Welcome back to the Harpers Emporium for the ninth book in the series by Rosie Clarke, Troubled Times at Harpers, which was published on June 1st by Boldwood Books.
Trouble’s brewing and times are changing. If you play with
fire you may just get burnt!
London 1929
Torn between the love of his family life in London and a
deathbed promise to an American relative, Ben Harper makes a fatal decision
that may change the course of many lives.
Honour-bound, Ben remains in New York to investigate who is
responsible for the suspected fraud, corruption and the department store’s
failings. His findings point towards organised crime and shadowy gangsters who
will stop at nothing to get what they want.
Meanwhile Sally Harper and their children safely return home
to oversee the smooth running of the thriving Harpers Emporium. With the help
of Beth Burrows, Kitty Wilson, and Ruby Rush, Sally plans for an ever-changing
future with the cards she’s been dealt.
Will Ben heed the deadly warnings before it’s too late or
will his honourable promise bring despair to those he loves?
My Thoughts
Set in the ominous year of 1929, Ben and Sally Harper find themselves separated by an ocean. Ben is staying in New York to sort out the affairs of his aunt and to take on her department store. Sally is back in England, carrying on with her family and business life. She shows her courage and determination in this story as she tries to manage both. It is obvious the esteem her employees hold her in and the friendships which she has grown.
Alongside Sally, we see the lives of those who rely on her, ranging from Beth and Kitty, her friends who ably support her to the young Ruby who has no immediate family. In some ways, Ruby reminds Sally of her younger self and she is determined to better her life. You get a real sense of the time through the characters and can sense the ominous warning signs as the roaring twenties come to an end. As events unfold, you fear for the future for all the characters you have come to know but there are glimmers of hope with new romance and renewed friendships.
In short: changing times
About the Author
Rosie Clarke is a #1 bestselling saga writer whose books
include Welcome to Harpers Emporium and The Mulberry Lane series. She has
written over 100 novels under different pseudonyms and is a RNA Award winner.
She lives in Cambridgeshire.
You can read my review of Rainy Days for the Harpers Girls here, an extract from Wartime Blues for the Harpers Girls here, my review of Victory Bells for the Harpers Girls here and ny review of Changing Times at Harpers here and my review of Heartbreak at Harpers here
You can follow Rosie here:
Follow the rest of the tour!
