lost among the living by simone st james

She is courageous, brave, intelligent, and resourceful.

Although living a hard life Jo never gives up. Jo’s situation as the wife of an MIA is explored brilliantly, reminding the reader how the family is affected by having someone disappear during combat. Jo starts to believe that Fran might have been murdered as she unravels clues provided by an unknown force. It is there that Jo feels the presence of Dotti’s daughter Fran who supposedly committed suicide. In need of money she accepts Alex aunt’s proposal to be a traveling companion and later a secretary at Dottie’s Wych Elm House. Her grief is compounded by having to put her insane mother in a private mental institution. She is neither a married woman nor a widow and is not entitled to any benefits. Jo is notified that Alex is missing in action, leaving her status in limbo. They had a blissful marriage until the outbreak of World War I.

The plot begins with Jo and Alex knowing from their first date it was love at first sight. From the very first chapter people will be engaged with the characters and storyline. Yet, the Gothic portion does not dominate, allowing the reader to delve into the mystery and characters without being hit over the head by the ghostly presence. The plot has several factors that the Gothic genre is known for, including a haunted house, a ghost with something to say, an independent, isolated heroine, and family secrets. The novel is a great combination of many genres, a riveting historical fiction intertwined with a murder mystery and a touch of the paranormal.īoth fans of Gothic stories and non-fans can enjoy this book. As with her previous books the plot takes place in England during the 1920s and examines the challenges brought upon to those living in the post World War I era. I would definitely recommend it if you like mysteries, gothics, and/or ghost stories.LOST AMONG THE LIVING by Simone St.

Parts of the book don't flow as well as they could have, and the end was a little drawn out. James is a compelling storyteller with rich, vibrant characters and uses plenty of foreshadowing, metaphors, and similes. She grieves for him daily, and when she starts to see the ghost of Frances at Wych Elm House, she can't help but wonder if she is going mad like her mother, or if Frances is trying to warn her. Alex's body was never recovered and his military paperwork is not in order, which means she is still technically a married woman, not a widow. Her own mother is in a hospital suffering from dementia, and it's up to Jo to pay for her care.

Dottie's marriage is a shambles and their daughter Frances died a horrible death after years of suffering from 'madness.' On the same day as Frances' death, a strange man's body was found in the woods. She lost him in WWII, and went to work for his aunt Dottie at Wych Elm House in the country. Jo met Alex while working as a secretary, and they quickly fell in love and got married.

Lost among the living by simone st james