This is book #2 of the Ellindale series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can easily be read as a standalone novel. Based in the years between World War I and II, we are taken back to the Lancashire town of Ellindale. We meet characters from the previous book, but this book primarily focusses on Finn Carlisle, an ex-policeman who has inherited his Great-Uncle’s estate and run-down Heythorpe House in the town. When he visits the house, he finds 11-year-old Reggie hiding. Reggie has escaped from the local orphanage, and is showing signs that he has been the victim of physical abuse by the people who run the orphanage. Finn takes a shine to Reggie and vows to keep him safe, along with helping the other residents of the town.

I loved the first book of the series, which told the story of Finn’s new neighbours, Leah and Jonah Wilcox. I also loved the return to the little town, and it was great to meet some new characters, as well as reconnecting with some familiar faces. Finn has suffered tragedy in his life, but he is such a likeable character, and the inheritance proves to be a new start for him. Needing help to fix up the house, it was heart-warming to see Finn employing some of the residents of Ellindale, and providing them with some financial security in the difficult times between the wars. I loved how Finn took Reggie into his care, but was saddened at how Reggie had been treated whilst at the orphanage.

There is lots of drama within the pages, mainly surrounding young Reggie, and this grabbed my interest right from the beginning. Mysterious people keeping an eye on Heythorpe House from the shadows, corrupt police officers and the suspense of Reggie’s storyline kept me turning the pages right through to the very end. Full of mystery, intrigue and a little bit of romance, this was an easy-to-read story of likeable characters in pre-war times. I’m looking forward to now reading the next two books of the series to meet up again with the residents of Ellindale! Would recommend!

I absolutely adore this series, and this book is everything I was hoping for in the sequel! It completely captivated me, and I just really love the writing style so much.

Another fanastic read from Anna Jacobs. One Kind Man is the second book in the Ellindale Series set in 1930s Lancashire. This book introduces new characters but it is also great to catch up with characters from the first book. I think this could be read as a standalone novel but I highly recommend reading One Quiet Woman first.

A lovely heartwarming read which I really enjoyed. An easy cosy type of book with a lovely community setting and a fantastic cast of characters. I enjoyed the suspense, action and romance in the book.

Highly recommended, I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't yet read an Anna Jacobs book that I haven't enjoyed and this one is no exception. She'a a great story writer. It didn't matter that this was book 2 of a series and that I haven't yet read the first. Thanks due to Net Galley and publisher for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I hadn't read the first book in this series so bought that in order to have better continuity. I thoroughly enjoyed that too. One Kind Man follows on the story with the same amiable characters. I had thought Jonah might be the kind man as I had a soft spot for him in the first Ellindale book but it turned out to be Finn, an ex-police from the last book who is the kind man. The book is set in a south Lancashire village in 1931. The community spirit and spontaneous actions of the villagers amaze me. I loved some of the historical facts about telephone and utility cables being made available to the village. I always wondered when they were introduced. The sad thing about this story is the revelation that although there's technology and medical advances all these years hence a lot of things have still not changed in the north. Unemployment, homelessness, cuts, abuse of children in or out of care, corrupt banks and governments. It remains the forgotten north as ever. Apart from those living in "Benefits Street" there are people who genuinely experience hardship through broken relationships, illness and redundancy and want to work. But there's not much work in the north with all the dead industries - shipyards, coal and tin mines, steelworks, woollen mills closed to mention a few. The powers that be frown in disdain and claim it's their own fault and they should find work which is a typical simplistic way of looking at an impoverished society. I was interested in the means testing and now we have the bedroom tax and food banks while money is being frittered elsewhere to less deserving causes or in the wrong pockets. Reverting back to the book it's a quiet, friendly village but there are a few dramas which are handled by an inadequate, underfunded police force. There are amateur bungling crooks and brave take-you-on villagers. I loved the Reggie-Finn theme enormously as well as the milk churn idea and the love stories. There were a lot of loose ends so I look forwards to the next one in the series. The characters are becoming friends. Thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stroughton

I loved this book and hope you do as well. Finn a married man waiting for the arrival of their first child and a good Policeman a great life, then his wife dies along with their unborn child. A heart broken man falls pieces then after a few years tramping Finn is shocked to discover he has inherited his Uncle's House also money and then on top of it all he finds the most amazing addition to his life but i don't want to ruin the surprise. This is very much a stand alone novel if you haven't read "One Quiet Lady" which is also a fantastic book and a shame not to read. There is lots of suspense, action and some romance it is one of those books you truly won't want to put to down.