Review of 'Love and Retribution' by Catherine McCullagh
on the release of her new novel Love & Retribution!
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It is true: social media sells books and makes us aware of authors we may not have found otherwise. I discovered Catherine McCullagh through Instagram. I saw one of her books on a friend’s post and decided to explore her publisher’s website (Big Sky Publishing) for more information. I was impressed with what I read, connected with her and happily received a copy of her upcoming book Love and Retribution due out January 05, 2022.
Catherine is a highly respected editor and author with much experience in the area of military and Australian history (including a 20 year career in the Army as a teacher and linguist). She has two successful non-fiction books, Willingly into the Fray and War Child plus two other historical fiction novels: Dancing with Deception and Secrets and Showgirls released by Big Sky Publishing (with Simon & Schuster Australia distribution).
Love and Retribution opens with a shipwreck. It is July 1943 amid the raging drama of WW2. There are so many emotions and actions in this scene I can relate to, even though this war was long before I was born. Being a daughter of a fisherman, I grew up on the east coast of Canada and can relate to all the sights, sounds and quirks of coastal village life. Although this story is mainly set in England, Canada does play a small part. It is home of Marcus—the brother of Emmy Perry-Jones. He escaped to its shores with his family when the war broke out. As a result, his motives are questioned. Was he evading responsibility? If so, he may be seen as a coward for leaving his English homeland. The reader can decide, once reading the novel.
But Emmy, as a dedicated nurse, is far from being a deserter and certainly does not shy away from the messiness of war. After a major personal loss, she tirelessly continues at the hospital to provide much needed relief for injured soldiers, innocent children and women caught in the crossfire. She is passionately dedicated to saving everyone. Even after a family emergency brings her home, she continues with her rescue attempts. For our heroine ultimately finds two men washed up on a Cornwall beach (a common occurrence for her) near the cottage she lives in and shares with her ill mother. How she deals with this particular event, makes her seem either foolhardy or brave.
There is much mystery surrounding these two men. Who are they? Enemies or friends? Which side of the war are they on? But her foremost thoughts, as a trained nurse, are in helping the wounded. As she takes these men into her home and nurses them back to health, everyone around her worries she has been misled or smitten by their charm. Before long onlookers fear she has fallen under their spell and drawn into a web of deceit (particularly by the attractive Navy man named Max). This pits her up against Peter, her late husband’s best friend, and we watch as her world begins to gravitate toward an unlikely alliance. But everything is not what it seems and we watch the story unfold like a movie on a screen with numerous plot twists and turns sending us in many directions toward a surprising climax.
This novel shows clearly that we must not judge others by their country of origin or appearance. Not all Germans supported the direction of their country leaders and yes some were classed as deserters, political heretics or sympathisers of the enemy. Emmy proves that everyone and everything is not as they/it seems. People are complicated and situations are even more complex.
Emotions run high during these trying times—particularly when well-guarded friendships feel threatened. And Emmy is at the centre of two men’s affections. Jealousies are aroused until the dynamic changes. An unlikely collaboration occurs that begins on the defence but evolves into an unexpected friendship. Out of the chaos of war comes a fresh respect. A common interest and goal bring growth—birthing a strong unified force.
Catherine is a master at world building. We are thrust into an environment that appears both believable and accurate and never at any point do we feel pulled out. We are in the thick of it with the characters at all times. There were so many great scenes that influenced me as the reader through the power of suggestion. Catherine does not need to tell us directly. We experience the authenticity through the characters’ eyes and actions. The author’s meticulous research and understanding of war, its leaders, intelligence and machines come through vividly. We also catch a glimpse of the silent rivalry between Navy and Army: how they are seen by the public and between themselves. This land versus sea hero thing is clearly felt in this story, particularly with Peter (the Army man) and Max (the Navy man). Max is seen by Peter as having more excitement, respect and income with his position.
Max is a fascinating character, and his background is well revealed over the course of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed his journey and Emmy’s too. Even Peter brings a lot of surprise, light and shade to the story. His own skills and fortitude are challenged but we understand his heart and ambition.
Emmy’s mother, an endearing character, added warmth and wit to the layers. The plot is equally peppered with a good smattering of dark characters to keep the action rolling too. And hold-your-breath-suspense keeps ramping steadily all the way through with little plateaus in between to offer relief. ‘Love and Retribution’ sizzles with excitement and keeps you guessing to the end.
This is a novel I highly recommend to lovers of historical fiction with a focus on WW2. It slips a wedge in your heart and stirs up your mind. It leads you to question and think about loyalties and appearances— particularly in war. A nice romantic triangle maintains the human thread as it weaves its way through the war’s dark tapestry; drawing us in at a personal level. For this story is not just a history lesson weighted down with facts and figures of WW2. The relationships make it real and provide a vibrant beating heart to which we can connect.
A fictional story that creates believable characters based on real events can be a tall task. But Catherine has delivered well and shown us that war is not just a machine led by faceless men. Through her careful design and fascinating cast, we experience what it is like to live through loss and betrayal. And how love and faith can and has helped many endure. For the bloodiness of war can paint a grim picture of humanity. Yet still there were and are real heroes who braved its challenges and torments. And survived. ‘Love and Retribution’ offers a positive resolution to suffering—and that there are such things as second chances and happy endings. I sincerely recommend this 5 Star novel.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Catherine and her publisher Big Sky Publishing (distributed by Simon and Schuster Australia) for an ARC to review.
