These Lost & Broken Things by Helen Fields

I am thrilled to be on the blog tour for this historical thriller from Helen Fields. This isn't a genre I go to very often but I knew Helen's writing from her DI Callanach series set in the present and so was keen to read this one. Many thanks to Kelly Lacey at Love Books Tours for inviting me and to the publishers for my review copy.

The Blurb:

Girl. Mother. Assassin.

How dangerous is a woman with nothing left to lose?

The year is 1905. London is a playground for the rich and a death trap for the poor. When Sofia Logan’s husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her penniless with two young children, she knows she will do anything to keep them from the workhouse. But can she bring herself to murder? Even if she has done it before…

Emmet Vinsant, wealthy industrialist, offers Sofia a job in one of his gaming houses. He knows more about Sofia’s past than he has revealed. Brought up as part of a travelling fair, she’s an expert at counting cards and spotting cheats, and Vinsant puts her talents to good use. His demands on her grow until she finds herself with blood on her hands.

Set against the backdrop of the Suffragette protests, with industry changing the face of the city but disease still rampant, and poverty the greatest threat of all, every decision you make is life or death. Either yours or someone else’s. Read best-selling crime writer Helen Fields’ first explosive historical thriller.

These Lost & Broken Things was published by Wailing Banshee on 11th May 2020 and is available for purchase from Waterstones and Amazon. Or why not see if your usual independent bookseller offers deliveries? Many of them do, and could really do with our support just now.

My review copy with the previous cover

My Review:

Well, young Sofia Logan fair played with my emotions in this book! They were up and down like a yoyo!

In late 1905 Sofia is in her late twenties and suddenly finds herself widowed and broke with two young children. She's also in debt to late husband Tom's former employer, Emmet Vinsant, as he paid Tom's doctor's fees. Vinsant offers Sofia a job in one of his gentlemen's gaming clubs but she is determined to find work elsewhere - she knows the cards could be dangerous for her. Eventually, though, when she's exhausted all other avenues and exhausted her meagre savings, she takes the job, spotting cheats and sharks, and she's really good at it. Until things go wrong. This time when she's in trouble, VInsant offers her a very different type of job. And saying yes to this new role changes Sofia's life forever.

Sofia is likeable, resilient, proud and determined to keep her wee family out of the workhouse. I really felt for her and the children. The story is told entirely from her viewpoint and we get to know her really well. Alongside the 1905 timeline, we also visit her teenage years and see events that shaped her. And some of them are shocking - there is one incident in particular that I just couldn't get out of my head. This is Sofia's story but it's populated with memorable characters. I loved kindly neighbour Nora, club employee Monsieur Lefevre and childhood  friend Saul, but there were so many others, good and bad. Every one is exquisitely drawn.

The story feels completely authentic. There is a real attention to detail - carriages, gas lights, the way women were expected to behave, the politics, the atmosphere, the sights, the sounds, the smells, the poverty and the wealth. Fields has clearly done a huge amount of research and it shows. I loved exploring the streets of London through Sofia's eyes. 

As Sofia gets to grips with her new role we see her face danger time and again, and each time I held my breath. The denouement is tense, exciting and, for me, unexpected. This wasn't the ending I imagined, but I think I like this one better! 

These Lost and Broken Things is an authentic, detailed and atmospheric tale full of colourful characters, plenty of action and full on emotional tugs. As I said in the opening, I'm not usually a great one for historical crime novels but this was a gripping thriller I just couldn't put down. Loved it!  

The Author:

An international and Amazon #1 best-selling author, Helen is a former criminal and family law barrister. Every book in the Callanach series claimed an Amazon #1 bestseller flag. Her next book, the sixth in the series, 'Perfect Kill' is due out on 6 February 2020. Helen also writes as HS Chandler, and last year released legal thriller 'Degrees of Guilt'. Her previous audio book 'Perfect Crime' knocked Michelle Obama off the #1 spot. Translated into 15 languages, and also selling in the USA, Canada & Australasia, Helen's books have won global recognition. Her first historical thriller 'These Lost & Broken Things' comes out in May 2020. A further standalone thriller published by HarperColllins will come soon. She currently commutes between Hampshire, Scotland and California, where she lives with her husband and three children. Helen can be found on Twitter @Helen_Fields for up to date news and information or at www.helenfields.co.uk.


Be sure to check out the other stops on the tour!