Two stories nicely interweaved although I found the 1912 one the more interesting and engaging. I liked trying to pick out the fact from the fiction.

the story is told from two women, set over a hundred years apart, Jackie in 2022 and Madeleine in 1912.
Both women have the loss of a baby in common and
they were introduced to a titanic survivor, Lucy Watts.. both women tried to find Lucy's baby
I highly recommend this book by
Kathleen is McGurl.

A most enjoyable story. The two time periods kept me reading non stop. The Titanic is a well known event, but I haven’t read as much about the Carpathia. It was interesting to see the view of the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic. Thanks for the ARC

Another brilliantly crafted story from McGurl. The more I read of this author, the more I enjoy her books. I definitely want to try and read all of her back catalogue!

This book is similar to a previous read from this author, in the fact that we are focusing on the time of the Titanic. I have a fascination with this devastating event and have always enjoyed reading fictional accounts of this fateful night. This time, it is more about the after math when the Carpathia ship comes to rescue the survivors. Madeleine is on the ship, welcoming the survivors and, with her journalist husband’s persuasion, talking to them and understanding their experiences. Madeleine and her husband work together, piecing together the survivors stories to create the informative newspaper article that the world is waiting for. It was interesting to observe how the Carpathia‘s captain refused to pass on this story when they reached closer to New York and this was a reflection of the time. As a result, newspapers were simply providing the awaiting public with speculation and false news.

The author’s end note again reflected the research undertaken and this made the story even more enjoyable. Whilst some elements were fictionalised, I liked how McGurl fused fact with fiction, especially when the after note helped you identify what was truth. Finishing this book made me feel even more informed about this event.

Like so many of McGurl’s stories, this is a dual timeline and in the present day, Jackie stumbles upon Madeleine’s notebook that had some of the interviews from the Titanic survivors. Jackie starts piecing together the information she has to find out more about a lost baby that was reported by Madeleine. It is this that brings the two time periods in almost perfect parallel.

The title of the story has so many layers to it and they impact a range of characters. Not only does it refer to the baby whom was lost after its mother arrived on the Carpathia, but also what it means to be a mother. Both Madeleine and Jackie share similar experiences and I felt the writer addressed this in a sensitive manner. Furthermore, it is not just the women that have been affected and I thought this made the characters more vivid and enriched.

Despite the story of the Titanic being so well-known, McGurl offers a new perspective and I hadn’t even considered before what the rescue ship went through, let alone the passengers that found themselves heading back to New York with the survivors. The reporting black-out was interesting to consider, as well as the rumours that swirled around the fate of the Titanic, showing that this is still relevant in today’s modern world, where communication is instant but not always accurate. The tales of Madeleine and Jackie were emotional and provocative and I enjoyed reading how they are also survivors of their own, personal tragedies.

With thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Both heartwrenching and heartwarming this a beautifully told story or tragedy, loss and love.
If all history lessons were told like this I might have got better grades in my history exam 😹
Blending mainly facts with fiction the story is told from two women, set over a hundred years apart, Jackie in 2022 and Madeleine in 1912.
Both women have the loss of a baby in common so when both women are introduced to the story of Titanic survivor, Lucy Watts, both women are touched by her story and her missing daughter, and both go about trying to find out what happened to the little missing baby girl.
Madeleine is aboard the ship Carpathia and witnesses the rescue of the survivors of the sunken Titanic and it is as she is helping the survivors board the Carpathia that she is handed a bundle from one of the Titanic’s stewardess, only to have the bundle which contained a baby snatched straight back out of her arms.
Madeleine’s husband is a journalist and sets her the task of interviewing some of the women survivors to get their story of what really happened to the Titanic which is how she learns of Lucy’s lost child and vows to help her finding her missing baby.
Jackie is a research assistant to a wealthy businessman who is an avid collector, so when he buys a box of miscellaneous items from the ship, Carpathia, she discovers Madeleine’s notebook containing the interviews she carried out, one of which is Lucy’s story.
She is immediately drawn to the story still feeling her own recent loss and begins digging into the story.
Both women’s stories are equally as compelling and both storylines draw you into their worlds and lives as it follows their own personal losses along with the huge disaster and loss of live from the sinking of the Titanic.
It is beautifully written, full of compassion for the tragedy and it is a story that will haunt you, in a good way!, long after you have finished the last page.
I was completely invested in both storylines and loved all the nonfictional elements of the book. It is a book that once you start reading you cannot put it down.
I highly recommend reading this book to anyone and everyone, and I would go so far as to say it is one of the best books I have had the pleasure of reading this year.

Another great read from the queen of dual time line books!
These books I find so hard to put down as you just want to find out what happens next, but then you are in the other time and also want to know what’s happening there, so you just keep reading one more chapter after another.
Both timelines were interring and worked well and the story merged together effortlessly.
Can’t wait to see what comes next.

Historical fiction written in a dual time line. Both stories are fantastic and I enjoyed them very much, I usually find myself preferring one story over the other, but not this time. Another great story by a wonderful author. Thank you netgalley and publisher for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Thank yo to Netgalley, the publishing house and the author for the opportunity to read a complimentary copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

Another dual time-line book done right. This book takes place in 1912 and 2022. In 1912, our main character, Madeleine Meyer is aboard the Carpathia, on the fateful night that the Titantic sinks. She is there when the survivors are brought aboard and helps out as much as she can.. Madeleine's husband Ralph is a journalist and he asks his wife to try to get the stories from the survivors to get their story out and so the lost won't be forgotten. Madeleine finds a woman who is looking for her lost baby and she wonders if the child she saw being brought aboard earlier belonged to her, but they cannot seem to locate the child. In 2022, we find Jackie, who works for an antiquities dealer who is interested in the White Star Line. Jackie also wants to start a family with her partner, but starts to worry that they are not on the same page. meanwhile, Jackie comes across a journal that appears to tell the soties of Titantic survivors, initialed MM and finds herself diving into the story and wanting to kow more about the story of Lucy, the lady who lost her baby. Such a good story, so heartfelt and well written.

I love Kathleen McGurl's books. The stories always pull me right in. Her charcters are real and honest, she always sets a great scene and I do love a dual timeline story. Looking forward to many more books by this author.

I really enjoy historical fiction books and this one was no exception. It was a fast and easy read told through dual timelines. The jump between Madeleine’s experience onboard the Carpathia in 1912 and Jackie’s story in recent years was refreshing and kept me engaged throughout. Each of their stories was equally compelling and I loved the full circle moment at the end.

I really enjoyed this story. The two different time periods kept me enthralled. We hear so much about the Titanic, but not much about the Carpathia (at least I haven't), so it was interesting to see the view of the aftermath of the sinking of the Titanic. A great read!

The Lost child
HQ Digital
Publication 30/1/24
By Kathleen McGurl

1912. As the steamship Carpathia takes the survivors of the Titanic to New York, Lucy desperately searches the decks for her baby, thrust into the arms of another woman as a lifeboat left, and now nowhere to be found.
Madeleine is helping her journalist husband to interview the survivors, and when she meets Lucy, she promises she will do anything she can to help her find her lost child.
2022. When archivist Jackie finds a notebook containing the stories of women saved by the Carpathia amongst an auction lot, she learns the story of the missing baby.
Desperate to start a family of her own, she feels compelled to dig further. And her search will lead her to a century-old mystery.

So being obsessed with Titanic , I have read a number of books about it. I liked how this was about characters from the Carpathia. The ship that saved so many lives that night.

Also this was a dual timeline, which is also a favourite of mine.
This book was well written and I followed the dual time no problem. You will go through a range of emotions but who doesn’t love a happy ending. Though don’t take that as a sign that this book is predictable. It absolutely isn’t ! Enjoy!

#likes #like #follow #likeforlikes #love #instagood #instagram #followforfollowback #followme #photooftheday #photography #bhfyp #instalike #l #instadaily #likeforfollow #picoftheday #fashion #beautiful #me #followers #smile #likeforlike #myself #followback #f #comment #followforfollow #likesforlikes #art

I loved this novel! There is a great interplay between the past and present, with.a range of interesting and relevant themes touched upon. I particularly enjoyed the historical backdrop of the Titanic disaster, along with the many sub plots regarding children. I was gripped throughout and highly recommend this book.

The Lost Child is a well-written story of love and loss, but also hope and survival.

An engaging read with a good pace and a plot that flows well across the dual timelines. The author has done an excellent job of creating the many parallels between the 1912 characters and the 2022 characters.

I have read and enjoyed other Titanic historical fiction stories, but The Lost Child provides a different perspective for readers in that the 1912 storyline is told from the viewpoint of a Carpathia passenger, rather than a Titanic survivor.

This is the second novel by Kathleen McGurl that I have read; I recommend it and would be happy to read further novels from this author.

Thank you to the publisher, HQ Digital for a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Kathleen McGurl’s latest novel, The Lost Child, is a poignant and gripping tale that spans over a century, weaving together the tragic true story of a baby lost in the aftermath of the Titanic disaster and a modern-day woman’s quest to uncover the mystery behind the child’s disappearance.

McGurl hooks readers from the very first page, bringing us aboard the Titanic’s sister ship, the Carpathia, in the emotional hours following the Titanic’s sinking. We meet Madeleine, a woman who helps others despite dealing with her own grief and young mother Lucy, frantically searching for the infant daughter she handed to a stranger amid the lifeboat chaos. McGurl does an excellent job conveying both the panic of that dreadful night and Lucy’s visceral pain at being separated from her child.

The narrative then switches to 2022, as archivist Jackie discovers mention of the missing Titanic baby amongst documents she’s cataloging for auction. Unable to get Lucy and her lost little one out of her mind, Jackie decides to play amateur detective. As a woman struggling with infertility, she feels a special kinship with the long-ago mother and becomes obsessed with unearthing out what happened to the child.

As the tales of these two women weave together across the decades, McGurl keeps the intrigue high and emotions authentic. The stories connect in profoundly moving ways, building towards reveals and resolutions that pack a serious punch. Thoroughly researched and vividly told, The Lost Child offers the perfect melding of mystery, family drama, and illuminating history. Readers will devour this book quicker than a Titanic survivor would have wolfed down their first hot meal aboard the Carpathia. I highly recommend giving The Lost Child a read—just have some tissues at hand!

Another great story by this author with the dual timeline working perfect between the past and present. Great characters and storyline keep your interest throughout and it was a book I found hard to put down, especially with historic part. Definitely recommended

I love reading stories about the Titanic and when I saw this story I just had to read it.
This dual time story. The Carpathia picks up passengers from the Titanic. A journalist wants to tell the wold the truth and his wife helps by interviewing the women. During an auction her notebook and other Carpathia stuff is discovered and Jacky has to investigate it for her employer. Will the truth about a lost child ever by found?
I really enjoyed this story, it has so much that kept me reading. The storyline is great and at the end all lines come together. While reading you discover that the title of the story has more than just one meaning. A must read for fans of historical fiction.

A dual timeline that flows effortlessly between the eras.
1912. Madeline and Ralph Meyer are sailing on the Carpathia when the ship receives a mayday message from the Titanic. When they are transferring passengers from the titanic to lifeboats it’s women and children first. The Watts family have twins, so mother Lucy has Frederick in her arms and dad Arthur has Norah, so when he can’t go with his wife he begs another woman to take Norah. Will the family be reunited ?
Madeline does all she can to help Lucy in her search.
Present day. Tim and Jackie Summers have been together a long time and are content. They both like adventure holidays.
Jackie is ever aware that time is passing by for her to be having a baby but Tim always finds an excuse to delay when they will start a family. Then they reach a compromise of one last holiday so Tim gets to organising it. Is Jackie as content as she makes out and why is Tim so reluctant, could it be fear!
The similarities between Madeline and Jackie! This story will keep you glued. The ending, well I didn’t see that coming!

I absolutely loved this book!

I really enjoyed the dual timeline and thought both stories were really well written.

I slightly preferred the 1912 storyline, it felt more exciting, probably because it was based around the most famous shipwreck in the world. I like some of the characters were real people Abbs that others were based on real people.
I've never heard of Violet Jessop, but will definitely be looking to read her book in the future.

I thought the 2022 timeline was slower paced, which balanced brilliantly with the Titanic one. Setting it just after covid and lockdown made it so relatable. That feeling that nothing happened for 2 years, so plans need to be delayed while we catch up.

I'm also fascinated by the difference in reporting of news stories and disasters over the years. We're so used to instant news and constantly being in contact these days that the horror of not knowing who, if anyone, would come back from the Titanic seems unimaginable.

Big thanks to both #HQDigital and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of The Lost Child! The expected publication date is January 30, 2024.

"A sweeping dual-timeline novel from the bestselling author of The Girl from Bletchley Park.
All she wanted was a child of her own…"

I REALLY liked The Lost Child! The dual timelines featured Madeline, who was traveling aboard the Carpathia in 1912, and Jackie, who is an archivist in 2022 and finds a notebook from the Carpathia. Both were both interesting, although I enjoyed the 1912 timeline story the best. The parts of the book about the Titanic were heartwrenching - followed by others that were heartwarming. Both the book and the afterword were utterly fascinating, especially finding out how much of the story was true.

I recommend The Lost Child!

#KathleenMcGurl #Carpathia

This story is told in dual timelines. First we go back to the year 1912 and the ship Carpathia hears a distress call from the nearby ship Titanic. The ship turns to help rescue many survivors.

The Lost Child, tells the gut wrenching story of a few of the Titanic survivors. It's a story of three women, past and present trying to solve a one hundred year old mystery.

First, there was Madeleine a survivor, aboard The Titanic. She meets another survivor named Lucy Watts who is crying for her baby Norah. Both of them search for Norah, but the question remains, with all of the shock and devastation Lucy has suffered, is there really a baby to find?

Fast forward one hundred years to 2022 and we meet Jackie Summers. Jackie is an Archivist and antiques collector. Her employer Henry has recently acquired a box labeled "Carpathia". He was looking for medals that were awards to the ship's crew who answered the Titanic's distress call. But when Jackie comes across a notebook she is now determined to find out what has happened to the passengers Lucy Watts and Madeleine Meyer.

This was a compelling story both past and present. In fact, I truly enjoyed both timelines as I ended up rooting for Jackie to find out any information she could find regarding Lucy and Madeline.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the genre of Historical Fiction!