Title: MILESTONES
Author: Heather Peck
ISBN: 978 1915 7692 13
Publisher: Ormesby Publishing
Pages: 284
Source: Review copy from the Publisher / Author
Blog Tour Organised by Random Things Tours
A new, standalone thriller from the multi-award-winning author of the DCI Geldard Norfolk In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there have been a number of significant dates when millions of people around the world can say ‘I know where I was when…’ Aelfwyth, born on the day Elizabeth II was crowned Queen, finds her life has shared many pivotal events with such milestones, from the childhood moment when she heard of the death of Kennedy and met the Five Towns Flasher, through wars and the Chernobyl disaster to the culmination of her ex-husband’s persecution coinciding with 9/11.Milestones follow a life through joys and disasters, from first love to last, through loss and abuse to survival and the realisation, at the end, that what really matters is love and hope
Official Summary
18 March 2024
I have not read a Heather Peck book since I reviewed Secret Places in March 2021. When this blog tour invite landed in my inbox I could not resist. This book wants to read like a memoir, but it quickly turns into a gripping mystery you do not want to walk away from.
The book traces the life of Aelfwyth, born on the day of Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation. In this standalone novel, the author navigates the late 20th and early 21st centuries, intertwining Aelfwyth’s experiences with globally significant events that shape the era.
The novel captures the essence of historical moments that resonate universally, evoking your own memories of where you were during pivotal events. Aelfwyth’s life becomes a lens through which you witness the impact of historical milestones, from the death of Kennedy to the Chernobyl disaster and the tragic events of 9/11. The author weaves personal narratives with larger historical tapestries, creating a rich and immersive reading experience.
The exploration of Aelfwyth’s life is both heart-wrenching and uplifting, touching on themes of love, loss, abuse, survival and the enduring power of hope. The author crafts a story that spans from the innocence of first love to the complexity of adult relationships, providing a details portrayal of the experience. The pacing of the story well having a slow start is well-balanced, allowing you to absorb the weight of each milestone without losing the overall momentum of the story. The author’s writing is both sensitive and powerful, drawing you into the emotional landscape of Aelfwyth’s journey. The story ends with the realisation that love and hope are the true anchors in life, emphasising the resilience of the human spirit.
While the story captures the emotional tones of Aelfwyth’s life, there were moments where the transactions between historical events felt abrupt. However, these instances do not distract significantly from the overall impact of the novel. Milestones is a moving and evocative thriller that blends personal narratives with historical milestones. The author’s exploration of universal themes makes this book a compelling and worthwhile read, earning it a solid four stars.
REMEMBER TO VISIT THE OTHER TOUR STOPS
Also by Heather Peck
Secret Places
Goat farmer, cheese maker and weaver Tristan Smith is working on her North Yorkshire smallholding when a chance visit by archaeologists exposes a skeleton in an abandoned WW2 bunker. But it’s not a wartime casualty. Tristan becomes involved in the search for the truth as DI Greg Geldard unravels a trail of secrets from North Yorkshire to the Norfolk Broads. Another victim is searching for a new life, but will history repeat itself? Will bad choices lead to the same mistake? “We all have secret places. Places where we can go when it all gets too much. Or a place where we hide the unthinkable.” If you enjoy the gripping suspense of Elly Griffiths and the atmospheric settings of L J Ross, you’ll love Secret Places. Get ready for your thrilling introduction to the multi-award-winning DCI Geldard Norfolk Mystery Series. Click the Buy Now button and start your journey before the price changes.
About The Author
Author bio from the author’s site
Award-winning author Heather Peck has had a varied life.
As featured in the ‘Norfolk’ magazine and the Eastern Daily Press, “Norfolk farm disaster expert turns to crime writing” she has been both a farmer and agricultural policy adviser. She bred sheep and alpacas, reared calves, broke ploughs, represented the UK in international negotiations, specialised in emergency response from Chernobyl to bird flu, managed controls over pesticides and GM crops, saw legislation through Parliament and got paid to eat Kit Kats while on secondment to Rowntree. She has also chaired an NHS Trust, worked on animal welfare, sailed a boat on the Broads, volunteered in Citizens Advice and the Witness Service and vaccinated humans against Covid.
Two golden threads have run through everything; her fascination with words and her Gran’s wise advice: ‘You can do anything if you try hard enough’.
Thank you to Anne Cater, from Random Things Tours, for including me on this tour. While I do not think this story quite fits the thriller genre, there certainly are some elements of the genre included. I found the book ever-shifting, constantly delivering the unexpected, which made for a very enjoyable read. I look forward to hearing what you think of this one. Please leave a comment below. Until next time…Happy Reading!
This sounds like a great read!
Thanks for the blog tour support x
Always a pleasure, thank you for having me