In the aftermath of the Great War, Non Davies wakes one morning to find her husband crouching under the kitchen table in a cold sweat and with fear in his eyes, shouldering an imaginary rifle. During the intense heat of that summer she forces herself to sit and watch him, knowing she has to discover what has changed her Davey so completely. A mysterious letter addressed to Davey gives her the clue she needs and takes her to London in search of an answer. When she returns home Non realizes that the dark secrets of Davey's behaviour are working their way ever closer to the surface - secrets that will shatter the fragile happiness of their community if they ever become known.

Dead Man's Embers this is a wonderful piece of storytelling, rich in atmosphere and full of characters that leap from the page. It is a gripping and moving portrait of a society emerging from the shadow of war, and of Non Davies, an unforgettable woman out of kilter with her time.
[fantasticfiction.com]

DEAD MAN'S EMBERS (aka: Blow on a Dead Man's Embers) by MARI STRACHAN (2011) | ISBN: 1847675328 / 9781847675323 | Publisher: Canongate Books Ltd (2012)

Heart-wrenching, tender and endearing this is an entirely moving piece of "pitch-perfect prose". Quoting a reviewer from Marie Claire, about Strachan's debut novel THE EARTH HUMS IN B FLAT, a quote which also applies to Dead Man's Embers. As do these quotes:
'Extremely compelling . . . I loved this novel' Catherine O'Flynn
'Strachan's deft handling of a dark subject is both sober and sparkling' Guardian
'Spelbinding and inspiring' Easy Living

I suggest reading this slowly as you'll not want to be parted swiftly from Non, Davey and their family and friends.
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Have the next readers lined up for this and plan getting this in the post ASAP.

Off into the post, Monday 20 Feb, to Flutterbies9 and soon to arrive at its destination —again apologies for the delayed arrival of these books— This 2022 BookCrossing, Advent Book Box, contains a seven book selection from my list of twenty-four:

1. —(8.) This is What Happened - Mick Herron
2. —(10.) The Printer's Coffin - M J Carter
3. —(12.) Dead Man's Embers - Mari Strachan
4. —(13.) In A House Of Lies - Ian Rankin
5. —(14.) Remain Silent - Susie Steiner
6. —(16.) Shoot the Moon - Billie Letts
7. —(17.) The Devil's Feast - M J Carter

Happy reading Somerset readers, and happy travelling book, Cheers rainbow3.

In a parcel of 2022 Advent Calendar books from rainbow3.