Matt McAvoy Book Review

Closure for author Jan Lloyd, I think, this third instalment in what I believe is slated to be a trilogy.  She has become quite attached to Frances and Kristian, and I can see why; theirs is an interesting backstory, about a French woman held captive in a Nazi concentration camp, who falls in love with a German U-boat commander, himself contrite and remorseful following eventual acceptance of his country’s horrific atrocities during the war.  In this episode, he himself is seeking closure and an outlet for his guilt.

There isn’t quite so much story in this one as the previous two books; rather more reflective, its subheading “The Aftermath” hints at a cerebral conclusion to the arc.  It could be, and should be, though the majority of the book is rather now about the couple’s (now a family) more tranquil life together after the war.  There is a little action, but it doesn’t really take off until the three-quarter point.  When it does, it is interesting, taking us back to the world of the Nazis, though this time in the context of their being hunted by vengeful vigilantes.  This storyline, however, is only a small part of the book.  The overall premise is the happily-ever-after – will they be/won’t they be plot resolution.  If you are invested in the series, I would definitely recommend taking a look at this entry, if only to finish business with these characters – though, if I’m being perfectly honest, without wanting to spoil the book, or those before it, there is little progression comparatively from the end of book two, and the events in this instalment don’t really diverge too much or have an impact on the happy ending of that one.  There is a touch of fantasy in this instalment, in the respect that those who like romance novels will appreciate the sickly sweet affection between the two lead characters.  It’s one of those where, even after time together, they still can’t keep their hands off each other, and you do sometimes wish they would.  But there was an underlying element of romance in the previous books, too, so returning readers will be well acquainted with Jan’s genre and style.

She is a good writer, and she absolutely knows her stuff in relation to history and the characters.  It is not in-depth or profound, but also respectably knowledgeable enough not to be considered a superficial approach to some very serious subject matter.  Not a book to be considered too profoundly, it is also not one to be dismissed.  First and foremost it is entertainment, but don’t be expecting the same levels of action as the first two books.  As mentioned in opening, this was a book Jan was compelled to write, to move on with her tremendously promising writing journey; if you’ve read the first two books up to this point, then I don’t see any reason not to conclude the trilogy with her, and advise you to do so.