cycling and a vivid imagination, who also dabbles in amateur sleuthing. As she navigates her quaint life, she finds herself drawn into intriguing mysteries, using her keen observational skills and love for literature to uncover the truth. Her adventures blend cozy elements with suspense, making her a relatable and engaging protagonist for readers who enjoy a mix of mystery and charm in a literary setting.

Flora Steele, a bookshop owner and amateur detective, embarks on an intriguing journey to solve a fresh murder mystery. Her character blends a love for literature with a knack for sleuthing, as she navigates the challenges of her quaint town on her bicycle. With her daydreaming nature, Flora's adventures promise a delightful mix of charm and suspense.

"Bookshop owner Flora Steele escapes the sleepy English village of Abbeymead through the adventures in the stories she sells. Until one morning, everything changes when she discovers a body amongst her own bookshelves... The young man with the shock of white-blond hair lay spread-eagled on the floor, surrounded by fallen books. His hand reached out to the scattered pages, as though he was trying to tell her something. But who is he? How did he come to be killed in Flora's ordinary little bookshop? Flora finds out he was staying at the Priory Hotel, and when the gardener suddenly dies in its beautiful grounds only a few days later, she is certain that something untoward is happening in her quiet village by the sea. But are the two deaths connected? And is someone at the hotel responsible - the nervous cook, the money-obsessed receptionist, or the formidable manageress? Determined to save her beloved bookshop's reputation and solve the murder mystery, Flora enlists the help of handsome and brooding Jack Carrington: crime writer, recluse and her most reliable customer. As the unlikely duo set about investigating the baffling case, guilty faces greet them at every door. And they soon realise there's more than one person hiding secrets in Abbeymead..."--Provided by publisher

Separated by time and distance, two sisters seek answers for all they’ve lost When Alice Verinder’s beloved sister Lydia goes missing, Alice boards the Orient Express bound for Topkapi Palace in Constantinople, determined to find her.Lydia was governess to the Sultan’s young children and though her letters spoke of exotic delights and welcoming hosts, the reception Alice receives is decidedly cold and answers unforthcoming.Now, as Alice digs deeper into the secrets of a land foreign to her she has only Englishman Harry Frome to help her. But as their search uncovers unforeseen dangers and exposes an unexpected ardour, is Alice ready for the truths they’ll uncover? An emotional historical drama perfect for fans of Linda Finlay and Rosie Goodwin