Wirral Life February 2022 | Page 17

CAROLINE CORCORAN 24TH FEBRUARY 2022

JULIA ARMFIELD 11TH MARCH 2022

SUSAN STOKES 14TH MARCH 2022

REVIEW OF SUSAN STOKES CHAPMAN ' PANDORA ' BY SUE PORTER

There is a fine line between coincidence and fate . In London , 1799 , Dora Blake is an aspiring jewellery artist who lives with her uncle in what used to be her parents ' famed shop of antiquities .

When a mysterious Greek vase is delivered , Dora is intrigued by her uncle ' s suspicious behaviour and enlists the help of Edward Lawrence , a young antiquarian scholar . Edward sees the ancient vase as key to unlocking his academic future . Dora sees it as a chance to restore the shop to its former glory and to escape her nefarious uncle .

But what Edward discovers about the vase has Dora questioning everything she has believed about her life , her family , and the world as she knows it . As Dora uncovers the truth she starts to realise that some mysteries are buried , and some doors are locked , for a reason .

This is an ideal book for book clubs , the characters are described in such detail you feel like you are watching them from afar as their tale unfolds . It is beautifully written and I am looking forward to chatting books and vases with Susan in March when she visits Linghams for her event .