Truth. Family. Love.

An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M White is a powerful historical Christian novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is the third book in The Imposters series but can be read as a stand-alone.

I enjoyed meeting up with familiar faces, not only from earlier in the series but also from a previous series. This all helps to thoroughly immerse the reader within the tale.

The novel is set in 1912 in both Northumberland and London. The City is a grimy place full of dubious morals and entitled characters. In contrast, the air in Northumberland is fresh, and there is a lightness and freedom to be found. Kindness is the order of the day. The family help those whom society has marginalised. This care extends to widows and orphans too.

I loved the inclusion of the circus animals. Penelope, the monkey is adorable. They too, are saved from cruelty or worse.

There are the difficult themes of trafficking young girls and redundant ayahs into prostitution for the elite. This is sensitively tackled by Roseanna M White. We meet characters who are quite rightly outraged, and who will fight for those without a voice.

We see the importance of listening to the voice of God. “You’re too weak… It was mother’s voice in her head, reciting the phrase that had become her mantra.” Other voices speak lies to us. God’s voice speaks truth.