Song of the Skylark is Erica James 20th novel and having read all the others I can confidently say that it doesn’t disappoint. Telling the stories of Clarissa Dallimore before and during the Second World War and Lizzie Moran in the present day, this is really two books in one, but there are enough links between the two to make the story flow and the plotting work well.
Lizzie has a reputation for attracting bad luck and the story begins with her ending a relationship, losing a much loved job and being compelled through lack of money to move back to her parents’ home. Against her better judgment she begins a temporary job and meets Mrs Dallimore who is also reluctantly having to adjust to a new situation, in her case old age necessitating a move to a care home. A friendship develops between the two as they learn about each other’s past, and try to adapt to their present situations.
Both main characters are well-drawn and easy to identify with, as are the other more minor characters in the book. And Erica James has a delightfully fluent style of writing which draws you in and means that you don’t want to stop reading. If a good story and the feel-good factor is what you are looking for, I recommend this wholeheartedly and the same goes for all Erica James’ other books.
Song of the Skylark: Orion Books – available in hardback from 17 March 2016, with paperback and ebook editions to follow.