The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy StrangeMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A wonderful debut novel aimed at readers from age nine to the typical septuagenarian, like me - a big kid at heart! Set in 1919, a pitch perfect, hauntingly beautiful story that is quite frightening at times (young readers beware!). Henrietta is twelve years old (known as Henry), her family has moved from London to Hope House, a place full of strange secrets, a forgotten attic and ghostly figures.
Her Mama is ill and kept in her room behind a locked door (doctor's orders), her father has taken a job abroad and Nanny Jane is too busy to pay any attention to Henry and the things she sees - like her dead brother. Henry is also very concerned about the welfare of her baby sister, Roberta - known affectionately as Piglet.
All alone, at night Henrietta sees mysterious firelight that flitters in the trees beyond the garden - Nightingale Wood. When she ventures into the darkness of the wood, what she finds there will change her whole world...
There is that character you will love to hate as well. I wanted to climb into the pages of the book at times - and punch him on the nose! That's right - Dr. Hardy!
I loved this book - even though it is aimed at a young readership. It doesn't really matter how young or old you are, this is a beautifully told story.
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