books / Lorna Cook
The Hidden Letters
On the eve of a world war, a forbidden love will blossom in the garden of a stately home, where one young woman will make a choice that will change her life forever…
As the storm clouds of war gather, Cordelia seeks refuge in the grounds of her family estate.
Handsome landscaper Isaac has recently arrived to tend to the gardens, and the connection between him and Cordelia is as immediate as it is forbidden.
Isaac begins to secretly teach her how to cultivate the gardens, so when he and all the young men are called away to war, Cordelia takes over.
From the battlefields of Europe, Isaac sends her letters, that give her hope for their future in peacetime.
But when these messages abruptly cease, Cordelia must face up to the worst and take her future – and the fate of the garden they both loved – into her own hands…
An epic, sweeping tale of love, war and the strength of the human spirit. Fans of Lucinda Riley and Kate Morton will be absolutely gripped by this historical page-turner.
‘An emotional story of love and strength’ – LIZ FENWICK
‘Beautiful … Had me utterly captivated’ – JENNY ASHCROFT
The Dressmaker’s Secret
1941, Nazi-occupied Paris: in the glamourous Ritz hotel, there is a woman with a dangerous secret.
As Coco Chanel’s assistant, Adèle lives side by side with German officers in the splendour of The Ritz hotel. But Adèle has a secret. She is working for the resistance, right under the Germans’ noses.
As occupied Paris becomes more and more dangerous, Adèle will have to decide if she can risk everything to save innocent lives and protect the man she loves.
Present day: Chloé’s grandmother has never spoken about the war and avoids questions about the legendary designer she once worked for. Now Chloé has come to Paris, to uncover the truth about Adèle’s life. But is she prepared for what she will find? And for the power of her grandmother’s secrets to change her family forever.
An absolutely gripping and heartbreaking wartime story of the enduring power of love, for fans of The Lost Girls of Paris and The Nightingale.
The Girl From the Island
1940: When the island of Guernsey is invaded by the Nazis, two sisters are determined to rebel in any way they can. But when forced to take in a German soldier, they are shocked to find a familiar face on their doorstep – a childhood friend who has now become their enemy.
2016: Two generations later, Lucy returns to Guernsey after the death of a distant cousin. As she prepares the old family house for sale, Lucy discovers a box of handwritten notes, one word standing out: resistance. Lucy’s search for the author will uncover the story of a forgotten sister who vanished from the island one night, never to be seen again.
‘With a descriptive backdrop this story offers intrigue and tender romance. Highly recommended’ Glynis Peters, author of The Secret Orphan
'Paints an evocative picture of the bravery, fortitude and heart-breaking decisions of two British sisters living under German occupation on the beautiful island of Guernsey during WWII' Adrienne Chinn, author of The English Wife
‘A book to get lost in… Love, suspense and a page-turning story’ Tracy Rees, Richard and Judy bestselling author
‘A heart-rending, devastating, beautiful book that brings Guernsey’s past to life in a fresh and thoroughly readable way’ Louise Douglas, author of The House by the Sea
‘A sweeping tale of love and courage, The Girl from the Island is tender and shocking in equal measure. Get ready for an utterly absorbing, heart-rending read. I loved it’ Emma Rous, author of The Au Pair
The Forbidden Promise
Click here to buy the stunning new story of love and secrets from the Number One bestselling author of The Forgotten Village
Can one promise change the fate of two women decades apart?
Scotland, 1940
War rages across Europe, but Invermoray House is at peace – until the night of Constance’s 21st birthday, when she’s the only person to see a Spitfire crash into the loch. Rescuing the pilot and vowing to keep him hidden, Constance finds herself torn between duty to her family and keeping a promise that could cost her everything.
2020
Kate arrives in the Highlands to turn Invermoray into a luxury B&B, only to find that the estate is more troubled than she’d imagined. But when Kate discovers the house has a dark history, with Constance’s name struck from its records, she knows she can’t leave until the mystery is solved . . .
A sweeping tale of love and secrets, perfect for fans of Kate Morton and Lucinda Riley.
First readers love The Forbidden Promise . . .
‘Compelling, dramatic, with a great twist, this is a brilliant tale – everyone who loved The Forgotten Village will be sure to love this too’ Jenny Ashcroft, author of Beneath a Burning Sky
‘A compelling family drama full of dark secrets, twists and turns and a wonderfully romantic love story’ Nikola Scott, author of My Mother’s Shadow
‘A wonderful tale of forbidden love, full of cliffhangers that kept me reading late into the night. And it has a fabulous twist’ Kathleen McGurl, author of The Forgotten Secret
‘Beautifully written, it is both a captivating love story and a page-turning mystery filled with unexpected twists. I loved it’ Elisabeth Gifford, author of The Good Doctor of Warsaw
‘Full of love and loss and sheer determination . . . superb’ ***** Reader Review
‘Confirms Lorna Cook’s growing reputation as an exciting new talent’ ***** Reader Review
‘A page turner with a completely unexpected twist’ ***** Reader Review
The Forgotten Village
Kindle Number 1 Bestseller
Over 150,000 copies sold.
A timeless story of love and sacrifice, perfect for fans of Rachel Hore, Tracy Rees and Kate Morton.
'I was so absorbed that I read it in a single day' KATE RIORDAN, author of The Girl in the Photograph
‘A gripping tale of secrets and love… I loved it’ LIZ FENWICK, author of The Cornish House
1943: The world is at war, and the villagers of Tyneham are being asked to make one more sacrifice: to give their homes over to the British army. But on the eve of their departure, a terrible act will cause three of them to disappear forever.
2018: Melissa had hoped a break on the coast of Dorset would rekindle her stagnant relationship,
but despite the idyllic scenery, it’s pushing her and Liam to the brink. When Melissa discovers a strange photograph of a woman who once lived in the forgotten local village of Tyneham, she becomes determined to find out more about her story. But Tyneham hides a terrible secret, and Melissa’s search for the truth will change her life in ways she never imagined possible.
CLICK HERE TO BUY THE FORGOTTEN VILLAGE IN EITHER EBOOK OR PAPERBACK
The Forgotten Village editions:
Avon (HarperCollins) in the UK & USA
Penguin Verlag in Germany
A.W. Bruna in The Netherlands
Avon (HarperCollins) in Canada, where it is called The Forgotten Wife.
Livanis in Greece
Konyvmolykepzo Kiado in Hungary
Newton Compton in Italy
Strawberry in Norway
2020 Editora in Portugal
Tchelet in Israel
The Forgotten Wife
Canadian edition of The Forgotten Village
The Dressmaker’s Secret
The beautiful US edition of The Dressmaker’s Secret