Helen Watts – författare

On a hot summer afternoon in 1944, SS troops wiped out an entire French village. 644 men, women and children died that day. Just one child survived. This book tells the story of what happened in Oradour, and imagines what drove both the SS officer who ordered the massacre, and the seven-year-old boy who escaped it. Powerful, moving and almost unbearably tense, this book weaves the truth about what happened to the people in Oradour into a powerful fictional story centred on two characters: the plucky, inspirational seven-year-old Alfred Fournier, refugee and resident of Oradour, and the hot-headed, power-hungry SS commander who shattered his world and changed his life for ever, Major Gustav Dietrich. As their two worlds collide, we gain a fascinating insight into the extremes and contradictions of human behaviour and emotion. With a twist in the tale, this is a story which leaves the reader surprised, inspired and profoundly moved.

On a hot summer afternoon in 1944, SS troops wiped out an entire French village. 644 men, women and children died that day. Just one child survived. This book tells the story of what happened in Oradour, and imagines what drove both the SS officer who ordered the massacre, and the seven-year-old boy who escaped it. Powerful, moving and almost unbearably tense, this book weaves the truth about what happened to the people in Oradour into a powerful fictional story centred on two characters: the plucky, inspirational seven-year-old Alfred Fournier, refugee and resident of Oradour, and the hot-headed, power-hungry SS commander who shattered his world and changed his life for ever, Major Gustav Dietrich. As their two worlds collide, we gain a fascinating insight into the extremes and contradictions of human behaviour and emotion. With a twist in the tale, this is a story which leaves the reader surprised, inspired and profoundly moved.

A new chapter begins when you turn the page.Imogen has given up on men and London, and moved back to Broadway in the Cotswolds to live out her dream of opening her own bookshop.Joanna's children have flown the nest, and now she finds herself confronted with a life she'd previously been able to ignore.Geri is back in Broadway for her mother, whose Alzheimer's diagnosis has taken a rapid decline and is threatening to strip Geri of her freedom.Moving back to Broadway was never part of Kimberley's plan. But with her career - and life - up in flames, at least it offers an escape from the scandal and gossip.Soon, Imogen's bookshop - and its monthly book club - becomes a lifeline for the four friends; a place to reconnect over their shared love of books, a soft landing when life feels difficult, and a reminder that every new beginning starts with a small act of courage.Escape to the picturesque Cotswolds in this big-hearted and life-affirming story of second chances, female friendship and the healing power of books and the communities that form around them. If you love Milly Johnson, Helen Rolfe and Stephanie Butland, you won't want to miss The Second Chance Bookshop.

'A tender, uplifting story about four women rebuilding their lives, finding friendship, and rediscovering joy through a cosy Cotswolds bookshop. It's emotional, comforting, and full of that "e;books can save you"e; magic!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A new chapter begins when you turn the page.Imogen has given up on men and London, and moved back to Broadway in the Cotswolds to live out her dream of opening her own bookshop.Joanna's children have flown the nest, and now she finds herself confronted with a life she'd previously been able to ignore.Geri is back in Broadway for her mother, whose Alzheimer's diagnosis has taken a rapid decline and is threatening to strip Geri of her freedom.Moving back to Broadway was never part of Kimberley's plan. But with her career - and life - up in flames, at least it offers an escape from the scandal and gossip.Soon, Imogen's bookshop - and its monthly book club - becomes a lifeline for the four friends; a place to reconnect over their shared love of books, a soft landing when life feels difficult, and a reminder that every new beginning starts with a small act of courage.Escape to the picturesque Cotswolds in this big-hearted and life-affirming story of second chances, female friendship and the healing power of books and the communities that form around them. If you love Milly Johnson, Helen Rolfe and Stephanie Butland, you won't want to miss The Second Chance Bookshop.Readers CANNOT get enough of The Second Chance Bookshop!'Gosh what a book. . . Loved it . . . Love the bookshop. A good Saturday afternoon read!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'A book club in the Cotswolds. Need I say more . . . I couldn't wait to keep sitting down to read and escape fully into the world and lives Helen has created here!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'A beautiful book written about a bookshop! . . . Cosy relaxing vibes!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'Fun and easy heartfelt story . . . a feel good read!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐'It's a fun and fast read. I love it! Highly recommend it! . . . Enriching and emotional!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Kelly, a Traveller girl, is isolated and unhappy at her new school. Until the hot summer day when she meets Ben. Ben offers to help Kelly with her history project. It''s just schoolwork - except that the investigation quickly becomes compelling. Strange puzzles are revealed. A dark secret of the local quarry comes to life. Soon the mystery of the past is spilling into the present - and into Kelly''s own life. Kelly must bring the long-buried truth to light. And she will leave no stone unturned...A tense, moving mystery with brilliant historical detail of Victorian life, by the author of the Carnegie-nominated One Day In Oradour.

Kelly, a Traveller girl, is isolated and unhappy at her new school. Until the hot summer day when she meets Ben. Ben offers to help Kelly with her history project. It''s just schoolwork - except that the investigation quickly becomes compelling. Strange puzzles are revealed. A dark secret of the local quarry comes to life. Soon the mystery of the past is spilling into the present - and into Kelly''s own life. Kelly must bring the long-buried truth to light. And she will leave no stone unturned...A tense, moving mystery with brilliant historical detail of Victorian life, by the author of the Carnegie-nominated One Day In Oradour.

As the Great War raged, and in its aftermath, people created hundreds of legends and stories round it, to speak of the sadness, the heroism, the deaths. Author Helen Watts and storyteller Taffy Thomas bring together this compelling, moving collection of ghost stories and mysteries from both sides of the conflict, from the haunted U-boat to the ghost of the trenches.

As the Great War raged, and in its aftermath, people created hundreds of legends and stories round it, to speak of the sadness, the heroism, the deaths. Author Helen Watts and storyteller Taffy Thomas bring together this compelling, moving collection of ghost stories and mysteries from both sides of the conflict, from the haunted U-boat to the ghost of the trenches.