I have always loved this author so was really pleased to receive this copy. Historical in part and I felt somewhat different to her usual style but I did enjoy the storyline once I had my head around how different it was.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my arc.

I was somewhat bemused when I started this book, and realised it was about people stealing birds’ egg, (which, by the way, is now illegal in England). I never thought I’d be drawn into a story about obsessive egg collectors, in the present day, and in the 1920s.

In present day Wales, Patrick (from a previous book) and his friend Nick, are on the trail of someone who stole an unusual red egg that Nick found in his loft.
In the 1920s egg collectors gather on a Yorkshire cliff top to gather guillemots’ eggs, which are all unique.
Celie is a penniless girl who retrieves an egg and changes the course of her life, and that of her family.
There are heroes and villains (sometimes not sure who is in which camp), egg protectors, and collectors, not to mention guillemots, and lots of fun, games and drama along the way.
A brilliant read, with a satisfying end where most people get their just desserts.

Thanks to Netgalley and Transworld Digital for the opportunity to read this book.

I have only read one Belinda Bauer book previously - a dark thriller - but I enjoyed it, and I was keen to try another. This one starts out in a very creepy, tense way. I hadn't actually realised that the book was about egg collecting, so initially I thought I was reading about some awful child-killer being tracked! So, having discovered the book wasn't quite about what I'd thought I had to readjust my expectations a little and initially it felt like a bit of a bump. But then I was soon gripped by all the different characters in this complicated, inter-woven story. I really liked Patrick and Nick as characters, and really that carried the book along for me. Sometimes I enjoyed the flashbacks in time, and sometimes I felt they dragged a little, but ultimately I was completely caught up in Celie's life and what was going to happen alongside of Patrick and Nick's investigations.

Rating: 3.0/5

There can't be that many fictional mysteries that have been based around the subject of illegal egg trafficking - this may even be the first. On that basis, the author, Belimda Bauer, deserves some credit for originality. I have to confess that I struggled with the opening quarter of this novel, as it really hadn't piqued my interest at that point. Thankfully, the intrigue level did increase thereafter, thanks to the entertaining interaction between Weird Nick and Patrick Ford. Neurodivergent Patrick is particularly appealing. Were it not for these two characters (who, I believe, have appeared in a previous novel by this author) then "The Impossible Thing" would have significantly less to recommend it.

The narrative is split between two timelines: the modern day and flashbacks to the period between the two World Wars. Although I recognize that these flashbacks were necessary in order to supply essential background to the plot, I did find them a touch dull at times and also felt as if they were drifting into Catherine Cookson territory. The mystery itself is adequately engaging, although it does lean very much towards the cosy end of the genre for the most part. Overall, this is well-written with some memorable elements, but in a crowded marketplace, there are more appealing options out there.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review.

4.5 rounded up

The anticipation of reading a new Belinda Bauer novel is off the scale or should that be off the cliffs at Bempton on the North Yorkshire coast with the climmers?
1920s, Bempton cliffs. Here, men such as Jim Chandler are lowered in a harness attached to a rope to steal the eggs of the many sea birds that nest there. Jim thinks he’s got a prize guillemot double yoker and a special egg like this can yield 10 bob (shillings) or even a pound on a good day. A lucrative (not necessarily moral but we’ll get to that) exercise in straitened times. A neglected, rejected farm girl Celie Sheppard at Metland farm a bit further along from Jim, dangles precariously over the cliff edge and finds an egg that will change the course of her life and that of her poverty stricken family. These will become the infamous mythical Metland eggs which people will die for or at the very least get tied up and robbed. Just ask Weird Nick and Patrick Fort in the present day. They learn only too well what lengths people will go to in order to track down the elusive red eggs. This original novel takes us on a journey of obsession, murder, mayhem and skulduggery that beggars belief.

What a terrific novel. Who knew that a story centring on climmers and birds eggs would make such a gripping tale?! it is creative, clever, so different and I find it especially fascinating as I’ve been to Bempton cliffs several times. Into the bargain it’s also thought provoking, witty and funny on occasions, it’s sad and bittersweet, it’s a mystery thriller with plenty of shocks at all of the shenanigans that go on. The lengths that people will go to in order to fulfil their passions! It’s got it all.

All the characters are good but a special shout out for Neurodivergent Patrick whose portrayal is both sensitive and exemplary and to Nick. The pair balance each other out so well as they go on quite an adventure. Also Celie and Robert from the 1920s who take me on an emotional journey.

The narrative from the two timelines meld together seamlessly and allow understanding to grow. The ending is tense, exciting and feels right in every sense of the word.

Next time I’m at Bempton seeking out the puffins, I’ll think of Celie and her perils and those special eggs.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to the publishers for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

What a book. Quirky storyline told from two different timelines that don’t seem connected at all but it soon all makes sense. I wasn’t sure if I would like a book about birds eggs but couldn’t read quick enough. A different style to a previous book I have read by this author but very good. I highly recommend.

Belinda Bauer introduces the reader to such unusual subject matter in ‘The Impossible Thing’ – early twentieth century egg collecting and the contemporary illicit market in these treasures. Knowing nothing about this obsession, other than remembering dusty, creepy old cabinets in a great grandfather’s house as a small child, I found this story fascinating. It’s very different from Belinda Bauer’s previous novels but her ability to paint such vivid settings and create such credible characters shines through.

In Bauer’s earlier time period, 1926, Celie Sheppard, the runt of an impoverished farming family, finds a way to earn her keep. Because she is so tiny, she can be hauled up and down the cliffs where the guillemots lay their eggs, stealing them and presenting them for sale to the highest bidder. And when she finds a unique red egg, she changes the family fortunes forever.

In Wales, Patrick, a gentle, kind-natured neurodiverse young man and his only friend, Nick, who relies far too more on Patrick than he cares to admit, go in search of Nick’s precious red egg. Nick‘s put it up for sale on eBay and thieves break in and take it before he’s sold it.

A novel about obsession, theft, friendship and loyalty, this is no ordinary crime fiction. If you enjoy learning about niche subjects within a compelling narrative, you will devour this!

My thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers, Bantam for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair review.

Belinda Bauer's *The Impossible Thing* is a remarkable novel that beautifully defies easy categorization, weaving together elements of mystery, thriller, and a touch of magical realism into a rich and captivating narrative that spans a century. Bauer thoughtfully intertwines two seemingly unrelated stories: the poignant discovery of a miraculous red egg by a brave young girl in the hard-scrabble landscape of 1920s Yorkshire, and a bewildering robbery that shakes the peaceful atmosphere of a remote Welsh cottage in the present day.

The dual timeline structure offers readers a chance to connect deeply with the characters and their journeys. We meet Celie Sheppard, a young girl driven by the fierce need to survive, who navigates dangerous cliffs in her quest for bird eggs. Her heartfelt discovery of the “impossible” red egg sets off a series of events that affect generations to come. A century later, the paths of Patrick and Nick, two friends swept into a perilous world of egg trafficking, intersect as they work to recover a stolen scarlet egg. Their journey, filled with risks and unforeseen challenges, resonates with anyone who has ever sought to reclaim something precious.

Bauer gently explores profound themes of obsession, greed, and the enduring impact of our past. The red egg serves not merely as an object but as a symbol of hope, wonder, and the deeply human longing for the extraordinary. With a poetic and suspenseful style, her writing captures the raw beauty of the Yorkshire coast and the haunting atmosphere of the modern mystery, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the emotional landscapes of both time periods.

The novel invites you into a world where the unique concept of a red egg connects two distinct timelines, sparking curiosity and engagement. Celie, Patrick, and Nick emerge as relatable and complex characters, each battling their own struggles and desires. Bauer vividly brings to life both the historical and contemporary settings, creating a sense of place that resonates deeply with the reader. The plot unfolds with unexpected twists, guiding you through a landscape of suspense and emotion, ultimately leading to a conclusion that feels both satisfying and thought-provoking. While some may find the pacing uneven, with the historical narrative holding slightly more allure than the present-day story, the heart of the narrative remains compelling. The fantastical aspect of the egg may even ask readers to stretch their imaginations, creating a bridge between reality and the extraordinary.

*The Impossible Thing* is a deeply engaging read that will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Belinda Bauer’s heartfelt storytelling, intertwined with her exploration of significant themes, reminds us of the complexities of human experience. If you’re in search of a mystery that resonates on a deeper level, *The Impossible Thing* is definitely worth your time. It’s a captivating journey that beautifully appeals to the hearts of those who appreciate literary fiction and suspense alike.

The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer is a fascinating story told by the author and is very subtle in its telling, creating a story of men’s greed over the centuries. The story of The Metland Egg is the story of Celie, who as a very young child was swung over the Metland overhang at the Metland Farm, Bempton, Yorkshire to steal the red egg of the guillemot bird in 1926 and it eased the family’s poverty, she repeated that action twice a year until she was pregnant.
Altogether there were thirty of these special red eggs acquired, but only the first original egg was shown encased in its special display box. Many men wanted to acquire the egg at the beginning of the last century but the gentleman responsible for acquiring the first and then the other red eggs disappeared.
George Ambler was the man who made his living by acquiring and selling the eggs that were very much admired and acquired by the wealthy classes and then he disappeared and the eggs were never seen again until the original Metland Egg was found in an attic by Nick and was subsequently stolen. Nick and his friends, Patrick and Meg then attempted to trace the stolen egg.
A masterclass in storytelling and a most enjoyable book to read.
Highly recommended

The Impossible Thing is a quirky tale from Belinda Bauer giving an insight into the competitive and sometimes deadly world of oology.....the now illegal hobby of collecting eggs, or more stealing them from nests before they were hatched.

The story is told in 2 timelines which neatly knit together towards the end of the story, and what a tale it is.

In 1926 tiny young girl Celie Sheppard discovers that her size makes her the only person capable of snaffling the uniquely-coloured eggs from a particular nest on the cliffs near her Yorkshire home. Discovering this talent changes Celie's life completely as she's courted by rich collectors and is seen as the breadwinner of her family rather than a liability. A lid is also lifted on the intense competition and obsession of the rich oologists who are the customers of Celie and her ilk.
100 years later in Wales 2 young men find that ,despite by now being illegal there are still equally obsessive collectors when one of them is assaulted and robbed after unknowingly putting a rare specimen found in his loft on eBay.

This is a very entertaining read with many facets,from Celie's almost Dickensian story to the lads'adventures with a bunch of often dangerous oddballs. It's also a fascinating look into the world of the self-styled gentlemen collectors of old , who are usually very far from gentlemen with their plots,jealousies and fanaticism.

It's always great to come across a book that is "a little bit different" ,not least when it's as well-written and engrossing as this one. Highly recommended.

Wow brilliant

This book is set in the world of professional Egg collectors and those that Police the occupation after it becomes illegal. It’s set in two main time periods the 1920s and present day and follows the story of 30 uniquely coloured seabird eggs which become valuable because of their rarity and uniqueness.
In the present day sections, there is an autistic main character he’s not actually labelled as autistic but his behaviour is classically on the spectrum. I particularly like the way that he had developed strong friendship with another boy of the same age who played computer games so that they could play side-by-side without making eye contact.

I loved the way that the computer game playing is linked to the young men’s friendship. The difference in their characters comes out in the game as well as in real life. And the fact that they play call of duty regularly gives them a feeling of braveness and adventure when they go on their own snooping adventure

As a child, I used to visit the natural history museum in Tring particularly remember the dressed up fleas although these weren’t mentioned in the novel I found out could easily imagine where the professional scientist keeps his collection of eggs

This novel is Witty and fast paced and caught my attention immediately and I didn’t want to stop reading.
I was posting on social media about it before I’d finished it ,it is that good the 2nd to me perhaps five or six times of the year so it’s lovely when I see that I have taken part in the discovery of a new book
This book is highly visual and I think would make a fantastic feature film. I hope to see it’s right it’s taken up soon.
I’d strongly recommend this book to those who like a mystery story with great characters if you liked a list of suspicious things by Jenny Godfrey or all the colours of the dark by Chris Whitaker I think you’d like this novel
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK. The book is published in the UK on the 27th of February 2025 by Transworld publishers
This review will appear on NetGalley UK, StoryGraph, Goodreads, and my book blog bionicsarahs books.wordpress.com. After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK.

I’m a fan of Belinda Bauer and was really excited to read The Impossible Thing.

For a start, I loved the artwork for the book cover, The Impossible Thing. I thought it was quite stunning and encapsulated the essence of the book.

The book has two strands set one hundred years apart. In 1926 men are risking their lives collecting birds eggs from the cliffs of the Yorkshire coast to sell on to egg collectors. Joining them is a small farm girl Celie Shepard, who squeezes through a whole and is hoisted down the Metland headland to collect eggs. The Metland headland is considered so treacherous, none of the men will collect eggs from there. Celie however collects an egg so rare and astonishing that no-one has seen the like before - a red egg, which becomes known as the Metland Egg and all egg collectors want it.

The second strand is one hundred years later. Nick and his mother are robbed of a red egg. Together Nick and his neighbour Patrick discover just how far people will go to get their hands on the Metland Egg and how nefarious the world of egg collecting and trafficking is.

I loved this book! On one level, I learned so much about the history of eggs collecting, which I found absolutely fascinating. I loved the characters in this book. Celie Shepherd’s story was utterly compelling and I really felt for her. I loved all the characters in the modern day thread of the story. Patrick and Nick are friends from school who grew up next to each other and live out of each other’s pockets. They are such good friends they will do anything for one another, so Patrick naturally supports Nick in his quest for the egg that was stolen from him. There is a lot of warmth and humour to this thread of the story.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Transworld Publishers | Bantam, for making this e-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4.5* The Impossible Thing - Belinda Bauer. Wow! Quirky, tense and great fun.

Told across 2 timelines, The Impossible Thing is a story about bird egg trafficking.

In its 1920s heyday a penniless child gets swept into a dealer’s greed, finding a priceless treasure which will turn her life and that of her family upside down. Yet the treasure disappears and is lost to the decades.

In modern day rural wales Patrick passes the house of his friend and neighbour Nick and, noticing the front door open, finds Nick and his mum bound up following a robbery.

As the threads start to pull together a nefarious and immoral world is unearthed (those poor guillemot parents). There is genuine peril, an intriguing and swashbuckling mystery and touching relationships. Belinda Bauer is great at quirky but does so in a way that sucks you into a world you could never have imagined. I couldn’t put this book down and would thoroughly recommend it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Transworld for an ARC.

Who would have thought that a book about bird's eggs could actually be such a page turner. Bauer is such a great author and definitely not one who can be pigeon holed. She can write anything!

I have enjoyed this author’s previous books but was a bit unsure about the subject of this one, Nevertheless I started to read it and then couldn’t stop and raced through it. Egg collecting is a topic I knew nothing about and had no interest in but I have Googled it to find out a bit more after reading this. It was a perfect novel- I loved it - definitely a highlight of my reading year. Highly recommended.

What joy - a book you actually think about and remember after you have read it. Wonderful, unexpected, surprising and engrossing. There are deaths, but no police. Ordinary people doing the best they can to help and support one another.

This novel is set in two timeframes around 90 years apart - what draws both strands together are the egg collecting obsessives who will kill, or, die to feed their obsessions.

So, you have insight into an area I knew so little about, then some wonderfully drawn characters and a storyline that brings many different lives into a clear focus. I loved Patrick and Celie. And, Nick and his desire for a better gaming chair.

Even an insight into the guillemot parents and how the thefts hurt them. I know it is fiction, but I was so happy when they finally had a chick!

The ending is spectacular.

This is a wonderful novel that will stay with you after you have read it.

I’ve been a fan of Belinda Bauer for years so was thrilled to see a new book from her and I have to say, it was worth the wait. She has such a talent for bringing characters to life, all types of people from all parts of society, and making you care about them enormously.

The Impossible Thing takes place over two time periods and centres around the illicit world of egg collecting. The first part tells the story of Celie, a tiny child who manages to collect a unique red Guillemot egg from a perilous part of the Yorkshire cliffs and from there on must return down the dangerous overhang each year to collect the egg of the same bird for a London trader. The money he pays her to do so is a tiny portion of the value of the eggs but enough to change her family’s life.

The second part covers Patrick, an autistic young man, and his neighbour and best friend, Weird Nick, who is selling the property of his late father to raise money for a new gaming chair. In the loft he discovers a box containing a red egg, puts it on eBay and from there on the two are caught up in the obsessive world of collectors.

The tale of obsession, the illegal egg trade, all the main and side characters, all of it comes together to make an incredible read, full of pace and humour. Patrick is absolutely believable and his struggling to cope with emotion and reading others is beautifully told, never patronising but always endearing. Celie is also completely compelling, and her story had me with my heart in my mouth several times. I honestly couldn’t have loved this book any more than I did. I’m just sorry it was such a well contained story as I’d love to meet up with the characters again.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.

I have always loved this author so was really pleased to receive this copy.
Historical in part and i felt somewhat different to her usual style.
I did enjoy the storyline once i had my head around how different it was.
Well written and descriptive characters.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

Since Snap in 2018, Belinda Bauer has been quiet in the world of books so a new read is highly anticipated.

The Impossible Thing does not disappoint - an intriguing premise and a mix of contemporary and historical themes and settings.This was book that couldn't be put down
This is a novel about the illicit and illegal world of collecting eggs from birds- a pastime for the rich and the obssessed that has taken place over the last two centuries.

The story focuses around the elusive and 'magical' Metland Egg - a unique bright red guillemot egg found in the 1920s by young farm girl Celie on the North Yorkshire coast. The discovery of this egg resulted in double-dealing and consternation and greed among the oologist community.

A century later a robbery of an egg results in Patrick and "Weird Nick' to set out on the trail to discover who stole the egg and retrieve it.

Juxtaposing the two stories and the world of egg stealing is fascinating- a world that most people do not consider. The pace of the mystery as to who stole the egg is fast and the dynamic between Nick- a gamer - and Patrick - neurodivergent - is brilliantly played out as the two young men encounter drama way beyond their expectation .

But it is the story of Celia that really hooks the heart; as a young girl she is made to suspend herself from a cliff top to retrieve eggs and makes the discovery which is then sold to the 'madly ' determined George Ambler - a wealthy Londoner- who obsessively wants a Metland egg taken every year for his collection.

The modern day crime of egg stealing and how eggs are subsequently used and stored is incredibly interesting but it is the power of human obsession to obtain and simply 'have ' that permeates through the book

Belinda Bauer's writing is pitch perfect in capturing the passion of the gamers to find their stolen egg but equally the desperation to escape the rural poverty of the 1920s in Celie's world and family is highly moving.

Highly recommended - a fascinating mixture of crime novel and historical adventure and intrigue . A 2025 book to watch out for .