Description

Tarn grapples with the loss of her brother at Dunkirk as she faces the threat of Nazi invasion in the Cumbrian countryside in this gripping wartime tale from Tom Palmer.

July 1940 – as Tarn struggles to come to terms with the loss of her beloved brother in the chaos of the British retreat at Dunkirk, she and her friends scour the hills around their Lake District home, watching for any signs of the long-dreaded Nazi invasion.

But as the war drags on, with little good news from the front, the locals become aware of someone carrying out anonymous acts of kindness, such as saving a flock of sheep from a snowdrift and getting help for an injured farmer who might otherwise have died.

With no one claiming credit, they come to think of this unidentified stranger as a kind of guardian angel, but when his identity is finally revealed, can Tarn come to terms with the truth…?

Publisher Review

“Such a meaningful and moving story about friendship, kindness, and what it is to be brave. I loved it.” – Dan Smith

“Wise and kind and so vividly told” – Hilary McKay

“A masterful exploration of trauma and kindness, hope and loss. A cast of richly-drawn characters bring the well-plotted story to life and the setting feels both timeless up in the fells around Grasmere, and indelibly rooted in its WWII period.” – Tom Percival

“Strong characters, great emotionally engaging plot and fascinating historical content woven with great skill into a fine novel telling a little known story from WWII.” – Nicola Davies

“This is a beautiful book – hard as well as truthful as well as warming. Read it as soon as you can.” – Jim Sells, National Literacy Trust

“Breathtakingly beautiful … Tom shows how hope and kindness can still exist whilst sensitively teaching the reader more about Dunkirk, PTSD and desertion … Another story where you feel as if you’re touching history, it’s definitely a must read!” – Check ‘Em Out Books, blog