This Lovely City by Louise Hare
Hardback published by HQ 12th March 2020
With the Blitz over and London reeling from war, jazz musician Lawrie Matthews has answered England’s call for help. Fresh off the Empire Windrush, he’s taken a tiny room in south London lodgings, and has fallen in love with the girl next door.
Touring Soho’s music halls by night, pacing the streets as a postman by day, Lawrie has poured his heart into his new home — and it’s alive with possibility. Until one morning, he makes a terrible discovery.
As the local community rallies, fingers of blame are pointed at those who had recently been welcomed with open arms. And before long, the newest arrivals become the prime suspects in a tragedy which threatens to tear the city apart.
My Review
I simply am stunned that This Lovely City is Louise Hare’s first novel. I hope TV rights snap up this book and turn it into a film.
Immersive, poignant, and utterly compelling, Louise Hare’s debut examines the complexities of love and belonging, and teaches us that even in the face of anger and fear, there is always hope. Simply one of the best books combined with after the war and Empire Windrush, and a nightmare mystery dreadful discovery.
In 1948, men, women and children, from Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean, land in Tilbury in Essex.After the war, Empire Windrush, arrived at the Thames. The majority of the passengers were men of working age. A number of new rivals were bused to the Clapham area.
Lawrie Matthews who by night played Jaz at a clubs and by day he worked as a postman. He is in love with Evie the girl next door to him.
When Lawrie was cycling during his postman delivery job at Clapham Common, he came to help a woman who’s terrier was soaked from the pond barking urgently at him. There was something in the pond. Lawrie carried out a dirty blanket finding a dead baby with dark curly hair. It’s dreadful in the way that Detective Sergeant Rathbone treated Lawrie trying to pinpoint the dead baby’s muder on him. Lawrie knew that the baby had to have at least one black parent and Lawrie only knew there were only so many black people around and a few women whose skin was dark enough. The police widen their investigation to question other people. Lots of more storytelling is Waiting for you all to sit back and enjoy.
MY THANKS TO
I would like to thank Joe at Harper Colins for sending me this amazing hardback to read and review and for inviting me to be part of this wonderful blog tour today.
About new author Louise Hare
Louise Hare Is a London-based writer and has an MA in Creative Writing from Berkbeck, University of London. Originally from Warrington, the capital is the inspiration for much of her work, including This Lovely City, which began life after a trip into the deep level shelter below Clapham Common.
You can find Louise Hare on Twitter @LouRHare she is also on Instagram.
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