SECRETS, SHAME, AND A SHOEBOX by L.B. Griffin
Fiction, Historical (1960s)
4****
Blurb: When Harriet Laws loses her grandmother and her job, her happy life in London seems over. Alone, grief-stricken and penniless, she thinks wildly of ending it all. Fate steps in as Tom Fletcher saves her, gives her hope, and guides her to new employment. He takes her to dinner, and she finds him attractive. He’s older, but she doesn’t mind. Does he? Tom, a quiet, hardworking man, is unsure of Harriet’s feelings, but he’s also very busy building his business interests. So it’s no wonder a suave, sophisticated fellow walks off with Harriet right under Tom’s nose. What follows, no one could have predicted, as Harriet not only loses contact with all her friends but must again fight for her very life…will she ever see Tom again?
THOUGHTS: This story is partly historical fiction (1950s-60s) and partly romance. It takes place in London and centers around one young woman, Harriet. At the outset of the story, she lives in a slum-like apartment with her grandmother. With the death of her granny and loss of her job, she doesn’t know what she’s going to do. Their friends in the slums rally around her and with help, she manages to find another job, another place to live, and new friends.
Throughout the story, the author portrays Harriet as a kind, caring individual who struggles against odds. She has a gentleman friend, but marries someone else. Unfortunately, life took another nasty turn as her husband was an abuser. She gets the nerve to escape, but is found. When her husband is killed, she is considered the main suspect. Eventually found innocent, she is determined to move forward, and possibly help other women who are in danger.
I loved how the author showed passage of time through little historical tidbits and musical clues. This is almost a coming-of-age story in that Harriet grows from naive young woman (older teenager) to a woman of means who wants only to help others stand up for themselves and live good lives. There were a few threads left dangling that I wish had been answered, but they were minor ones. This isn’t a fast, full-of-action story, but it is an intriguing one that keeps you reading. I will note, that there are often point-of-view jumps that jarred me a few times, but overall, a good story.
Recommended.
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