Book Review

Basic Details:

Book Title: The Angel Maker

Subtitle: (Hartford Manor #2)

Author: Marcia Clayton

Genre: Historical Romance

Part of a series? Yes

Order in series: 2

Best read after earlier books in series? Yes

Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56279288-the-angel-maker

Overall score:

I scored this book 5/5

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

Short Summary of the book:

We again follow the families in the North Devon village and surrounding area. This time Fred Carter discovers a heavily pregnant, young woman on the side of the road and he offers her a ride. As an unmarried woman, she’s on her way to her aunt to have the baby and have it adopted.

Will she be able to let her baby go? A book full of mystery, love and upsetting occurrences.

What I liked about the book:

I loved the book in its entirety. These families are difficult to leave behind.

What I didn’t like about the book:

There wasn’t anything I didn’t like about the book.

My favourite bits in the book:

The book was enjoyable in its entirety.

My least favourite bits in the book:

There weren’t any, although the Angel Maker is someone who deserved what she got.

Any further books in the series? Any more planned by this author?

This is the third book I’ve read by this author and it is the second in the series.

What books could this be compared to and why?

This is a historical fiction novel.

Recommendation:

In summary, I would recommend this book to the following readers:

Children No

Young Adult Maybe

Adult Yes

If you like historical fiction, this book may be the book for you.

Book Description by Author:

1884 North Devon, England

When carpenter, Fred Carter, finds a young woman in dire straits by the roadside, he takes her to the local inn where she gives birth to a daughter. Charlotte Mackie is an unmarried mother and has run away from home where she would have no sympathy from her strict parents. A few days later, Fred takes Charlotte to her aunt’s house and does not expect to see her again.

When their paths unexpectedly cross, Fred finds Charlotte is distraught as her aunt has arranged an adoption behind her back. Charlotte is desperate to find her baby, and Fred promises to help. However, they are unprepared for the sinister discoveries that lay before them. Set alongside the absorbing detail of country life and budding village romances, dark forces are at work, which ultimately test the bravery and resourcefulness of the whole community.

The Angel Maker is the sequel to The Mazzard Tree and the second novel in a compelling series that follows the lives and loves of the villagers of Hartford. A rare treat for lovers of historical fiction.

About the Author:

I was born in North Devon, in the South West of England, the daughter of a farmer, and my family has lived in this area for generations. I've always enjoyed the beautiful countryside and the peaceful way of life to be found here and would never wish to live anywhere else.

When I left school I worked in a bank for several years until I married Bryan, and then stayed at home for a few years to care for our three sons. As they grew older I returned to work, first as a Marie Curie nurse, caring for the terminally ill, and then for the local authority where I stayed until retirement.

I wrote my first book "The Mazzard Tree", in spare moments over several years as I was also working full time and raising my family. My second book, "The Angel Maker" is a sequel to the first and was written after I retired. I have recently released the third book in the Hartford Manor Series, "The Rabbit's Foot".

Set against the harsh background of the rough, class-divided society of Victorian England, this heart-warming and captivating series portrays a young woman who uses her determination and willpower to defy the circumstances of her birth in her search for happiness.