Set against the bohemian backdrop of Soho’s jazz basements and coffee shops of the late fifties, and a Sussex village during the long hot summer of 1976, A Song Unsung is a coming-of-age story about an impressionable teenage girl who falls under the spell of a beautiful singer with a mysterious past.
Martha Palmer, an aspiring singer working in a coffee shop, is desperately short of cash. She’s been scouted by a photographer. The money’s good. But there’s a catch …Sussex 1976. Nothing much happens in teenager Natasha James’ life. Her mother has taken to her bed and her father, the local doctor, is preoccupied with his patients. But when the magnetic Martha Palmer moves into her village, Natasha is drawn into a glittery world of extravagant parties, steeped in the embroidered rhythms of jazz. But who is the mysterious Martha Palmer? And why is she the keeper of so many secrets? Desperate to fill in the gaps of Martha’s past, Natasha uncovers a heart-breaking love story, the truth of which threatens to destroy all that she holds dear.
A Song Unsung by Fiona Cane was published on 20 May 2021. As part of this #RandomThingsTours Blog Tour I am delighted to share my review of the book with you today. I also have one copy to give away. Entry is simple, just fill out the competition widget in this blog post. UK entries only please
GOOD LUCK!
I do love a story told in a dual time frame, so when I read the blurb for A Song Unsung, I knew this one was a book for me.
Happily, I was right. I've been totally engrossed by both Martha in the late 1950s and Natasha in 1976. Both characters are cleverly crafted, with their flaws exposed just as much as their redeeming qualities. I love characters who are well rounded, who a reader can identify with and therefore empathise with.
We meet Martha in Soho, it's 1958 and she's left home with little money, but big dreams. Martha loves to sing and is determined that she will make her name among the bright lights of London. However, for a naive, innocent girl, London brings more than glitter and fun and she finds herself in a predicament that is difficult to get out of. Despite her fears, this experience becomes a positive and the author wonderfully describes Martha's rise amongst the jazz clubs in the capital.
Fast forward to 1976 and Natasha is fed up. She's lonely and has little to do. When a beautiful and vibrant woman moves into the area, Natasha becomes obsessed and before long she's determined to know everything about the woman; Martha, and especially how her father seems to know her so well.
This is a beautifully written novel that I enjoyed so much. I was impressed by the depiction of the two different areas, and eras, finding myself humming a little jazz tune as I was reading!
A thoughtful and richly described story. I would recommend this one.
One paperback copy of A Song Unsung by Fiona Cane
Fiona Cane is 'a natural storyteller, with a vivid writing style that is eminently readable.' Best selling
author Peter James.
Fiona was born and educated in Sussex. After graduating from Exeter University with a degree in Philosophy, she worked in London in film, tv and entertainment PR, before moving back to Sussex with her husband and young family. When she wasn't coaching tennis or looking after her two children, she was scratching away at her latest novel.
Her books cover several genres: cosy mystery, psychological thriller, literary thriller and coming of age. The one thing all five have in common is they will keep you turning the page.
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