This is the first book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it.

Joanna is a journalist and is sent to cover the funeral of a famous actor for the newspaper she works for. She misses most of the funeral as the elderly lady she is sat with is taken ill and she kindly takes her home. Through this act of kindness she gets involved in something which could be a huge scoop for any journalist but which requires sensitive investigation and even secrecy. Simon is Joanna's best friend from school and he is also involved, but he can't tell her that or reveal his real job. The royal family are even involved.

Its a great story, with lots of twists and turns. There are plenty of characters and locations, but despite that the plot is easy to follow. The novel would make a great holiday read.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This grabbed me despite myself - it seemed so od fashioned - but the story of a journalist on the track of a earth-shattering story (or so they think -it is to do with the royals... you see) and coincidentally falling in love with a member of the family, and her best friend, is something she does not know either ... there are many secrets and it all circles around this one unwittingly central protagonist - despite all the contrivance which I won't go into since it would involve serious spoilers, this is a cosy with a dark edge in effect - there are murders, betrayals, and theatrical stars ... drunks and faithless men. But apart from everyone insisting on having a cup of tea, a meal or a drink before they reveal the next step in the plot, it all moves along fairly well. Kept me in my chair reading until the end when more twists appeared ... entertaining if not utterly convincing.

The Love Letter is an excellent read, easy to get into and full of twists and turns right to the end. You follow a journalist Jo in her investigations into a letter that she receives from a little old lady that she is asked to protect, during this and with Jo’s natural inclination to investigate you find out secrets that have been kept hidden with massive ramifications. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and every time I thought I’d worked it all out there was more to come!

Many thanks to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for this ARC

A great book that I couldn't put down.
A new author for me and I look forward to discovering her other books.

London, 1995. When Sir James Harrison, one of the greatest actors of his generation, passes away at 95 he leaves behind not only a heartbroken family but a secret that is so shocking, so devastating that it could rock the English establishment to its core. Joanna Haslam is an ambitious young journalist, assigned to cover the legendary actor’s funeral. Joanna stumbles on something dark beneath the glamour: the mention of a letter James Harrison has left behind, the contents of which others  have been desperate to conceal for over 70 years. As Joanna begins to investigate she realises there are forces that are desperate to prevent her from discovering the truth. They will stop at nothing to get the letter before she does.

Well what a read this is! A read that has resulted in very mixed feelings. Firstly, it is very important to read the author’s note at the beginning, it provides context to the book Riley has written and will help you to understand why Riley has written some of the plot threads the way she has. Then we get into the plot, I thoroughly enjoyed the plot for the most part. We begin with a funeral, meeting Joanna and seeing her investigation progress. The more Joanna investigates, the more characters we meet related to the investigation and the more we understand. Riley has written a very engaging book, I was utterly absorbed in the plot and was happy to not put this down. As the book goes on, the more thrilling and dangerous it gets, the tension builds throughout the book, culminating in a big climax towards the end. Yes, Riley does drip-feed the reveal of secrets and a lot is left until right near the end, however I had this worked out early on, in this respect it is very clichéd, this did not hinder my enjoyment though.

Then we come to the part of the plot that is proving controversial, the inclusion of a Royal Family and the similarities to real people. Personally, this did not spoil my enjoyment and I could separate and see the book as a work of fiction. However, a couple of the plot twists are near the mark, a bit insensitive and I can understand why people are offended or put off by them. I do think it would have been vastly improved if Riley had written a completely fictional Royal Family rather than the confused mix of real and fiction that we have here.

Character wise, I absolutely adored Joanna and Zoe, they are two strong female characters that I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know and follow. My one negative is they are not very well developed as individuals and as a result the whole way through I got confused as to who was Joanna and who was Zoe. This aside, it was a pleasure to be inside their heads and investigate the secrets with them. Riley’s other characters are great too, so many of them holding secrets does mean we are unsure as to their true character for some of the book but they are wonderful creations that I loved reading about.

‘The Love Letter’ is a thrilling, intense read and if you can separate in your mind and look at this as purely a work of fiction then this is a book you will very much enjoy. If not, then maybe you avoid this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for an advance copy.

This book is such an easy read, I could not put it down, completely gripped from start to finish.
Found the characters intriguing, with many twist and turns.

A recommended holiday read.

Thank you netgalley, Lucinda Riley and Pan McMillian for allowing me to read and review this book.

I absolutely loved this book, the characters felt real and believable. I couldn’t put it down, I finished it in one setting.
The story was a little predictable a couple
At times but this only added to the enjoyment of the plot but then when the twists came you did not see them coming. Very cleverly written, it’s a real page turner with loveliness and mystery.
It has it all and I’m a little envious of those who haven’t read it yet.
I’ve read Lucinda Riley books before and she is certainly sticking to what she does best, this does not disappoint for any LR fans.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity of reading this delightful book in return for a honest review. :)

Joanna Haslam a reporter goes to legendary actor Sir James Harrison’s funeral where she meets an old lady called Rose who she helps home when she becomes ill at the funeral. When Joanna receives a letter from Rose Joanna goes on a hunt to discover Jame’s secrets but there are people out there who will do anything to stop this secret getting out,and they are very powerful people.

This book had me gripped from the start, you can really sink you’re teeth into it as it is a complex tale with a strong conspiracy theory thrown In with secrets, murder and romance.

A must read book with an ending you won’t see coming!!

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy in exchange for a review.

When a celebrated classical actor dies at the age of 95, young journalist Joanna is sent to cover his funeral. What Joanna expects to be a boring, celebrity affair ends with a chance encounter with Rose, an elderly guest who sets in motion a mystery that dates back more than 60 years. A love letter left behind that could uncover a huge conspiracy that people are willing to kill to keep hidden!

The Love Letter is a historical mystery set in London in the nineties. The plot is full of twists and turns and keeps you on your toes until the very end!

For me the biggest problem with this book was the narrative which was aimless at times. There seemed to be lots of unnecessary details and sub-plots that left me confused and frustrated. Up until just over half way, I found the storyline disjointed and the progress too slow. Having said that the second half of the book was much better paced and focused on the main storyline of the love letter conspiracy, which I found fascinating and really enjoyed.

Overall there was enough intrigue and plot twists to make the book enjoyable, despite the unnecessary side plots, and I would rate it 3.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers (Pan Books and Pan Macmillan) for providing a copy. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.

This book was exactly what I'd expect from a Lucinda Riley book, an epic mystery weaving through centuries of family secrets, spies and the repercussions of love and lies. This is such an easy read and while I didn't love every element of the story and disliked the perfectly resolved ending it was still a great read.

The Love Letter is a story set in 1996 following Joanna, a young journalist sent to cover the funeral of a much lauded actor, Sir James Harrison. Sitting beside an elderly lady who becomes ill during the service, Joanna takes her home. A few days later, Joanna receives a letter from the elderly lady enclosing a letter which takes Joanna on a journey to solve a 70 year old mystery, from England, through to Ireland and France. However, the powers that be will take every step available, including murder, to stop the letter and the secret becoming public knowledge.

This book was okay. I liked the characters, particularly Marcus who, with his celebrated family acting history and, in spite of that, was trying to find his own way in the world, rather unsuccessfully, was a character you might identify in today's celeb obsessed world. However, it is overly long at 600+ pages and it felt it. It is definitely a very slow story. It could have easily been cut down by half and been a much more exciting and fast moving story. Unfortunately, to me, the story was too far-fetched and slightly ridiculous and the plot too rambling and meandering.

A marvellous conspiracy theory with a Royal twist,that is hinted at within the first few paragraphs, that I missed!! It is an engrossing and emotional story,full of murders and cover ups to protect a dangerous secret,that if discovered,could bring down a Government and Royal Family.
Sir James Harrison, a leading Shakespearean actor,dies aged 95 years. When Joanna Haslem, a journalist,goes to the memorial service,an elderly lady sat next to her is taken ill and Joanna takes her home.
A few days later,a parcel arrives for Joanna,from the old lady,named Rose,who says she has a dangerous story to tell. Rather ominously,if Rose dies before Joanna gets to see her, she must talk to the White Knights Lady.
Joanna goes to see Rose,and finds that Rose has died,apparently after falling down the stairs. When Joanna returns home to her flat,she finds it has been ransacked by people,who are evidently looking for the parcel that Rose sent to her. Later on ,the body of Rose disappears and then we have the involvement of Special Branch,and others,all trying to find this love letter that hints of a Royal scandal in the 1920s.
It is a page turner of a read,I found it to be engrossing and emotional,full of murders,mysteries and deceptions that all combine to keep a dangerous secret from being published.
I love a good conspiracy theory,and this one is extremely believable on all counts. The character of Joanna is really good,a journalist with a nose for a story,but she cares for the story and the people involved so much. It is a marvellous yarn and so exciting, I loved it!! I have gladly given it 5 star rating.

This new book from Lucinda Riley hooked me from the very first chapter. The love letter of the title was written by a member of the establishment many years ago and when the owner of the letter, a well-known actor dies the establishment will do everything in their power to stop the secret it holds from getting out. When journalist Joanna tries to uncover the secret of the letter her life becomes endangered and she tries everything to make sure she if the first to uncover the secret but it is not easy trying to keep one step ahead of the establishment. Lots of twists and turns makes this a book you really won't want to put down. I loved it another winner from Lucinda Riley!!

The Love Letter by Lucinda Riley

It is the winter of 1995 and Sir James Harrison, the most famous and respected actor of the century, dies in his London home at the age of 95. His presence was larger than life and so, in death, he leaves behind a family who miss him dreadfully, especially his granddaughter Zoe, her son Jamie, and her brother Marcus. They can hardly realise that Sir James has also left behind a secret of such a magnitude that it could strike right at the heart of the British Establishment. The powers that be will do absolutely everything in their power to prevent that happening.

Joanna Haslam is a young journalist learning the ropes at a major national newspaper. She’s given the job of covering Sir James’s funeral, an event that will bring out the rich and the famous in number, including his beautiful granddaughter Zoe, a famous actress in her own right. Joanna finds herself sitting next to an old woman, Rose, who needs her help getting back to her dishevelled flat. And it’s there that Joanna learns of a letter, the contents of which have been fought for for over seventy years. With her curiosity pricked, Joanna sets out to learn the truth about the letter, to identify the people it mentions. As far as the Establishment is concerned, this could be the last thing that Joanna ever does. And she isn’t the only innocent person who will be caught up in their urgent efforts to destroy this love letter once and for all.

I picked up The Love Letter, not only because I was intrigued by its premise, but also because I was in the mood for a grand saga of love and secrets, spies and treachery – an escapist read. At 600 pages long, The Love Letter is certainly of grand saga length and it hooked me instantly. Lucinda Riley’s lovely prose dances along. Its characters are warmly presented and developed – except for those who deserve their cold treatment – and I was soon caught up in the stories of Joanna and the hapless Marcus, in Zoe and her secret and potentially life-changing love affair, in Simon whose secrets are threatening to consume his life, and in the tale of Sir James in the past. There are so many hearts at risk of being broken in this gorgeous novel.

The novel was originally written in 1998 and published as Seeing Double in 2000. Not much was made of it then because the time was not right for it, largely, the author explains, because of Princess Diana’s death and the public perception of the monarchy and the Establishment at that time. Reading it now, it almost has the feel of historical fiction. It is a book set in the 1990s and is also a product of that time and I really, really liked that. It has a nostalgic feel to it for me – the days before mobile phones and the internet took over completely and a time when stories like this really could have happened away from the gaze of the media. Again, as the author says in the foreword, this could not happen now. And so I was very happy to lose myself in this other time, almost an alternate historical past, as we slowly watch this enormous secret unveiled. Perhaps a secret that would have less resonance now (although maybe not) but twenty years ago may have been catastrophic for society.

I was so intrigued to know what it’s all about! Lucinda Riley certainly knows how to spin a tale and to keep the reader hanging on until the very last minute. Joanna is relentless in her hunt for the truth but the ramifications of her endeavours have devastating results for so many people and this erodes Joanna’s confidence and security. I longed for it all to work out for her. Her relationships with Simon and Marcus are so absorbing to read about. We have enough pages here to know these characters deeply. I love that. And also that we can spend an equally large amount of time with Zoe. She deserves it. In some ways elements of her story are extremely topical.

Rarely have I read 600 pages so quickly – in under two days. I lapped it up and loved it. I really enjoyed all of its different locations and its huge array of characters, so many of whom have secrets. It’s such a good story and I love how Lucinda Riley tells it. The perfect holiday read.

This is the story of a love letter written over 70 years ago and the lengths gone to to keep it a secret
and out of the public domain.
A really gripping story with lots of twists and turns. This is the first book I have read by Lucinda
Riley and.I look forward to reading more from her.

I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘The Love Letter by Lucinda Riley’ in exchange for my honest unbiased review.

This book is full of lies,twists and secrets.

I really did struggle with this .I just found I could not get into it at all.. It did grip me and started quite slow.
I’m truly sad to say that unfortunately I was unable to finish this. I did try to re read it but alas to no avail.

This is the first novel by Lucinda Riley that I have read and wow, what a good start! The Love Letter is based around a fictional Royal family and set in 1995. Joanna Haslam, a young and keen journalist, is sent to cover the funeral of a famous actor, Sir James Harrison. She sits next to an elderly lady who, from this chance meeting, drags Jo into discovering Sir James’ secret; a secret which he kept from everyone he loved. There were lots of twists and turns with Jo not knowing who she could trust, including her childhood friend Simon who has secrets of his own, and she soon discovers that the secret is so shocking that some will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried for all time. All the characters were believable and the plot kept my interest throughout. The ending was very satisfying with another twist and the epilogue made me wonder - could this be more than fiction??! I will certainly be reading more books by this author and recommending her to my book club.

A brilliant book, it has it all romance, mystery, intrigue, more like a thriller. The book is set in the 1990s. Sir James Harrison, a famous actor, dies, but he has a secret that he has never revealed to anyone. Joanna Haslam, a young journalist is given the task of reporting on his memorial service. At the service she helps an elderly lady who has collapsed and takes her home. A few days later an envelope arrives at the office for Joanna and inside is an old theatre programme and a love letter from R to Siam. Before she can question the woman wh9 has collapsed she is found dead. Joanne realises there is a big story involved and goes on to uncover the story of the century but she cannot trust anyone and people from M15 and higher are trying to stop the truth coming out and will go to any lengths to prevent this.
I was gripped from the very beginning and enjoyed all the characters. There are so many sub plots and twists and turns that I couldn’t put the book down. Five stars all the way.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

What to say about this book? It’s Riley and not Riley. It’s a love story and it’s about history, but it’s all in one time, no going back and forth between history and contemporary. It’s a criminal mystery and it’s about famous persons, about royalty no less. The criminal side of the story is James Bond like and the romance side of the story is very Riley like.

The story starts with multiple story lines, that seem not to connect with each other, but little by little they start to connect and the full story develops.

This romantic and criminal mystery is very intriguing and thrilling. Good read.

I really enjoyed the plot which is very much like watching a spy thriller type of movie, filled with glamour and secrets at every turn.