Superb Suspense
The Gardener’s Daughter by K.A. Hitchins is an absolutely marvellous thriller that had me hooked and guessing, clinging to the edge of my seat. I was immediately drawn into the novel and asking questions from the start.
There are the themes of identity and searching to belong. “I was no longer the person I thought I was.” Deep down we all want to know our roots. Who are we? Where do we come from? Where we have been is not as important as where we are and where we are heading. We need to listen to the voices of the present and not confuse them with the voices of the past.
The novel is about truth and lies. How would you feel if your whole life was built upon a lie?
Tied in to this is the theme of trust. In an ever more confusing world, where do we place our trust?
With themes of murder, corruption and organised crime, the reader finds themselves drawn further into the shady world and wonders who can be trusted?
The novel is set at times in a holiday camp. With its pink jackets, I was reminded of the old BBC series Hi De Hi. I relished in the almost cringey atmosphere of the holiday camp. It was superbly written as I ‘saw’ the whole camp in my head.
There is an undercurrent of love. Love motivates. Love cares. Love leaves a legacy. “What you do for yourself dies with you… what you do for others is a legacy that lives forever.” Love dies to self.
The novel is about choices. We all have the choice to choose good or evil.
With a desire to find a home, the novel reminded me of the Prodigal Son theme. Sometimes home is not found in a place but in a person. I found the sentence “I was no longer lost”, one of the most powerful in the whole book.
The motif of God the Father as the master gardener really impacted me. I loved how the novel appeared to come full circle. So powerful.
When I began The Gardener’s Daughter I had no idea what to expect – but oh wow, oh wow, oh wow what an incredible read. It exceeded all my expectations. Totally engrossing, full of suspense, minute attention to detail. An all round fabulous read you do not want to miss.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Your review makes me want to read this book! Thank you!
I like this review too.
It looks good! Thanks!