Mini Review of 'The Hidden Women' by Kerry Barrett

Novel by Kerry Barrett available at your favourite book sellers.

Published in 2019 by HQ (HarperCollins)

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This is another book of Kerry Barrett’s, The Hidden Women, that I have recently read and loved, too. It is filled with family secrets, danger and unsupported courage, delivered through a dual time line that has a wonderful echo and flow from past to present. There are plenty of plot twists and tough issues connected to female victimisation that sting the heart.

One timeline is set in England in 1944 (with flash backs to 1939-40). Here we meet musical Lilian Miles, a pregnant teenager, misled and caught in a terrible older male-teacher-young-female-student situation. Despite the difficult path ahead of her, Lilian is strong and determined and later becomes an ATA pilot who transports planes around England during the second World War. Secrets become very much a part of her life: some of which are to conceal her own past and some of which to protect others who find themselves in similar situations. Pregnant unwed mothers at this time were dealt a harsh, unforgiving hand and, as a result, found themselves in dire circumstances. But Lilian is determined to help these women however she can and launches into a heartfelt mission that is both dangerous and risky to her career. Lilian does not care of the possible consequences because she is driven by her own horrible past experience. This venture of value, inspires her to become part of a secret network to help those in need.

In the current timeline we meet Helena Miles, single parent and relative of Lilian Miles. Helena is a research assistant for a celebrity television show, Where Did You Come From. Her father suspects his own family tree is not as it appears. He has a nagging feeling something is not quite right and he begs his daughter to use her resources to find out what secrets have been hidden about his own birth. This puts Helena in a bad position as she is prohibited from using her work tools to do family digging. But while she is dealing with this dilemma, she meets handsome superstar, Jack Jones, who she must research for the show.

The novel explores some fascinating roots entanglements while it delves into the “where did you come from” topic, leaving us with much food for thought. While on one hand it shakes the heart to see the injustices, abuse, wounds and fear experienced by these vulnerable women, it also boosts the spirit to see such sisterhood inspire hope, courage and healing. It is a well written story that many will find worthy of a reading. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️