Ruth Hogan’s fourth novel features a cast of interconnected characters within a Brighton community and spans over fifty years with a dual narrative moving between the early seventies and the present day. Tarot reader, palmist and clairvoyant, Madame Imelda Burova is the linchpin that connects both narratives, becoming proprietress of her forthright Romany mother’s dukkering booth on the promenade in 1972 and about to retire in the contemporary narrative. The years of being privy to the secrets of her clientele have taken their toll, with one revelation weighing heavier upon her heart than any other and, before she closes her booth, it is time to fulfil a long-held promise. Part of this promise entails conveying a message to middle-aged and newly redundant divorcee, Billie, who finds out upon the death of the couple she believed to be her parents that she was actually adopted. Madame Burova’s missive reveals that Billie was left abandoned in the doorway to her booth and in pursuit of further details Billie once again arrives at her door, forcing Madame Burova to revisit some of her most complicated emotions.

The narrative moves back and forth between Billie’s present day efforts to shed light on her biological parents and flashbacks to 1972/73 and the months leading up to her birth when Madame Burova joined the entertainment staff at the newly revamped Larkin’s Holiday Camp alongside a colourful cast of cabaret acts. It is pretty clear from the off that the mystery of Billie’s parentage has its origins in this summer season at the holiday camp and the busy social scene and romances amongst the staff. Alongside the camaraderie and reminders of the simpler life to be had in this era Ruth Hogan also touches upon the racism and the casual sexism that was so rife, but thankfully in the world of up-lit solutions are never too far away.

One aspect of the novel that I did appreciate was seeing what had become of the characters who featured in both the 1970s and contemporary narrative. I was slightly dismayed that I never had any real sense, or particularly cared for, the characters of either Imelda or Billie, perhaps because the large cast featured in the novel makes it impossible to get to know any of the characters well. Whilst I would have appreciated something a little meatier to get my teeth into and a more involving mystery element the novel is an undemanding read with a cast of quirky characters and is not all sugarcoated, highlighting the discrimination prevalent in 1970s Britain. Overall this is a very readable up-lit novel that potters along and doesn’t spring any nasty surprises on its readers making for a pleasing piece of escapism. Whilst I found it all a little too fanciful to seriously engage, and the mystery of Billie’s parentage rather obvious, the story did hold my attention throughout.

Madame Burova was an absolute joy to read from start to finish. A human interest story that moves from the 70's to present day, it centres around Imelda Burova, tarot reader, palmist and clairvoyant - and Billie, a baby left at Madame Burova's booth on Brighton seafront.

When a letter arrives for Billie from her Dad after his death, telling her she was adopted, she sets out on a journey to find out what she can about her biological Mum and Dad.

Meeting Madame Burova is life changing. Billie moves to Brighton and pieces together the clues leading her to the truth.

Told with warmth, humour and true heart, this is a gorgeous story with wonderful characters.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this title in return for an honest review.

A really lovely book! This was a much needed escape from today’s world.

Madame Burova is a card reader extraordinaire with a booth on the promenade in Brighton, but also works as part of the entertainment team at a local holiday camp. The story flits between two periods, and is full of mystery and secrets. The characters are perfectly formed and each one brings a special touch to the story.

Thoroughly enjoyable and I would definitely recommend.

Thank you NetGalley.

This book was like a breath of fresh air. A real break away from the world for couple of hours and a lovely story to become absorbed in. The characters were all fully formed and played an integral part to the weaving of this heartwarming story. This is my first book by Ruth Hogan and it won’t be a last. Everything came to life on the page and I felt like I was there within the story with Imelda Burova in the past and the present as she helped Billie to find out where she came from. It was a lovely story filled with emotions and an easy five stars.

I loved this story set in Brighton going between the 1970s & the present day. Lots of lovely characters. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

After reading Ruth Hogan’s first book, ‘The Keeper of Lost Things’, and having her other two books on my TBR list, I was very excited to receive an advanced readers copy of her latest offering, Madame Burova.

Imelda Burova is a tarot reader, palmist and clairvoyant and the time has come for her to finally retire - although she’s not sure she’ll be able to after all these years and all the secrets! Before she can retire properly though she has a promise to fulfil, one that she made a long time ago. Add in another woman, Billie, who is setting up life again, with a sudden link to Imelda and the story is just beginning...

Told from two different perspectives, one of Madame Burova and one from Billie, we are transported from modern day back to the 1970’s and the life of holiday camps, entertainers and, of course, love stories. It’s written perfectly, you instantly fall in love with the characters (and dislike one straight away too!) and you always think you’ve figured it out but you actually don’t until the end, which is perfect.

I loved this book, I devoured it with two days (thanks to some time off!) and could easily have read it in one sitting as was so captivated by it! It’s just a beautiful story, told in an emotional format, making you feel part of every moment - I wish I could have gone back in time to be part of this story! A definite recommendation!

The fact that Madame Burova is set in my wonderful hometown of Brighton was a big draw for me. The fact it centres around a palmist, clairvoyant and tarot reader, Madame Burova was another draw too. The fact it was a brilliant little story rounds off this fact trio nicely.

We meet Imelda Burova in the 1970s, when she inherits her mother’s (the uniquely named Shunty-Mae) booth on the seafront, where people can come to have their cards and palms read. People treat her as a confidant – she gives so many the relief and guidance they are looking for.

The timeline shifts between events in the 1970s and now – when our other lead character, Billie is sadly dealing with the death of her father and learns an astonishing secret about herself – she was adopted. Her parents never mentioned this to her, so when she gets a letter after her father dies (one of the will conditions) from Madame Burova, who knows about her past and wants to help her, Billie is intrigued. Just who were her real parents?

As well as Billie and Madame Burova’s lives becoming entwined, the light-hearted story has a fair few serious and thought provoking issues in the narrative too. From racism, misogyny, women’s rights are all woven into the story to give you moment to pause and think.

It was the blending of these elements that gave this book its powerful hook.

Ruth Hogan has said that she drew inspiration from Eva Petulengro, a real clairvoyant and tarot card reader of Romany descent who became a legend in Brighton and beyond. I love it when stories have a true inspiration like this. Adds even more to the tale for me.

Imagine my delight when Madame Burova not only conjured up a wonderful vision of the seaside but a tale packed full of charming characters too. I found myself really invested in Billie’s story and my heart broke a little for Madame Burova. I fully encourage you to give it a read and discover the story for yourself!

How much of a burden are other people's secrets, questions and problems?

Brighton in the 70s & Brighton now. Madame Burova, a Tarot Reader, Palmist and Clairvoyant had listened to quite enough life stories. She's finally retired and ready to enjoy her life. Billie learns that she was adopted when she was a kid but has no idea where she comes from until she gets a mysterious invitation from Madame Burova. And so, Madame Burova's past comes rushing back into the present, where she has a couple of mysteries to solve. For others, and for herself.

This is truly a constellation of quirky and lovable characters, and a mystery with such deep and hidden roots, impossible to solve at a first glance. This is exactly what I love about her books. I get so wrapped up in connecting all the dots thinking about how there is no way this will all become clear by the end of the book, but by the time I do connect them, I am at the end of the reading journey and the answers are right there in front of me.

From the names she chooses for her characters, to their professions and habits, everything comes together to create an entertaining, moving, captivating story. A story that involves a tarot reader, three dancing mermaids and a contortionist sounds incredibly unrelatable, but somehow it is. I'd also love to point out that we get this cast of characters that are all tied to each other in some way, and even tho we are eager to solve the mysteries tied to the lives of our protagonists, we also get a bit of a sneak peek into all the side characters into the story,

This story is also about the complexity of life, the links and connections between people, which aren't straightforward and simple. As in our real life. We are at the centre of our own life story but there are all these other stories around us. Even when we feel the spotlight is just on us, and our tragedies, and successes, we are constantly sharing the spotlight with somebody else as well.

As with any Hogan book, there are multiple POVs and timelines. This is something you expect if you read her books, and travelling back into the past, and then back to the future is something I am used to and love.

Am I biased because Ruth Hogan is my favourite writer? Probably. But even so, her ability to create unapologetically authentic and absolutely atmospheric reads is undeniable.

And that ending brought tears to my eyes. What a way to end such a lovely story. Thank you Ruth Hogan, for writing yet another story that pulls all the strings of my heart.

This is for anyone that loves stories that have a soul. Who loves unique stories that give you a look into lives you might not have otherwise seen or known about. Who has an open mind for quirky characters, different settings. Who loves mysteries. Who loves multiple timelines and points of view. This is for you.

Imelda Burova has taken over the family business from her Romany mother. It is 1972 and she is reading tarot cards, palms and using a crystal ball. She holds lots of other people's secrets and has a duty not to disclose anything revealed through the cards or as a clairvoyant. Forward to present day and Billie receives an envelope after the death of her father, that directs her to Madame Burova. What secret will be revealed?

The story moves between 1972 and present day throughout the chapters and paints a wonderful picture of holiday camps, seaside stalls, secrets and lies. There is a wonderful old chap, Henry, who is more than he seems and Clive, who always remembers faces and has a way of naming people! Link this with a love story that spans the ages and like all of Ruth Hogan's other books, this one doesn't disappoint!

What a lovely warm story. Madame Burova is such a loveable person, always doing the best when she gave readings. Ruth has captured the time period amazingly well, not only life in Brighton, the holiday camp but also the people. I light hearted gripping story where all lose ends all were neatly tied up at the end.
Now I have to read the previous book as I can only imagine that it will be as great a read as this one was. Ruth Hogan is a very talented author who knows how to keep the reader in suspense.

Ok, where do I even start with this book?? Ruth Hogan has written the most exquisite book I’ve read so far this year, it’s absolutely stunning!!

I love how the story flits between 1972 and present day and we meet so many different characters that somehow become intricately woven into one another’s lives and this was so cleverly done.

Madame Burova is a beautiful character and has such an ethereal air to her. I instantly warmed to her.
The story is so intriguing that I couldn’t put it down and every time I thought I’d figured out where the plot was going I was always wrong.
The ending was absolutely perfect and I cried tears of pure joy and happiness!!

I don’t want to give too much away, but all I can say is that this book is heartwarming, magical and was like a balm to my soul!!

Magnificent, exquisite and worthy of all the stars possible!!!

A treasure trove of captivating characters & 70's culture, this beaut was as satisfying as a good old rummage in a vintage shop! Nostalgic & warm, written with so much respect for the cultures represented. Someone whisk me & my dogs off to Brighton pier please! My first Ruth Hogan read, but it won't be my last!

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all of Ruth Hogan's previous books, I went into this with high expectations. At first, I wasn't so keen. It took me a while to get into and start enjoying because of the sheer volume of characters that are introduced in a very short space of time. I was distracted by trying to keep track of who's who and what linked everyone, rather than what was going on. It did settle though, and then I relaxed into the plot.
Predominately, this is a charming story of the many forms of love, with a pinch of mystery thrown in for good measure. It maps the story from multiple viewpoints of a variety of colourful characters that intertwine and come together neatly by the end.
There's also a lot going on beneath this main plot line. The book also cleverly covers all sorts of underlying themes that were more prevalent back in the 70s; race and sexism being a couple of them. These sections are an unfortunate, yet important, reminder of just how commonplace and frequent these things were back then.
Although I did enjoy this book, I wasn't blown away by it and struggled to really like any of the characters as much as I usually do in Hogan's books.
I would recommend as a quick, easy Summer read, but I felt it lacked Hogan's usual spark.

Thank you to John Murray Press and Netgalley for an eARC of this book to read and review.

This is my first Ruth Hogan book & I loved it!!!!!! I was charmed by Madame Burova and her lovely friends so much I wish I could have met them. This book is a delightful, charming read that I was itching to get back to anytime I had to put it down. Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press Two Roads UK edition for my early review copy.

I absolutely adored everything about this cosy mystery. Every single character is totally endearing (especially Henry, and Madame Burova herself). The pacing is brilliant, the switch between past to present and characters easily flows and it really makes the novel totally unputdownable.

I recommend this to everyone really! If you love a cosy mystery, great. If you love some historical fiction, great. If you read novels purely for their characters - pick this one up!

All the stars, and moons!

Thanks to NetGalley, John Murray Press and Ruth Hogan for an eArc copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a cosy comforting read you can't go wrong with Ruth Hogan. She is so good at creating enchanting, quirky characters that you just fall in love with.
Following two time lines spanning 50 years the main theme is love in all its forms but she also tackles themes such as racism and sexism in the 70s.
This was a really lovely enjoyable read that will stay with me a long time.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting and the story compelling.

Imelda Burova’s gift of clairvoyance means she can see other people’s secrets and over the years she’s kept many. The secret of Billie’s parents is one that only comes to light after a particular event.

The story goes back to 1973 and Hogan’s weaving of the two timelines and the related stories is very clever, pieces revealed in one timeline that mean you have to go to the other to see the impact.

The synopsis is intriguing but actually, a little misleading, we don’t really find out much about Billie’s life, her career, her ex husband etc and although I didn’t miss that information, it is referenced in the blurb.

My only criticism of the book would be that it was too short! I would have liked to have found out a little more about some of the other characters - what does the future hold for Billie and the man she meets?

I am a fan of Ruth Hogan’s other novels and loved the premise of this one but I’ve been left missing the characters and wanting to learn more about their lives!

I read an early copy of this book courtesy of Netgalley - thank you - but am unable to review on Amazon as the title isn’t released yet.

There were a couple of tiny editing/proofing mistakes towards the end of the book that I hope can be fixed in the digital versions.

Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan

One of the main themes in this book is secrets, some good, some bad, some which should be kept and some which need to be brought out into the open. The book centres around two main timeframes 1973 and the present. In 1973 we are introduced to a range of characters, some of whom are in the same extended family, who are all tied together by the local Larkins holiday camp. The actions of these characters in 1973, have an impact on the present day. The characters in this book are well described and likeable - you want to be part of this group, meeting in the cafe and on the pier, sharing their day to day lives . The main protagonist Madam Burova stays with us throughout the book, her sense of pride in her Romany heritage and her underlying integrity ensures that some secrets are best kept, whilst she never tells a lie. The other main theme is that of discrimination, we have characters, who are dealing with racism and sexism, in a time when these traits were accepted in society. This book was a delightful read, it had a thread of mystery throughout it and when secrets are finally revealed, you feel a sense of peace and it brings the story to a natural end, and for some of our characters a new beginning.

Madame Burova is a ‘Tarot Reader, Palmist, Clairvoyant’ in the seaside town of Brighton, she has recently retired, but is having second thoughts and Billie lives in London, is at a crossroads in her life, having recently lost her father who she gave up her job to nurse and has just discovered that she was abandoned as a baby and adopted.

Billie and Madam Burova’s lives gradually entwine as Madam Burova is the one person who has some knowledge about Billie’s past, but this comes with its own challenges and secrets that will definitely ruffle ling calm waters.

The story is told in parallel time streams alternates between two parallel streams, the 1970s describing the events leading up to Billie’s birth and the present day, where Billie spends time with Madam Burova in Brighton trying to understand the mystery of her past and to perhaps make a new start.

This story itself is told in a gentle and engaging way, with snippets of the past coming forth from all directions, and there are a number of characters including MI5 Clive, who are handled with a subtle touch.

Fortune telling is accepted as the central theme around which the story revolves, and it’s easy to discern the characters morality in the tale.

The book is gentle, easy, good comfort reading, there are no huge dramas and as I’m not feeling very well at the moment, was the perfect read for me.

What a lovely book. I devoured this.
The story flits between the early seventies and the present day.
In 1970s Brighton, Imelda Burova is taking over the reins from her Mother on their Tarot/Clairvoyant/Fortune telling business as she has the gift. At the same time Jeanie has left school and is starting her first job, Treasure is having problems at school and Ruby has started a new job at Larkins, the local holiday camp.
In the present day, Billie has just said goodbye to her childhood home following the death of her father. She is sent something that rocks her foundations and causes her to question her entire life. In order to make sense of it, she heads to Brighton.
As the story progresses we are told both stories and meet lots of interesting people along the way. As expected, the stories come together to make sense of the past and the present.