‘Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North’ is the final book in a trilogy. We have heard Harold’s story and then Queenie’s. Now it is Maureen’s turn.

Rachel Joyce writes so beautifully. I was once again transported by her words only now it was into Maureen’s world. The rawness of Maureen’s torment almost leaps out from the page at you. She is angry, she is grief-stricken and she doesn’t know how to find peace. Her character is prickly and it is unlikely that you will warm to her in the way that I am sure you did with Harold and Queenie, but Rachel Joyce’s prose makes you care. You want to understand Maureen and to forgive her curt ways. We know her backstory and we want a resolution for her.

This is a short book packed with emotion. I absolutely adored it and have no hesitation in awarding it five stars. Rachel Joyce is a gifted writer. I have read all of her books and I can’t wait for the next one.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for gifting me this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

5* Wow. Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North, the third and final instalment in the Harold Fry series, is the astounding ending to a fantastic trilogy. I write this review with no spoilers but would urge that this book will be best enjoyed as the third in the set (or at the very least read one of the preceding books … you will not be disappointed.

When Harold Fry went on his pilgrimage to see his dying friend and colleague Queenie Hennessey, Harold’s wife Maureen was left at home. Initially bemused but ultimately proud of her husband’s achievements. Yet Maureen hadn’t had the opportunity for closure that Harold had found.

And while we walked with Harold and we learned Queenie’s story through her letter to Harold (The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy), Maureen remained a peripheral but pivotal character. Until now.

Setting off on her own pilgrimage to Northumberland, albeit by car (and I imagined with her nose pressed to the windscreen), Maureen goes to find a missing piece related to a loss which has dogged the trio. Touched with sadness, the warmth of the characters and the beautiful prose are a fitting end to this marvellous set of stories. Rachel Joyce has an absolute triumph on her hands.

Thanks to Transworld, Penguin Random House and Netgalley for the ARC.

An absolutely delightful book and, although short, is packed with wonderful descriptions and characters. The journey that Maureen, the main character, drives from the southwest to the northeast includes details that anyone who has even made part of the same journey will recognise. Most of the people depicted we have met before in the previous tales from Rachel about Harold and Queenie but this book does stand alone and has prompted me to revisit the earlier stories. Sometimes a short tale is ideal to pick up on a journey or when one feels one hasn't the energy to be get involved in a complicated plot. The book exudes warmth plus old fashioned quirkiness plus a sprinkling of humour whilst also being straight forward and honest leaving hope after loss and faith in humanity. A resounding 5 stars.

Maureen Fry is not the most likeable of people, that was made clear in Harold and Queenies tales. Whilst this is Maureen's story, fortunately she's not completely exhonorated and she is still prickly. However, you do warm to her more as the story moves on. It's short - I read it in an hour or so - but it beautifully ties up the characters connections and is a fitting finale to the trilogy.

Rachel Joyce's writing is so effortless to read, she's a true storyteller. Thanks to all for the ARC.

I’ve often seen Rachel Joyce’s books being recommended and I am ashamed to say I hadn’t read any of them and that is about to be rectified after finishing this wonderful short story, really looking forward to reading about Harold, Queenie and Kate’s earlier adventures

It's ten years since Harold Fry undertook his incredible walk through the country. His friend Queenie has also died since then.

But his wife Maureen is restless. She has unfinished business.

It's her turn to take a trip....

Lovely conclusion to this wonderful trilogy

Rachel Joyce is in my top two favourite authors and this book did not disappoint! Harold Fry is my favourite character of all time and I really would love to have him attend a dinner party. Now we have Maureen Fry’s story and I devoured the book in a day! I laughed and I cried and will recommend this book to everyone just as I did Harold’s. Rachel Joyce triumphs again with another fantastic novel!

It’s now Maureen’s turn.
She leaves with trepidation and is on her way to find the missing part of her grief. It’s not an easy journey in more ways than one.
A moving and sensitive read which brings a unexpected acceptance .

Maureen is so unlikable. She says the wrong things as the wrong times. Comes across as ungrateful and unkind. She has a negative edge and an icy soul. However, you just can’t help loving her. Her pain over the loss of her son and the fact she likes herself so little just makes her adorably vulnerable.
This story was quite lovely, as finally, Maureen finds some peace and comfort. It’s been a long time coming for her, which is why it’s so good for the reader.
I’m sad that this is the end of the ‘Fry’ stories, as I have enjoyed getting to know the characters. They actually feel a bit like family now.
I look forward to seeing what Rachel writes next as I have loved and read every single one of her books.
Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for this ARC copy. I loved being one of the first to read this book.

Simply written, but so touching.
Maureen is such a sad and unhappy lady who is struggling with grief.
She evoked many emotions in me, even moving me to tears, but overall, I was rooting for her to find peace and for her hard edges to be smoothed.
One question asked in the book got me thinking: how do we accept the unacceptable?
This is a short, but captivating story.

This was a great novelette to complete the Harold Fry trilogy, this time featuring his beleaguered wife Maureen who has never dealt with the tragic death of their son so many years ago. So desperate is she to reconnect with her son she journeys to Queenie’s garden and discovers a lot about herself along the way. Maureen is a difficult character but it’s so easy to see why she’s felt so disappointed by life and why she struggles to connect to others, although this book doesn’t radically transform her it’s a great lesson in forgiveness especially to yourself.