Author: Fern Britton
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publication Date: 7th March 2019
Rating: 4 Stars
It’s springtime in the Cornish village of Pendruggan and as the community comes together to say a fond farewell to parish vicar, Simon, and his wife, Penny, a newcomer causes quite a stir…
Reverand Angela Whitehorn came to Cornwall to make a difference. With her husband, Robert, by her side, she sets about making changes – but it seems not everyone is happy for her to shake things up in the small parish, and soon Angela starts to receive anonymous poison pen letters.
Angela has always been one to fight back, and she has already brought a fresh wind into the village, supporting her female parishioners through good times and bad. But as the letters get increasingly more personal, Angela learns that the secrets are closer to home.
With faith and friends by your side, even the most unlikely of new beginnings is possible.
Reverand Angela Whitehorn came to Cornwall to make a difference. With her husband, Robert, by her side, she sets about making changes – but it seems not everyone is happy for her to shake things up in the small parish, and soon Angela starts to receive anonymous poison pen letters.
Angela has always been one to fight back, and she has already brought a fresh wind into the village, supporting her female parishioners through good times and bad. But as the letters get increasingly more personal, Angela learns that the secrets are closer to home.
With faith and friends by your side, even the most unlikely of new beginnings is possible.
It was lovely to be back in Fern Britton's Cornwall, and more specifically Pendruggan, in amongst some very familiar faces.
However there is one main difference, Simon and Penny have gone off to Brazil for a year, and so there is a new vicar in the village - Angela and her family.
Angela brings some fabulous new ideas to the village but not everyone seems as keen to have her there. Plus she has a gorgeous husband and is worried that his eye may be straining. Add in their teenage daughter who has also agreed to support her mum, in her first parish and we have a lovely family. Plus Auntie Mamie, whose stories about her past are always entertaining.. possibly embellished too but amusing!
There is plenty of variety with the plot points, and assorted sub plots to get your teeth into, and all manner of fun and antics to be discovered. I loved reconnecting with familiar faces especially Helen, Piran and Queenie - I just wish that there had been chapters showcasing Simon and Penny's new life if Brazil.
Although the book predominately features a vicar in the vicarage there really wasn't much religion in this at all which I'm greatly relieved by. What I did notice though was the occasional mention of a hymn, some of which I then had in my head, having recalled either the tune or some of the words from my school days. These are tunes I've not heard in 17 years or more but yet, seeing the name of some of them, especially "To Be A Pilgrim" brought back memories of assemblies from any years ago.
I keep mentioning the familiar but I should say this can definitely be read as a standalone, it really is a whole new story, which new characters and focal points.
I really enjoyed reading The Newcomer, and it was interesting to see how a new family would be received into this normally very welcoming little village.
I just hope this isn't the last we have seen of Pendruggan as I really am fond of the location.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
However there is one main difference, Simon and Penny have gone off to Brazil for a year, and so there is a new vicar in the village - Angela and her family.
Angela brings some fabulous new ideas to the village but not everyone seems as keen to have her there. Plus she has a gorgeous husband and is worried that his eye may be straining. Add in their teenage daughter who has also agreed to support her mum, in her first parish and we have a lovely family. Plus Auntie Mamie, whose stories about her past are always entertaining.. possibly embellished too but amusing!
There is plenty of variety with the plot points, and assorted sub plots to get your teeth into, and all manner of fun and antics to be discovered. I loved reconnecting with familiar faces especially Helen, Piran and Queenie - I just wish that there had been chapters showcasing Simon and Penny's new life if Brazil.
Although the book predominately features a vicar in the vicarage there really wasn't much religion in this at all which I'm greatly relieved by. What I did notice though was the occasional mention of a hymn, some of which I then had in my head, having recalled either the tune or some of the words from my school days. These are tunes I've not heard in 17 years or more but yet, seeing the name of some of them, especially "To Be A Pilgrim" brought back memories of assemblies from any years ago.
I keep mentioning the familiar but I should say this can definitely be read as a standalone, it really is a whole new story, which new characters and focal points.
I really enjoyed reading The Newcomer, and it was interesting to see how a new family would be received into this normally very welcoming little village.
I just hope this isn't the last we have seen of Pendruggan as I really am fond of the location.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
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