Billie discovers she was adopted after her parents die. She meets up with Madame Burova in her quest to discover her biological background. This takes us back to the Larkins holiday park in 1973, and all the performers and characters at that time. Madame Burova is a fortune teller of some talent, but even she cannot work out what really happened in that summer until Billie's story comes out.

Second book read from the Ruth Hogan stable and perhaps for me not quite as enjoyable as The Keeper of Lost Things which I could not put down. This story told in two different time frames, with the mores of the 1970s very different from what is considered acceptable now particularly aspects of bullying. Vivid imagination bringing to life three dimensional characters, magical storyline, exposed secrets and the huge gap between past and present. Many thanks once again to author, publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a story with dual timeline. It has topics of race, women's rights, etc. the characters are likable. Solid stories on both ends that I enjoyed very much. I read other book from the writer too, and I enjoyed. So, would recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley, John Murray Press and Ruth Hogan for this e-copy in return for my honest review. I loved the Keeper of Lost Things so I was eager to jump into Ruth's new book and it definitely didn't disappoint. I'm a sucker for a dual timeline story and was completely enthralled by this book. Filled with engaging and likeable characters and a story that's as times tender at times funny, this is a beautiful book. I hope it'll be a huge success.

Madame Burova by Ruth Hogan is a delightful dual timeline novel that I could not put down. It is set in 1972 and present day.
The early 1970’s in Britain was a time of unrest, prejudice and intolerance. The Windrush generation were still finding life hard as they tried to integrate into British society. Their children found it just as hard. “All he wanted was… to be white.” What a heart-breaking thought of an eleven year old of mixed race. The reader is horrified by the attitudes levelled by children to other children. “He had never allowed… the filthy words flung at him in ignorance and hate, to define or diminish him.” This young boy has an enormous capacity to love. When he sees injustice towards a weak, helpless dog, he steps in.
We all want to know our roots. “I feel like a question mark.” On learning that she was a foundling, a woman in her forties sets out to seek out her birth parents, after the receipt of an envelope from her father following his death.
The reader becomes immersed in the life of a 1970’s British holiday camp. It is very reminiscent of the BBC’s Hi-Di-Hi. It was a time of fun but also of sexual harassment which was largely accepted and unreported – until the day the women decide enough is enough.
We see true love bud and blossom. It is a love that remains down the years.
Madame Burova is a keeper of secrets. What is said in the tent, stays in the tent.
All the characters were well drawn and realistic, eliciting a variety of emotional responses from me. They were warm and welcoming. I loved getting to know them.
I love Ruth Hogan’s writings and absolutely adored Madame Burova.
I received a free copy from Net Galley. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.

A reader could be forgiven for thinking this book was about Madame Burova and her fortune telling business. In fact it has more to do with the secrets passed to her that she keeps in the same way as aPriest keeps the secrets of the confessional.

In fact it is one huge secret and the person trying to unravel it that forms the main part of this book. Billie finds out after her father's death that she is adopted and further communications give her hints as to her beginnings. The narrative takes place mainly in 2 time periods the 1970's and the 2010's or early 20's only ever referred to as now.

The author has created a real patchwork of characters and events drawing them together into something living and breathing as a narrative. It is the sort of book where good wins out over bad, the less likeable characters meet their comeuppance and those who could do with a boost or a bolstering receive it.

I read this in only a few hours and enjoyed every minute

A slight but warm-hearted tale about some nice people.

After the death of her parents, Billie discovers that she was a foundling. Her search for her birth parents take her to Brighton and to Imelda Burova, mystic and tarot reader.

The narrative switches between 1973 and the present as we discover more about Madame Burova and the events leading up to Billie’s abandonment.

Plotting is tight but with no great surprises. With the exception of a few cartoon baddies, characters are generous and kind and spend inordinate amounts of time in the local cafe!

There is nothing particularly challenging in this story (one character’s experience of racism at school appears to be resolved by his adoption of a maltreated dog) but it succeeds as a feelgood read.

This is a book of secrets which uses clairvoyancy and tarot cards. Madame Burova is based on a real person who lived in Brighton but Imelda is far and away her superior. She could look at you and know what sort of person you are. There is romance, there is mystery, there is the risk of letting unsupervised young adults who are boozed up to their own devices. How would you react if you found out your beloved mother and father weren't yours by birth? All this and more, switching between then and now. Good read and interesting subject, are fortunes really pre-planned and can we change them.

I have just finished reading this book.It was a lovely read, read over the course of a couple of nights.I loved Madame Burova and Billies story.It was magical to read and perfect for the times we are living through.Not to difficult subject matter but beautifully told.Looking forward to Ruth's next book.

An uplifting feel good book from the amazing Ruth Hogan. Having read The Keeper of Lost Things a few years ago I have been a fan of this author.

Madame Burova - what an amazing name for a fortune teller - is a unique book with exceptionally well written, often quirky and definitely memorable characters.

The story is written along two timelines between the early 70’s and the present day.

There are two central characters; Imelda ‘Madam’ Burova and Billie.

Billie is given a letter from her father after his and her mother’s death telling her she is adopted. She also receives a letter from Madame Burova asking to meet up as she has some information on her adoption. Madame Burova had made a promise many years ago and it is time to fulfil it before she retires, having had enough of keeping other people’s secrets which have preyed heavily on her.

Billie heads to Brighton to meet Madame Burova” and uncover the truth about her birth parents.

There are many characters in the book and many threads but they all weave together perfectly by the end to an ending I was not expecting. I particularly loved ‘MI5’ Clive, Henry the pianist and the dogs!

I enjoyed reading the 1970’s part when life was simpler and knobbly knees contests were still happening at holiday camps! However there is a down side of those times - racial discrimination and a sleazy camp manager, sadly which were not unusual then. There is a bit of animal cruelty too but that has a positive outcome - for the dog but not so much for the owner!

A full 5 stars from me, and my thanks to John Murray Press and NetGalley for a review copy.

I know plenty of reviewers have given summaries of the plot so I won't repeat their words. I would like to say though that this was a genuinely warm-hearted story. I must admit that I do prefer some of her other novels but nevertheless it is a comforting sensation to have a new Ruth Hogan book in my hands. It will take you on a journey and leave you feeling lost when you finish it.

What a lovely story. Really enjoyable and heartwarming. Took a little bit to get into but after I did I didn't want to put it down

After the death of her parents, Billie is shocked to discover that she was adopted and that she has been left a trust fund by her birth mother. Then she is contacted by Imelda Burova, clairvoyant keeper of secrets, who claims to know about Billie's background. This is related to group of young people who worked at a holiday camp in Brighton in the 1970s, but Imelda Burova keeps secrets and she is sworn not to reveal everything she knows.
This is Ruth Hogan's fourth novel and there is no deviation from the formula. This has been describes as 'Up-Lit', uplifting stories of life. Weirdly that description would normally mean that I would not consider reading this type of fiction as the connotations of twee stories set in impossible social situations would irritate me no end. However I picked up one of Hogan's earlier books and was hooked. Yes, it is completely undemanding but it is also as warm as a cup of hot chocolate and sometimes that is what is needed!

If a say this is a pleasant, easy read it sounds as if I'm damning with faint praise and I suppose I am. I enjoyed the characters but felt that there was a lack of depth to most of them, as soon as I felt myself getting absorbed the story would shift to either another character or another time period. I enjoyed the book but felt it could have been so much more.

Enjoyable enough but not this authors best.
However, it is well written it's the storyline that lacks something, coherence maybe. A pleasant read.

Ruth Hogan is another favourite author - I think I've read all her books so far and thoroughly enjoyed them - so I was delighted to see she had another coming out. Her particular brand of fiction - involving a mix of sorrow and joy, a little romance, quite a few faithful dogs and a hint of the unexpected - is one that always seems to appeal to me. When you've always felt that enjoyment you do always get a twinge of fear when you start a new book: will this be the one that I just don't like, quite as much? Luckily the answer, once again, is no. Still just my cup of tea.

Madame Burova (Imelda to her friends and family) is a Tarot reader (also palms read and general clairvoyance) and has been since she took over her mother's Brighton booth in the 1970s. Her job involves knowing a lot of other people's secrets, and she has always kept them before, but this time she has been charged with revealing information which is going to change a young woman's life forever. In the early 70s Imelda Burova joined the ranks of 'entertainment' at a local holiday camp and the story follows this motley crew - singers, pianists, a wall of death rider, a middle-aged contortionist and a trio of glamorous mermaids - and their romances, spats and jealousies. One of which leads to to the birth of a baby girl, abandoned on Imelda's doorstep, who returns decades later to try and discover how she came to be.

As usual in my reviews, I will not spoil the reading experience for others by rehashing the plot - plenty of reviews like that out there already!

This is my second read by Ruth Hogan, and I absolutely loved this book. The timeline switches between the 1970s and the present day. The writing evokes the attitudes and behaviours (both good and bad aspects) of the '70s very well, and contrasts nicely with the sections set in the current time. I can clearly recall "fortune teller" booths from seaside visits as a child - never visited any but they always seemed to be popular.

The settings, characters (and dogs!) are so beautifully written that I could picture most of them. My favourite characters (amongst many likeable souls) were Imelda (the eponymous Madame Burova), Billie, Henry, and Treasure - I felt that they were all warm and likeable people who had made the best of things. Also enjoyed Clive's character.
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A very enjoyable read. I would love to see a TV or movie dramatisation of this book, and it's not often I feel or say that!

Already looking forward to Ruth's next book...

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

What a beautiful story. As someone who reads tarot cards, I love how they were woven into the story and the role they play in Madame Burova’s life. It is uplifting, joyous and deep. A pleasure to read. I initially found that there were too many characters to get to know, but once they became established characters it was easy to remember them and their relationships with one another. Also towards the end the dog Sparrow gets called Star on two occasions.

I’ve loved all of Ruth Hogan’s books and this was no exception .It’s a feel good story of love and loss ,with the exotic clairvoyant,Madame Burova at its heart.There’s the usual range of interesting characters and the story moves between Brighton in the early 70s to the present day.It covers more serious topics such as racism ,women’s issues and adoption ,and is particularly fascinating on tarot card readings.
I felt so much better for reading it.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest review which reflects my own opinion.

Oh dear, it just didn’t gel for me. I tried. I left it. I went back to it time and time again, but it just wasn’t for me. Yes it’s well written, but I struggled and eventually gave up after ploughing about a quarter of the way through. Perhaps I’m just too read out and becoming more picky after a year of lockdown/self isolating. Judging by other reviews this is a book enjoyed by many. Thank goodness we’re all different.
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