Review of 'The Lost Sister of Fifth Avenue' by Ella Carey
The Lost Sister of Fifth Avenue by Ella Carey
Release date: July 7th, 2022
REVIEW
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Ella Carey has delivered another emotionally charged captivating read with her fourth instalment of the ‘Daughters of New York’ series. The Lost Sister of Fifth Avenue is a story of twin sisters, Martha and Charlotte, who are very different in personality and living on the opposite sides of the ocean, separated by convictions and the heartbreak challenges of World War II.
The Prologue opens with a snapshot of the future in 1943 and the question: is Charlotte still alive? Martha loves sitting in the French Gardens of Central Park (NY) (which remind her of Paris) remembering the beauty of the world “before kindness was replaced by hate”. But today her heart is broken, thinking of two family members she deeply loves: her mother, Chloe, who once lived and died in Paris, and her sister, Charlotte, now missing. After reading and re-reading a letter she receives, she fears the worst. Under Hitler’s latest decree, terrible things are happening and fast. Martha does not know if her sister Charlotte has been in the Resistance and, if so, has something gone terribly wrong? This novel explores the pain of heartbreak, of waiting, not knowing what has happened to a loved one and the sadness and hopelessness of being defenceless against a brute ruling force.
The first chapter takes us back to five years earlier (1938) when word of a death arrives at their door: that of a beloved Jewish woman, Anita, best friend of her mother and a woman that was like a second mother to the girls. Charlotte decides to take over the running of Anita’s gallery in France and to protect her artwork but with danger of war on the horizon, Martha and her father want Charlotte to come home. Martha embarks on a journey to France to bring her sister back to safety. But will she come? What follows is a battle of the wills and hearts with more surprises in the mix to keep our emotions on a constant move.
This expertly written novel is filled with secrets, love, danger and determined hearts. It is a passionately written story told from three viewpoints: Martha, Charlotte and Chloe so we get an excellent picture of the events from various angles and at various time points. The collected effect of these three women telling their stories is powerful and leaves you on the edge of your seat, page after page. You are immediately pulled into the tangled plot. And so easily into the characters’ lives that you care what happens to each of them: to the point you feel worried when they find themselves in danger. Charlotte’s courage and steadfastness is the breath of this novel as she fights against a power that threatens to steal freedom and hope from so many people. Martha, finds her feet and independence, too, and we see her grow over the course of her conflicts. New adventures await her when she has courage to step out and grasp happiness for herself.
Ella gives us an extra treat by allowing us to get re-acquainted with a few characters from the previous books in the series. Their appearances tie the novels wonderfully together in fulfilling and unexpected ways.
I would not hesitate to recommend The Lost Sister of Fifth Avenue (and all the previous novels in this series) for historical fiction lovers. I truly enjoyed this beautiful, transforming story. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
