Lily - Rose Tremain

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: Expected 11th November 2021

Publisher: Random House UK | Vintage

Nobody knows yet that she is a murderer...

On a cold night in 1850, a young police constable finds a baby abandoned in the dark. After delivering her safely to the foundling hospital, he tries to find her again only to find out she'd been sent away to live with a foster family in the countryside and left with nothing but a name - Lily.

As Lily grows, she finds she isn't quite happy with the expectations everyone seems to be placing on her - being quiet, subservient and grateful for the suffering she's had to endure. She can't wait to be released into the world, and Lily soon finds herself living in the basement of a prominent wig maker and becoming their best employee ... but then she meets Sam.

Sam had always kept a watchful eye on her over the years, when he could. He'd never been allowed to visit, but he was always there, just needing to know she's okay. And now they've finally been reunited, they can't deny there is a connection between them that is growing by the day. But now, as the Detective Superintendent, Sam could bring her the happiness she's always desired or he could be the person to finally uncover her crimes and be her undoing.

"A 'good' life. How can you live a good life if you have been precious to nobody and made to feel burdened by shame? How can your heart not be vengeful?"

Lily is a richly dark tale set back in the 19th century, completely captivating from the first page. The setting was flawless, transporting the reader back in time and space, and while the period language took a little while to get into, it became immersive within a matter of pages.

I felt an immediate kinship with Lily - I didn't care that she was a murderer. I didn't particularly even need the details of why, I just knew I cared for her character. My heart ached for her, and her childhood friends as they tried to survive as best they could under the cold eyes of Nuns were supposed to care for them but never did. The treatment they received was disturbingly uncomfortable, but wasn't anything uncommon for orphanages in that time period.

Lily was a brilliant narrator, insightful and reflective, providing vivid storytelling throughout and making every small detail stand out.

A tale of beautiful, brutal revenge that is perfect to get lost in.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I was gifted an advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.

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