In 1949 a teenage girl falls pregnant by an older man. Instead of bringing shame to her family she is sent to Fairmile a Catholic home for unwed mothers on Orcades island in Puget sound. The home is run by nuns, who treat the girls cruelly, penance they say for their sins. When the babies are born, they are taken away supposedly to be adopted by loving families needing a child. This is the only choice that the girls are given.
It's 2013 Frankie has come to live on Orcades island after leaving her job as a Police detective after an incident. She decides she needs to be close to her mother and grandmother that live on the island. Her grand mother lives in a nursing home with dementia and has periods of lucidity. Her mother has brought the run-down building of Fairmile and wants to restore it to its former glory and turn it into a hotel. Her daughter is also coming to visit her after years apart from the split of her marriage.
When another one of the residents at the nursing home that her grandmother resides is found dead. Frankie takes it on herself to investigate with the help of the local sheriff. Why was she killed and what links does she have with Fairmile?
Thank you, Orion, for a copy of The Only child by Kayte Nunn is part Historical Fiction part thriller. Set in dual times in 1949 and 2013. This is the first book from the author that I have read, and I will make sure I will check out her other books that she has written. I especially like the tale of Brigid. After being shunned by her family sent to a home for unwed mothers. Were girls are being punished for getting in the family way. The tough times that the girls had to go through. They were forced into some heavy work whilst pregnant and how quickly how they had to grow up when they had to face up to the choices of their futures regarding their babies. It is a harrowing tale. This is also a intriguing thriller, with great characters. 5 stars from me.