Recent Reads: When the Cat’s Away and Hallowed Ground

This week I have two fabulous sets of historical stories from Gillian St Kevern writing as G S Kaye and Charlie Cochrane.

I’m relishing the sumptuous Victorian Secrets series of short stories from G S Kaye. It feels like a rich velvet curtain being drawn back to peek at the sensual secrets of buttoned-up Londoners in the late 19^th century. The first two stories in Victorian Secrets that I’ve previously reviewed show the sexual awakening of Mr. Martin, a respectable insurance clerk.

In the third story, When the Cat’s Away, Martin is tasked with supervising Hart, the secretary of American millionaire, Whitby Thorne, in his absence. Martin soon realises the extent of Hart’s impetuous risk-taking that could lead them both into danger.

When the Cat’s Away was a wonderful character study of Martin’s unexpected resourcefulness and Hart’s inner vulnerability and also dropped a hint about the mysterious Stanley… Can’t wait for the next story in this series from G S Kaye!!

We’re moving forward into the early twentieth century with Charlie Cochrane and three short tales in Pack Up Your Troubles.

This wonderful collection of stories about WW1 is beautifully written and deeply moving. Each story explores a different aspect of the conflict, the contrast of all that’s left at home, including unrequited love, a chance meeting in a crater shell under enemy bombardment that’s full of hope and even what might happen in the afterlife. In order these are, This Ground Which was Secured at Great Expense, Hallowed Ground and Music in the Midst of Desolation.

The sense of time and place, dry humour and poignancy are exquisitely conveyed with a sure touch to make all three stories linger in the mind. If I have to pick a favourite (which is a hard task!), I found the sense of connection and promise in Hallowed Ground particularly affecting. Pack Up Your Troubles is the perfect read for this time of year in the run-up to Armistice Day.