Mother Island by Bethan Roberts

 

 

Loner Maggie has been earning a living as a Nanny since dropping out of University. She's now working for her cousin Nula in Oxford, arriving at her house every morning to look after two year old Samuel while both his parents go out to work full time.  One day Maggie takes Samuel, grabbing just a few items of his clothing along with his change bag before heading to Anglesey where she lived as a teenager.

The book doesn't have chapters but is split into sections which move between the present day and the past, when Nula was staying with Maggie's family during the summer holidays. We learn about Maggie's brother Joe, parents Fiona and Alan, and her Uncle Ralph (Nula's Dad) as well as obviously Maggie and Nula themselves.

As with all the author's previous books I found this to be a well written, compelling read that I got through quickly. I was desperate to find out the reasons behind Maggie abducting her young nephew and clues to this are hinted at throughout the story which kept my interest from beginning to end.

 

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House for a copy in return for an honest review.

Rating: 4 out of 5