This is a story of three women, each encumbered by their circumstances. Today Edie is ignoring her grief for a husband suddenly and traumatically lost, by running away to Cornwall. In 1918 Germany, Miriam is caught between her passion for research in linguistics (already prohibited by male scholars) and her guilt about her ambitions as she nurses the wounded and dying from the trenches of the Great War. In 1915 London Katerina finds herself the focus of hatred with her German origins, and having to reinvent herself as the very British Kitty, baker and clairvoyant.

This is a colourful book, fairly complex but easy to read. Transitioning the stories was smooth and written well so that a developing picture of how they interconnect started to become apparent in a very subtle way. Thoroughly enjoyable unpicking the layers of this book – the stories, timeframes, context, and themes.

My final thought is how the author has made this a beautifully joined up story, and anyone who has ever thought of their ancestry or who enjoys finding things from the past would love this.

I highly recommend The Story Collector by Iris Costello.

A book that to start with I had mixed feelings about - the main theme seemed to be tarot cards.
However, as the story of a widow, and two women from WW1 intertwined my interest was piqued and I really enjoyed the book.
Recommend this book

I really enjoyed this story set in 3 different time zones. It was such a fantastic read. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

I loved this unique book! I haven’t read anything like it before and it felt like such a fresh story I ate it up. The characters and the scenery were perfectly described and the relationship building kept me turning page after page. I did not want this story to end. Thank you for the chance to read this story!!

Another brilliant read!
I loved the way that this booked weaved it's plot through characters and times.

The Story Collector is an immersive, emotional and deeply interesting read with a multitude of brilliant characters tied by a secret.

The novel starts with a Prologue in London, 1914 told from Katerina’s perspective. It then switches to Present Day with Edie in Cornwall, and then Miriam at a Prisoner-of-War Camp in 1918. We span Katerina until 1919 and the story ends with an epilogue from Edie 18 months later.

The story is told through the perspective of three women, with three separate stories, each of which are powerful and gripping in their own right. The way the women’s history comes together through a secret is so seamless – they interlink in such a fascinating and unique way – with each a brilliant story to follow. I feel like as a reader you get to know each woman really well and this definitely made me more invested in their stories and in discovering how the narrative would come together. I found myself hanging on to the words of the characters, eager to discover the hidden truth with so much empathy for their situations.

There are also so many additional characters that bring the story to life in each timeline – Alexander, Dora, Gillian, Jean, Herr Garn and Prisoner X. They all add so much to the stories and flesh out the main characters who become much more three-dimensional as a result. The inclusion of Sylvia Pankhurst and other real-life historical elements alongside this only adds to this.


Iris Costello’s writing is brilliant and she deeply immerses you in each of the locations. She conveys so beautifully the sense of conflict, grief, unfairness and the importance of friendship in each of the time periods

I really enjoyed this book. The alternating chapters kept me intrested and the shock discovery near the end kept me reading to find out what happened. Would recommend

This is one of those stories where you know there’s a link between the three different narrations and timelines but can’t work it all out. So much intrigue! And, when it finally clicks you think to yourself ‘why didn’t I see that!’

Katerina, Miriam and Edie are perfect leads and easy to identify with.

Katerina, shunned for being different when younger, reinvents herself to survive. The bakery and cost price restaurant during WW1 does more than help the women and children. It doesn’t take long before it falls apart and she has to escape the East End. This narration is very traumatic at times. She is inspiring!

Miriam is working in a Prisoner of War camp in Germany assisting a language experiment. There are a few tense scenes in this narration. Another strong woman who has to get out of a situation to save her life.
Edie, with the world knocked out from under her is trying to find solid ground and how to move forward. There’s a lot of mystery in this narration with a Gothic vibe. I loved the atmosphere of mystery and suspense. In fact, each narration ends leaving us in suspense! What happens next? I needed to know 🙂

The women across the three different timelines grapple with societal expectations, oppression, and despite the lack of control over their lives, find a way through with the support of those around them (even if that breaks the ‘rules’).

At one point, I glanced at how long I had left to read on my Kindle and was really surprised at how far into the story I was, so absorbed with what was happening for each of the characters. And I must admit, disappointed that I would be finished quicker than I thought …

I loved the plot and how it all ties together. So inventive and creative. I also enjoyed how the tarot and paranormal activity are threaded through The Story Collector. Actually, I loved everything about this story! including the mix of emotions it provoked in me.

If you enjoy an historical mystery that involves a lot of heart, this one is for you. Highly recommended.

A journey of finding a families history written through multiple POVS, touching on the interesting topic of folklore magic, tarot reading and spirituality.

The book carries a historical tone, whilst touching into present day to understand the history of Edie’s new little cottage. There are hidden treasures, connections to be made and one hell of a ride.

This book was such a lovely read. I enjoyed the multiple POVs, the way it was written and how everything was intricately linked.

The beginning did drag out for me for a while, and I got confused at few times however I think the build up was necessary to make the way for a beautiful story.

Over all, a lovely read and really enjoyed. Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Books for this ARC.

Great book, not something I would usually read, so I’m grateful that I got a chance to read it.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

This is a story of three women that at first seem to have no connection to each other- although you know that they will have.

Katerina is a baker in 1915. Her family is German & in the anxious days of the first world war that is a dangerous thing to be. With the help of a society woman involved in the suffrage movement ( & who she is in love with) she manages to escape the bloodshed when their family bakers is destroyed. She changes her name to Kitty & starts another bakers shop/café with a side line in tarot card readings.

Germany 1918. Miriam works as a nurse in a German POW camp as a nurse. Along with that she is assisting a professor of linguistics who is recording the voices of the prisoners to capture their accents. When she strikes up a friendship with mute Prisoner X she finds herself in danger.

Present day. Edie, is an artist, commissioned to illustrate a set of Tarot cards. Recently widowed she goes to stay in an old Cornish cottage that has been in the family for a long time. Getting away from memories of her husband she hopes she will be able to focus but a storm the first night reveals a mysterious box.

For some reason I dipped in & out of this book for a good while but eventually got stuck in & I really enjoyed it. The timeline of each woman was well captured & I felt I was part of that age. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book. I loved it.

This isn’t an author I’ve read before, but I was intrigued by the characters and multiple timeline setting so thought I’d give it a try. The author sets her story in 1915, 1918 and the present day. Katerina is living in London during WWI and is a tarot card reader. She’s desperately trying to scratch out a life and keep her secrets close. She tries to bring hope to her community by opening up a bakery, where her skills of divination are part of the recipe. Meanwhile over in Germany 1918, a British soldier has been captured and imprisoned. This should be the darkest point in his life but then he meets Miriam who is working as a nurse. She has a connection with him and their love for each other grows, but as she agrees to help him, can she manage to save this man and remain safe herself? Finally in the present day, widowed Evie finds an unexpected box in the wall of her Cornish cottage. The secrets within send her on a journey and slowly we see how these women are interlinked. I found myself drawn into this story and it’s different settings. I found myself more drawn to the past timelines but that’s usually the case in this sort of story. I enjoyed looking at how German families living in London were treated during the war and the contrast between that and the British soldier’s experience in Germany. I was interested in how love can spring up in the most unlikely places and kept thinking forward to how their experiences would be in WWII. This was a well-written story and I enjoyed it.

To quote the book, The Story Collector is 'the universal story of love and life through the stories of ordinary people'. Though I'd argue that the people in this story are extraordinary, not ordinary.

Three women form the main narrative arc. Miriam, Kitty and Edie. Their stories span three different time periods and different locations. Each of these women are brave and resilient. Their stories will move us and at times leave us in suspense.

This is a fairly complex and interlocking story that gradually reveals connections and answers many questions.

I found Miriam's story in particular to be very sad but beautifully written. If you enjoy historical fiction with a feminist slant, you will love The Story Collector.

The Story Collector is a historical fiction told over three points of view, Kitty, Marian and Edie who each have their own timelines and spanning several years.
It is a well written, well researched book, with well drawn characters and an intriguing plot that had me googling certain parts to get more information.
It will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction set in England and featuring WWI.

A solid 5 stars. ⭐️

I read "The Story Collector" in just 2 days, and I was completely captivated from the very first page.
The narrative weaves together the lives of three women across three different timelines, all bound by a family secret.
The author masterfully blends fiction with historical facts from WWI, creating a vivid and deep portrayal of her characters. The story is unique, very well-written, and utterly addictive.
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Books, and Iris Costello for providing me with the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

The Story Collector distinguishes itself by intricately weaving individual stories together, featuring relatable characters whose experiences resonate with readers. Costello's vivid writing brings the settings and emotions to life, making the narrative immersive and engaging. This thought-provoking novel underscores the significance of stories in our lives and the connections they forge, making it a compelling read for those who appreciate well-crafted character-driven tales.

Three women across three timelines. Historical fiction nailed to a tea, excellently researched. A huge cast of characters. A great story and compelling read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my copy of this e-arc.

This book was really good but I just didn’t connect to it the way it was intended. I wish I enjoyed it more because I love the way the characters were brought together and the way the narrative flowed

This book was neither here nor there for me. I must admit, I enjoyed the modern day sections a lot more than I said those set during the war, but this may a matter of personal preference. The cover is beautiful, but for me, this is where the excitement ends. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance.

Not my usual choice of book to read but I was drawn to the title and description of the novel. I was delighted with the storey. Which was intriguing and addictive as it gradually played out. The German familyin the East End of London who were bakers and with a well established business were victimised during the First World War. As their storey unravelled throughout WW1, WW2 upto the present day made compelling reading. If you are looking for something different to read I recommend you to try this book which like me you find it hard to put down.