Today, I’m excited to announce the release of my new novel, Lake of Echoes!
After writing a French historical trilogy (The Bone Angel), which can all be read as standalones, then three Australian-set drama novels, I hankered to return to a backdrop of rural France, where I live.
I’ve always loved history, but wanted this book, the first in a new French village series, to take place more recently, ie. the 1960s. In France, this was an interesting period of social change, revolution, and feminism. So, given that I write about strong female characters, this seemed like a good time period.
I have always been (a bit morbidly) fascinated by psychopaths, but I’m not a crime writer (others do it far better than me!). I’ve also also been fascinated, and horrified, for much of my life, by the disappearance of the Beaumont children, three Australian siblings, from Glenelg Beach in South Australia, in 1966. The children, aged 9, 7 and 4, like many other children of that time, were allowed to catch the bus to the beach and spend time there alone. That would never happen these days.
Lake of Echoes
Lake of Echoes explores both of these themes. I hope you enjoy it. Here’s the description:
A vanished daughter. A failing marriage. A mother’s life in ruins.
1969. As France seethes in the wake of social unrest, eight-year-old Juliette is caught up in the turmoil of her parents’ fragmenting marriage.
Unable to bear another argument, she flees her home.
Neighbours joining the search for Juliette are stunned that such a harrowing thing could happen in their tranquil lakeside village.
But this is nothing compared to her mother, Lea’s torment, imagining what has befallen her daughter.
Léa, though, must remain strong to run her auberge and as the seasons pass with no news from the gendarmes, she is forced to accept she may never know her daughter’s fate.
Despite the villagers’ scepticism, Léa’s only hope remains with a clairvoyant who believes Juliette is alive.
But will mother and daughter ever be reunited?
Steeped in centuries-old tradition, against an enchanting French countryside backdrop, Lake of Echoes will delight your senses and captivate your heart.
Emotionally gripping historical women’s fiction for Kelly Rimmer and Kristin Hannah fans.
“A testament to female resilience, depth and strength, this is a universal story set in a changing world. JJ Marsh, author of The Beatrice Stubbs Series.